Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing high-rise hotels dominate the horizon, and the crowded beachfront and traffic-choked
streets leave much to be desired.
Surfing is permitted at the beach's southern end near Rudee Inlet and alongside the
14th St pier.
Sights
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
AQUARIUM
( 757-385-3474;
www.virginiaaquarium.com
; 717 General Booth Blvd; adult/child $22/15;
9am-5pm)
If you want to see an aquarium done right, come here. You can get up close in
a tidal pool with playful seals ($175) or observe the feeding and interact with the local
sea turtles ($20).
Mt Trashmore
PARK
(310 Edwin Dr; 7:30am-dusk)
Off I-64 exit 17B, Virginia Beach's only verticality
was the creative solution to a landfill problem. Today the 165-acre park serves as a prime
picnicking and kite-flying venue, with two lakes, playgrounds, a skate park and other re-
creational areas.
First Landing State Park
NATURE RESERVE
( 800-933-7275; 2500 Shore Dr; per vehicle $4-5)
Virginia's most-visited state park is a vast
2888-acre woodland with 20 miles of hiking trails, plus opportunities for camping, cyc-
ling, fishing, kayaking and swimming.
Contemporary Arts Center of Virginia
MUSEUM
(
www.virginiamoca.org
;
2200 Parks Ave; adult/child $7.70/5.50; 10am-9pm Tue, to 5pm Wed-Fri,
to 4pm Sat & Sun)
Has excellent rotating exhibitions housed in a fresh, ultramodern build-
ing that lovingly focuses natural light onto an outstanding collection of local and interna-
tional artwork.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
NATURE RESERVE
(
www.fws.gov/backbay
; per vehicle/pedestrian $5/2 Apr-Oct, free Nov-Mar; sunrise-sunset)
This 9250-acre wildlife and migratory bird marshland habitat is most stunning during the
December migration season.
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
NATURE RESERVE
