Virginia Beach Walks

First Landing/Seashore State Park

A peaceful retreat, this park offers 20 miles of walking trails over 2,800 acres of virgin bayside beaches, forest, lagoons, and swamps. This breathtaking reserve is home to over 150 species of birds, many small animals, and over 500 species of plants. Ancient untouched trees deserve your respect as the guardians of this natural temple.

The Chesapeake Native American tribe who lived in nearby areas came here to fish, hunt deer and gather shellfish. Within the park are several flat, well marked trails ranging from easy 1-mile strolls to more difficult 6-mile hikes. Some of the main trails are suitable for bike riding. The park is so expansive you often pass only a person or two even when the parking lot is full!

A visitor center offers information and wheelchair accessible restrooms.

Insider's Tips:

Open year round this park offers winter wonderland walks when it snows and nature's colorful palette in Autumn.

After a hike in the park, cross the street to the ocean side of the park. Tour or pass the visitor's center and follow the boardwalk. Stretch out on the sand and enjoy the sites and sounds of the beach.

Bring your own water.

Take only pictures.

The smaller trails off the main trail are highly recommened.

Dogs love these trails!

Use the map to get to the look out with benches- perfect for relaxing and taking in the panoramic view.

Come back often, with seasonal changes this park looks totally different each time you visit.

Location

From I-64, take Northampton Blvd./U.S. 13 North (Exit 282). Go through eight lights, then turn right at the Shore Drive/U.S. 60 exit (last exit before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel). Take a right on Shore Drive and go four and a half miles to the park entrance. To reach the Chesapeake Bay Center, park office, camping or cabins, turn left off U.S. Rt. 60 at the stoplight and check in at the contact station. For the Trail Center, picnic area and trails, turn right instead. Click here for a Mapquest map.

First Landing/Seashore State Park Cape Henry Lighthouses

The site of the English settlers first landing on shore is now home to the First Landing Memorial Site on the Fort Story military base. There's lots to see with the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse, the new lighthouse, beaches, and First Landing Cross.
The Old Cape Henry Lighthouse is the third oldest lighthouse in the United States and the oldest on the Chesapeake Bay. It's construction was completed in 1792.
First Landing Cross is the large stone cross constructed in 1607 by the English who eventually established the first settlement in Jamestown.
Your walk of the Memorial Site is an easy walk that may take a little over an hour. A suggested path is from the parking area past the stone Revolutionary War monument, past the statue of Admiral de Grasse, right onto the boardwalk. Here you'll see great views of the beach, the bay, Navy ships, and the 17.6 mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Walk back to the parking area. From here, you can go right to see the quaint St. Theresa Chapel and go to the Cape Henry Lighthouses. Go through the visitors' center to access the Old Cape Henry House and climb to a magnificent expansive view of the ocean and the surrounding park and city.

Insider's Tips
Bring your driver's license or identification which may be requested as you enter the Fort Story base.
Walk on the trails and boardwalk but stay off the protected dunes and any other areas marked off limits with signs.
Walk to the top of the lighthouse and look for the dolphins that play in the bay.
Pack a picnic and lunch on the grassy areas with views.
Bring pets on a leash.
Visit in the afteroon and dine at restaraunt on the Chesapeake Bay like The Lynnhaven Fish House where the real catch of the day is the brilliant fuscia orange sky on the bay at sunset.
Location
From I-64 in Norfolk take Exit 282 for Route 13 North - Northampton Blvd. Then take the exit for Route 60 - Shore Drive and turn right. Or, if coming from the north on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, take the first exit for Route 60 - Shore Drive and turn left. After crossing into Seashore/First Landing State Park turn left into the west gate of Fort Story.
Follow this road, it will take you right between the two lighthouses.
Alternate Directions:
From the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, take Pacific Ave (Rt. 60) north (or Atlantic Ave - the two will merge). Near 82nd Street turn right following Atlantic Ave to the main gate of Fort Story.
Follow this road, it will take you right between the two lighthouses.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

This hidden treasure is 8,000 of natural barrier island coastline home to a variety of habitats. Here you can see the beach, woodlands, dunes, farm fields and marshes.
Back Bay has scenic trails in varying lengths, look out points, a visitor center, and group educational programs.

The park offers easy 1 mile strolls to 6 hour hikes. Mostly dirt trails, boardwalks and sandy beaches.
Biking is permitted as well as dogs.

Look for a variety of wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Here you can see a variety of turtles and birds. The refuge is home to bald eagles, loggerhead sea turtles, wild horses and much more.
The Back Bay Refuge is near Virginia Beach, south of Sandbridge.
Outdoor facilities are open daily dawn to dusk.
Insider's Tips: Check the website for park closings as it closes for two weeks in October for maintenance.
http://backbay.fws.gov/
During Fall, especially December, you can see the large flocks of over 10,00 migrating ducks and snowgeese.

Check the website for hours of a tram tour of the park.

Get a year pass at the entrance...it's good for many other national parks.
Bring your dogs for a walk on the beach and trails.
Bring light jackets, sunscreen, hats, and walking shoes.
Look for the dolphins that play and feed right near the shore.
Drop a kayak in the water at the boat launch and tour the back bay.
When you leave Back Bay, bring children by Little Island playground at Sandbridge. It's on the right about 1/4 mile after the Back Bay exit.
Location

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach, VA. 23456-4325 (757) 721-2412
http://backbay.fws.gov/
Directions from I-64:

Exit to I-264 East ( Towards the Oceanfront)
Take Birdneck Road Exit (Exit 22)
Turn Right onto Birdneck Road
Travel Approximately 3-4 miles to the intersection with General Booth Boulevard
Turn Right onto General Booth Blvd.
Travel approximately 5 miles
After crossing Nimmo Parkway, pay close attention to road signs.
Get into the left hand lane so you can turn left at the next traffic light.
Turn left onto Princess Anne Road at the light
A 7-11 store is on the left at this corner
At the next traffic light, proceed straight through the light(middle lane).
Note: When you have traveled through the light
the road turns into Sandbridge Rd.
A Food Lion Market should be on your right when going through the light
Follow Sandbridge Road until you enter the Community of Sandbridge
Make a right turn onto Sandpiper Road just past the Fire Station
Follow Sandpiper Road for approximately 4 miles.
You will pass Little Island City Park on the left.
The entrance to Back Bay NWR is at the end of Sandpiper Road

Norfolk Botanical Gardens

Walking these amazing gardens in green open spaces is a tranforming experience. There are 12 miles of walking trails among over 30 unique gardens, forest, orchards, and waterways. It's a jouney in serenity just to be at the gardens any day of the year.
A great place for all ages to walk, there's lots of open spaces, paved stroller ready walkways, and trams for those who prefer not to walk. There's even wheelchairs to borrow. You can explore the whole park on foot and walk for hours or just have a stroll through your favorite garden. There's even a shuttle to get you to the garden of your choice.
The Garden is open every day of every year.
9 am - 5 pm from mid October to March and
9 am - 7 pm April - mid October.
Membership is available for free visits all year.
Adults $6, Seniors, Military & Students $5, Youth 6-16 $5, Under 5 free with paying adult. Group rates available. Boat rides $3/ $2 for youth 6-16.

Admissions includes a tram tour of the park and rides on a half hourly shuttle that stops at seven areas of the park (April through October 15).

Insider's Tips:There's lots to see in the gardens all year but a favorite time of the year is April and May.
Check the website link for list seasonal blooming
http://www.nbgs.org/visitingnbg/index.shtml#seasonal
Enjoy a leisurely walk of the gardens. Pack a picnic and lunch on the grass.
Allow for extra time and bring snacks and water. Once you settle in this garden oasis, you'll want to stay all day.
Rest after your walk on the 30 minute guided boat tour that weaves through you lush greenery and onto Lake Whitehurst. Enjoy many photo opportunities of birds, wildlife and garden views. Boat tours are offered daily, April - mid October and weekends mid-October - March.
Complete your day with a cup of tea and dessert at the Azaela Garden Cafe which overlooks the exquisite japanese gardens.
Bring a camera and get close ups of the vivid colored flowers.
At Halloween, an area of the garden may be transformed into a spook walk. At Christmas, the gardens are decorated with large electric light structures. Many people enjoy these holiday traditions at thr park. If you like natural spaces, be sure to visit the gardens at other times when nature abounds.
Location
Get A Detailed Map

6700 Azalea Garden Road
Norfolk, Virginia 23519 - 5337

Next to Norfolk International Airport.
Minutes from Downtown Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

From I - 64, take exit 279 - Norview Avenue.
Follow Norview for one mile and turn left on to Azalea Garden Road.
The Garden entrance is on the right.