This bright greetings mural excites visitors and makes a great first stop in Virginia Beach. Photo credit: Angela Dowdy
As a solo woman who loves to travel frugally, I look for safe shoulder season destinations filled with galleries, museums and foodie spots. Shoulder season travel means lower prices, less crowds and a more leisurely pace.
Virginia Beach, high on my solo travel bucket list, had this and more. Here are my favorite stops.
SheBuysTravel Tip: During shoulder seasons, be sure to bring a raincoat or umbrella as showers are random. If you desire photos of the beach, just know it will only be visible between showers and outdoor temps will be quite chilly.
Public Art
Over 50 pieces of public art murals and sculptures in every color dot Virginia Beach. My favorite piece is a sculpture entitled “Anticipation” which greets visitors at JT’s Grommet Island Beach Park.
- The Wow Factor: Bronze sculpture by renowned artist Richard Stravitz to honor a surfer who suffered from ALS
- Best Experience: Appreciate fine facial features and how various sun intensity reflects the hues and patinas
- Fun Fact: Surfers are often called grommets
- Need to Know: Located at 100 2nd Street and easily seen during daylight hours
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Two Special Art Galleries
Stravitz Sculpture and Fine Art Gallery
Stravitz Sculpture and Fine Art Gallery master sculptor Richard Stravitz is a craftsman who loves his livelihood. His knowledge and kindness are evident when you bask in his joyful art environment.
- The Wow Factor: Stunning world-class artwork by present-day masters in sculpture, painting and glass
- Best Experience: View sculpted athletes, dancers, fairies and horses that capture the essence of beauty and motion
- Fun Fact: Stravitz and staff gladly explain the ancient “lost wax” technique to all who are curious and clever enough to ask
- Need to Know: Gallery hours are 10am until 6pm Monday through Saturday
The Virginia Beach Art Center
The Virginia Beach Art Center is the area’s only art cooperative and exists to support, educate and inspire all art lovers. It houses an exhibit area, classroom, studios and The Artists Gallery.
- The Wow Factor: Staggering quantity and quality of art done by ordinary people in every medium imaginable
- Best Experience: Walk through a new exhibition or observe an interactive pottery class
- Fun Fact: Gallery manager Vinnie Bumatay states, “folks from age five to 100 come for lessons, no MFA required.”
- Need to Know: In the exciting ViBe District with free parking, free entry and closed only on Mondays
Favorite Park
Red Wing Park spans 97 acres and includes gardens, dog park, ball courts and numerous attractive amenities. Here you will find a place where the beauty of nature really does soothe the soul.
- The Wow Factor: Red torri gate reveals an immersive Zen-like zone filled with Japanese foliage, flowers and a small koi pond with a red bridge
- Best Experience: Enchanting, calm and picturesque after a rain as drops glisten on the lush landscape
- Fun Fact: Japanese garden built to commemorate sister city relationship of Miyazaki, Japan and Virginia Beach
- Need to Know: Red Wing Park has picnic shelters, playgrounds and restrooms
SheBuysTravel Tip: In late March and early April the cherry blossoms add extra beauty to the park, which is a popular place for plein air painting.
Favorite Museum
Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum appeals to lovers of history, art, birds and conservation. It promotes a deeper understanding of the Atlantic migratory routes of wildfowl.
- The Wow Factor: Historic cottage, furnishings, photos and wildfowl art
- Best Experience: Carvers working their craft discuss staggering prices some wooden decoys may bring
- Fun Fact: Pelican in photo was carved by a 78-year-old lady
- Need to Know: You can tour the one-room library, boathouse and gorgeous gazebo
Best Budget-Friendly Lodging
Garner Hotel Virginia Beach North has a new name, new status as a mid-tier part of the IHG brand and is newly renovated. The convenient location near the beach combined with free parking and free breakfast delights budget-minded travelers.
- The Wow Factor: Great base while exploring Virginia Beach
- Best Experience: Solo female guests easily walk one block to view beach sunrise and get back before breakfast
- Fun Fact: Spacious rooms with comfortable bedding and flat-screen TV
- Need to Know: Friendly Concierge, fitness center and 24-hour front desk
Best Lunch with a View
Graze Kitchen specializes in locally sourced lunch that is healthy and beautifully presented. Walking the labyrinth is said to improve your body, mind and spirit.
- The Wow Factor: Labyrinth modeled after that at French Chartres Cathedral
- Best Experience: Half classic Rueben, cup of soup du jour and a sweet tea
- Fun Fact: Healthy menu rotates seasonally
- Need to Know: Open Tues-Sat 11am until 5pm
Best Dinner with Nostalgia
Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant is an absolute must-see place for lovers of the Beatles and only one block from the boardwalk. Fans of the Fab Four can’t help but feel the thrill.
- The Wow Factor: Staggering amount of Beatles memorabilia inside and out
- Best Experience: Fried shrimp, red beans and rice and a decadent bread pudding
- Fun Fact: Specialty items named after Beatles music
- Need to Know: Great selection of brews and gluten-free items and live music on most weekends
SheBuysTravel Tip: Be aware that dogs are allowed on the front patio. You may want to call ahead to inquire about the daily specials.
Best Dessert Discovery in Virginia Beach
Gerald’s Ice Cream is a haven that dessert lovers rave about in Virginia Beach. There are French pastries, Italian affogatos and freshly churned ice creams.
- The Wow Factor: Everything is fresh, natural and made in-house
- Best Experience: Sip an affogato while Gerald explains how it was made
- Fun Fact: Use of liquid nitrogen makes the affogato unforgettable
- Need to Know: Call ahead for seasonal hours (757) 417-7600
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