Beach Bird Attractions
We have to start our list at the house itself since we are continuously upgrading and adding as we get new ideas for more fun on vacation. Between the ocean and our sports pool, we find many of our guests spending the week right there,
The list includes badminton pool and land, volleyball pool and land, pickleball, basketball, multiple golf practice greens virtually a mini golf course, cornhole boards, ping pong, and table hockey/mini-pool table,
Venturing further out within walking distance is Sandbridge Seaside Market with an excellent deli, and next door Sandbridge Restaurant which has consistently received best in the beach awards. Across the street is a Ben and Jerry’s. Still within Sandbridge Beach but 5 miles away at the South end of SB is the Sandbridge Fishing pier, Baja Restaurant, and tennis courts. A few miles further is Back Bay Wildlife Refuge with a visitor center and an extensive bird-watching path with guided electric golf cart tours. In the Fall and Spring migrations this walk is spectacular and there is a large group of snow geese and shorebirds that over-winter. For serious bird-watchers there are two world class destinations within 20 miles from the Eastern Shore of Virginia to Mackay Island, N.C.
On the way in to SB within a mile, you will pass on the right Sandbridge Beach Rentals with bikes, surfboards, kayaks, and guided, eco-tours, as well as many household rental items. For the latter we strive to provide everything for toddlers, so check our inventory first. We used to supply bikes, but insurance nixed that.
Also on the way in on the left you will pass Hells Point golf course which is open to the public. There are many more around the area.
Just before Sandbridge Road you will pass Redmill Shopping Center with about 5 grocery stores including Walmart, numerous eateries and other stores, about 7 miles.
General Booth Blvd. Originates ar Redmill and takes you to the beach downtown of Virginia Beach. There is a large waterpark, the Virginia Aquarium (outstanding: walking and zipline tours, sealife petting zoo, exhibits, an IMAX theater) , the Rudee Inlet with fishing party boats, whale and dolphin watching tours, powered hang-gliding, and jet ski rentals and numerous seafood waterfront restaurants. Across the street to the East is the start of the 3 mile long VB boardwalk. About a mile north on Atlantic Avenue is I FLY, an indoor sky-diving tower. Something I would love to try if I ever find the time. At the North end of Atlantic Avenue is Fort Storey with the Cape Story lighthouse. Staying on Rte.60, now called Shore Drive (about 5 name changes for this one road) which passes First Landing State Park with miles of walking and biking trails.
Venturing further, but within a 20 mile radius are Norfolk Waterside, Norfolk Naval Base (I believe one of the largest in the world), Battleship Wisconsin. On the other side of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel that those from points west probably came through, is the Hampton Air and Space Museum with all ages exhibits but especially for kids. Further afield another 20 miles or so West is the Colonial Triangle with Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, and Yorktown Battlefield and exhibit, all highly worthwhile and informative. I asked one of docents at Yorktown why it ended the War, since the British could have evacuated by ship to New York, she thought for a while and then answered that she thought they were just worn out by then, which I thought was a very good answer. Another factor is detailed in an excellent book called Battle of the Capes, where the French Navy, sailing all the way from the Caribbean, defeated the British Navy in a series of skirmishes, after which they withdrew to New York, so evacuation would not have been an option. Also near Williamsburg is Busch Gardens, a huge theme park that some take several days to try everything.
Please correspond if you have special interests. There are surfing lessons, sailing lessons, windsurfing and kite-boarding lessons, sailing tours of the Naval Base, all kinds of water-based activities and sights. Newport News Maritime Museum is a personal favorite.