Virginia Beach Fun Blog

Get your Water Country USA discount tickets before the park opens for the season Saturday, May 10.

Voted one of America's best water parks by the Travel Channel, Water Country USA has a new attraction for 2008: "Rock 'n' Roll Island" features three body slides, a "lazy" river, and a slide for "Little Boppers," all set to music from the 50's and 60's.

While the single-day admission price is now $39.95 per adult, travel site Virginia Beach Family Fun has found a variety of places to get your ticket for considerably less. They also have parking discounts, park hours, and other tips for visiting the park, as well as discount ticket secrets for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, and other Virginia attractions.. For more information, go to www.virginia-beach-family-fun.com.

May 1, 2008 12:06 - Yorktown Battlefield Civil War Weekend

Civil War enthusiasts: Yorktown Battlefield will offer a Civil War Weekend May 24 - 25, starting at 9 am both days. Re-enactors will demonstrate military tactics, encampments, and a Confederate field hospital. There will also be a special Memorial Day ceremony at the Yorktown National Cemetery and Confederate Cemetery.

Yorktown Battlefield is the location of the final decisive battle that gained America's independence from Britain. It's located near the charming village of Yorktown, home to a beautiful beach, charming boutiques and antique stores, and the Yorktown Victory Center.

For travel tips for visiting Yorktown, including historic restaurants and upcoming free Yorktown events, go to www.virginia-beach-family-fun.com.

May 1, 2008 12:18 - Jamestown Landing Day at Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne

Come celebrate the 1607 founding of Jamestown, America's first permanent English colony, on May 10 at Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne. There will be military drills, maritime demonstrations, archaeological digs, entertainment, and stuff for kids. You'll be able to see re-created colonists' ships sailing in the James River and an educational program with a NASA astronaut.

For hours and admission details for both attractions, go to www.virginia-beach-family-fun.com.

May 1, 2008 12:23 - Busch Gardens Williamsburg Hosts Christian Concert Series

Glory at the Gardens, Busch Gardens Williamsburg's annual Christian concer series, will be held May 4, 11, and 18. A dozen Christian groups, including Third Day, Mark Schultz and Natalie Grant, will perform at the event, which is free with paid admission. For park hours on those dates and other special events at the park, go to www.virginia-beach-family-fun.com.

For Busch Gardens Willamsburg discount ticket secrets, plus a link for discount parking, click here.

May 1, 2008 12:28 - 12th Annual Colonial Williamsburg Pedal the Parkway

Don't miss the 12th Annual Colonial Williamsburg Pedal the Parkway on Saturday, May 3, from 8 am-1 pm. The Colonial Parkway between Williamsburg and Jamestown will be closed to cars so bicyclists can cruise the parkway during this free event. For details, including how to get a free kids bicycle helmet, go to www.virginia-beach-family-fun.com.

May 12, 2008 07:48 - Neptune Festival Spring International Wine Tasting

Virginia Beach's Neptune Festival will host its annual Spring International Wine Tasting on Saturday, May 17, from Noon-5 pm. The event will be held at the 24th Street Park off Atlantic Avenue near the beachfront.

Participants will be able to taste 75 different wines from around the globe during this international wine tasting event. Tickets (which include a wine-tasting glass and unlimited tastings) are limited, so be sure to order your tickets online early. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.neptunefestival.com.

For more upcoming events at the Virginia Beach boardwalk, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.

May 12, 2008 07:58 - Free Williamsburg Family Fun Fest

The Family Fun Fest, a free farm event near Williamsburg, will be held May 17, 2008, from 11 am to 3 pm. The event will be held at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.

Attractions include a petting zoo, Touch-a-Truck (featuring a variety of big, big trucks you can climb in), arts and crafts, clowns, and tips for being healthy from Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. You'll also be able to meet local firefighters, practice fire drills, and learn fire safety. For more information, call (757) 259-5415.

For more upcoming events in Williamsurg and southeastern Virginia, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.

May 12, 2008 08:10 - How to Save on a Virginia Vacation

With gas prices going through the roof, the Virginia Board of Tourism is encouraging Virginians to stay home this summer--home, that is, in Virginia. Virginia is one of the top travel destinations in the nation, so Virginians can save money by taking advantage of the huge cultural and entertainment opportunities in our own backyard.

You can camp at one of the state's spectacular state parks, like Back Bay Wildlife Refuge or False Cape State park, enjoy miles of free sun and surf at Virginia Beach, or investigate Virginia's amazing historical sites such as Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Charlottesville's Monticello, and Richmond's Maymont, just to name a few.

Travel site Virginia Beach Family Fun has tips for getting discount tickets, free or inexpensive things to do, ways to save on gas, hotel deals, and more. Click here to check out their Discount Travel Deals in Virginia.

May 19, 2008 15:25 - Virginia Beach Lifeguards Saved

Reversing an earlier decision, the Virginia Beach City Council voted to keep five lifeguard stations at Sandbridge Beach. The City Council had previously decided to cut the number of lifeguards at Sandbridge's Little Island Park to help balance the city budget. With Sandbridge's population growing (thanks largely to the new 250-unit condo spot, The Sanctuary at False Cape, they realized that cutting lifeguards was, hmmmm, not the best idea in the world.

Beachgoers looking for less glitz and more quiet on their Virginia vacation flock to Sandbridge, which is located south of the Virginia Beach oceanfront area. For rentals and timeshares at Sandbridge, click here.

May 20, 2008 07:29 - 25th Annual Pungo Strawberry Festival

Grab the kids and head over to one of our favorite Virginia Beach events-- The 25th Annual Pungo Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 24. The all-day event will be held at Indian River Road and Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach. Entrance to the festival is free.

Sample strawberries prepared 50 different ways, watch pig races, join a pie-eating contest, view a military display, see livestock sale, racing car exhibits, musical entertainment, a parade, and more. There will also be a huge carnival and arts and crafts for sale.

For more information, call (757) 721-6001. For more upcoming events in Virginia Beach and southeastern Virginia, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.

May 20, 2008 07:39 - 32nd Annual Norfolk Harborfest

See tall ships, fireworks, and fun...for free at the 32nd Annual Norfolk Harborfest June 6-8 at Norfolk Town Point Park. The event, Virginia's largest summertime festival, kicks off with a fantastic Parade of Sail Friday, June 6, at 3 pm. Stately tall ships and a regatta of pleasure boats will sail down the Elizabeth River to downtown Norfolk. Visitors will be able to play "pirate for a day," climb aboard and tour authentic tall ships, peruse the wares of local artists and crafters, and listen to live musical acts.

For details, including spectacular photos of the ships and information on day sails, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.

For more upcoming events in southeastern Virginia, go to their Virginia Beach Events and Festivals Guide.

May 20, 2008 07:50 - 15th Annual North American Sand Soccer Championships

Soccer in the sand? See it June 6-8 at the 15th Annual North American Sand Soccer Championships. This Virginia Beach event has to be seen to be appreciated. Over 9000 players and 900 teams from around the world will shoot it out at this exciting event which will be held at the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, between 16th-35th Streets.

For more upcoming events in southeastern Virginia, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.

May 22, 2008 07:30 - "Green" Virginia Beach Dumping Historic Trolleys

The quaint, San Francisco-style Virginia Beach trolleys may soon be a "wave" of the past. The City of Virginia Beach is replacing the historic trolleys-- known as the VB Wave-- with modern, electric-hybrid buses. The VB Wave operates during the tourist season to shuttle people around the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

The current, red Virginia Beach trolley no longer fits the city's vision of providing environmentally friendly community services. This "green" mentality is part of the reason the City of Virginia Beach was recently named one of the Ten Greenest Places to Retire.

Fares on the VB Wave are extremely reasonable, making it an excellent way to get around Virginia Beach for less. To learn more about the VB Wave and its routes, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.

May 22, 2008 07:39 - Virginia Beach Named 2nd Best Place to Raise a Family in America

Best Life, a national mens magazine, has rated Virginia Beach as one of the Best Places to Raise a Family in America, second only to Honolulu. Best Life used criteria, including good schools, housing prices, and reasonable commutes, to evaluate nearly 260 different cities.

This is the fourth time in the past two months that Virginia Beach has topped a best places list. It was recently named one of the Ten Greenest Places to Retire, the Least Stressful Metro Area, and one of the Top 10 Ten Best Places to Enjoy the Outdoors in the nation.

For details, plus ways to save on a Virginia Beach vacation, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.

May 22, 2008 07:49 - Charlottesville Among Top Heart Friendly Cities

Sperlings has named Charlottesville, Virginia, to its "Top Heart Friendly Cities for Women" list. Beautiful and historic Charlottesville has also been ranked as the 7th most "heart friendly city in America" by the American Heart Association.

Rankings were determined by the city's heart friendly benefits (including excellent hospitals and physicians) as well as an analysis of residents' healthy lifestyles.

Nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville has previously ranked highly on numerous "best places" lists, including Best Places to Live in America, Best Places to Retire, and Best Places to Raise a Family. The city gets high marks for its local beauty, climate, access to top hospitals and education, and historic and cultural opportunities.

For details on visiting Charlottesville and its attractions, including Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.

May 28, 2008 19:21 - Free Fireworks at Virginia Beach Start June 4th

The city of Virginia Beach hosts free fireworks shows twice weekly at the Virginia Beach oceanfront during the summer, starting June 4th. Shows are held every Wednesday and Sunday night at 10:15 pm. For more upcoming events in southeastern Virginia, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.

May 28, 2008 19:25 - 9th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival in Virginia

Avast, ye mateys! The 9th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival will be held May 20-June 1 in downtown Hampton, Virginia. Visitors to this free event will be able to visit a pirate camp, tour tall ships, purchase pirate memorabilia, dig for buried treasure, sample tavern food, and listen to pirate music.

For more information, and for other events in the area, go to Virginia Beach Family Fun.