Virginia Beach Blog & Daily Deals!

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We'll give you the latest deals-- from hotel stays for 1 cent per night, to free admission days at Virginia attractions-- as well as secrets for visiting the top spots for less.

Photo by Eileen Mundok © 2010-2011

Plus, we'll give you insider reviews of the best restaurants and free or cheap places to visit.

To keep up-to-date on deals and reviews, sign up for our RSS feed. Just scroll down the yellow bar at left until you get to the blue section...where it says "Subscribe to this site" you'll see an orange RSS button. Right click on it and paste the URL into your RSS reader.

Want to See the Superbowl on the Biggest Screen Around?

Superbowl die-hards, it doesn't get better than this: See the Patriots vs. th Giants on the Peninsula's biggest screen for free at the Virginia Air & Space Museum's IMAX. Yes, I said "free"!

Doors open at 5 pm and kickoff starts at 6:30 pm (as if you didn't know). Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Beer and munchies are available for purchase.

For details, go to www.vasc.org. And if you don't want to watch the game, you can still make it a family outing by visiting the museum's amazing exhibits while THEY watch the game!

Michie Tavern Discount Coupon for February

Ever long for the good ol' days? You can experience them again with a trip to Charlottesville's historic Michie Tavern and a mouth-watering buffet of colonial fare. Served by costumed tavern "wenches," the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, to-die-for biscuits, gravy, and more make a meal to remember.

And if you're a local resident, you can do it all for $4 less with this coupon good during the month of February.

Learn more about Michie Tavern and its wonderful tavern tours in my article in the Fluvanna Review.

30 Whales Spotted Off Virginia Beach

It's been a banner year for whale-watching at Virginia Beach. Thanks to unusually warm weather that has caused an abundance of fish they feed on, at least 30 whales have been spotted recently off the coast of Virginia Beach.

Now through mid-March, take advantage of this phenomena to take a Virginia Aquarium whale-watching trip starting at $28 per person.

Or, take advantage of whale-watching packages deals like these including hotel, whale watching excursion, admission to the Virginia Aquarium, an IMAX movie, and even free breakfast!

And for more great winter activities in Virginia, click here.

Bring a Friend for Free Month at Colonial Williamsburg

Now through Feb. 29, if you hold a Colonial Williamsburg Annual Pass or a Good Neighbor Annual Pass you can bring a friend for just $10!

For more Colonial Williamsburg deals and ways to enjoy this great historic attraction for less, click here.

Romantic Special Events at Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is offering Valentine's themed dinners, getaway packages, and even chocolate events during the month of February.

For more details, check out the VA Gazette.

And for more romantic ideas, check out my Romantic Weekend Getaways page.

Winter Events at Virginia Beach & Beyond

Winter Events at Virginia Beach & Beyond, from Holiday Lights on the Beach, to Whale Watching, to Virginia Beach Restaurant Week, to the Popular (and Frigid) Polar Plunge...

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Hampton Roads Family Fun for 50% Off or More

Looking for cheap family fun? Here's two entertainment deals just posted on Groupon that may float your boat (while saving you money!):

- 54% off ice skating outing and skate rental at Iceland of Hampton Roads

- 51% off a season-long mini golf pass at Virginia Beach's Jungle Golf

To get the deals, go to Groupon,or for more cheap things to do in the greater Hampton Roads area, check out my Free or Cheap Things to Do page.

And go to my dedicated Groupon and Living Social page for more ideas on how to save big on travel, restaurants, and fun.

February Beach Stay Deals in Virginia Beach

Got the winter blues? Sibert Realty just posted over a dozen Sandridge Beach rental specials that will allow you to enjoy the peace and quiet of Virginia Beach away from the strip...and at greatly reduced prices.

Click here to check out their special rental deals for February, March, and April.

And to plan the perfect the Virginia Beach vacation with the best attractions, restaurant deals, and more, click here.

Planning a Virginia Beach Vacation?

Planning a Virginia Beach Vacation? Get Discount Tickets & Deals on Hotels, Restaurants, Attractions, Shopping, and Free or Cheap Things to Do

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50% Off Williamsburg Ghost Tours

If you've ever thought of taking a Williamsburg ghost tour, it won't get much cheaper than this: Living Social is offering 50% off Axwild Ghost Tours.

Just $16 will get two of you (gotta take a friend to clutch onto!) a two-hour tour down historic Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg. You can buy up to 6 tickets.

To get the deal, go to Living Social,or for more on other ghost tours in Williamsburg, go to our Ghost Tours page.

And go to my dedicated Groupon and Living Social page for more ideas on how to save big on travel, restaurants, and fun.

A Polar Plunge Without the Cold? Find Out Saturday!

With temps running 20 degrees higher than usual, the upcoming Polar Plunge in Virginia Beach February 3-4 may not be so "polar" as usual.

But even if the temps stay warm, that water will still be mighty cold, so the chills and thrills will still abound at this annual event to support the Special Olympics.

For more the Polar Plunge, go to our Winter Events page.

Win Free Trips in Norfolk Sweepstakes

The only thing better than a vacation, is a free vacation. That's why Virginia Tourism is offering a sweepstakes for four vacations on the water, including OpSail 2012 in June.

Here's a sampling of what the OpSail package includes (all for a family of four):

- Four nights lodging, round trip airfare for four and a rental car
- Special tours of tall ships
- VIP tickets for the fireworks show
- Tall ship cruises
- Free admission to Nauticus, the Virginia Air and Space Center, the Hampton History Museum, and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- A $200 cash card and more

They also offer drawings for three more water-themed vacations. To enter the sweepstakes, click here.

Romantic Weekend Getaways - Virginia IS for Lovers

Romantic Weekend Getaways in the Lovers' State...Romantic Inns, Package Deals, Bed & Breakfast Deals, Best Romantic Restaurants...

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Cheap or Free Holiday Events This Weekend

TGIF! Now what to do? Here's some suggestions for a weekend of fun that's free or dirt cheap!

- See a movie at Cinema Cafe - First-run movies for as little as a buck? No kidding! Choose from several locations in the Hampton Roads area for a cheap movie while you dine.

- Enjoy the Virginia Beach strip and boardwalk without the crowds (it's a high of 59 degrees tomorrow). Stop by the free Atlantic Waterfowl Museum while you're there.

Or, fly a kite, hop on a playground, or hike to the top of Mount Trashmore, the highest point in Virginia Beach. Here's more cheap or free things to do in Virginia Beach.

- Check out our Discount Travel Guide for ways to save on museums, restaurants, and more.

Cinema Cafe - Dinner Theater on the Cheap

Cinema Cafe -- Budget-Conscious Dinner Theater Lets You Watch While You Dine. See 1st Run Movies for $1 With These Discount Tips...

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Entertainment Books 35% Off This Week

If you're a heavy coupon user, you'll appreciate being able to start using the coupons immediately, and boy, can they save you hundreds on restaurants, entertainment, travel, and more.

BUT, if you a bottom-line penny-pincher like me, you're hearing Conga music and singing "How low can you go?"

If so, you may want to wait for the price to drop further (although you'll have less time to use your book).

Confused? Don't worry: I've mapped out the likely price drops through June at my dedicated Entertainment Book page!

Virginia Beach Hotel Rooms at Rock-Bottom Prices

Winter is the cheapest time of year for a Virginia Beach getaway...not to mention the quietest. And one of the cheapest way to go is with coupons from Room Saver.com.

A quick look through their current catalog (picked up at a McDonald's in Richmond) and I found a coupon for a room for $39.95 per night (1-3 people) at the Schooner Inn right on Virginia Beach boardwalk! Or, nab a two-room suite (and free breakfast) at the oceanfront Barclay Towers for $65.95 per night.

Some restrictions apply (rates are good for walk-ins only with the coupons, and weekend rates are higher) but it's still a dirt-cheap way to enjoy the ocean, great Virginia Beach restaurants, and local sights like the Virginia Aquarium!

For details on how to get this and other great hotel deals, click here.

Time is Running Out for Whale Watching Deals!

Now through mid-March is the best time to see rare fin and humpback whales off Virginia Beach. Virginia Aquarium offers trips starting at $28 per person several days a week.

Or, take advantage of whale-watching packages deals like these including hotel, whale watching excursion, admission to the Virginia Aquarium, an IMAX movie, and even free breakfast!

And for more great winter activities in Virginia, click here.

Dare to Do the Polar Plunge at Virginia Beach?

I already feel like ice runs through my veins. So you won't catch me at the annual Polar Plunge in Virginia BeachFebruary 3-4.

But if I weren't so cold-blooded, I'd race to join the thousands of people who'll take the plunge at this amazing event to support the Special Olympics.

For more the Polar Plunge, go to our Winter Events page.

Best Virginia Beach Hotels and Accommodations

Virginia Beach Hotels for Less - Discount Hotel Deals, Oceanfront Rooms for $39.95 per Night, Resorts, Kids Eat Free Deals, Rentals, Hostels, Camping, Everything From Popcorn to Pet-Friendliness

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Last Two Days for VA Beach Restaurant Week

She-crab soup with Madeira wine? Penne ala vodka? Tiramisu? Oh-my-gosh. My SIL had an amazing experience at Mannino's Italian restaurant during Virginia Beach Restaurant Week-- this 3-course meal for just $20.12.

Just two days left to sample Mannino's and other great Virginia Beach restaurants for a reduced, fixed price. Enjoy 2-course lunches for $11.12 and 3-course dinners for as little as $20.12!

For details on Virginia Beach Restaurant Week, click here.

And to plan YOUR meal at Mannino's, click here.

VA Beach 3-Course Dinner for $20.12? Sign Me Up, Scotty!

Want a 3-course dinner for $20.12? You can Jan. 15-22 at Virginia Beach Restaurant Week! Sample the best Virginia Beach restaurants for a reduced, fixed price. Enjoy 2-course lunches for $11.12 and 3-course dinners for as little as $20.12!

For details, click here.

Entertainment Books $24 Plus Free Shipping

Buy now, and you'll be able to start using the coupons immediately. Boy, they can save you hundreds on restaurants, entertainment, travel, and more.

If you know you'll be doing some traveling this year, consider buying a book for that city too!

Question: Can you get the books cheaper?

Answer: It depends.

Go to my dedicated Entertainment Book page to see when prices are likely to drop further, and whether now is the best time for YOU to purchase!

Kings Dominion

Kings Dominion Ticket Deals - 2012 Season Pass Prices, Save up to $26 per Ticket, Free Military Discounts, Season Pass Deals, Coupon Codes, and More

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Virginia Named to Top Wine Destination List

Wine Enthusiast Magazine recently named Virginia one of its top 10 wine travel destinations for 2012. It joins California's Napa Valley and Santa Barbara on the list.

Virginia boasts over 200 wineries, many of which offer open tastings and tours. For details, including wine package tours, go to www.virginia.org.

Bush Gardens Williamsburg Events

Bush Gardens Williamsburg 2012 Concerts, "IllumiNights" Summer Fireworks, Christmas Town, Howl-O-Scream, Glory at the Gardens, and Other Events

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Remember: National Parks are Fee-Free Today!

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, nearly 400 US National Parks are fee-free today!

For 2012, entrance fees will be waived around these holidays and events:

- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend (Jan 14-16)- National Park Week (April 21-29)- The first day of summer in June (June 9)- Public Lands Day (Sept. 29)- Veterans Day Weekend (November 10-12)

In Virginia, that means you can save when you visit these parks...

More Upcoming Home School Events!

If you home school, winter should be your favorite time of year, since attractions try to make up for thinner crowds by pulling out home educator discounts!

Here are a few to keep in mind:

- Homeschool Day at Norfolk's Nauticus (Thurs, Feb. 2, 10 am - 5 pm):
Get reduced admission plus hands-on educational activities for homeschoolers. Go to our Nauticus page for details.

- Spring Homeschool Event at Colonial Williamsburg (Feb. 11-26):
Experience special homeschool activities and reduced rates of just $7.50 for adults and $5.50 ages 6-12 (ages 5 and under are free) when you pre-order tickets by Jan. 27. For details, click here.

- Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center Homeschool Program (Feb. 18-26):
A special admission rate of $10.50 per person entitles you to an interactive tour of each site. Students can also attend one of three grade-specific classes at each location. Call (757) 253-4939 to preregister.

- Home Educators’ Day at Monticello (March 7):
Experience a day of special indoor and outdoor activity stations, plus take a house tour for just $15 per adult and $6 ages 6-12.

2012 Busch Gardens Schedule & Hours Now Available

Spring will be here before you know it, and now's the time to start planning your Spring Break visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

To help you plan, I've updated Busch Gardens schedule with 2012 days and hours. Find it here.

Nauticus - The National Maritime Center

Nauticus - Discount Tickets, Discount Days, and More at this World-Class Museum Where You Can Touch a Shark, Climb on a Battleship, Pilot a Sub, Touch a Tornado, and More...

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Busch Gardens Hours & 2012Operating Schedule

Busch Gardens Hours & 2012 Operating Schedule Plus Christmas Town, Howl-O-Scream, Discount Ticket Secrets, Coupon Codes, Best Shows, and More...

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Busch Gardens Virginia 2012 Admission Deals

Busch Gardens Virginia Admission Deals -- THE Cheapest Place to Get a Fun Card, Free Preschool Pass, Friend for Free Discount Tickets, Parking Deals

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Busch Gardens Williamsburg Free Preschool Pass is Back!!

It's back! Once again, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is offering the free "Preschool Pass" deal to Virginia residents.

The Preschool Pass gives unlimited admission (ages 5 and under). But this year, they've sweetened the deal. Here's how...

400 Fee-Free National Parks Jan. 14-16

Time to get back to nature. On Jan. 14-16, nearly 400 US National Parks are fee-free!

For 2012, entrance fees will be waived around these holidays and events:

- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend (Jan 14-16)- National Park Week (April 21-29)- The first day of summer in June (June 9)- Public Lands Day (Sept. 29)- Veterans Day Weekend (November 10-12)

In Virginia, that means you can save when you visit these parks...

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Let Us Save You Money!

Save on Busch Gardens Williamsburg! We Have Discount Ticket Secrets, Free Preschool Pass for 2012, Videos, Upcoming Events & Best Days to Visit,...

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3-Course Dinner for $20.12? It's Virginia Beach Restaurant Week!

Let your appetite run wild during Virginia Beach Restaurant Week Jan. 15-22. Sample the best Virginia Beach restaurants for a reduced, fixed price. Enjoy 2-course lunches for $11.12 and 3-course dinners for $20.12 and $27.12.

For details, click here.

Southeast Gun and Knife Show Jan. 21-22

Don't miss the Southeast Gun and Knife Show Jan. 21-22 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

The show features a myriad of vendors and displays tailored to every gun or knife enthusiast.

For details, click here.

And afterward, why not make a day of it by stopping by one of the restaurants participating in Virginia Beach Restaurant Week?

Spring Homeschool Events

Winter is the time when attractions try to make up for thinner crowds by pulling out discounts for homeschoolers. Here are a few to keep in mind:

- Spring Homeschool Event at Colonial Williamsburg (Feb. 11-26):
Experience special homeschool activities and reduced rates of just $7.50 for adults and $5.50 ages 6-12 (ages 5 and under are free) when you pre-order tickets by Jan. 27. For details, click here.

- Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center Homeschool Program (Feb. 18-26):
A special admission rate of $10.50 per person entitles you to an interactive tour of each site. Students can also attend one of three grade-specific classes at each location. Call (757) 253-4939 to preregister.

- Home Educators’ Day at Monticello (March 7):
Experience a day of special indoor and outdoor activity stations, plus take a house tour for just $15 per adult and $6 ages 6-12.

Shhh! Colonial Williamsburg Virginia Admission Secrets

Get "in" Colonial Williamsburg Virginia for free, Winter Deals, Bring a Friend Deals, Local Resident Deals, Spring Homeschooler Event, Cheap Places to Eat, and More Ways to Visit on a Dime...

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Colonial Williamsburg - How to See it For Less

See Colonial Williamsburg for Less: Admission Deals, Winter Packages, Military Discounts, How to Get in for "Free," 2012 Homeschooler Experience, Top 5 Things to See, and Free Things to Do...

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Hampton Roads International Auto Show This Weekend

The first all-electric car from a major manufacturer is just one thing you'll see this weekend at the Hampton Roads International Auto Show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

For show hours and admission-- and for upcoming events like the Virgina Beach Restaurant Week-- click here.

Humpback Whales Spotted Off Virginia Beach

They're here! According to WVEC.com, humpback whales have been spotted off the coast of Virginia Beach, so now is the time to book your whale-watching adventure.

Now through mid-March is the best time to see rare fin and humpback whales off Virginia Beach. Virginia Aquarium offers trips starting at $28 per person several days a week.

Or, take advantage of whale-watching packages deals like these.

And for more great winter activities in Virginia, click here.

Target Free or Cheap Museum & Theater Admission

Did you know that Target's Arts & Culture program offers free or cheap admission to museums and theaters in major cities in the US?

Just go to Target's site and enter your city in the drop down box to see deals near you. Offers include Target's $1 Family Night at the Childrens' Museum of Richmond (the 3rd Friday of the month from 5-7:30 pm) and free day and evening performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.

Or, if you have a Bank of America card, you can get free admission at museums that participate in their "Museums on Us" program. Sites include the Childrens' Museum of Richmond and the art museums in Williamsburg.

Click here for the roster.

Williamsburg Sights Make Frommer's 100 Places List

Well if Frommer's says it, it must be true...

Travel guide Frommer's just names Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown to their list of the top 100 Places to Take Your Kids. They even called Colonial Williamsburg a "relative bargain."

Check out my pages on Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown to see these places should be on your must-see list!

See Colonial Williamsburg for Less This Winter!

Winter is the cheapest time of the year to visit Colonial Williamsburg, with rock-bottom ticket prices, package deals, and no crowds!

Click here to learn about Winter Savings tickets!

Virginia Beach Restaurant Week!

Virginia Beach Restaurant Week - Jan 15-22 - Lets You Sample Two and Three Course Meals for As Little As $11.12!

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Free Family Fun in Norfolk!

Here's some family fun ideas for Norfolk that won't break the bank: Hunt for mermaids, have a hot glass lunch, take the girls out for afternoon tea, climb on a battleship...Here's how!

Michie Tavern Discount Coupon

Ever long for the good ol' days? How about colonial days? You can experience them again with a trip to Charlottesville's historic Michie Tavern and a mouth-watering buffet of colonial fare. Served by costumed tavern "wenches," the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, to-die-for biscuits, gravy, and more make a meal to remember.

And if you're a local resident, you can do it all for $4 less with this coupon good during the month of January.

Learn more about Michie Tavern and its wonderful tavern tours in my article in the Fluvanna Review.

Last 3 Days for Buy Now-Pay Later Kings Dominion Tix

Time's running out to buy your 2012 Kings Dominion season passes and pay nothing until March!

Buy your season pass by January 5 and your credit card won't be charged until March 1st.

Click here for the latest news at the park!