What to do in Virginia Beach while house and pet sitting

We’ve put together a guide to some of the best things to do in Virginia Beach if you’re heading to the area for house or pet sitting. As the name implies, this city is famous for its shoreline, but away from the Atlantic Ocean there’s a huge number of parks and museums to explore – and plenty of places to take your doggy friend!

Virginia Beach attractions

1. Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

Founded in 1952, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art showcases paintings, sculptures, photography and various other forms of media from renowned international artists, as well as championing locally created work. The exhibitions change on a regular basis, and the museum runs a regular programme of events, the highlight of which is the annual Boardwalk Art Show in October. Best of all, entry is free!

2. Military Aviation Museum 

The thing that sets Virginia Beach’s Military Aviation Museum apart from many others is that most of the First and Second World War planes on display have been lovingly restored and are kept airworthy. Between April and October you can even book a passenger flight on a genuine WWII aircraft, and every year the museum hosts a five-month Summer of Flight series, whereby each Saturday a different aircraft is put under the spotlight and flown in air demonstrations for the delight of the crowds.

3. Chic's Beach

The headline attraction of Virginia Beach is no-doubt it’s Guinness World Record-breaking pleasure beach – but if the high-rise hotels and bustling boardwalk get a bit much for you, escape to the relative quiet of Chic’s Beach in the northern part of the city, on Chesapeake Bay. This cosy residential area is where the locals come to relax, and it makes the perfect place to watch the sunset with an ice cream in hand.

Free things to do in Virginia Beach

1. Virginia Beach Boardwalk and Beachfront

Virginia Beach holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s ‘longest pleasure beach’ thanks to its 56 kilometres (35 miles) of sandy coastline. The nearly five-kilometre-long boardwalk is the most famous stretch, and it’s where you’ll find the locals jogging, biking, skateboarding or just enjoying the view from one of its many benches. Highlights include a 7.3-metre-tall bronze statue of Neptune and a free-to-use fishing pier, as well as all manner of shops, eateries and other entertainment options.

2. Sandbridge Beach

This 7.2 kilometre (4.5 mile) stretch of sand makes for a somewhat quieter alternative to Virginia Beach’s main waterfront. Located to the south of the city, this secluded beach is close to False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and offers picturesque walks among sand dunes and sea grasses.

3. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Covering some 37 square kilometres (9,250 acres), the marshes, beaches and forests of the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge provide a haven for animals such as the loggerhead sea turtle, the tundra swan and the American black duck. There are five trails to wander along and biking is also allowed, but be aware that many of the trails are closed during the winter months.

4. False Cape State Park

Between Back Bay and the ocean you’ll find False Cape State Park, one of the few undeveloped areas along the shoreline. It was once the home of a Native American community, then later, in the 1880s, a small community called Wash Woods was established, supposedly by the survivors of a shipwreck. The last settlers had drifted away by the 1930s, but the remains of the church and graveyard of Wash Woods can still be seen.

Fun things to do in Virginia Beach

1. First Landing State Park

First Landing State Park marks the place where English colonists arrived in 1607 and it’s made up of a network of waterways, forests and swamps. The park itself was established in the 1930s, and it is now Virginia's most-visited state park, offering a wide range of activities including camping, hiking, swimming, fishing and boating. The Chesapeake Bay visitor centre provides historical information about the area, and, if you feel like extending your Virginia trip past your pet sitting dates, there are several cabins and yurts that can be rented for overnight stays.

2. Cape Henry Lighthouse

There are actually two lighthouses at Cape Henry. The original one was built in 1792 and marked the first federal construction project under the newly signed US Constitution. A second lighthouse, with a distinctive black and white pattern, was constructed in 1881 after concerns were raised about the stability of the first building. The original lighthouse has now been renovated and preserved, and visitors can climb to the top to enjoy unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean.

3. ViBe Creative District

In the Oceanfront area of Virginia Beach you’ll find this cultural arts enclave, packed with creative businesses and boutiques. There are well over 100 murals and other pieces of public art to track down and enjoy, and the district has a packed calendar of cultural and craft events, including the Old Beach Farmers Market every Saturday.

What to do in Virginia Beach with pets?

1. Commonwealth Brewing

Many of Virginia Beach’s breweries have open patio areas where dogs and other pets are welcome, and the Commonwealth Brewing Company is no exception. The brewery itself is housed in a former fire and rescue station nestled among beach cottages on Chesapeake Bay, and it offers a large outdoor beer garden, often with food trucks in attendance (check the website for the food truck schedule).

2. Dockside Restaurant

Local fishing boats deliver their catches to the Dockside Restaurant throughout the day and the menu changes according to what they bring in – but you can guarantee it will always be incredibly fresh. Dogs are welcome at the many picnic tables outside the restaurant, and the restaurant offers a huge wine menu to go alongside its signature shrimp dishes.

3. Kiptopeke State Park

Out on Cape Charles – across the 28.3-kilometre-long Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel – you’ll find Kiptopeke State Park. The whole park is pet-friendly and there’s a dedicated dog beach where your doggy chum can gambol in the waves at their leisure.

Best restaurants in Virginia Beach

1. Terrapin

Terrapin offers fine dining in Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront area, with a regularly changing menu overseen by head chef and owner Rodney Einhorn. His mission statement is to provide flavour-packed food that’s free from hydrogenated oils and high-fructose corn syrup, while supporting organic farmers and local fishers.

2. Commune

Located in the ViBe Creative District, Commune is a sustainable eatery that exclusively uses locally sourced ingredients. Commune prides itself on being a farm-to-table restaurant – to the point where it opened its own farm in Virginia Beach’s Pungo district in 2017. In addition, the restaurant has a 185 square meter (2,000 square foot) garden out the back to supply fresh produce.

3. Doc Taylor’s

If you’re after some delicious breakfast or lunch options, try Doc Taylor’s in the Oceanfront area. The restaurant specialises in Southern comfort food, including biscuits and gravy and fried catfish. It also does a mean line in Bloody Marys and Mimosas.

Wherever you end up heading in Virginia Beach – with or without a pet in tow – we hope you have a wonderful time exploring this stretch of historic coastline.

If you’re interested in trying out pet sitting for yourself, or you’re looking for a pet sitter while you’re away, head this way to find out how Trustedhousesitters works. And if you want more travel guides and pet advice, take a look at the wealth of interesting articles on our blog.