Virginia Beach's well-maintained beaches are free. Lifeguards are on duty from mid-May through mid-September. Vendors scattered along the oceanfront cater to the good life by renting umbrellas, boogie boards and sling-back chairs. Virginia Beach attractions include the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Waterpark and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

Most of the city's visitors are drawn to the 3-mile oceanfront Boardwalk, where numerous hotels and restaurants overlook the beach. Many free, family oriented events take place every weekend from late spring to early fall, such as the North American Sand Soccer Championships, the Boardwalk Art Show & Festival Weekend, and Sandstock: A Blast from the Past. Visitors can rent bikes, tandems and roller blades or bring their own. Other biking and hiking trails can be enjoyed at First Landing State Park, which winds through the wetlands and along Broad Bay.

Some secluded beaches in the area include the North End and Sandbridge to the south, where large oceanfront houses are both owner-occupied and rented by the week. The 8,000-acre Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge harbors an amazing collection of animals. Five miles beyond the refuge is False Cape State Park, a remote oasis along the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can board a tram at Little Island Park in Sandbridge and ride to the park, which is open from Memorial Day through October.Other attractions at Virginia Beach include Mount Trashmore Park, the Cape Henry Lighthouses and the Old Coast Guard Station.