Cheap things to do in Virginia Beach
Surf, seafood, and street murals without burning through your wallet.
This is Virginia Beach for the traveller who wants salt water, good food, and a cold local beer at the end of the day, all without watching the budget bleed out. The plan moves between the artsy ViBe District, the working waterfront at Rudee Inlet, and the open ocean, leaning on free beaches, cheap eats, and bars where locals actually drink. It suits anyone who would rather paddle with dolphins than sit in a resort pool.
Day 1: Murals, paddles, and Filipino food
Start the day in the ViBe Creative District on foot, grab a cheap burger at Frank & Patty's, then get on the water for a dolphin kayak tour before finishing the night with Filipino comfort food and craft beer at Bunker Brewpub.
- 9:30 AM
- 10:15 AM
ViBe Creative District
Wander free murals, peek into galleries, and soak up the creative energy of ViBe District.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 4:30 PM
Dolphin Kayak Tour
Guided 2-2.5 hour paddle, dolphins at sunrise/sunset, Bay side or Atlantic launch options. Book a few days ahead.
Map - 7:30 PM
Only at Renee's ~ A Taste of Pampanga, Philippines
Home-style Kapampangan cooking in the ViBe District; get the sisig or adobo with garlic rice.
Map - 9:00 PM
Day 2: Surf, history, and a sunset drink
Catch waves at the 1st Street Jetty, a cheap slice, shipwreck history at the Surf & Rescue Museum, then a casual dinner and tropical drinks at Tulu Seaside Bar.
- 9:30 AM
Bad Ass Coffee Company
Kona-blend coffee from the Hawaiian franchise on 18th Street, a block from the ViBe murals.
Map - 10:30 AM
Surfing at 1st Street Jetty
Mellow beach break, surf lessons available, East Coast Surfing Championships in August. Book a few days ahead.
Map - 1:00 PM
North End Pizza
Post-paddle slice at a well-loved North End pizza spot, cheap, filling, and close.
Map - 2:30 PM
Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum
Shipwrecks, lifesaving history, surfing heritage in 1903 Coast Guard station.
Map - 6:30 PM
Nicks Bar & Grill
No-fuss bar and grill a few blocks off the oceanfront; burgers, wings and cheap beer.
Map - 8:00 PM
Tulu Seaside Bar
Tropical pool-deck bar at the Cavalier with ocean views, perfect sunset drinks to close the day.
Map
Day 3: Rudee Inlet, boats, and a raw bar
Pancakes at Doc Taylor's, a dolphin-watching cruise out of Rudee Inlet, a cheap lunch by the boats, then raw bar plates at Big Sam's and an Orange Crush at Waterman's.
- 9:00 AM
Doc Taylor's Restaurant
Breakfast first: sweet potato pancakes in a pink former motel near the oceanfront before the boat.
Map - 10:15 AM
Rudee Tours Dolphin & Whale Watching Boat
90-minute dolphin-watching cruise departing right from Rudee Inlet, great value and a genuine local thrill.
Map - 12:30 PM
Rudee Inlet
Grab cheap lunch from one of the casual spots around the working waterfront marina, boats, fishing fleet, and good vibes.
Map - 7:30 PM
Big Sam's Inlet Cafe & Raw Bar
Casual waterfront seafood dinner at Big Sam's, affordable raw bar, local crowd, right on the inlet.
Map - 9:00 PM
Waterman's Surfside Grille
Finish with an Orange Crush, fresh-squeezed, at the boardwalk grill that made it the local drink.
Map
Where to stay
Surfbreak Oceanfront
Budget oceanfront rate, right on the beach strip and a short ride to every stop on this plan.
Coastal Hotel & Suites Virginia Beach
Cheap, close to the ViBe District, and practical for a traveller who is out the door early every morning.
Make Virginia Beach your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
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Book ahead
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center: a few days ahead
- Military Aviation Museum: weeks ahead
- Sandler Center for the Performing Arts: weeks ahead
- Hell's Point Golf Club: a few days ahead
- Virginia Beach National Golf Club: a few days ahead
- Heron Ridge Golf Club: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Atlantic Ave souvenir, pizza and all you can eat crab legs strip is overpriced, eat in the ViBe instead.
- Boardwalk mini golf and haunted houses are poor value as a day plan compared with the Aquarium or First Landing.
- Ocean view can mean a side glimpse, book oceanfront with a balcony if the view matters.
- Check Cape Henry base access that morning before driving up.
The full Virginia Beach travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around