Insider's Guide
Coastal VA
Welcome to Coastal Virginia Insider's Guide
Coastal Virginia is a low-lying region between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It is known for its flat terrain, tidal marshes, swamps, and agricultural lands. It hosts significant features like military bases, including the world's largest naval base, Norfolk Naval Base. The region boasts beautiful beaches, historic museums, wildlife refuges, and is crossed by several rivers, such as the James and Potomac. It also features the Fall Line, where the Appalachians meet the coastal plain.
Weather
Virginia's Coastal region has a mild and balanced climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are generally mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, and snow and ice are rare. Spring and autumn are pleasant, while summers are warm and long but occasionally cooled by northeasterly winds from the Atlantic.
Avg. Temperature
60°F
Avg. Annual Rainfall
41.3"
Weather Patterns
Temperate
High
Low
Rain
January
50°F
35°F
8.6"
February
52°F
36°F
8.4"
March
60°F
43°F
9.1"
April
69°F
51°F
8.9"
May
77°F
60°F
10.4"
June
84°F
68°F
11"
July
88°F
73°F
13.2"
August
86°F
71°F
12"
September
80°F
66°F
8.5"
October
71°F
55°F
7.1"
November
62°F
45°F
6.6"
December
54°F
39°F
7.7"
Local Sports
Coastal Virginia has a few professional sports teams, including the Norfolk Tides (minor league baseball), Norfolk Admirals (hockey), Tidewater Sharks (soccer) and the Virginia Aces (football) as a new team and league coming to Hampton Roads.
Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)
After the AHL team was relocated in 2015, Norfolk
received a new ECHL team, also named the
Norfolk Admirals, for the 2015–16 season.
Sport: Ice Hockey
Founded: 1970
Norfolk Scope
Norfolk Tides (AAA)
In April 1993, Harbor Park, a stadium with a seating
capacity of 12,067, officially opened as the home
venue for the Norfolk Tides, a Triple-A minor
league baseball team. In 1995, Baseball America
honored the stadium with the distinction of being
named the best minor league ballpark.
Sport: Baseball
Founded: 1993
Harbor Park
Tidewater Sharks Soccer Club (NPSL)
The Tidewater Sharks is a player-first travel
soccer club with the goal of providing the best
competitive environment with an emphasis on
long-term player development and building the
complete athlete.
Sport: Soccer
Founded: 1977
Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex
Virginia Aces (MLF)
A professional football team coming to Hampton
Roads as a new team in a new league will call
Norfolk home. The Virginia Aces introduced
themselves to the community during a press
conference.
Sport: Football
Founded: 2024
Dick Price Stadium
Golf Courses
The Coastal area of Virginia offers several notable golf courses, including The Woodlands in Hampton, a popular and affordable public course with the Hampton River influencing many holes. Virginia Beach's Red Wing Lake Golf Course and Virginia Beach National Golf Club provide scenic layouts with wetlands, lakes, and challenging wind conditions.
Country Clubs
Golf Courses
Schools
Coastal Virginia has several educational institutions, including Tidewater Community College, which provides collegiate education, workforce training, and military student support. The current system rates almost all Virginia schools as high performing, with 88% of Virginia schools receiving the highest rating of accredited.
Colleges and Universities
School Districts
Private Schools
Performing Arts Schools
Things to Do and See
Coastal Virginia offers a mix of outdoor and cultural attractions, such as the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Norfolk Botanical Garden, and First Landing State Park, alongside museums like the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Virginia Aquarium. For family fun, visitors can enjoy activities at Apex Entertainment or explore historic sites like the Battleship Wisconsin.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge spans over 9,200
acres of diverse habitats, offering trails through
marshes and woodlands, impoundment views, and
access to False Cape State Park, with opportunities
for birdwatching, hiking, and canoeing or kayaking.
Buckroe Beach and Park
Buckroe Park borders the magnificent Chesapeake Bay with three-quarters of a mile of clean beach.
Cape Henry Memorial
There are two lighthouses located at Cape Henry
within the Fort Story military base near the
northern end of Virginia Beach.
Chrysler Museum of Art
The Chrysler Museum has 50 galleries with
30,000+ objects, an interactive space for kids and
families, and an incredible glass studio.
Colonial Williamsburg
Experience the largest outdoor educational living
museum in the country, through immersive and
authentic 18th-century programming for our
guests.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
The historic red brick lighthouse, first lit in 1875,
still operates today with its original Fresnel lens,
flashing every 20 seconds and is visible for 18
nautical miles, guiding ships along the North
Carolina coast.
False Cape State Park
False Cape features guided kayak trips, primitive
camping, interpretive programs, hiking and biking
trails, and 6 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach.
First Landing State Park
First Landing State Park offers a swimming beach,
hiking and biking trails, and a campground.
Hampton Roads Naval Museum
The Hampton Roads Naval Museum, located inside
Nauticus, is an accredited museum operated by the
United States Navy and celebrates the history of
the fleet in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
Hermitage Museum & Gardens
The Hermitage showcases a renowned 5,000-year
art collection, rotating exhibitions, a Visual Arts
Studio, and 12 acres of gardens, providing a rich
cultural experience for the community.
Historic Jamestown
Historic Jamestown is the cultural heritage site that
was the location of the 1607 James Fort and the
later 17th-century town of Jamestown in America
Hunt Club Farm
Hunt Club Farm is a one-of-a-kind family-owned
and operated farm attraction in Virginia Beach with
over 30 acres of farm fun for everyone.
MacArthur Memorial
The MacArthur Memorial is a memorial, museum,
and research center about the life of General
Douglas MacArthur. It consists of three buildings
on MacArthur Square in Norfolk, Virginia.
Mount Trashmore Park
World-renowned Mount Trashmore Park is the sister park to Haginodai Park in Japan and encompasses 165 acres, two man-made mountains, two lakes, and two playgrounds.
Nauticus
Nauticus is a maritime discovery center located
along the waterfront in downtown, Norfolk offering
a unique form of experiential learning for all ages.
Norfolk Botanical Garden
The breathtaking landscapes at Norfolk Botanical
Garden are perfect for nature lovers, families, and
photography enthusiasts.
Norfolk Yacht & Country Club
Norfolk Yacht & Country Club is a first-class
waterfront setting that provides a wide range
of social activities and recreational facilities for
member enjoyment and perpetuates a culture of
camaraderie and fun among members.
Oak Grove Lake Park
Oak Grove Lake Park, spanning 157 acres off Volvo
Parkway, features a multi-use trail around a 65-acre
lake, open spaces, play areas, and scenic views of
forests and wetlands. Swimming and boating are
only allowed by special permit.
Shipwreck Golf
This newly renovated 36-hole course is the largest
and the most challenging in the Virginia Beach
resort area. Enjoy the tranquil sounds of waterfalls
along with your favorite island music.
Tarnished Truth Distilling Co.
Tarnished Truth uses old and new distilling
techniques to create a superb portfolio of awardwinning locally crafted bourbon, rye whiskey,
vodka, gin and other specialty spirits. Stop by the
tasting room or join us for a guided distillery tour.
The Mariners’ Museum and Park
Come explore the world-class exhibits and and artifacts that explore maritime history, including the USS Monitor
Center and global small craft collections. Visitors can also hike the scenic Noland Trail or enjoy a picnic at Lions
Bridge, connecting with the world’s waters and the stories that unite us.
The Thoroughgood House
One of the oldest surviving colonial homes in Virginia Beach and a National Historic Landmark, the Thoroughgood
House was likely built in 1719.
Town Point Park
Town Point Park is a 7-acre waterfront city park on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia. The park hosts major
outdoor concerts, award-winning festivals, and special events each year to include the Norfolk Harborfest, Bayou
Boogaloo, and 4th of July Celebrations.
USS Wisconsin BB-64
USS Wisconsin (BB-64) is an Iowa-class battleship built for the United States Navy (USN) in the 1940s and is
currently a museum ship.
Directory
This directory serves as a valuable tool for efficiently locating and accessing essential resources, such as dining establishments, healthcare facilities, public service offices, and community events. By offering comprehensive details and contact information, it aims to streamline the process of finding necessary services and participating in local activities.
Coffee Shops
Ethnic Food Markets
Farmers Markets
3W's Farm Market
Kings Grant Farmers Market
Old Beach Farmers Market
Furniture Stores
Government Agencies
Grocery Stores
Health Food Stores
Hospitals
Newspapers
News Stations
Nightlife
Restaurants
Shopping
Greenbrier Mall
Janaf Shopping Center
Lynnhaven Mall
MacArthur Center
Norfolk Premium Outlets
Southern
The Shops at Hilltop
Town Center of Virginia Beach
Towne Place at Greenbrier
The business listings provided in this directory are for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, not all listings may include complete information such as phone numbers, websites, or other contact details.