Virginia Beach

History

The region surrounding Virginia Beach is one of the oldest European settlements in the United States. Cape Henry, in the northern part of present-day Virginia Beach, was the landing site of the first Jamestown expedition in 1607. The settlers, however, moved inland shortly after landing, seeking food, shelter, and protection from the ocean storms.

The first permanent settler of Virginia Beach was Adam Thoroughgood, a former indentured servant. He fell in love with the raw beauty of the area and settled there in 1620. The beachside community continues to grow slowly and was incorporated as a town in 1906. It was the advent rail travel and electricity made the area a viable resort in the late 19th century. One hotel led to several and the community remains a popular summertime destination.

Attractions

Virginia Beach offers a myriad of attractions and activities, including golf courses, miles of white sandy beaches, historic attractions for families, sports enthusiasts, retirees, and college students on spring break. Among the area's highlights are:

• Virginia Aquarium - This modern aquarium, located just south of the city, is home to 800,000 gallons of aquariums, live animal habitats, and 300 hands-on exhibits. The aquarium is also very active in preserving and rescuing aquatic life in the region.

• Contemporary Art Center of Virginia - This museum, founded in 1952, is located just six blocks from the ocean. It features a changing array of exhibitions, showcasing contemporary sculpture, glass art, textiles, paintings, and conceptual art.

• Whale Watching - One of the highlights of the area's winter season is the herds of fin whales, called the "greyhounds of the sea", that pass close to shore on their way to their winter feeding grounds in South America. Visitors can take whale-watching boats and tours or watch from shore.

• Golf Courses - The city of Virginia Beach has eleven public golf courses as well as four country clubs and 36 holes at military installations. The city also hosts the annual national tournament, the Virginia Beach Open.

• Adam Thoroughgood House - This house, the original portion of which was built in 1622, was the home of Virginia Beach's first permanent resident, Adam Thoroughgood. Today, it is a museum, filled with artifacts and memorabila depicting highlights of Virginia Beach's history

• Old Coast Guard Station Museums - This museum and former coast guard station was built in 1903, replacing an earlier structure on the site. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum houses a collection of shipwreck salvage, lifeguard apparatus, and coast guard memorabilia.

• Old Cape Henry Lighthouse - The Cape Henry lighthouse sits at the southern most tip of the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse, built in 1792, was the first lighthouse commissioned by the United States government. Nearby is the First Landing Site, where the first Jamestown settlers landed in 1607.

Visiting Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is easily reached by car from all over Virginia as well as many major east coast cities. It's just a two hour drive from Richmond, 45 minutes from Williamsburg, and three hours from Alexandria and Washington DC.

Accommodations range from oceanfront condominiums and resorts to small motels to quaint Virginia bed and breakfast inns. Restaurants of all genres can be found in the city, with oceanfront seafood restaurants being the most prolific and the most popular.

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