Family Fun in Virginia Beach: 6 Activities for All Ages

Wondering what to do in Virginia Beach during your next trip? Well, thankfully you couldn’t have chosen a better locale teeming with family-friendly activities. As a bustling coastal town with a rich history, vibrant restaurants, oceanfront attractions, and a picturesque white sandy beach right out of a fancy magazine, fun things to do in Virginia Beach certainly aren’t hard to come by. 

So what are some must-do activities and must-visit Virginia Beach attractions? We’ve come up with six of our favorites, including checking out our action-packed Adventure Park and exploring the unique outdoor activities at Owl Creek Landing. 

Without further ado, here are the best Virginia Beach activities that the whole family can enjoy: from excitable kiddos to adventurous adults!

#1 Enjoy a Day of Family Thrills at The Adventure Park

First up on our list of fun things to do in Virginia Beach: visit our treetop Adventure Park, of course! The whole family is invited to take the plunge and find their inner tree climber. We’re one of the best Virginia Beach activities out there for leaving feeling pumped and ready to take on anything.

Each course is made up of treetop elements from ropes to swings to our famous zip lines, meaning the entire family has a challenge suitable for getting their hearts racing with just the right amount of adrenaline.

You’ll find us in a prime spot at Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center’s South Building — just a few minutes from the beach boardwalk.

Don’t worry, we’re a family-friendly park suitable for all climbing capabilities 

We have experiences for everyone of all ages, including high and low-ropes courses.  They’re also color-coded according to difficulty, so there’s a course fit for every family member — whether you’re a fearless ninja or a rookie beginner.

Our staff will always be down below whenever you need their assistance (or just some friendly words of encouragement). There’s even the option to hire a personal guide if you have a nervous climber in your group. We love seeing people conquer their fears and achieve more than they thought was possible. 

The park is also a cooler option than the beach on the hottest days. The trees provide some well-needed shade for a post-climb rest, so feel free to relax on our grounds when you’ve had your fill of the beach.

See the Lights of our Glow in the Park events

Got a spare evening and want to experience Virginia Beach attractions at night? Try our Glow in the Park events where you get to enjoy the Park during the later hours of nightfall. Our grounds become even more magical during these special events, with the whole forest canopy transforming into a magical extravaganza of music blasting through treetop speakers and LED lights guiding you through the elements.

It’s the perfect family night out, with anyone age five and above welcome to the event. Tickets usually fly off the shelves — so check out our events calendar and grab yours now. 

#2 Explore the Unique Activities at Owl Creek Landing

Owl Creek Landing is Virginia’s newest attraction, with experiences you can’t get anywhere else! Owl Creek Landing features the first spiral tower that climbs 65 feet high. With a fully accessible ramp and education stations along the way, everyone can reach the top at their own pace and soak up the forested views. Return the same way you came, or for more adventurous family members, zip down the tower’s slide—the longest stainless-steel spiral slide in the U.S.!

For a more exploratory adventure where the kids can run around to their heart’s content, hop on the Canopy Walk—a half mile of suspended wooden pathways 30-40 feet in the air that blend into the forest. With netting on either side of the walkways, there’s no need for any special equipment. For the little adventurers—and those young at heart—the Children’s Treehouse Village offers four enchanting treehouses, perfect for climbing, exploring, and letting imaginations run wild!

With all that play in the fresh outdoor air, everyone might need a small break to rest, get some food and drinks, and maybe even catch a nap for the little ones. Find some ground-level seating, and soak up the forest’s sights and sounds.

Most of Owl Creek Landing is accessible, so it’s perfect for families, including toddlers in strollers, seniors, and visitors who use wheelchairs.

#3 Meet the Animals of Virginia Aquarium

Come face to face with the majestic creatures of the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. Here you’ll learn more about the 300+ species that call the aquarium their home, with a chance to journey from sea to sea exploring the coastal habitats and very depths of the oceans. 

The educational exhibitions house some of the most beautiful aquatic creatures found across the planet, including sharks, rays, reptiles, and so much more.

Purchase your tickets in advance here to ensure you don’t miss out.

#4 Relax on the Sands of Virginia Beach

Although Virginia Beach is so much more than just a beach — a family visit here is never complete without a day spent building sandcastles and dipping your toes in the crashing waves.

You’ll be greeted with miles and miles of white sands, so pick a spot and make camp from morning till sunset with plenty of beachfront attractions found across the three-mile Virginia Beach boardwalk to tickle your fancy and excite those senses. Soak up the avenue’s good vibes of live music, street performers, and meandering rollerbladers.

And to finish off your beachy day with a high, you can choose from a whole host of lively and family-friendly bars and restaurants.

#5 Come Face to Face With Dolphins on a Boat Tour

Next up on our list of fun things to do in Virginia Beach: dolphin-watching boat tours found next to The Adventure Park and Owl Creek Landing at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. 

The once-in-a-lifetime excursions take you out on the shores of Chesapeake Bay in search of everyone’s favorite sea mammal: the bottlenose dolphin. Knowledgeable marine experts will teach you everything you need to know about the dolphin’s way of life and how they share the bay waters with their Virginia Beach neighbors of fish, seabirds, and sea turtles.

The best part? A portion of every ticket sold supports the research center’s conservation efforts. Just note that dolphin sightings are weather-dependent and not 100% guaranteed, so come with an open mind.

#6 Enjoy a Rainy Day in the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art!

Got some unexpected rainy weather on the horizon? One of the best rainy day plan Bs is a visit to the Virginian Museum of Contemporary Art. Its ever-changing exhibitions of new and exciting art make it the perfect activity for families of sophisticated culture heads. 

It’s a super community-driven place “where neighbors, strangers, students, families, communities, and cultures are invited to explore [our] shared humanity”, so get ready to learn lots about the world we live in and the people we share it with.

Oh and the icing on the cake? It’s completely free! 

Don’t Forget to Drop by The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium and Owl Creek Landing

We hope you found our list of fun things to do in Virginia Beach helpful. We’ll leave with you a reminder to visit us here at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium and Owl Creek Landing. Both attractions provide a day filled with fun and thrills in the outdoors.