Virginia Beach Boardwalk

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk stretches 3 miles along the Atlantic Ocean, forming the backbone of one of the East Coast's most popular family beach destinations. The wide concrete promenade features separate paths for walkers and bikers, running from 2nd Street to 40th Street with the beach on one side and a lively strip of hotels, restaurants, and shops on the other.

The beach itself is Virginia Beach's greatest asset. Unusually wide and composed of soft, fine sand, it accommodates thousands of families without feeling overcrowded. The water is swimmable from May through October, with lifeguards patrolling the main oceanfront during summer. The waves are gentle enough for young children in most conditions, and the gradual slope creates a wide wading zone.

The boardwalk's separated bike and walking paths make it one of the best urban cycling experiences in the country. The bike path runs the full 3 miles and connects to additional trail networks, providing a safe, car-free corridor for families. Multiple bike rental shops along the boardwalk offer standard bikes, tandems, surreys (multi-person pedal cars), and kids' bikes.

The central boardwalk area (roughly 15th to 25th Street) is the entertainment hub, with live music stages, street performers, amusement arcades, and oceanfront restaurants. The energy is festive and family-friendly during daytime hours. The north end of the boardwalk near the historic Cavalier Hotel is quieter and more upscale, while the south end near Rudee Inlet offers fishing and dolphin tour departure points.

Virginia Beach's oceanfront hosts a robust calendar of free events throughout summer, including outdoor concerts, movies on the beach, surfing competitions, and art festivals. The boardwalk is the physical and cultural center of the city's family tourism, and for most visitors, it anchors every day of their vacation — morning beach time, afternoon boardwalk exploration, evening dinner with ocean views.