Tourism Information

The Visitor's Center of Virginia Beach is located at the end of the interstate as you drive into the resort area. If you have any questions you will find answers at the Visitor's Center. Also, they've got a HUGE selection of brochures for dining, entertainment, activities, tours and more.

My one piece of advice for people visiting Virginia Beach: Please don't park illegally. Read signs wherever you park. Just because a store is closed doesn't mean you can park in their lot. If you park someplace where you don't have permission, it is likely that you will be towed. Nothing will ruin your vacation quicker than having to spend a bunch of money getting your ride out of car jail.

One other bit of advice concerns the bicycle trail that parallels the boardwalk. Please don't walk on the bicycle trail. It's against the law and completely unnecessary since you've got the boardwalk which is right next to the bike trail and closer to the beach...

ATTENTION PARENTS: Children have the tendency to take off running as soon as they see the ocean, which is usually before they've reached the bicycle trail. Hold your children's hand when crossing the bicycle trail and teach them to look both ways, just like when they cross a street.

Click here to view our Vacationer's Checklist, which you can print and use to remember everything you'll need on your Va. Beach vacation.

• Banking
• Climate & Temperatures
• Handicapped Access
• Hospitals and Medical Info
• Rules of the Road
• Time Zone
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Trolleys & Transportation

Banking

Area banks can issue traveler's checks, give cash advances on credit cards and help you access your account back home through popular ATMs.

If you need to wire money, or have money wired to you, Western Union has offices at Farm Fresh: 521 Laskin Road (757) 428-0344, and Rite Aid Pharmacy: 320 Laskin Road (757) 422-0331.

Climate & Temperatures

Virginia Beach is pleasantly moderate all year long. Spring comes sooner and fall stays longer. The average rainfall is 45.22 inches and the average snowfall is just 8.2 inches (and it nearly always melts as soon as the sun comes out).

Average Temperatures
10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. - Degrees Fahrenheit

Lightweight to medium clothing is recommended for the Spring, Fall, and Winter seasons. Clothes that can be layered may be increased or decreased as the varying temperatures dictate. Lightweight clothes are best for Summer.

Handicapped Access

Virtually all of our hotels/motels, restaurants and shopping centers offer access facilities for the handicapped. Ramps from the boardwalk to the beach are located at every street along the boardwalk. Handicapped parking spaces are located throughout the resort.

Hospital & Medical Info

First of all, I must mention the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad. Not just one of the top rescue squads in the nation, but one of the best in the world. Unlike other Atlantic beaches that are far from even the closest fire station, our rescue squad is located blocks from the oceanfront and Virginia Beach General Hospital (with Level 2 Trauma Center) is a short 10 minutes away.

Two major hospitals service the city, Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, 1060 First Colonial Road (757) 481-8000, and Sentara Bayside Hospital, 800 Independence Boulevard (757) 460-8000. We also have one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country, Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters, located in Norfolk just 20 miles away. There are minor emergency and family care centers located throughout the city, and emergency services are available by dialing "911." Special services such as dialysis and emergency dental are available as well.

Rules of the Road

Drive on the right side of the highway. Seatbelts are required for all vehicle occupants. Right turn on red after stopping is permitted in Virginia unless otherwise indicated. Children under age 4 or under 40 pounds must be secured in a child restraint or booster seat.

Time Zone

Virginia is on Eastern Standard Time (EST) November through March and on Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDST) April through October. This is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours behind Central European Time (CET).

Alcoholic Beverages

Virginia's Alcoholic Beverage Commission operates liquor stores in Virginia Beach, where a variety of liquors and Virginia wines are sold. Grocery and convenience stores carry beer and wine. One must be 21 years of age to buy wine, beer and liquor. Licensed premises can serve until 2 a.m.; off-premises establishments, like convenience stores, can sell until midnight. Carrying an unsealed or open container of alcohol in public or in an auto is illegal.

Trolleys & Transportation

Once you are here, you'll find all the major car rental agencies, limousine services, buses, taxis, trolleys and convention shuttle services to accommodate every need.

The most convenient way to get from place to place at the oceanfront is on our trolleys and electric hybrid mini busses.