Virginia Beach: Family, Fun, and Faith

Back when I was expecting our daughter, Scott was almost set to head to Virginia Beach. A last-minute switch kept us in San Diego, but I've always wondered what Virginia Beach had in store. I finally had the chance to find out, and there was a special bonus—my mom, or "Tutu", as the kids call her, joined us for the adventure!

Come along as we share our first impressions, favorite finds, and must-do activities in Virginia Beach!

Holiday Trav L Park

If you are a dog lover, this campground has the biggest dog park I have ever seen! 

Aside from that, the resort is huge, wooded, and has all the amenities and special events, including concerts and holiday activities.

Hilton Vacation Club

My mom flew into Norfolk Airport from sunny Southern California, and we were pleasantly surprised by how small and easy it was to navigate—exactly the kind of airport experience we love!

She stayed at the Hilton Vacation Club, where she had an ocean view and extra beds for the kids—all at a rate you’d rarely find at even a basic motel in California. 

Since it was the off-season, though, most of the popular attractions were only open on weekends.

First Impressions

Our first impressions of Virginia Beach were a little underwhelming. 

We all found ourselves asking, “Where’s the beach?” Back in California, the Pacific Coast Highway gives you endless ocean views. Here, it was more like endless rows of hotels.

But once we finally reached the beach, the scene changed entirely—it was stunning!

The boardwalk, decked out with festive Christmas decorations, added to the charm, and we quickly discovered a ton of activities that kept us entertained. We ended up having a blast!

Virginia Aquarium

I’ve always had a soft spot for aquariums, and the Virginia Aquarium certainly lived up to my expectations! 

Our absolute favorite part was the enormous sea turtles gliding gracefully through the water. 

The aquarium also features interactive exhibits, which are perfect for keeping little ones entertained and engaged.

Cape Henry Lighthouse

Just like my love for aquariums, I’m equally enchanted by lighthouses. 

The Cape Henry Lighthouse, located on the Fort Story military base, was a must-visit. 

We climbed the spiral staircase to the top and were rewarded with breathtaking views of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It's open to the public, but don’t forget your ID!

Military Aviation Museum

If you're an aviation enthusiast, like my son, the Military Aviation Museum is one you won’t want to miss. Open to the public, it has one of the largest private collections of meticulously restored World War I and World War II aircraft. 

If you plan ahead, visiting during an air show would be an absolute blast!

Spanish Mustang Tour

Our adventure took us about two hours from Virginia Beach to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where we set out to see the wild Spanish Mustangs. 

This experience was definitely a highlight of our trip!

The sandy beaches here double as highways for locals. We loaded up into the truck as our tour guide drove through the area. We spotted several bloated yet beautiful mustangs that descended from the horses brought by the Spanish in the early 1600s. 

On our way back, we were treated to a beautiful pink sunset; I truly believe East Coast sunsets outshine those on the West Coast, turning the ocean a pretty shade of pink!

Busch Gardens

We surprised the kids with a trip to Busch Gardens, and it was nothing short of magical as the  park was adorned with over 10 million Christmas lights!

It was our first visit, and we all had a blast—well, almost everyone.

 

My son, always cautious and observant, has a strong aversion to rides. He just couldn’t trust his life to a teenager operating them! Luckily, nothing a funnel cake couldn’t fix. Meanwhile, my adrenaline junkie daughter was in her element, loving every ride she could find.

Richmond

We took a short 1.5-hour drive to Richmond to catch up with special family friends who recently moved there. We met at Roll Bowling, where we indulged in junk food and played games. 

It was wonderful to see familiar childhood faces and meet their children—it felt like old times!

Overall Experience

If you know my mom, you know that flying out on an airplane by herself with a layover on top of that is a really big deal. I was so proud of her and so happy to see her. I am the same way, it is not the flying that bothers us, it's the logistics. My son gets some of that from us, we do not like to feel out of control. 

My mom is a good example, no matter how anxious or fearful you feel, do it anyway. It paid off as we all had such a special and fun time together!

I think the memory verse I learned this week perfectly captures this theme:

Psalm 16:8 (ESV)

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Context

• David wrote this psalm to express his deep reliance on God for security, joy, and guidance. He begins with a plea for protection and affirms God as his refuge.

• He recognizes the beauty of the faithful people around him while rejecting false gods and ultimately declares hope in eternal life.

• By setting the Lord before him, David emphasizes that his thoughts and decisions revolve around God.

• The reference to God's right hand symbolizes strength and support, assuring him stability even in challenging times.

Reflection

How do you keep God at the center of your life? 

For me, it’s all about priorities. Daily time in the Bible is essential; it’s how the Holy Spirit speaks to me and nourishes my spirit.

How do you handle moments of fear or anxiety? 

I find that there is no better way of acknowledging his presence than by simply talking to him, expressing my needs and asking for His peace.

 "The most important thing about you is what you think about God. When we focus on Him, everything else falls into place."-A.W. Tozer

• When I intentionally focus on God’s promises instead of my circumstances, I find stability that helps me remain unshaken by life’s storms. 

• Through my own trials, I have realized that practicing these habits during times of joy and peace is crucial, as they sustain us when challenges arise.

• Mindset matters; as a community, we need to encourage and hold each other accountable for unified strength.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your promises and I ask that you help us to keep our focus on them. Strengthen our hearts and minds, and guide us to support one another in faith. I also ask that you help all the hurricane victims, and lay on our hearts ways we can help.

In Jesus’ name

Amen.

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, feel free to leave a comment below. 

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