ODU fans you’ve helped me out before—my family is spending next week in VA Beach, visiting my sister-in-law and her military husband.

What dining suggestions do have in the area (particularly seafood)?

Is there anywhere fun to take a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old?

I haven’t lived there in many years now and nearly all of my favorite joints are no longer there so I won’t be much help. Feel free to post on our home board, you’ll get more responses.

https://csnbbs.com/forum-688.html

I will say the Virginia Marine Science Museum is great for kids.

https://www.virginiaaquarium.com/

I happen to be planning a trip to VA Beach in the coming fall, so will be following this thread as well. Thanks in advance.

clt says a full day visit of the odu tennis facility is a must

Problem is Virginia Beach is huge. They literally turned a county into a "city". So it depends on where in VB you are. If you are actually near the beach in the resort area, I would suggest Watermans (on the strip), or Bubbas (a little further out, by Lynnhaven Inlet).

If you're closer to the Norfolk side of VB, you could try Surf Rider or Captain Georges. If you're in Sandbridge go to Margie and Rays. If you go into downtown Norfolk you've got AW Shucks or Saltine.

For fun things for the kids this time of year, I also recommend the aquarium. Some miniature golf places might be open too. You could always look into whale or dolphin watching (cant remember the season on those). Norfolk has a decent Zoo, a nautical museum with a battleship, and a botanical garden. Portsmouth has the actual "Childrens Museum" which would be your best bet for a two year old. You could always check out a Monarch basketball game too. Those are about 30 minutes from the oceanfront area. Hope you have a good time.

And Franky, if you're there in the fall more things will be open on the resort strip and if its your thing, the fishing can be really good that time of year too.

Thanks everyone. We will definitely give the aquarium a visit—my daughters love fish and animals.

(01-05-2022 04:01 PM)monarx Wrote:  Problem is Virginia Beach is huge. They literally turned a county into a "city". So it depends on where in VB you are. If you are actually near the beach in the resort area, I would suggest Watermans (on the strip), or Bubbas (a little further out, by Lynnhaven Inlet).

If you're closer to the Norfolk side of VB, you could try Surf Rider or Captain Georges. If you're in Sandbridge go to Margie and Rays. If you go into downtown Norfolk you've got AW Shucks or Saltine.

For fun things for the kids this time of year, I also recommend the aquarium. Some miniature golf places might be open too. You could always look into whale or dolphin watching (cant remember the season on those). Norfolk has a decent Zoo, a nautical museum with a battleship, and a botanical garden. Portsmouth has the actual "Childrens Museum" which would be your best bet for a two year old. You could always check out a Monarch basketball game too. Those are about 30 minutes from the oceanfront area. Hope you have a good time.

And Franky, if you're there in the fall more things will be open on the resort strip and if its your thing, the fishing can be really good that time of year too.

Please don't go to SurfRider or Captain Georges. They've gone downhill a ton.

If you have a chance to take your wife out, consider using the time to go to the Cavalier. It's a classic hotel that was just beautifully renovated. They have a distillery that offers tours and a bunch of fantastic restaurants there and at the new Marriot across the street. My favorite restaurant between the two spots is Orion's Roof, which offers one of the best views of the oceanfront and some of the best sushi you will get on the Eastern Seaboard. On the main level of the Marriot is Tulu, which is your typical upscale beach bar. If you go there, order an orange crush.

If you're closer to Downtown Norfolk, take your wife to The Main. Multiple decent food and drink options.

Another fantastic option for a date is Steinhelbers. It's a locals spot that you will want to come back for.

Margie and Rays is a good suggestion if you're out near Sandbridge.

As for the kids, the aquarium and zoo would be the top suggestions. Third would be the Military Aviation Museum. It's pretty hands on and they have a bunch of WWI and WWII airplanes any 2 and 4 year-old will find cool to check out (bonus, it's free for kids that age). They have a bunch of dinosaur stuff too. Bring the stroller though.

Bubbas is a decent family friendly restaurant but I'd probably just go to Chicks Oyster Bar if I'm in Chicks Beach. Better food and service and the kids can be loud if they want. Just bring some cash for the valet.

Is Nick’s still open on Laskin Road?

They were always good. Definitely a no frills kind of place but good seafood reasonably priced.

(01-05-2022 04:52 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(01-05-2022 04:01 PM)monarx Wrote:  Problem is Virginia Beach is huge. They literally turned a county into a "city". So it depends on where in VB you are. If you are actually near the beach in the resort area, I would suggest Watermans (on the strip), or Bubbas (a little further out, by Lynnhaven Inlet).

If you're closer to the Norfolk side of VB, you could try Surf Rider or Captain Georges. If you're in Sandbridge go to Margie and Rays. If you go into downtown Norfolk you've got AW Shucks or Saltine.

For fun things for the kids this time of year, I also recommend the aquarium. Some miniature golf places might be open too. You could always look into whale or dolphin watching (cant remember the season on those). Norfolk has a decent Zoo, a nautical museum with a battleship, and a botanical garden. Portsmouth has the actual "Childrens Museum" which would be your best bet for a two year old. You could always check out a Monarch basketball game too. Those are about 30 minutes from the oceanfront area. Hope you have a good time.

And Franky, if you're there in the fall more things will be open on the resort strip and if its your thing, the fishing can be really good that time of year too.

Please don't go to SurfRider or Captain Georges. They've gone downhill a ton.

If you have a chance to take your wife out, consider using the time to go to the Cavalier. It's a classic hotel that was just beautifully renovated. They have a distillery that offers tours and a bunch of fantastic restaurants there and at the new Marriot across the street. My favorite restaurant between the two spots is Orion's Roof, which offers one of the best views of the oceanfront and some of the best sushi you will get on the Eastern Seaboard. On the main level of the Marriot is Tulu, which is your typical upscale beach bar. If you go there, order an orange crush.

If you're closer to Downtown Norfolk, take your wife to The Main. Multiple decent food and drink options.

Another fantastic option for a date is Steinhelbers. It's a locals spot that you will want to come back for.

Margie and Rays is a good suggestion if you're out near Sandbridge.

As for the kids, the aquarium and zoo would be the top suggestions. Third would be the Military Aviation Museum. It's pretty hands on and they have a bunch of WWI and WWII airplanes any 2 and 4 year-old will find cool to check out (bonus, it's free for kids that age). They have a bunch of dinosaur stuff too. Bring the stroller though.

Bubbas is a decent family friendly restaurant but I'd probably just go to Chicks Oyster Bar if I'm in Chicks Beach. Better food and service and the kids can be loud if they want. Just bring some cash for the valet.

Id take Drunkards advice on SurfRider and Captian Gs. I haven't lived in the area for several years, so if he says they've gone down, he'd know better. I used to love the crab cake at Surf Rider especially though. Sad to hear. Steinhelbers is great, but probably not for a 2 and 4 y/o in my opinion.

Is Captain George’s affiliated with the one in the Williamsburg area?

(01-05-2022 08:09 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Is Captain George’s affiliated with the one in the Williamsburg area?

Yes, same seafood buffet concept.

Thanks fellas. The kids had a blast at the aquarium. We’ll be checking out the aircraft museum tomorrow.