The Most Delicious Parks in Virginia Beach

Paradise Creek Nature Park

★★★★☆ 4.1 (17)

"This is a nice natural area. They offer trails that meander around wetlands and a wooded area. They are a great display of the recreation/reconstruction of the natural process. Meaning they are stimulating a dry area into a flourishing area. You are able to volunteer as well as take part in community activities throughout the year. You will see a variety of birds and maybe a creature or two by the water. Walk through the wooded area and they have a few bird and bat houses attached to trees. You will find a bench or two, a bridge and they have fitness stations now which is a nice mix for your cardio routine with! Clean park and usually not busy at all. They have a lot of future plans to include kayaks!"

TowneBank Fountain Park

★★★★★ 4.6 (5)

"Came down to see the 12th annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, but what a great little park. Well kept, clean, a great place to put your feet up with a good view of the waterfront, right in the heart of Waterside District.This review is mainly based on the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival: it's always such a pleasure to see different cultures, traditions and cuisine - so when you mix all three together and put on a show, it's always a good thing and very much welcomed. The dancing was fantastic, well done to all those involved; the crowd were very impressed with the main event. What's more, the event was free and open to the public."

Kiptopeke State Park

★★★★☆ 4 (67)

"Our favorite places to camp in VA are state parks and this is one of our very favorites. We've been here several times and even have a favorite spot :). This is one of only 2 state parks in the state with full hookups (I wish so many others would get on board with that). That being said, make reservations early!Most sites are fairly level and all have fire rings and picnic tables. Most sites also accommodate larger RVs, especially the C loop (the one with the sewer hookups). We drag a 32' fifth wheel and have no problems, and we've seen several larger rigs (including big class As) get in and out with no trouble at all.The beautiful thing about this park is all of the many activities it offers. There is lots of history here (research the concrete ships - they are amazing). Several well marked trails cross cross the park (and most all are level and rated easy to navigate) - our dogs love them. During the season, there is a nice swimming beach and you can kayak out to the ships. Fishing is big here as well and the boat ramp is well kept with ample boat trailer parking.Again, one of the nicest VA state parks and a good home base for adventurers on the ES. Do yourself a favor and skip the KOA down the road (they are packed in like sardines) and book here. Just do it early!"

Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation

★★★★★ 4.5 (12)

"Very pretty area and lake. We didn't stay terribly long as the bug situation was intense but it's a beautiful area."

The Mariners' Museum and Park

★★★★★ 4.7 (97)

"The Mariner's Museum was neat! The Mariners Cafe was closed for renovation. Before reaching the ticketing counter, I noticed that they were collecting Unwrapped toys until December 14th for a Toys for Tots Drive. Admission is very affordable, so bring cash. It is $1 per person. They gave us a map of the museum and another map of the park (with a 5-mile hiking trail around Mariner's Lake. They have scavenger hunts and stickers for kids. Since it was our first visit, the Vietnam Veteran recommended us what to see in a particular order. I enjoyed learning about the history of Monitor and looking at recovered artifacts. My favorite parts of the museum were The Miniature Ships of August and Winnifred Crabtree and International Small Craft Center. The latter had smaller boats from all over the country. The museum shop sold toys, apparel, and tons of books. The most interesting souvenirs were the desk pyramids and scrimshaw bone box. I was surprised they didn't have any shot glasses or wooden steering wheel or boat ornaments!"

Plymouth Park

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"I live less than a mile from this park and never knew it existed until very recently. This city park is very small occupying only 3.13 acres. The only entrance is off of Pond Lane in the Plymouth Park section of SoNo in Chesapeake. The park is surrounded on three sides by trees, bushes and undergrowth. The rear of the park borders on Indian River but there is no boat ramp and the area is not accessible by car. There is no dedicated parking area for Plymouth Park, if you come by vehicle you will need to park on the street.There is a nice sidewalk around the perimeter of the park. The sidewalk is a great place to get a little walking exercise as it is well maintained and drainage is good so that water does not flood the sidewalk or pool in other areas of the park after a hard rain. There is a small children's playground area with very basic equipment featuring mostly swings and slides. There is one very small pavilion which houses two picnic tables. There are no grills and no bathroom facilities, there is one park bench. Like all city parks in Chesapeake, Plymouth Park is open daily from Sunrise to Sunset. I really appreciate how well this small city park is kept. There is never any litter and the park is always clean. All the equipment and facilities are attractive and appear to be in good working order. This tiny park is definitely an asset for those who live in the community."

Deer Park

★★★★☆ 3.8 (8)

"My son and I came to Virginia for vacation and we had a couple of hours to kill. This park was a nice place to stop so he could burn off some of that toddler energy. My main concern was the amount of trees that surrounded the park because this is a bad season for ticks. I was assured by some of the local parents that they spray often. I loved this park!"

Princess Anne Commons Gateway Park

★★★★☆ 3.7 (12)

"This park is nearby to where I live. I like that it's right next to Landstown Commons, the YMCA, and Sentara Hosptial, so I feel safe going here and inviting the family. It's easy to pass bc the park is on the intersection of Princess Anne & Dam Neck. It's mostly shaded with trees and the parking lot is quite small. I love taking the kids here and they enjoy it too. Benches and tables surrounding the park perimeter for adults to sit nearby and watch the children play. There's also a men's and women's restroom not too far from the playground and it's well kept and clean. Water Fountain provided."

Currituck Community Park

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"While visiting family we came across this little hidden gem. The Currituck Community Park is newer to the area and has everything a kid could dream of to have a fun playday at the park. They have a rock climbing wall, ziplines, slides, soccer and baseball fields gallor. The facilities are clean and offer amble amount of seating for parents."

Jerrassic Park

★★★★★ 4.8 (14)

"Looking for a free social -distancing friendly outdoor activity? This is your spot!I'm an adult with no kids and I had a great time checking out these roadside dinos. It's right at the entrance to the Military Aviation museum. They have a picnic table or two, but it's in the parking lot section across from the dinos. If you want to munch with the dinos you might want to bring your own picnic set up. I heard the story behind this place is they were bought in an auction. They really are more like works of art vs trying to be realistic dinosaurs. I thought the Wooly Mammoth was the coolest. Keep an eye on your littlest dino fans- the grass is a little over grown in some areas and there is water nearby. Make it a quick trip, stay for awhile and have a picnic, or make it part of your visit to the museum. It's a cool thing to check out!"

King’s Grant Park

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"What a nice neighborhood park. It has a small playground, but it's nice and shaded. It has woods around it. And through the woods it has a walking path. Next to that they have a basketball court. They also have tennis court. They have benches to sit on, they have a couple of picnic tables altogether a nice neighborhood park. My favorite part is that it shaded with beautiful big trees."

Jamestown Beach

★★★★☆ 4.4 (23)

"Had well-priced concessions, outdoor water pickets to rinse off sand and bathrooms. Thick-sand present, along with picnic tables and char-grills on the upper grass area. $10 all day (includes re-entry) beach-front parking for non-williamtonings. Parking staff was very friendly and plenty of parking, however not shaded so definitely bring a windshield solar reflecter."

Yorktown Battlefield

★★★★★ 4.5 (112)

"Not to be confused with the museum. This is the national park site. The inside has a well done museum and great rangers to answer questions. Make sure your kiddo does the junior ranger badge activities. Outside, you can walk all over creation OR you can do the driving tour. We drove. There is a great app that tells you about each spot. It's also a lovely drive. We saw quiet a few deer out and about. As a note, please don't let your children approach the herds of deer. They are wild animals. SMDH. There is so much to learn it's almost overwhelming."

The Plot

★★★★☆ 4.2 (6)

"There is so much potential for this the space that is The Plot and the Neon District. There is buzz around the plans that the City of Norfolk has to revitalize the area. It's a shame that a lot of established business in the Neon District has either left or have plans to move. The murals, the tables and chairs, and the potted plants that hang on the walls of the painted containers are all very nice to see, but wish that people utilized it more. At the time of my visit, the concrete in the Plot seems to be in pretty rough shape! More shade would be nice so that if people purchase food from surrounding businesses could have a place to eat their food out in the nice outdoors!If you're in the area, you should definitely check out the space and the murals in the area. There is a giant one of fish by a well known muralist in the area known as Onie Tonie. I also liked the one with "LOVE VA" that is one street over from The Plot, right in front of the Sanctuary, a local taco spot.Enjoy, Friends and never stop exploring!"

Bluebird Gap Farm

★★★★★ 4.5 (60)

"I always forget to go here!It is super cute with the playground and open areas to walk around.The kids LOVE the animals. Being able get close to the animals and see them all is such a nice thing!Horses, pigs, chickens, and peacocks.There is covered canopy's to sit under and plenty of benches to sit if you need to as well. There is a nice little trail to walk down.There are a few different playgrounds for different ages and they even have swings."

False Cape State Park

★★★★★ 4.7 (20)

"I have been missing out! While looking on the Back Bay Wilderness Refuge site I found False Cape and thought it was pretty cool that the only way in from Back Bay is through bike or hike. We rode in from Back Bay the 4.5 miles or so via bike and found the tidy visitor center and restrooms which had recently closed for the day (the bathrooms are kept open). We took the 0.7 mile trail to the Atlantic Ocean and found a bike rack and a virtually deserted beach. Plenty of campsites covered with trees and shade were nearby and some camping on the beach is also allowed with permit. There are miles and miles of trails. We ran out of time but this was only a first visit! The gravel road in is easy to travel and well maintained. I will be back again and again! Beautiful park."

Newport News Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (62)

"So this review is of the campground. We went here with our new travel trailer. This was our very first visit. As a newbie, you always get scared of a few things. Delving into the unknown of what you have, etc. However, the win with this place was that it was local, there were still plenty of places around within a 15 minute drive, and the staff were practically always available (seriously - I haven't called and someone not pickup to help me). The amenities at the site were solid. Yes - it was a communal dumping station but that's just how it is for some places. To be fair, this was perfect for us because we came in December (not exactly busy) and we needed the low pressure for us to be able to make mistakes, adjust, etc. We definitely had a great time overall. So much so that we'll be coming back here in 3 weeks. It's just a nice, simple area that is well done.Food Taste: n/aOverall Service: 5Value of product to cost: 5Facility: 5Repeat customer: yesDog Friendly: yes"

Wright Brothers National Memorial

★★★★☆ 4.3 (292)

"A nice afternoon while in OBX. Quite informative and quick enough that it keeps attention of all ages."

York River State Park

★★★★★ 4.7 (32)

"Beautiful, peaceful, and a bit spooky. Running by yourself in the dark, quiet woods can certainly play tricks on you. You hear things you don't normally hear and are unaccustomed to hearing. Strange rustling sounds in the wood line or perhaps even voices of beings keeping a watchful eye on you in their home. York River State Park offers gorgeous views of the York and the natural beauty of nature. The hills are challenging if you're planning to run the trails. The trails themselves are well maintained and winds you through the woods which offer plenty of deer and other wildlife.find yourself a nice spot to take in the views, the soft breeze off the river, and simply relax."

Neptune's Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (101) • $

"Neptune's Park is one of those things in Virginia Beach that everyone knows, sees, has photos of, and visits. It's become an icon of the oceanfront and is often featured on race medals, shirts, stickers, you name it. It's a giant status of, you guessed it, King Neptune himself with his trident and holding a sea turtle with plenty of other marine life below him on rocks. It's pretty damn cool.No matter how many times I see it, I always snap a photo of it when I'm close to it. It's co-located with the Hilton and Catch 31 and has a large stage for music and events across from it. With the beachfront right there, it's an awesome location and one locals are used to seeing but it never fails to impress the visitors I overhear seeing it for the first time."

Savage Neck Dunes

★★★★☆ 4.4 (5)

"Full disclosure. We weren't able to fully experience this area because sunset was already happening. If coming from downtown Cape Charles, the parking lot will be on your right. Look for the kiosk sign, it's a small dirt parking lot. It's easy to miss if you don't pay attention. The lot is said to house 8 cars. Trails are not paved and consist of a mixture of dirt, root laden and sand terrain. There is a small boardwalk to cross on one of the trails that leads to beach access that veers to the right. The trail that leads to the right is roughlyHalf a mile to slightly a 3/4 mile to the beach. I recommend wearing shoes and not flip flops. I did have shoes on. The starting trails have plenty of shade. We only took one of the three trails due to limited time and it was dark by the time we made it back. They do close the gate by sunset. I happened to be too busy looking at my phone on the way back and actually walked right into the gate. If you do go to catch the sunset, make sure you give yourself at least 10-15 minutes to get back or else you will be stuck using your cellphone flashlight to find your way back or maybe bring a headlight just in case. Also, I didn't have cellphone service, so make sure if you visit in the evening, that you let people know of your whereabouts, prior to heading out in case of an emergency. On the website they say there are no bathrooms, but I happened to see a port a potty on one part of the trail. It looks like a nice place to take walks and explore. I would like to go back and check out the other trails."

Bennetts Creek Park

★★★★☆ 4.1 (22)

"Some good came from COVID because while the park was closed off to all humans, it was remodeled with a new playground. I have not checked the tennis court (because I'm too fat to play thanks to being quarantined and stuck in the house working & sleeping then repeat), but I hope that they fixed it up too. Bennett's Creek Park has their first event (after Covid) scheduled for next month (June 2021). Oh! There is a skate park in the back near the picnic tables. And if you walk further down along the path you'll find a fishing peer and a place to dock your boat. All that is needed is a walking trail through the woods."

Kemps Landing Park

★★★☆☆ 2.5 (2)

"It was really hard to come down on this new City of Virgina Beach park which was the former field for Kempsville Pony-Colt Baseball. From a distance it does look nice. However, after years and years and years of work on the corner it's still not completed. They is currently no where to park and even attempt to enjoy at all. The history of the corner is significant in the local baseball community. The two fields were home to Kempsville Pony League for 50 years. The 2009 season was their last with the widening and movement of Witchduck Rd. There is an informational plaque and statute. Also cool a marker of where home plate was. Old Kempsville HS still stands across the street and serves as a beautifully restored apartment building. Adjacent to the park is a lot of heavy equipment by a nearby water way. No one was working today. I assume the idea was to create a holding pond for necessary drainage. So a large pond was made that is trashy and algae ridden with green color. Not even water fowl use it. A fountain in the center is not working to keep the flow going and reduce build up of algae. The centerpiece to the park is a tall wooden gazebo type dome with cedar shake roof. It's darn attractive. Wooden benches line the walk around the pond. There are trash cans, bike racks and even lighting around the area. Landscaping of bushes and trees is extensive and looks awesome! Near Witchduck Road in front of the park is large black utility boxes that are unsightly. The current landscaping will take years to hide them. My assumption is that parking will be eventually placed where current construction is. If not there will never be a place to park. All access would be on foot, or bike. There is a nearby steel bridge that connects Kempsville Elementary School to the park. From a distance it looks attractive, but is rusted and nasty. I again assume they will apply a coating of some type, or maybe that's done at the mill and was not completed due to cost. Hopefully this city park will come together so I can update and upgrade in the future. Right now it has potential. 2.5, rounding down."

Virginia Beach Peace Park

★★★★☆ 3.7 (3)

"Most often generically called Town Center Park. However the formal name is Virginia Beach Peace Park. There is a super cool reason for the name and I will explain. The area is designated one of the several Meadow Managements in Virginia Beach and is pretty in the Fall with foliage. I come here often. The idea of the name comes from the Peace Pole that was placed just off Columbus Ave. you have probably driven by it hundreds of times and possibly never taken notice. It's been in place close to inception of Town Center over a decade ago.The Peace Pole is a handcrafted monument which displays the message. "May Peace Prevail on Earth". It reads...Linking the community with people internationally. There are tens of thousands of peace poles in 180 countries all over the world. The tradition began in Japan in 1955 by Masahia Goi. Each blade on this pole represents a sister cities Virginia Beach and depicts the name of the city with the distance in miles from this point to that international city. On one side is the name and distance in English and miles; on the other side is the same information shown in that countries language showing the distance in kilometers. The sign blades are mounted so as to point in the direction of that International city. If you reside in Town Center and have a dog this is your go to for walking the approximate quarter mile paved track around the man made pond. Of course great for residents to exercise with, or without a pet. I always feel I'm transported to a tiny taste of Central Park with trees, benches and wildlife. The negative is litter that can often be seen by disrespectful guest. There are a couple can on the trail. Parking is off nearby street, or parking garage. So now you know, there is a park in Virginia Beach Town Center with a cool name that ties us to our sister cities. Again not unique, so look for these on your travels. Check this local gem out."

Middle Plantation Bishopgate Park

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"What a great little neighborhood park. There's plenty of sidewalk entrance. They also have parking. They have plenty of Playground equipment. It has a lot of beautiful big trees surrounding the playground. They have three picnic tables. They have one covered picnic area. Everything looked to be in good shape. It's not a big playground, but it's a decent size for a neighborhood playground."

Thomas Jefferson Rollins Nature Area

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"A simple place to just hang out. You can go crabbing here or fishing. We collect sea glass and all other rare finds. I have see. People take kayaks out here as well. There is a picnic table available under some trees to have a picnic. You can also sit and watch what I call America... F22s and other planes from Langley AFB. A great place to take photos."

Duck Town Park and Boardwalk

★★★★★ 4.9 (21)

"This was one of our favorite stops in the Outer Banks. The boardwalk is right along the sound with really pretty views over the water. We walked the length of the boardwalk which is about a mile one way. It was easy for us to find free public parking, but we were also there in the off season. It was in the midst of Covid-19 when we were there, so we didn't go into any of the shops, but there were a lot of nice looking galleries and other shops that I would definitely browse next time. I recommend coming for sunset. It's a beautiful place to watch the sunset over the sound!"

Buckroe Beach and Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (89)

"I've never been to Buckroe Beach though I have heard about it from friends in the area and some folks who play beach volleyball here. It was very very crowded with tons of traffic and little parking when we visited at around 4pm. We did snag a spot and walked over to the pavilion and cute little lighthouse (which I though was real until we arrived). It's a cute, small local's beach for the folks around and the pavilion was nice for shows and festivals it's very large. Probably wouldn't drive over from Virginia Beach though if a day at the beach is what I had in mind."

Fun Junktion

★★★★☆ 3.5 (2)

"Great park with splash pad and lots of play area. The kids enjoyed. Also area for adults to work out. Yoga group and activities for children. Bathroom clean and walking trail on the River front. Great place to visit."

Little Mariners Park

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"I have visited the mariners museum in the past and somehow I missed this amazing little park. I did some research and found out this is a recent addition to the mariners museum and trails It is absolutely adorable and so cute There is a small garden and several educational spots They seem to have made everything out of recycled materials and mostly wood it is really nice They have a see saw and even a tunnel They also have a giant checkers tiktaktoe and chess boards I saw several children enjoying the park and the parents had benches to keep a close eye one the little ones It is very shaded and if they get restless you have the entire Nolan's trail within walking distance and the entire mariners museum to explore which is currently charging only 1$ for admission Definitely a spot worth taking your kids to or even as an adult to stop by"

Oak Grove Lake Park

★★★★★ 4.6 (85)

"Oak Grove Lake Park (OGLP) is a great park to get some exercise and fresh air! Nature has such a positive effect on the mind and soul and it was just what we needed after the Christmas craziness.According to the City of Chesapeake's website, OGLP has 65 acres of hardwood forest and wetlands. I put two and two together and it's also the park that I drive by every time I get out of Chesapeake. It's located right next to the Chesapeake Expressway (it was a little nerve wrecking to be walking right next to the highway - it's only a small portion though).- Parking - There is a small lot, but overflow parking is along the sides leading out to the entrance of the parking. It was pretty busy since kids are off on Winter Break. - Trail - The trail is 1.5 miles total around a lake with mile markers at every quarter mile to keep you in check. The trail is easy, flat with no inclines. It's not paved, so don't really recommend little scooters for the kids, but bikes would be fine. And strollers would be great too.The trail has picnic tables, benches, trash cans and observation decks throughout, so plenty of opportunities for snack breaks or just contemplation. There are also exercise stations with signs. Lot of trees with beautiful view of the lake from different angles. The path is wide enough that there is enough room for two-way traffic as well as runners who want to pass.And the kids favorite part? The playground of course! It is located at the trail head. It seems pretty new, because it's not the generic playground structure you see at most parks.There are also Port-o-Potties located across from the playground for your convenience.- Pets - Sign indicated all pets must be on a leash, no longer than 5 feet.Stay safe, Friends!"

Salem Woods Neighborhood Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (7)

"Such a cute park right off of Princess Anne road. It not only houses a playground but also a baseball field and a great walking path. Maintenance seems to be well kept. Typical playground wear and tear. Beautiful purple flowers are starting to bloom on the field making it really pretty."

Indian River Park

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (8)

"This 90 acre park is interesting because it's really TWO parks as it is cleanly split by Military Highway but between Rokeby and Paramont Avenues.Lots of old growth trees and a small creek for natural features, but there are also basketball courts, a bike trail, a rain garden, playground, picnic shelters and walking trails.Quite the neat spot and I'm glad I stopped by to get in some nature.[Review 10824 overall, 593 of 2019.]"

Lineberry Park

★★★★☆ 4 (2)

"Lineberry Park is a quiet, small neighborhood park. It has a playground, a very small field, and small wooded areas with established trees. The park is mostly clean overall. It isn't excessively busy but has a continuous flow of families in and out. -- The Playground --The playground area with wood chip mulch is best for elementary school aged children. The equipment is in generally good condition; with close supervision it's good for younger children (note that there are moderate gaps in the openings along the playground system). The highest slide feels a bit unstable. There are baby/toddler swings and regular swings, which are pretty high off the ground for children. There's also numerous climbing options. The playground is in full shade; the shade is mostly from sweetgum (gumball) trees, so I wouldn't recommend it for pets. -- Benches & Pavilions --There is one pavilion with one picnic table beneath it. There is a trash can not far from it and another can in the parking lot. There are a few benches along the perimeter of the playground. -- Walking Areas & Accessibility --There are no paths or walking areas within the park, except for the paved path from the parking lot to the pavilion that ends just before the playground. Lineberry Park has a ramp to access the play structure to make it more accessible to people with differing abilities. -- Sporting Equipment --There are no other equipment options other than the playground. -- Amenities --There is only a portable toilet (no plumbing), so not ideal for a long visit. -- Parking --There is a gravel parking lot owned by the city and designated for the park. There's one handicapped accessible parking spot and other unmarked spots. -- Things to Note --It is behind St. Francis Episcopal Church. Other than the fence by the parking lot, the perimeter of the park is a moderate ditch. There is no fence or physical boundary between the park and the neighboring properties, but a few of the houses have their own fences. It's not right next to water, but there's water slightly further down on S. Rosemont Rd, so with that and the shade, mosquitoes are a moderate issue. -- Takeaways --This is nice, somewhat older neighborhood park not far from S. Rosemont Rd. The main attraction is its playground. If you are in the area and armed with bug spray, it's worth a visit for children. I wouldn't suggest traveling out of your way for it though as there are lots of other parks in VB to enjoy, many with more offerings."

Hermitage Park

★★☆☆☆ 2 (1)

"If there was such a thing as a ghetto park in the Bayside neighborhood this may fit the bill. Not that it's all that bad, it's really not. The tiny little park is thrown into a lot behind a strip mall and in the hood of Gracetown just off Independence Blvd.The park offers no parking lot, no shade, no restrooms, no drinking fountains and certainly no ambiance. But what it does offer is a small get away for kids that live close to it that would otherwise not have a recreation area. It is maintained by the city, equipment is nice and does offer a small shelter. However on this mornings brief visit with the kids before school their was graffiti present in chalk. We need to buy these hoodlums some spray paint, ha!Definitely better parks... my recommendation is move on."