Virginia Beach Boardwalk
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Location
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Length
Three miles
Along the shore
From 2nd to 40th Streets
Admission
Free to walk; confirm current details for parking and nearby attractions
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk follows the Atlantic shoreline through the city’s Oceanfront resort district, running three miles from 2nd to 40th Streets. On one side are the beach and ocean; on the other, hotels, restaurants and shops. It works just as well for a brief stroll as for a longer outing that combines beach time, a meal and a stop at one of the nearby attractions.[1]
Come early for a quieter walk and sunrise views, or visit later to take in the Oceanfront’s busier, more social side. Along the way, look for public parks, beach access points and landmarks such as the King Neptune statue. The Boardwalk is open year-round, but events, businesses and seasonal services may operate on different schedules; check current visitor information before making plans around a particular activity.[2]
Plan a trip to Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Why visit the Virginia Beach Boardwalk?
The Boardwalk makes it easy to enjoy the coast without planning a full-day excursion. Walk beside the beach, pause to watch the surf, or turn inland for food and shopping. Its Oceanfront setting also puts several small parks and visitor attractions within an easy stroll of one another.[3]
The experience changes with the hour and season. Early mornings are suited to a peaceful walk or jog, while summer brings more activity, including live entertainment at beachfront stages. Treat the Boardwalk as both a destination and a handy route between the beach, parks, restaurants and nearby cultural stops.
Start here
For a first visit, begin at either end of the paved promenade and walk as far as time and energy allow. The full route from 2nd to 40th Streets is three miles; you can retrace your steps or break the outing into shorter sections by stopping at a park, beach access point or café along the way.[4]
A simple first-timer’s route is to walk the shore-facing side, pause at Neptune Park near 31st Street, and choose a nearby place to eat before heading back. If you want to add a history stop, the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum is on the Boardwalk at 24th Street.[5]
What to see and do
Walk beside the Atlantic
Follow the promenade for open ocean views, beach access and a close-up look at the Oceanfront’s changing pace throughout the day.
Meet King Neptune
Stop at Neptune Park near 31st Street to see the 34-foot bronze statue of King Neptune, a prominent Oceanfront landmark.[6]
Explore coastal history
At 24th Street, the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum interprets local surf and rescue history in a former U.S. Life-Saving Station. Check the museum’s current visitor information before going.[7]
Take a beach break
Use the beach access points along the route to trade pavement for sand and surf. Follow posted beach rules and check local conditions before swimming.
Pause at the Oceanfront parks
Beachfront parks provide places to sit and take in the view. Neptune Park at 31st Street is also a venue for outdoor entertainment; event schedules vary.[8]
History and significance
The Boardwalk has been part of the Oceanfront’s development for more than a century. The City of Virginia Beach reports that the first wooden boardwalk was built in 1888 to help keep blowing sand out of nearby hotels. After fire damaged the early structure in 1907, a concrete seawall and promenade later opened in 1928. The present three-mile Boardwalk was built through a partnership between the City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1990s.[9]
Today, the promenade serves as a public gathering place and a defining feature of the resort district. Its history is also tied to the coast’s working and safety traditions: the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, housed in a former life-saving station built in 1903, offers a nearby place to learn about the area’s maritime past.[10]
Planning a visit
The Boardwalk itself is open year-round and all day, every day, according to the official visitor FAQ. The feel of a visit changes by season: summer brings more visitors and scheduled entertainment, while quieter periods may suit a relaxed walk. Check current event listings and opening details for individual businesses and attractions before setting out.[11]
Parking is available in municipal lots near the Boardwalk, but fees and rules can vary by date and location. Confirm current parking details before you travel. The official visitor FAQ lists a seasonal daily parking fee period, April 1 through October 31; rates and conditions can change.[12]
For access information, the City lists beach access ramps at public access points from 1st through 42nd Streets, as well as extended wooden walkways at selected streets. Facilities and access features differ by location, so consult the City’s current beach information for details that fit your needs.[13]
If you are visiting Virginia Beach for the first time, the official visitor guide and visitor information centers can help with current maps, events and local planning advice.[14]
Nearby attractions
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Explore the beachside resort district, with oceanfront dining, hotels and activities close to the Boardwalk.
Virginia Beach
Plan a wider visit to the coastal city beyond the Oceanfront.
First Landing State Park
Find wooded trails and Chesapeake Bay shoreline a short drive north of the resort district.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Add an aquarium and marine-science visit to an Oceanfront stay.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Virginia Beach Boardwalk FAQs, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Oceanfront: The Heart of Virginia Beach, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ King Neptune Statue, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Explore the Historic Homes and Museums of Virginia Beach, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ The Ripple Effect: The Boardwalk’s Hidden Role in Reducing Coastal Flooding, City of Virginia Beach, City of Virginia Beach, 2026-08-04. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Explore the Historic Homes and Museums of Virginia Beach, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Virginia Beach Boardwalk FAQs, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Virginia Beach Boardwalk FAQs, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Our Beaches, City of Virginia Beach, City of Virginia Beach. Retrieved 2026-10-23.
- ↑ Visitors Guide, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-23.