First Landing and the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
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Region
Hampton Roads
Setting
Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay coast
Best for
Beach time, walking, biking and coastal history
Anchor destinations
First Landing State Park, the Oceanfront and Cape Henry
Virginia Beach offers two distinct kinds of coastal escape: the lively Atlantic-facing Virginia Beach Oceanfront, with its long beach and boardwalk, and the quieter Chesapeake Bay shoreline and wooded trails of First Landing State Park. Visit for an easy beach day, a bike ride along the shore, or a longer walk through maritime forest and wetlands. The landscape is also tied to the 1607 arrival of English colonists at Cape Henry, a history remembered at nearby Cape Henry Memorial.[1][2]
Plan a trip to First Landing and the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Why go
This stretch of coast makes it easy to combine nature and a classic beach-town visit. At First Landing State Park, trails cross maritime forest, cypress swamps, lagoons and other coastal habitats, while the park’s Chesapeake Bay beach offers a different shoreline experience from the Atlantic Oceanfront.[3]
The Oceanfront is more built-up and social: the three-mile Virginia Beach Boardwalk runs beside the beach, with hotels, restaurants and attractions along the way. For a quieter change of pace, head north toward the Chesapeake Bay district and First Landing, where the focus shifts to trails, wooded scenery and calmer bay waters.[4][5]
Highlights
Follow trails through maritime forest, wetlands and cypress swamps, or spend time along the park’s Chesapeake Bay beach. Check the official park page for current facilities, access and conditions.
Enjoy the Atlantic beach and the boardwalk’s mix of ocean views, dining and attractions. The Oceanfront is the area’s liveliest beach district.
Visit the National Park Service memorial marking the approximate site of the English colonists’ first landing in Virginia in April 1607.
Explore a landmark of the area’s maritime history. Confirm current visitor arrangements before making it part of your plans.
Add an indoor marine-life attraction to an outdoor-focused visit; check the aquarium’s official site for current exhibits and visitor details.
History and character
Cape Henry is associated with the first landing of the English colonists who later established Jamestown. The National Park Service identifies the Cape Henry Memorial as marking the approximate site where the colonists came ashore in April 1607 and raised a wooden cross. The memorial also interprets the area’s later role in the 1781 Battle of the Capes, a naval engagement connected to the campaign that ended at Yorktown.[6]
The modern park preserves a different layer of the coast’s story. First Landing State Park was developed in the 1930s, in part by African American Civilian Conservation Corps workers, and was dedicated in 1936. Originally called Seashore State Park, it was renamed First Landing State Park in 1997 to reflect its connection with the 1607 landing. The park is recognized for both its natural features and historic significance.[7]
The contrast between the Oceanfront and First Landing is part of the appeal: one offers a busy, walkable beach district; the other gives visitors a chance to explore the habitats and waterways of the coastal plain.
Planning a trip
Consider giving each area its own time rather than trying to see the park and the Oceanfront in a quick stop. At First Landing, choose a trail or a stretch of bay beach, then check the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s current information for parking, fees, beach conditions, programs and facility availability. The state park notes that swimming in the Chesapeake Bay is at visitors’ own risk and that there are no lifeguards.[8]
At the Oceanfront, the boardwalk is a straightforward way to explore on foot, with the beach on one side and dining and attractions nearby. If cycling is part of the plan, check current local guidance for where and when bikes are permitted. Beach weather, surf and seasonal services can change, so confirm conditions and visitor information before setting out.[9]
Explore nearby
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Explore the wider coastal city, its neighborhoods, attractions and beach districts.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Discover a major local attraction focused on marine life and coastal environments.
Norfolk, Virginia
Continue exploring Hampton Roads with museums, waterfront destinations and urban districts.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Learn about the coastal crossing linking the Virginia mainland with the Eastern Shore.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Oceanfront: The Heart of Virginia Beach, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ First Landing State Park, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ First Landing State Park, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Outdoor Activities in Virginia Beach, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ History & Culture: Cape Henry Memorial, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ First Landing State Park, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ First Landing State Park, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Visit Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved 2026-10-22.