Short Weekend in Virginia Beach from Northern Va?

[Anonymous]

Promised my 4 y.o. that we would go to the beach....but after a few trips to see family in the midwest, summer has almost slipped away.
I would like to plan a last minute trip to Virginia Beach. My two options are this weekend from Friday afternoon to Sunday. I would try to leave work early and get on the road by 2pm. Will traffic be horrible at that time? How long would it take. And what about returning home on Sunday night? Is traffic bad then also?

My other option is Columbus day weekend, but I am worried it will be too cold. Any insight?

Looking to stay at the Hilton Virginia Beach.

Appreciate any insight on traffic and if a regular weekend is too short. I am willing to pay for the HOT lanes as far as they will take us if that would help. Thanks in advance for any help!

[Anonymous]

I think you should be ok leaving at 2pm but no later. If you run late, you are better off leaving after 6pm or you will have a miserable drive down.

We have done the Fri-Sun trip several times. We usually leave after dinner on Fri and come back Sun afternoon. There is always traffic on the way home. Usually adds 1-2 hours but is expected.

[Anonymous]

Most businesses and restaurants may start to shut down since it's the beginning of the off season.

Do you have an EZ pass? Depending on what time you're on 95 S it can help a bit with traffic. You can always stop in Williamsburg/Lightfoot for dinner to wait out the traffic if 64 W is too congested

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes I have an EZ pass Thanks for your input.

[Anonymous]

We've taken the train and rented a car. It's a TON less stressful, you know what time you'll get there, and the kids love the train!

[Anonymous]

While Friday beach traffic will have died down significantly, regular Friday gridlock on 95 will be in full force. So you may still crawl from NoVa to Fredericksburg.

[Anonymous]

Hilton is a great property. If you can get the weekend of September 19th, you can see the NAS Oceana air show. The following weekend is Neptune Festival which is a blast

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most businesses and restaurants may start to shut down since it's the beginning of the off season.

Do you have an EZ pass? Depending on what time you're on 95 S it can help a bit with traffic. You can always stop in Williamsburg/Lightfoot for dinner to wait out the traffic if 64 W is too congested

Businesses and restaraunts don't shut down until after the Neptune Festival which is at the end of September.

[Anonymous]

Can't you go to Sandbridge or Little instead? So much nicer with a younger child especially.

[Anonymous]

Go to Rehoboth instead and shave an hour off your drive?
Would love to hear a trip report - not a big fan of Virginia Beach per se (highrises, nearby strip clubs because of all the sailors) but there is lots to do around there - VA aquarium, False Cape and First Landing parks, Nautilus maritime museum in Norfolk etc.
If your lodging in Va beach doesn't work out there is a waterfront Sheraton in Norfolk that is walking distance to attractions and its only a 25 minute drive from the beach.

[Anonymous]

OP. now likely going to Rehoboth because there is a wine festival in Va beach tho weekend at the Hilton we were going to stay at - decided that is not kid friendly
Now to find a room in Rehoboth!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. now likely going to Rehoboth because there is a wine festival in Va beach tho weekend at the Hilton we were going to stay at - decided that is not kid friendly
Now to find a room in Rehoboth!

That's the Neptune Wine Classic. Very low key and nice.

[Anonymous]

OP: We books at the brand new Marriott oceanfront in Bethany beach. I'll report back in a few days!

[Anonymous]

Just got home from Bethany Beach and it was awesome. What a cute little town! The Marriott was lovely, the beach clean and the drive just right - about 3.25 hours each way. It did rain Saturday afternoon, but we got in four hours at the beach before so that was OK. We spent the afternoon at the indoor pool during the thunderstorm. Only negative about the trip was Grotto pizza.....one word...gross. Somehow that place has rave reviews as being the best pizza in Delaware. The crust was cardboard and they use slimy mushrooms from a can.

We all agreed that we wish we could have stayed in Bethany longer and cannot wait to go back. Next time with a few more days so we can venture up to Rehoboth, etc..

Thanks to all who chimed in with tips!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just got home from Bethany Beach and it was awesome. What a cute little town! The Marriott was lovely, the beach clean and the drive just right - about 3.25 hours each way. It did rain Saturday afternoon, but we got in four hours at the beach before so that was OK. We spent the afternoon at the indoor pool during the thunderstorm. Only negative about the trip was Grotto pizza.....one word...gross. Somehow that place has rave reviews as being the best pizza in Delaware. The crust was cardboard and they use slimy mushrooms from a can.

We all agreed that we wish we could have stayed in Bethany longer and cannot wait to go back. Next time with a few more days so we can venture up to Rehoboth, etc..

Thanks to all who chimed in with tips!

We are trying to book a hotel or rental for just a short weekend trip this summer, but everything seems booked hotel wise, rentals tend to want min 3 days... How far in advance do we need to plan these? Or is there some trick for getting some place at sea colony or something?