14 completely free things to do in Virginia Beach

Explore 14 free things to do in Virginia Beach, including museums, murals, parks, and concerts. 

While sunbathing and surfing may top the list of things to do in Virginia Beach, there’s a lot more to the city than just sand and waves—and the best part is many of the offerings are absolutely free.

Virginia Beach boasts a wide range of free attractions that are ideal for history buffs, culture seekers, and nature lovers. Whether you’re looking to tour a colonial home, take in a captivating mural, or stroll along the iconic Virginia Beach Boardwalk, these 14 no-cost experiences will leave both you and your wallet happy as a clam.

Museums

While the first thing that comes to mind about the city might be its pristine beaches, it’s also home to a range of museums focused on both the past and present.

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

Location: 2200 Parks Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Art lovers would be remiss if they passed up a chance to visit the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, which spotlights works that are locally relevant as well as nationally resonant. This extends to exhibits focused on such modern issues as climate change and the basic need for housing.

The exhibits are constantly changing, so there’s always something new to see. Importantly, Virginia residents get in for free, but non-residents pay $16.50.

De Witt Cottage

Location: 1113 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451

The circa 1895 de Witt Cottage is home to the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, which celebrates the art of decoy carving.

The museum features a wide collection of wildfowl art, such as oil and watercolor paintings, and artifacts, like primitive tools that were used to make decoys. The interactive computer exhibits provide additional information.

Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum

Location: 2401 Atlantic Avenue and Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Learn about Virginia’s coastal communities and maritime heritage by visiting the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum. Exhibits tell the story of Virginia Beach, as well as the larger role the coastal region has played in Virginia’s history.

There’s even an exhibit focused on the importance of knots to the United States Lifesaving Service and the United States Coast Guard.

Thoroughgood House

Location: 1636 Parish Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Travel back to colonial times at the Thoroughgood House, one of the oldest surviving colonial homes in the city. It is believed to have been built in 1719 by a descendant of one of the men who helped establish Princess Anne County, or what is now known as Virginia Beach.

The Thoroughgood House Education Center tells the history of the historical county and the impact of the Thoroughgood family. Guided tours of the home are available. End your trip by taking a meditative stroll through the English garden.

Francis Land House

Location: 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Take a tour of the Francis Land House to get a taste of what plantation life was like. Guided tours spotlight the experiences of household members, both free and enslaved.

The home, which is a unique blend of Georgian and Federal influences, belonged to the wealthy Princess Anne County plantation owner Francis Land VI during the early 1800s.

Culture

Engage in some of the free cultural offerings Virginia Beach has to offer by taking in an oceanfront concert or exploring its public art scene.

Oceanfront Concert Series

Location: Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Take in a free concert along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront via the Oceanfront Concert Series if you’re in the city from May through September. The series brings in nationally known musicians to perform against a beautiful ocean backdrop.

Organizers encourage attendees to bring a beach chair or blanket.

ViBe Mural Festival

Location: Vibe Creative District, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Each year, the ViBe Creative District puts on the ViBe Mural Festival, where artists paint 10 murals within a 10-day timeframe. As a result, the district is home to an assortment of eclectic murals that can be viewed via self-guided tours.

Each mural stays up for at least two years. This means that even if you’ve been through the district before, each year offers a new slate of murals to marvel at.

Parks

Virginia Beach is home to a wide variety of parks that are free to visit, ranging from one made out of thousands of tons of garbage to another that remains as pristine as it was during colonial times.

Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Location: Second Street to 40th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

No trip to Virginia Beach would be complete without a stroll along the iconic Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Stretching for 3 miles, the 28-foot-wide boardwalk is the best way to take in the city’s spectacular ocean views.

Be sure to enjoy some of the noteworthy attractions along the boardwalk, including the King Neptune Statue, a 34-foot-tall bronze statue of the legendary figure, and Grommet Island Park, a 15,000-square-foot beachside park designed to be accessible for all children.

Mount Trashmore Park

Location: 310 Edwin Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23462

One man’s trash is another man’s park at Mount Trashmore Park. The 165-acre park has the distinction of being the country’s first landfill park, having been made of 640,000 tons of garbage in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

While the park features lakes, playgrounds, and a skate park, a trip to it wouldn’t be complete without some time spent on the main mountain. Made through the compacting of layers of solid waste and soil, it stands at 60 feet in height and 800 feet in width.

Virginia Legends Walk

Location: Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Stroll along the Virginia Legends Walk at 13th Street Park to learn about some legendary Virginians who made noteworthy contributions to the country over the centuries.

The self-guided tour spotlights such legends as Capt. John Smith, Booker T. Washington, and Edgar Allen Poe.

Naval Aviation Monument Park

Location: 201 Market St., Suite 204, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Learn about the three historical eras in naval aviation by visiting the National Aviation Monument Park.

The 16,000-square-foot plaza that houses the park showcases six massive bronze sculptures. One of the statues depicts Eugene Ely, the first aviator to fly from a ship’s deck.

First Landing State Park

Location: 2500 Shore Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23451

A trip to First Landing State Park promises to be both educational and awe-inspiring. What was once the site where the first English colonists arrived in 1607 is now a slice of untouched beachfrontage in the otherwise urbanized Virginia Beach.

Visitors can choose their own adventure at the park depending on their interests. Children can learn about the park’s history, from its early Native American inhabitants to its conversion to a National Natural Landmark, while adults explore the 20 miles of trails.

Tidewater Veterans Memorial

Location: 1000 Jefferson Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Take in the stunning Tidewater Veterans Memorial, which is designed to represent how war impacts the world.

The cut-outs in the spherical structures are meant to evoke the feeling of emptiness that wars leave on those impacted by them.

Red Wing Park

Location: 1398 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Red Wing Park is the place to go in Virginia Beach if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk. There are several gardens in the 97-acre park, including the well-known Miyazaki Japanese Garden. It’s also home to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

With its volleyball and pickleball courts, playground areas, picnic shelters with grills, and public restrooms, the park is a great place to spend a peaceful afternoon.

Related: 6 Must-Visit Virginia Destinations You Can Get Into For Free