Virginia Beach, Virginia: Award-Winning Boardwalk and Seaside Museums

English settlers from the Virginia Company of London first stepped foot onto American soil in what is now Virginia Beach, Virginia. They would go on to found Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement, along the James River. But before they left the shoreline, they erected a cross on the spot where they had disembarked. Today, the First Landing Cross commemorates this momentous event.

Needless to say, a lot has changed in Virginia Beach since the 1600s. The seaside town has become a family-friendly destination known for supersize beaches and a 3-mile-long boardwalk dubbed one of America’s best by Travel + Leisure. Though you could spend a whole vacation soaking up rays and sampling fresh seafood from the many restaurants along the esplanade, Virginia Beach boasts a number of cultural attractions that might draw your attention away from the beach for a while. There’s the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, as well as the Military Aviation Museum, which features a B-17 Flying Fortress and a Spitfire fighter plane from World War II. In the cooler winter months, you can schedule a whale-watching trip to scout humpback and fin whales traveling through nearby waters from late December through mid-March.

Property at a Glance: Beach Quarters Resort

You can enjoy a picture-perfect view of Virginia Beach from your private balcony at Beach Quarters Resort. The Oceanfront Bike Path and Virginia Beach Boardwalk are literally right outside your door making exploring easy. Refuel from the day’s adventures with a sushi dinner next door at Mahi Mah’s Seafood and Sushi Saloon. Rooms are spacious and include fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes.

• Get your heart pumping with a workout in the state-of-the-art fitness facility.
• Feel the heat in the steam room or sauna, both of which are attached to the onsite spa.
• Resort activities: indoor heated pool, hot tub, arcade, rooftop tennis court and shuffleboard court