2 DaysYoung Families2 Stops

Virginia Beach area, Virginia

2-Day Itinerary for Young Families

“Sandy Toes & Salt Marsh: Two Easy Days in Virginia Beach”

Overview Day 1 Day 2 Tips Skip to day-by-day ↓

Salt air, sun-warmed sand, and the unhurried hush of maritime forest set the pace here — this is a corner of the coast where colonial history and wild wetlands sit close enough to explore without ever rushing a nap schedule. Two gentle days trade boardwalk buzz for herons, tide pools, and shaded trails built for small legs and stroller wheels alike.

At a Glance

Climate & Weather

Spring in Virginia Beach runs mild, generally 50–65°F, with the occasional rain shower rolling through and blooming wildflowers along the dunes. Pack layers — a light jacket for breezy mornings, a rain shell just in case, and comfortable closed-toe shoes for trail sections that get soft after rain.

Getting Around

A car is essential — both clusters require a short drive from oceanfront lodging, and there's no meaningful public transit between them. Parking lots at both parks are stroller-accessible with minimal walking to trailheads.

Budget

Budget roughly $60–100/day for a young family, covering state park entrance fees (around $7–10/vehicle), casual meals, and snacks; both clusters are low-cost, nature-based days with minimal ticketed attractions.

Safety

Both clusters are low-intensity and family-safe; First Landing has paved, benched paths, while Back Bay NWR's boardwalk sections are flat and manageable with a stroller. Avoid False Cape's deeper trails with young kids — they're remote, unpaved, and better suited to older visitors. Keep an eye on tide lines at the beach overlook and pack water and sun protection even on cloudy spring days.

Connectivity

Cell service is reliable at First Landing and near the Back Bay visitor contact station, but can weaken along the refuge's outer boardwalk sections — download any maps or park info beforehand.

Local Tips

Arrive at First Landing before 9am to have the beach overlook and forest trails nearly to yourselves before weekend crowds build. Bring your own snacks and a picnic blanket for Back Bay, since dining options directly at the refuge are sparse. Check the morning weather forecast — light rain actually brings wading birds out in greater numbers at Back Bay, so a drizzly morning isn't a lost cause.

Highlights

Sunrise-quiet shoreline at First Landing State Park
Maritime forest trails shaded and stroller-friendly
Colonial history where the English first landed in 1607
Herons and marsh birds along Back Bay's boardwalk
Easy wildlife-watching paced for little legs
Spring wildflowers threading the dune paths
Unhurried, nap-friendly rhythm built for young families

Day-by-Day Plan

Arrival & Gentle Shores

Day 1: First Light at First Landing

A low-key first day easing into the coast with a morning beach walk and shaded forest exploration at First Landing State Park, followed by a relaxed lunch and quiet afternoon back near the hotel — total walking under 1.5 miles.

Wear

Layered clothing for a cool morning (light jacket, closed-toe shoes for trail sections), swimsuits under clothes if kids want to wade, and a packable rain layer just in case.

Budget

$70–90 for the family (park entry, lunch, snacks, minor souvenirs)

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

First Landing SP · morning · 120 min · Cape Henry & First Landing

Arrive by 8:30am and the beach overlook belongs almost entirely to early walkers and the herons picking through the marsh grass — by mid-morning, the lot fills and the hush gives way to families spreading towels. The maritime forest trail just behind the dunes is flat, shaded, and an easy stroller push, with the salt-spray air mixing with pine scent and the soft crunch of shells underfoot. Let kids hunt for the colonial-era historic marker tucked along the path — a small, tangible link to 1607 that's more exciting in person than any textbook page.

The beach overlook glows softly at sunrise — arrive close to 8am for warm, low light before the haze of midday sets in.

Fully wheelchair and stroller accessible with flat paths and benches roughly every 200 meters — ideal for a slow-paced family morning.

If it rains: Trails at First Landing stay passable in light rain, and the visitor center offers dry, sheltered space if a downpour rolls in — plan water-adjacent play for another window and let kids explore under the tree canopy instead.

The day opens gently at First Landing State Park, where the Atlantic hums quietly against the shore and the maritime forest trail offers dappled light and easy, stroller-friendly footing. Kids can wade at the shallow edges near the beach overlook while parents keep pace on the wide, sandy path — there's no rush here, and the crowd stays thin until closer to 10am.

With naptime looming, the afternoon stays deliberately unstructured — head back toward the hotel for lunch and a quiet reset. This is a day built for settling in, not sightseeing, so let the early activity be the day's centerpiece and treat the afternoon as recovery time before tomorrow's slightly fuller outing to Back Bay.

Keep dinner simple and early, staying close to lodging so overtired little ones can wind down without a long drive. A short walk near the oceanfront after dinner, if energy allows, makes a nice, low-key close to an easy first day.

Wetlands & Wading Birds

Day 2: Marsh Light at Back Bay

A nature-focused morning at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge with flat boardwalk trails ideal for young families, followed by a relaxed lunch and low-key afternoon — total walking around 1.5 miles.

Wear

Layered clothing for marsh breezes, closed-toe shoes for boardwalk sections, a hat and sunscreen even under cloud cover, and rain gear just in case light showers pass through.

Budget

$50–75 for the family (refuge entry fee, packed lunch or nearby casual food, snacks)

25 min drive — A quiet, tree-lined drive south past horse farms and marsh glimpses, with the road narrowing as the refuge gets closer.

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Back Bay NWR · morning · 90 min · Back Bay & False Cape

Come by 9am and the boardwalk is hushed except for the calls of herons drifting over the marsh — by late morning, more visitors arrive and the observation tower gets busier. The elevated boardwalk sections are flat and easy for strollers, and the shifting scenery from mud-brown marsh to silvery water makes for an easy scavenger hunt: count herons, spot a turtle, listen for the reeds bending in the breeze. Keep the visit light and unhurried — this is a look-and-listen kind of stop, not a hike.

The tidal pools near the observation tower catch beautiful reflected light in the mid-morning — best before 11am when the water is calm.

Wheelchair and stroller accessible with flat paths and frequent benches; the boardwalk sections make close wildlife viewing easy without long stretches of walking.

Optional detour: False Cape SP — After Back Bay NWR and before returning to lodging

For families craving a wilder, more remote stretch of coastline, False Cape's maritime forest and quiet beach offer a striking contrast to the refuge's boardwalks. Skip if: Access requires a longer walk or bike ride over unpaved terrain with no stroller access, making it impractical and overly tiring for kids under 10 — best skipped this trip and saved for an older-kid visit.

If it rains: The Back Bay boardwalk remains accessible in light rain, and wading birds are often more active in a drizzle — bring rain jackets and consider it prime, quieter viewing time rather than a lost morning.

The morning unfolds slowly along Back Bay's boardwalk, marsh grass bending in the breeze and herons stalking through shallow water just beyond arm's reach. It's a sensory, low-effort outing — perfect for young families who want wildlife wonder without long stretches of walking or waiting.

After the refuge, ease into a packed lunch or a stop at nearby casual food before heading back toward lodging for the nap window. The afternoon stays open and unscheduled, honoring the 2–3pm rest stretch that keeps the whole trip feeling relaxed rather than rushed.

Wind down with an early, easy dinner near the hotel, letting the day's marsh air and morning walk settle into tired, happy quiet. There's no late-night push here — bedtime comes early, matching the beach town's own unhurried rhythm.

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Good to Know

Restaurant details (hours, menus, availability) change frequently. Check current hours before visiting, especially in seasonal destinations.

Dietary compatibility tags are general guidance. If you have severe allergies, confirm directly with the restaurant.

Travel tips are general guidance, not professional safety advice. Check government advisories for latest information.

All prices are approximate and may vary seasonally.

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