2 DaysActive Retirees2 Stops

Virginia Beach area, Virginia

2-Day Itinerary for Active Retirees

“Marsh Light and Maritime Forest: Two Days on Virginia's Wild Edge”

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

Where the Chesapeake meets the Atlantic, two very different coastlines wait—one where colonists first set foot in a hushed pine forest, the other a windswept wilderness patrolled by herons and egrets. This is a trip for those who walk at their own pace, linger over crab cakes, and know that the best light comes to those who arrive early.

At a Glance

Climate & Weather

Spring in Virginia Beach runs mild, typically 50–65°F, with the occasional rain system rolling through on Atlantic winds. Mornings can start cool and damp; afternoons often warm into shirtsleeve comfort. Pack layers—a light rain jacket, a fleece or cardigan, and comfortable closed-toe walking shoes for forest trails and boardwalks.

Getting Around

A car is essential—First Landing and Back Bay sit roughly 30–40 minutes apart at opposite ends of the city, and neither cluster is realistically walkable from oceanfront hotels. Roads are straightforward, parking is plentiful and inexpensive, and driving between clusters offers pleasant glimpses of marsh and dune along the way.

Budget

Budget roughly $70–$110 per person per day for two leisurely sit-down meals, refreshments, and modest park or refuge entrance fees—dining is the main expense, as both clusters offer free or low-cost outdoor access.

Safety

Both clusters are low-risk and well-suited to a relaxed pace. First Landing's paths are flat and maintained; Back Bay's boardwalks are stable but check tide and weather before heading out, as cell service thins near the refuge's outer edges. Standard coastal caution applies if walking near open water.

Connectivity

Cell service is reliable in First Landing and near the Back Bay visitor contact station, but grows spotty toward the refuge's outer trails and False Cape approach—download offline maps in advance if venturing that direction.

Local Tips

Arrive at both parks before 9am for empty trails and soft light; by mid-morning, weekend visitors and photography groups begin to arrive. Check the Back Bay refuge's seasonal hours before visiting, as access can shift with wildlife management closures. Bring binoculars if birds interest you at all—spring migration means marshes are especially lively.

Highlights

Sunrise beach walk where the English colonists first landed in 1607
Filtered morning light through maritime forest trails at First Landing
Migratory bird watching along Back Bay's elevated boardwalks
Long, unhurried lunches built around Chesapeake Bay seafood
Wide, flat, bench-lined paths suited to a relaxed pace
Golden hour over salt marsh vistas with barely another soul in sight

Day-by-Day Plan

History & Maritime Forest

Day 1: First Light, First Landing

A gentle half-day exploring colonial history and shaded forest trails at First Landing State Park, with just under 1.5 miles of flat walking and long pauses built in.

Wear

Layered clothing—light rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, a hat for sun breaks between spring showers.

Budget

$60–$90 per person including park entry, lunch, and dinner

8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

First Landing SP · morning · 150 min · Cape Henry & First Landing

Arrive by 8am and the beach overlook belongs almost entirely to you—salt-spray air, the soft crunch of shell fragments underfoot, herons picking through marsh grass in the early quiet. This is the spot where English colonists first stepped onto Virginia soil in 1607, and a short walk into the maritime forest reveals dappled light filtering through loblolly pine and live oak, the trail flat and forgiving underfoot with benches spaced generously along the way. By mid-morning, joggers and families begin arriving, so this early window is when the park feels most like a held breath.

Head to the beach overlook right at sunrise for soft light on the Atlantic, then loop back through the forest trail while morning light still filters low through the canopy.

Wheelchair accessible with flat paths throughout and benches roughly every 200 meters—among the most comfortable state park visits for those preferring an easy, unhurried walk.

If it rains: Trails at First Landing remain passable in light rain, and the visitor center offers a dry, sheltered pause—consider slowing the forest walk rather than skipping it, as filtered rain often brings out marsh bird activity.

The day begins gently, with the tide still low and the light still soft over First Landing's beach overlook. A short, flat walk brings you to the site where colonists first landed centuries ago, the historic marker tucked among native grasses that sway lightly in the Atlantic breeze. From there, the maritime forest trail unfolds in dappled shade, pine and salt air mingling, with frequent benches inviting you to simply sit and listen to herons calling somewhere in the marsh beyond the trees.

With the morning's walking complete, the pace eases further—this is a day built around presence, not distance. Afternoon hours are left open for rest, a slow lunch, or simply returning to the park's quieter corners as midday crowds thin toward the busier main beach areas. It's a good moment to settle into the trip's rhythm before Back Bay's wilder terrain tomorrow.

As light softens toward evening, the day winds down without urgency—an early dinner, a short walk if energy allows, and rest ahead of a slightly longer day exploring Back Bay's wetlands tomorrow.

Wetlands & Wild Coastline

Day 2: Wings Over the Marsh

A slower-paced day centered on Back Bay's elevated boardwalks and marsh vistas, with roughly 1.5 miles of easy walking and ample rest stops.

Wear

Waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes, a hat, and binoculars if you have them—spring migration means the marsh is busy with birdlife.

Budget

$50–$80 per person including refuge entry, lunch, and dinner

35 min drive — A quiet morning drive south along roads that gradually shed suburban development for open marsh and scattered farmland, windows cracked to catch the salt air.

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

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

Arrive early and the boardwalk feels suspended between worlds—mud-brown marsh on one side, silvery water reflecting the sky on the other, herons stalking through reeds in the hush before the day's first visitors arrive. The elevated sections make for easy, level walking with wide views in every direction, and the observation tower offers a rewarding pause to take in tidal pools where wading birds gather. This is a place that rewards patience—settle onto a bench and let the marsh reveal itself slowly.

The elevated boardwalk sections offer the best marsh vistas—come within the first hour after opening for still water and low, warm light.

Wheelchair accessible with flat paths and frequent benches; the observation tower area is a comfortable, low-effort highlight.

Optional detour: False Cape SP — After Back Bay NWR, as a possible afternoon extension

For those craving deeper wilderness, False Cape's remote beaches and maritime forest offer a genuinely wild extension of the morning's marsh walk. Skip if: Access is on foot or by boat only, trails are unpaved and uneven, and the round trip demands more stamina and time than this relaxed itinerary calls for—best left to more adventurous return visits.

If it rains: Back Bay's boardwalk trail remains accessible in light rain, and wading birds are often more active under overcast skies—bring waterproof binoculars and a rain jacket rather than canceling the visit outright.

The drive south softens the transition from beach town to wilderness, marshland stretching wider with every mile. At Back Bay, the boardwalk offers an easy, elevated vantage over reeds and tidal pools, herons and egrets moving unhurried through the shallows as the morning light catches the water just right.

With the morning's wildlife watching complete, the afternoon opens up for rest, a leisurely lunch, or a short return visit to favorite spots along the boardwalk before the light shifts. Those with extra energy might consider a brief look toward False Cape's trailhead, though the main day's pace stays gentle and unhurried.

As the trip winds toward its close, evening settles in quietly—an easy dinner, perhaps a last look toward the marsh as the light turns golden, and a sense of having moved through the coast at exactly the pace it deserves.

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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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