Virginia Beach is a resort town with hundreds of hotels, motels, and restaurants along its miles-long ocean front. Virginia Beach is home to several state parks, three military bases, a number of large corporations and two universities. The city is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having the longest pleasure beach in the world.

Still need convincing?

Here are a few of the facts:

• Virginia Beach is a friendly city that is loaded with southern charm. Even though it is has nearly half a million residents, they are ready with a smile or to offer assistance. It is still a cosmopolitan place with theaters and concerts that are comparable to New York, and better shopping than most other places, too.
• It is inexpensive to live in Virginia Beach. The sales tax is only 5% and the state income tax ranges between 2% and 5.75%. Auto insurance is generally lower than in other metropolitan areas. Job growth is nearly 7%.
• Are you a foodie? There are 2,287 restaurants within fifteen miles of the center of town. These include many of the popular restaurant chains as well as plenty of "best kept secrets" you'll love finding and trying for yourself. Just outside of town, you will find lovely farms that produce an abundance of peaches, strawberries, blueberries just to name a few.
• Love to golf? There are 35 public golf courses in this city. Try one or try them all until you find your favorite.
• Love the beach? This city is vast and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Chesapeake Bay on the North. Beach activities abound and there is always something going on. Oceanfront bashes punctuate the tourist season which runs from Memorial Day until Labor Day. With 28 miles of beaches, finding a spot that is not crowded is simple!

Virginia Beach is more than just great beaches. The town center has a lot going on, too. All summer long, there are festivals ranging from music festivals to art shows.

For one of the best places to live that is near Virginia Beach, consider Tanner's Landing, a luxury waterfront condominium that is only minutes from Virginia Beach.

Looking for a place to vacation that is all sun, fun and sand? Try Virginia Beach! This hip vacation spot is often looked over in vacation planning but with so much to see or do it’s a great place to visit!

Let’s start with hotels I mean after all you have to stay somewhere! Here are 2 of my favorite hotels but of course there are 100’s of hotels weather you want to stay on the beach or in downtown there is a hotel for you!

One of my favorites is the Courtyard by Marriott Oceanfront North hotel all 160 rooms have an oceanfront view with balcony. The rooms also have 2 phone lines, data-ports, refrigerator, coffee maker, work desk, cable TV and Nintendo. Free high speed internet access. Guest laundry facilities, free valet parking. Their pool features lights and waterfalls and slides and they are close to many of the attraction but they have less traffic passing then many of the hotels. Compare rates to find the best Courtyard Virginia Beach Oceanfront North deals at Trip Advisor.

The new 20-story Oceanfront Hilton hotel intends to raise the standard of excellence for hotels in Virginia Beach. It has 250 rooms that feature either standard view that face inland or ocean view that look over the water.  The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront has a rooftop zero-edge pool and an indoor pool. A dedicated service desk will arrange beach amenities. Visit here to compare prices and find the best deals for the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel.

Now let’s talk about the beaches!

There is the main tourist beach along Atlantic Avenue that draws in the crowds. But if you want to have a little more peace and quiet here are a few alternatives.

Fort Story - 89th Street. Public beach open on weekends. Lots of sand and good surf, free parking and restrooms available.

North End - 42nd Street to 88th Street. Residential area with lesser crowds. Very limited parking, and don't park illegally or you will be towed.

Croatan - Croatan Road, off General Booth Blvd, south of Rudee Inlet. Public parking area and a designated surfing area.

Little Island Park - Sandbridge Beach, far south of the tourist beach. Amenities include public parking, basketball courts, concessions, fishing pier, picnic shelters, playground equipment, restrooms, surfing/swimming, tennis courts and volleyball courts.

False Cape State Park - In the extreme southeast corner of Virginia Beach. It has 6 miles of undeveloped beaches, 12 campsites, and 9 miles of hiking/biking trails. You can't get there by car; you have to hike, bike or boat in.

Now don’t forget about the many ships and small amusements along Atlantic Ave. The parking is $0.75 an hour and a max. Of $7 a day. But there are many shops and restaurants to walk through. Many small attractions and let’s not forget the beach and the boardwalk along the beach behind the hotels.

Virginia Beach has many attractions as well.

There is the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. This is the state’s largest aquarium and has over 800,000 gallons of aquariums and explore. Not to mention 100’s of hands on attractions for the kids!

There is also the Ocean Breeze Water park, and Motorworld amusement park. The water park features 16 slides and intertube course and a million gallon wave pool. The Motorworld features go karts and a 36-hole miniature golf course!

Take one of the Virginia Beach cruises. There's a boat to fit anyone's style -- dinner cruises, pirate boats, speed boats. Dolphin-watching and whale-watching cruises too.

Don’t forget to visit the First Landing State Park. This park is gorgeous and features over 19 miles of hiking trails threw out the park!

With so much to see and do there is something for everyone so give Virginia Beach a try on your next Vacation!