Minuteman Press

Spending a day in the great outdoors of Virginia Beach wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Mount Trashmore Park. Amazingly, this popular park was once a landfill, but since its reconstruction, it now features 165 acres of children's playgrounds and recreational facilities. One of the more popular features is a state-of-the-art skateboard park, but there are also more conventional amenities available like basketball and volleyball courts, two lakes, picnic facilities and trails. Plus, the park is the site of various special events, concerts, and attractions throughout the year.

While hundreds of people consider a walk on the beach a romantic cliché, that fact doesn't make the idea any less desirable, especially if the beach in question is Sandbridge Beach in Virginia Beach. This isn't your usual surfside scene. This invitingly secluded stretch of shoreline is a pristine hideaway that features lush dunes and an unforgettable view of the Atlantic Ocean. A perfect choice for a romantic picnic, a meeting at sunset or, if you prefer, one of those romantic strolls along the sand.

There is no question that dinosaurs capture the imaginations of people of all ages. What is known about these compelling prehistoric creatures is equal parts fact and imagination. Those two elements are brilliantly combined and displayed at the Dinosaur Discovery Trail. Guests will marvel at the lifelike detail that has gone into the creation of these unforgettable exhibits. The museum is presented in an amphitheater that features five automated dinosaurs as well as a 40 minute cinematic production that gives even more detailed information about these amazing creatures.

Without a doubt, the First Landing/Seashore State Park is Virginia Beach's crown jewel attraction. This National Natural Landmark draws more than a million visitors a year, and with good reason. As the state's most popular state park, the area features facilities for such fun activities as hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating, crabbing and swimming. The facilities for camping are top notch as they include a camp store and laundry facilities. The park was established in the 1930s, and also is noted for being the northernmost point at which temperate and subtropical plants coexist. The park also features handicap accessibility and offer cabin rentals.