My husband and I are going on a vacation to the east coast for our second anniversary and will be spending three days in Virginia Beach (April 28th, 29th, and 30th). I would like to plan something special for our anniversary night (the 29th) and was thinking of a sunset cruise tour. However, I%26#39;m having trouble finding any that are operating then because it is the off-season. Does anyone know of any boat tours operating then or have any other ideas for celebrating a special occasion at VA Beach? We%26#39;ve never been before so we have no idea what is there or what to expect other than what I%26#39;ve read on-line. Thanks!
Romantic Evening in Virginia Beach
The Spirit of Norfolk is a lunch or dinner cruise from the Norfolk waterfront (20-30 min from Va Beach oceanfront). Check their website, www.spiritofnorfolk.com, they have a special April 30th cruise because it%26#39;s their 30th anniversary (sorry it does not look like a cruise is available 4/29). Happy anniversary.
Romantic Evening in Virginia Beach
Okay...can%26#39;t link the topic because ta%26#39;s message says it%26#39;s too long a phrase so here%26#39;s some info I posted on an off season fall honeymoon topic. Sunrise, tandem bicycle to Tautog%26#39;s, which in itself is romantic being a historic beach cottage with lots of bicycle parking and a hidden sign so one feels like one of the cognoscenti; Ruth%26#39;s Cris can be a good deal; Mahi Mah%26#39;s best lunch deal and view on the beach, etc.:
For the bike check out:
Cherie%26#39;s Bike Rentals 757-437-8888
Prise Food Mart (9th and Atlantic)
Baordwalk Convenience and Bike Rental (13th and Bdwlk)
Pier Food Mart (14th %26amp; Bdwlk inside Sandcastle)Atlantic Food Mart (16th %26amp; Bdwlk)
Quick Food Mart (22ns %26amp; Atlantic)
Atalntic Convenient mart (28th %26amp; Atalntic)
Mahi Mah%26#39;s:
Still one of the best bargains on the beach is lunch at the gourmet Mahi Mah%26#39;s right on the boardwalk. If it%26#39;s a nice day you can eat outside overlooking the beach and ocean. Even inside you still see the sand and ocean. We never get tired of that. (I will say later in the afternoon the after- school skateboarders can be disconcerting with that stopping and banging back down when they land as they jump off the 7th Street stage and the friendly police aren%26#39;t around to dissuade that like they used to be. If you have your back to them you find yourself bracing for the landing. And if you%26#39;re facing them you find yourself worried whenever they fall. There%26#39;s this enormous patio outside Mahi Mah%26#39;s beside the boardwalk that is attractive to the younsters. They used to enjoy their razors there and now it%26#39;s skateboards off the stage ...but that%26#39;s after school in the off season.) At lunch, they have a couple of specials each day during the week...not sure if those specials are on weekends as well. Sushi day is packed and lined up. Other days are just full with tourists, locals enjoying the place now and people a bit inland bringing friends and business associates out to lunch. For just $5 each you get the ambiance, the oceanfront and a good gourmet meal or home cookin%26#39; with a gourmet touch, like open faced turkey or meatloaf. Sodas are extra. The water is delicious so save and get it.
Sunrise and steak (not simultaneously):
Catch the sunrise over the ocean. Look it up...it was around 7 last week. Beautiful.
If you%26#39;re big on steak or haven%26#39;t been to Ruth%26#39;s Chris, you might give it a try. Not budget, you might say...but for more luxe things you can still do it not awfully expensively. You can have, say, even the filet...a petit fillet that even the guys in our group found more than enough...for around $31. One of those each. Order one side..yes, they%26#39;re additional...for $7.95 and it comes in a separate bowl to share, large enough for at least two. The mashed potatoes and broccoli are delicious. Even the baked potato is large, but a bit more difficult to share, although we sampled it too.
You are served a large round loaf of bread and the waiter will bring another. When you reserve, the staff will usually ask if it%26#39;s a special occasion. For anniversaries and birthdays...and I%26#39;m sure for your wedding....they will bring a dessert to share. They choose the dessert. Not sure, but it may always be the wonderful rich thick chocolate mousse with cream...which was served our birthday celebrant and was enough for two. (Don%26#39;t know if events celebrated by two warrant two desserts...but even the one is enough.) All that...and water....and you bill is not as much as one would expect.
Handy valet parking for only $5 is well worth it. For that rate, mention you%26#39;re going to Ruth%26#39;s Chris. (It%26#39;s on the second floor.)
You will also enjoy VB%26#39;s Town Center where Ruth%26#39;s Chris is located.
Your wife might be impressed that one of the first things the maitre d%26#39; does is give you a napkin in accord with the color of your slacks or skirt....black for dark and white for light colors so that you will not have lint on your clothes. Anyone who has had white lint all over black slacks will appreciate that!
On the way out grab some commemorative matches for candles at home and the small page with history of the restaurant (single mom and New Orleans) for your wife to add to the scrapbook.
If you can, get Andy. We really enjoy him. There is a more private table in a sort of nook in a corner by a window.
Tautog%26#39;s:
You might find out Tautog%26#39;s hours during your stay. We ate there recently and it was wonderful. It is in a historic cottage, not many left. There is no sign...except a small sign in from the street that says something about %26#39;parking for Doc Taylor%26#39;s and Tautog%26#39;s guests only%26#39;. So it%26#39;s discreet and no glaring marquee and it%26#39;s historic. The name on the menu in front has worn off. The menu is between the hedgerow beside the quaint picket fence. If the weather is warm enough you can have your gourmet meal at Tautog%26#39;s on the deck or lower level front patio with the windows open and the ceiling fans going lazily. If it%26#39;s cool, they close the window and it%26#39;s just as wonderful. Very relaxed; dress casually or dress up. Can get crowded even in the off season. If you can stand 5:30 suppers like the people in some of southern Va., that%26#39;s when it usually opens and when you get your pick of a table.
You might like to rent a tandem bike....the old fashioned kind that two can ride. If you take it to Tautog%26#39;s there is plenty of bicycle parking down the driveway between Doc%26#39;s (great breakfast, kind of romantic on the porch too) and Tautog%26#39;s.
The Spirit of Norfolk can be a lovely ride, but don%26#39;t do it for the food - the food is not very good. Oh, it%26#39;s edible, but not romantic.
Romantic restaurants are Tautogs and Zia Marie, neither of which is on the water. On the ocean: Waterman%26#39;s Beachwood Grill, Mahi Mah%26#39;s, Catch 31 (Hilton), Salacia (Hilton). On the inlet: Rockafeller%26#39;s. On the Bay: Alexander%26#39;s. Maybe go to the Sky Bar at 31 Ocean (Hilton) afterwards - dress code after 9 p.m. (probably means no tank tops or flip flips).
Congratulations and welcome to Virginia Beach!
K - hope you have a great visit! I can%26#39;t add much more except a walk at sunset on the CHesapeake Bay is a great romantic (and cheap) evening. There are a couple of restaurants - Alexander%26#39;s on the Bay and Lynnhaven Fish House - I%26#39;m guessing you could call ahead and tell them it%26#39;s your anniversary and get a reservation for a table by a window.
you can get more info and directions here - just scroll down to the bottom under Settled In and choose the dining options.
vbfun.com/visitors/…chesapeakeBeach.asp
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