Closest Beach

We will be driving to Virginia from Boston in April as part of our trip to Disney World. My son has a band competition in Williamsburg. We are planning to spend the weekend in Virginia, but can%26#39;t decide if we should stay in Virginia Beach, or would love to know if there is a closer beach area near Williamsburg. My son will be with his high school band group during this time, so we do not have to be in Williamsburg. My first thought was Virginia Beach, but I think I%26#39;ll be doing some backtracking when I need to pick my son up in Williamsburg then drive onto to Orlando. Is there a beach area closer to Williamsburg? THANKS!

Closest Beach

Va Beach is probably your best bet and there is less backtracking than it appears. If you stay in Va Beach, it is about an hour to W%26#39;burg (stay away from rush hours), after you pick up your son in W%26#39;burg go west on I64 to I295 to I95S for Orlando. From W%26#39;burg to I95S is only about 30 min. Good Luck.

Closest Beach

There are river beaches along the Colonial Parkway and York River. Also in Hampton is Buckroe Beach - that would keep you from feeling like you%26#39;re backtracking.

Why do you want a beach? Swimming, sunbathing, deep sea fishing, just to see the water/sand? In april it can be quite cool, and the weather changes often.

VB closest ocean beach, Yorktown on the York River has a nice beach area that is great for day trips if you don%26#39;t have to be on the ocean, only 10-15 min, a nice spot. Does have 1 older lodging option.

VB is just OK, about an hour away depedning on traffic - most locals here go to NC for the beach, for a week-end if you wanted an ocean beach in this case VB probably best.

Will you be watching the competition and therefore driving between the beach and W%26#39;burg daily - or dropping son off and picking up at the end of the competition?

Have you considered staying in the W%26#39;burg area, taking day trip to the beach if the weather permits and if the weather not quite right plenty to do here? Both scenarios will work, just depends on your priorities, budget and the reason for being at the beach. Also Kingsmill has a small beach area - VERY small - but great for reading by the water on a nice April day.

From W%26#39;burg to go to Orlando you%26#39;ll hit 95S, quickest way out RT5 to 295S to 95S (if you%26#39;re good with maps/directions can save 10 min going across rT 10 to 295, depending on TOD)

So why a beach, will you be in W%26#39;burg for the competitions and budget.

Good luck

We may see you there, my daughter is in the same competition.Virginia beach is not that far and the nice thing about it is all of the rooms over look the beach.Alot of the hotels have pools and some with lazy rivers etc.If you have the time you may also consider the aqarium (sp).You can easily spend the day there,and the kids will love it.They have realy cleaned the beach up over the years and it%26#39;s well worth going if you have the chance.Peace SYOTR

Thanks for all your responses! We were looking for some relaxing sunbathing time! The beach scene seemed to appeal to my 2 other children that are traveling with us, rather than the Williamsburg tourist attactractions. I hoping for some warm weather...is mid seventies to much to hope for?

glad i came back

if it%26#39;s just sunbathing (I can understand the appeal of the beach over CW for kids, depending on age!) maybe mid 70%26#39;s for a few hours a day at least - what dates in April? Also, BG will be open week-ends if that appeals to them. It was exceptionally warm until the last few days - and early April especially can still be cool.

If BG appeals, and the Yorktown beach good enough for the sunbathing you don%26#39;t have to go all the way to VB, you could stay local so your drive to pick up son after competition doesn%26#39;t add an hour+ to that travel day, if you want a long boardwalk area and strolling by the shoreline certainly VB better.

You may also consider staying mid-way between VA Beach %26amp; Williamsburg, in Newport News or Hampton. Then you will be centrally located to the many beaches around. If you stay at a hotel such as Point Plaza or Holiday Inn %26amp; Suites on Rt. 17 in Newport News, they are conveniently located right by I-64 so there would be no backtracking for you, since you do have to pick up I-64 anyway once you head down towards Orlando. And would be about 40 minutes to VA Beach %26amp; 20 minutes to Williamsburg. You would also be just 10 minutes from Riverwalk at Yorktown, which is a nice beach on the York River. And you would also be just about 15 minutes from Buckroe Beach, which is on the Chesapeake Bay. You will also more than likely find a less expensive hotel rate if you find lodging further away from the larger tourist areas of both VA Beach %26amp; Williamsburg. And you won%26#39;t have such a long drive back to your hotel if you decide to toggle between the two areas during your vacation.