Posted: 5/3/2007 7:34:10 AM EDT
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I'll be going to Virginia Beach for the first time Memorial Day weekend. Since it's still in VA, I know that all the laws regarding concealed carry which I follow up here in NoVA apply just the same down there. But still... Are there any areas/jurisdictions I need to be aware of when it comes to carrying? I recall hearing something about signs being posted which stated that firearms aren't allowed on the beach, but I couldn't remember if those signs were either illegal or pertained to the beach front property owned by a hotel, building, etc. As long as I'm writing about my trip, are there any restaurants or any other places I should make sure I visit while down there? _MaH |
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It is nothing to see open carry down here. If they serve alcohol, you have to open carry. Some places like Lynhave Mall have signs, it is public property and they do not want guns there, but who the heck wants to go to a second rate kiddie hang out when on vacation. The Pungo Strawberry Festival is going on that weekend and the World Champion Karate Demo Team "Dragon Force" will perform Sunday afternoon. <----- Shameless Plug. Come on down and enjoy. IM me if you need any more information. "Jungle Golf" at the Beach ROCKS. R/ Mike VA Beach |
YES! It has to be my favorite restaurant now. The balsamic chicken and mushrooms rocks. |
Yep. I was in VA Beach all day Tue, Wed, and Thu, at the new Convention Center. Stopped at the Armory Tues evening, and picked up some ammo. Nice new digs -- much roomier. Incidentally, the new Convention Center is nice. Last time I was at that facility (2000?), it was the old building. Mark |
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Where are you Staying? Oceanfront area? Restaurant ideas: 1. Rudee's, Rudee Inlet/Winston Salem rd., on the water. 2. Rockafellers, next door. On the water. 3. Big Sam's, same area. On the water. 4. Gus', 57thst. & Atlantic Ave. On the Ocean. 5. The Raven Rest., 12th & Atlantic. 6. Tautog's, 24th & Atlantic. 7. Chix, Lynhaven Inlet/Lynnhaven Bridge area, on the water. 8. Steinhilber's, 653 Thalia Rd, on Lynnhaven River. 9. Chicho's, 21st & Atlantic, for the PIZZA...go early before 21yo+'s arrive. 10 Aldo's Rist., Hilltop shopping area. (Other Chain-themed restaurants; the new "Town-Center" area at Independance Blvd. & Va.Beach Blvd. area, probly 20 dif. places) Many, many more. I gave you some non-chain ideas that the locals love. Have fun while you're here and splurge for the all-day parking lot to avoid the meters.  edit-You might also like walking through Seashore/First Landing State park at 64th St and Atlantic Ave.(land-side)(Or go up to the other entrance at Shore Dr.) Lots of cool trails, sights, nature, water to look at. You can park outside the gate to avoid the small entry fee. |
Yeah I picked up a few boxes of .223 yesterday in there. Probably goign to go back for more this this week just to stock up. It's getting awfully hard to come by these days and especially at the kind of prices The Armory carries it at. |
That's my "first-run" area. Lock your doors, don't keep anything of value in your car. Lots of wandering hood-rats in the area. And try to go to the "Grate Steak" Rest.,(Military Hwy & I-264 interchange) you select your own steak from a refrigerated case and then choose to either grill it yourself or pay a little extra and they'll cook for you. (There's a huge grilling area in center of restaurant, its' pretty neat!) There's also Logan's Road House a few blocks away that's pretty good. (It's actually a huge shopping area w/ many, many restaurants that you'd recognize.) |
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Bad area, and you are really far out from the beach. Traffic will not be kind to you. it would be worth it to stay in another area even a few bucks more. Try one of the online travel places get a few choices then post back. I also sent you an IM with my number if you need help. C'mon locals, where would you recommend to family/friends if they were coming to visit? Certainly not Military Circle. R/ Mike VA Beach
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The Jewish Mother does ahve good deserts, I can't argue with you there. I haven't tried Reginella's yet, might have to make that next on my list. You're not the first person I've heard good things about it from, so now I'm curious.
Yeah Military Circle is definitely hood-rat heaven, I agree with others saying that you might want to blow a little extra money and get away from that area. The Ramada by the airport is away from the bad part of Military Circle and far enough from oceanfront that it's still not that expensive. You might want to look into it. It sits right off 64 so it's quick access to just about anything in the Norfolk/VA Beach area..including The Amorory, if you decide you want to make a fun shopping trip. haha There's a couple hotels that sit a little back from Oceanfront that aren't too bad (at least compared to the other hotels at oceanfront) like a Day's Inn and a Best Western. Might want to look into those as well. |
Sounds like the same place as La Bella. We're definitely going to check that one out. Mexican buffet... Sounds like a good way to clean out the ole' plumbing _MaH |
It isnt a buffet- it is a point at the menu and grunt deal. Be careful!! |
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I live down by the oceanfront on 24th st. Be ready for alot of traffic/crowds/waits and alot of cops, dont curse at the beach! There are more police on the strip (Atlantic Ave) than I have ever seen anywhere. Ive seen 5 squad cars in the time it took me to walk out of Harpoon Larrys and cross the street to get to my house. Thats a good thing though, I dont worry about walking around there at night unarmed. Being as I live there, a few things: please be careful where you park, if it is restricted/permit parking, you will get towed and or ticketed, they are very strict about this down there during summer. I dont know of many places for a single guy as I am married. As for sights and food: If you like HUGE guns go visit the USS Wisconsin at the Nauticus in Norfolk, its awesome. Guns/Ammo: Armory! I cant wait to get back and check out the new place. Sushi: Mahi Mahs in the Ramada on 5th St Oceanfront. Otani's on Laskin is a Benihana type place, really good food. Seafood: Lynnhaven Fish House is a great one. Capt Jacks or Johns or Jims seafood buffet is pretty decent. Mexican: I spent 6 years in San Diego, so my reviews for the Mex food here arent stellar. There is a place on Shore Dr called Guadalajara, its okay most of the time. Dont expect to be impressed. Steak: Grate Steak is good, Logans wasnt great when I went there. Texas Roadhouse on Battlefield was better. German: In Old Portsmouth on High St there is a place called The Bier Garden, they serve good German food and have only German beer, 100+ different kinds. Tell your server what you fav non German beer is and they find you a german one to match it. Other: PF Changs is always good and crowded too. Romanos Macaroni Grill is good, Ruth's Chris, Gordon Biersch, all at the VB Town Center on VB Blvd and Independence. Drinks: The Beach Pub on Laskin, its a dive bar but they have the most killer LI iced teas there, they serve them in carafes, the limit is 2 (yes they are that strong!) it is non-smoking as of Feb 07. Harpoon Larrys is one of my fav haunts (convenient that I live across the street) they have these Rum Runners that they put a shot of Rum into the straw so that your first sip is the shot, very tasty, and their seafood isnt bad either. |
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I'm going to have to check out some of these restaurants you guys have listed, I'll be down there june 3-6 with the girlfriend. Also question to any of you guys that live down there. Is there any part of the beach within say 30-45 minutes of the actual strip where you can go down on the beach and walk around that isn't in front all the hotels and junk that isn't private property? Doesn't even have to be good for swimming just somewhere to get down to the water. |
Awesome thanks. exactly what I was looking for |
Pendelton. South of the strip. Decent sized parking lot too. North end can be a real bear for parking. |
The North End. That is everything North of 41st St. & Atlantic Ave to 89th st.(after that the beach is on Ft.Story property-US Army.) There is one Hotel at 57th St but other than that everything is private residences. I used to live on 79th St for about 25yrs. I know my way around, but advice is free...don't block anyone's driveway-you WILL get towed. Don't park in a no parking zone, same thing. There are no concessions up here, so be prepared w/ food/drink. You can get away w/ beer if you're very conservative and use huggies that cover the whole container. A five-position sand-chair makes you look like a local, comfortable too-$30. Go to Google maps and check it out! |
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Thanks for the tips guys. Also a question if any of you have Google Earth. The area on the beach at 36*48'38.39 N 75*57'54.57" W basically just south of Virginia Beach itself at the end of Rifle Range Road. Is this public land if you walked through the woods to the actual Beach or no? Or is that big parking lot just north of those coords the one Biggiben was referring to? |
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(sigh) Well, unfortunately plans have changed and we'll no longer be down in the VA Beach area for Memorial Day (if we actually have the chance to go anywhere at all). Still, thanks to everyone here who made suggestions on what parts of VA beach to go see (and likewise, the ones to avoid). Hopefully there will be a VA Beach trip sometime in the near future, but as of late that's no longer going to be Memorial Day Weekend. _MaH PS: I promise when I do visit, I'll try my best not to drown, BiggiBen. Don't want to make your job any harder than I bet it already is
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You shoulda been down here today- While the seas were 3-6 foot, the blue fish were running. I saw some bigass blues in Rudee inlet today. People were catching the crap out of them. Saw someone get a ticket for an undersized striper in Rudee today also (size limits changed May 16th people!!). That is a hell of a ticket to get. Federally protected fish and all. The rifle range on Dam Neck is miliatry only. And from what I understand, it is not an "opne" military range (like at Camp Perry where anyone can use) but is reserved for "Special" people. I havent seen the red flags up at Dam Neck recently (when the flags are up, the firing range is hot, and boaters need to stay a mile offshore). Fireworks are scheduled for tomorrow (sat) night. Will be interesting to see if they go on (windy today). I will be on the 29 foot police Donzi during the fireworks if they happen. |