30+ Things to Do Near Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake

Naval Air Station Oceana is located right in the heart of Virginia Beach, a coastal city well-loved by tourists and locals alike. There are an incredible number of things to see and do in Virginia Beach, as well as tons of fantastic restaurants. But you shouldn’t limit yourself to the Virginia Beach bubble - there’s also plenty of fun to explore throughout the rest of the Hampton Roads region and throughout Virginia and coastal North Carolina.

Whether you're looking for a great spot to grab dinner, a fun activity to do with kids, great date ideas, or someplace to go for a weekend getaway, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for our top recommendations for things to do near Naval Air Station Oceana!

4 Military-Friendly Activities Near Naval Air Station Oceana

To start, we have to highlight a few military-friendly options. These are restaurants or attractions that offer discounts for active-duty and retired service members, are Veteran-owned and operated, or make a point to give back and support the U.S. military.

While many of the other restaurants and activities in this guide are also military-friendly, these are a few top picks.

Explore the Military Aviation Museum

The Military Aviation Museum celebrates the history of military aviation and honors the servicemembers who built, flew, and maintained military aircraft through educational exhibits and programs. Service members can get discounted tickets, and kids under five can explore the museum for free!

Get a Scoop (or a Whole Pint) at Be Free Ice Cream

Be Free Ice Cream Cafe is a Veteran-owned and operated creamery serving a variety of seasonal, small-batch ice cream flavors. They’ve also got baked goods and a coffee bar. With dairy-free and vegan ice cream options, there really is something for everyone!

Crack Open a Cold One at Warriors Taphouse

Warriors Taphouse was started by two Veterans and a proud military parent in 2015. Beyond offering over 50 beers on tap and serving up delicious food, the owners of Warriors Taphouse made it their mission to honor the legacy of all military members and their families by donating money to local charities that support our nation's fallen, combat-wounded Veterans and their families.

Go Skydiving at iFly VA Beach

Are you the adventurous type looking for a thrilling experience? Have you always dreamed of flying? If yes, then you’ll definitely want to check out iFly VA Beach.

This indoor skydiving facility offers a variety of flight options and welcomes any experience level. Service members can get discounted tickets through GOVX.

10 Restaurants Near NAS Oceana You Won’t Want to Miss

The Virginia Beach restaurant scene is so chock full of incredible eateries that we had trouble narrowing down this list! Here are a few top recommendations, but there are many more fantastic restaurants in the area. Start with these, then keep exploring, and let us know if you find a new favorite we should know about!

• The Atlantic - A must-visit seafood restaurant with a great raw bar and delicious cocktails.
• Repeal Bourbons and Burgers - Your go-to for craft burgers and craft cocktails.
• The Bunker Brewpub - Another Veteran-owned and operated brewery with great food.
• Urban Hot Pot - This great hot spot often offers discounts for service members and Veterans.
• Heirloom - This small farm-to-table restaurant is a unique spot perfect for a date night, just make sure to make a reservation!

Restaurants for the Whole (Furry) Family

Dog-lovers stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana will also find some great restaurant options with outdoor seating where their furry family members can join them for a meal.

• Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant - The Beatles-themed pub has dog-friendly patio seating.
• Wasserhund Brewing Company - This K-9 inspired brewery even features a special menu for your pup!
• Leaping Lizard Cafe - This quirky, casual cafe has tons of outdoor space where you can enjoy a meal with your furry friends.
• Commonwealth Brewing Co. - This brewery offers a huge variety of craft beers alongside delicious wood-fired pizza. Dogs are welcome on their patio!
• The BoardWok - This well-loved Chinese restaurant has a dog-friendly patio with a separate entrance.

What Are Some Pet-Friendly Places Near NAS Oceana?

Virginia Beach has a great variety of dog parks for off-leash play, as well as great nature trails perfect for long on-leash walks. We’re spotlighting a few below, but make sure to check out the full list of dog parks on the City of Virginia Beach website.

Mount Trashmore Park

Location: 310 Edwin Dr, Virginia Beach, VA, US, 23462

Explore over 150 acres and two man-made mountains at Mount Trashmore with your pup on-leash.

Red Wing Park

Location: 1398 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA, US, 23462

The dog park at Red Wing Park features separate play spaces for large and small dogs, along with benches and plenty of shade.

Chesapeake Arboretum

Location: 624 Oak Grove Rd, Chesapeake, VA, US, 23320

The Chesapeake Arboretum has miles of shaded trails perfect for long-leashed walks.

Salem Woods Dog Park

Location: 1525 Salem Rd, Virginia Beach, VA, US, 23456

The Salem Woods Dog Park has plenty of shade and features separate, fenced play areas for large and small dogs.

5 Places Kids Will Love Near Naval Air Station Oceana

Families with young kids will also find tons of opportunities for fun in the Virginia Beach area. We’ve got recommendations for any time of year, rain or shine.

Hunt Club Farm

For the animal-lovers in your family, don’t miss a trip to Hunt Club Farm. This 50-acre petting farm is the perfect place to interact with adorable farm animals. You can even cuddle with highland cows or bottle feed lambs.

There’s also an aviary where you can feed birds and pony rides. After meeting the animals, your family can explore TreeWalk Adventure, a family-friendly playground for all ages, complete with treehouses, treetop bridges, slides, and more. If you really want to make the most of your time there, plan a trip during one of their seasonal events at Easter, Halloween, or Christmas.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? None advertised.

Hours:

• February - March, Weekends, 10 a.m. to 4 .m.
• April - December, Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Atlantic Fun Park and Motorworld

The county fair only comes around once a year, but you can experience all of the fun from rides to midway games any time you want to at Atlantic Fun Park! They’ve got all your favorites, from a 100-foot Ferris Wheel to the Gravitron Flying Elephants, and more.

On the midway, test your skills at balloon toss and other classic carnival games. Head over to their sister park, Motor World, for a bit more high-octane fun on the go-kart racing track or play a round of mini golf. Motor World even has a special miniature go-kart track for younger kids. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Ages: All ages, 48” height minimum for most rides

Military Discount? None advertised

Hours: Vary seasonally, check website for up-to-date information.

The Play Spot

For an afternoon of fun indoors that’s no less exciting, head to The Play Spot! This exciting indoor playground has two locations nearby, one in Chesapeake and one in Virginia Beach.

The whole family can attend open play hours together, and if your little one really loves the experience, you might consider signing them up for a summer camp at the Play Spot. They also offer kids' Ninja Warrior classes with exciting obstacle courses and a mix of gymnastics and martial arts for kids 3-12.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? None advertised, but parents get in for free

Hours: Open play hours vary seasonally by location; check the website for up-to-date information.

Grommet Island Beach Park

What’s better than a trip to the beach on a sunny afternoon? A trip to a beach that also has a beautiful, fully accessible playground! The Grommet Island Park and Playground for EveryBODY is located right at the start of the Boardwalk on 2nd Street, and has a fully decked-out playground.

In addition to the play equipment you’re used to seeing, the playground has raised sand tables for sandcastle building at an accessible height, a sensory board for children who are autistic and visually impaired, and a sway boat.

Canopies and umbrellas provide shade, and for those who need it, the park has free-to-use beach wheelchairs you can borrow so everyone can enjoy the surf. Grommet Island Park and Playground is truly something special - a 100% accessible oceanfront park.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? Free to access.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset. An attendant is available to assist with beach wheelchair access May 1 to Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.​ ​

Sky Zone Virginia Beach

Another great option for rainy days is Sky Zone Virginia Beach. This exciting trampoline park features a Ninja Warriors course, a huge slide, a high dive into the foam pit, and more. There’s even a special Toddler Zone, and the first two hours every weekday are set aside for Little Leapers, an event specifically intended for families with children under 6.

Ages: All ages

Military Discount? Yes

Hours:

• Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

5 Great Date Ideas Near NAS Oceana (For Couples or BFFs)

Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend the afternoon with your girls, going for a guys' night out, or planning a romantic date with your special someone, you’ll find no shortage of options in Virginia Beach.

Explore Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront Boardwalk

Virginia Beach’s Ocean Front Boardwalk stretches over 20 blocks filled with restaurants, stores, parks, entertainment venues, and more. In the wintertime, you could even go horseback riding on the beach!

See a Show at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts is a great venue for live music. It’s also the home of multiple performing arts companies, including Ballet Virginia, Virginia Musical Theatre, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and more.

Go for a Game at Beachside Social

Beachside Social is a great oceanfront spot featuring great cocktails, delicious food, and games! They have shuffleboard and bocce courts, as well as a variety of tabletop games you can play with friends or your significant other. They even host a shuffleboard league if you’re looking for a regular night out activity!

Crack the Codes at Breakout Games

If you love solving puzzles and cracking codes, you’ll love an escape room! Breakout Games offers a variety of escape rooms with different themes like the Mystery Mansion, Museum Heist, and Clue! With so many different rooms, this one will keep you busy over multiple afternoons or evenings out.

Hang Ten at Atlantic Park Surf

Have you ever wanted to learn to surf? Atlantic Park Surf is the first wavegarden cove ever opened in North America. A wavegarden cove is a state-of-the-art, man-made lagoon with variable wave technology. It’s sort of like a giant wave pool made specifically for surfing! They offer lessons and a variety of difficulty level options. This is perfect for a more adventurous date option!

Don’t Miss These Seasonal Activities Near NAS Oceana!

While many of the activities and attractions we’ve turned a spotlight on so far are accessible all year-round, there are also some great seasonal activities in Virginia Beach. From farmers’ markets to festivals and sporting events, you won’t want to miss out!

Old Beach Farmers Market

If you love to support small, local businesses, you’ll want to check out the Old Beach Farmers Market, open seasonally on Saturdays from April through October. There are also limited Winter Markets from November to March. There is a large variety of vendors, from local produce to artisan goods.

NAS Oceana Air Show

We’d be remiss not to mention one of the most sought-after annual events in Virginia Beach that actually happens right on base - the Naval Station Oceana Air Show! See the iconic Blue Angels in action, and the F-18 Super Hornets that NAS Oceana is known for, among other stunning aircraft and pyrotechnic displays.

Virginia Beach Annual Neptune Fest

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk has 30 blocks of fun to explore, and an iconic 34-foot bronze statue of King Neptune oversees it all. That’s why every year, the annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend is held in September.

Explore a variety of food and artisan vendors, live music, and more. A huge variety of other events are also held at the Boardwalk throughout the year, so keep an eye on the event schedule for anything that piques your interest!

Beach Blanket Cinema

Virginia Beach Events hosts a variety of concerts and festivals throughout the year, but one of the most special experiences they host is Beach Blanket Cinema. Thursday evenings throughout the summer, you can see a live movie right on the beach.

Bring a beach blanket or a comfy beach chair and settle in for a movie under the stars with your family or friends.

North American Sand Soccer Championships

Each year, Virginia Beach hosts a truly unique athletic experience - the North American Sand Soccer Championship (NASSC). The NASSC is the world’s premier sand soccer festival, hosting over 11,000 players in a single weekend. Go watch a match or two, or get together 10 friends to form a team and see if you can win it all!

Check Out These Nearby Day Trips and Weekend Getaways

On your next long weekend or day off, you might want to plan a quick getaway. Hit the road to one of these nearby cities and explore all that the region has to offer!

Outer Banks, NC

Drive time: 1 hour

• Unplug and explore beautiful coastal North Carolina on one of the many trails at Currituck Banks Reserve and check out the fantastic views from the top of Currituck Beach Lighthouse.
• Learn about the origins of aviation at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
• Splash around with the whole family at H2OBX Water Park, and make sure to ask for a military discount when buying tickets in person.

Ashland, VA

Drive time: 2 hours

• Take a stroll through Ashland’s historic downtown, full of great restaurants and small local shops.
• Take a thrill ride at Kings Dominion. Military members even get a discount to this beloved theme park!
• Take a special trip out to Ashland in the fall for the renowned Virginia State Fair!

Don’t Miss Out on These Fun Things to Do Near NAS Oceana

You’ve probably heard of Virginia Beach as a vacation destination, but don’t let the tourists have all the fun just because you live there all year round! From great restaurants to family fun galore, you’ll find plenty to do in Virginia Beach on weekends and days off.

There’s even more to do in the surrounding Hampton Roads region and beyond, so make sure you take advantage of as much as you can while you’re stationed at NAS Oceana!