<p>Dh and I will be in the Norfolk area for a few days in October. I’ve never been there before, but have heard lots of scary stories about the traffic. I’d really like to have a long beach walk while we’re visiting (barring a hurricane, of course). Can anyone recommend a specific area of Virginia Beach, parking lot, lunch spot, etc.? Best time of day to go (mid-week) from Norfolk?</p>
<p>And, if you know - would it better to get to the Norfolk/Chesapeake area from Williamsburg via 64 and the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, or via 664 and the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel? I understand that the traffic is confounding most of the time - is either option a little bit better?</p>
<p>And one last traffic question, because I really do get all that brain-fried about it in advance. Does it make any sense at all to get from Virginia Beach to the DC metro area by taking the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and coming up the Eastern Shore on Route 13? I’d love to try this because it looks so scenic and interesting, whereas plowing up 95 to the Capital Beltway is no joyride. But dh will be annoyed if it turns out to be both time-consuming and boring. Your input, suggestions, etc., are much appreciated!</p>
<p>frazzled1, Have you googled Va. Beach? The VA beach convention and visitors bureau website has lots of good info. with directions to the beaches.</p>
<p>Va. Beach has a 3 mile long boardwalk along the beach. Thats the happening spot where all the big hotels, restaurants, shops, etc. are.</p>
<p>Don’t know about Williamsburg to Norfolk route, have only gone fr. NC.</p>
<p>We did the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel/up the Eastern shore route on a trip to Delaware once. I thought it was really pretty. You do go through small towns with stop lights so it’s not like crusing down the interstate. My boys were eight and eleven then and thought the Tunnel was awesome.</p>
<p>I guess I’ve just been lucky, or maybe I only go to VA Beach at off times … but I’ve never had a problem getting there. Coming from Williamsburg I usually go via I64. BUT, I second PackMom’s suggestion of going down the Eastern Shore and then across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel. If you go that route, I recommend stopping in Bethany Beach. Enjoy your trip!</p>
<p>Frazzled - We go to Virginia Beach every August. The bridge/tunnel and Route 13 would be a very relaxing versus Rt. 95. But it would definitely take longer. We hate Rt. 95 and do everything we can to avoid it. Our favorite places to eat at Virginia Beach are Captain George’s on Laskin Road (huge buffet, we eat mostly the crab legs until they are coming out of our ears) and Rudee’s (on the inlet). I would say from Williamsburg take Route 64. Although, if you want to, we have gone from Williamsburg to Jamestown (the whole John Smith/Pohkahontas [spelled wrong] thing) and take a ferry across the James River. Really, super fun. And also relaxing. And then go down 460 (I think) towards VA Beach.</p>