Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Virginia Beach, Virginia · Accessibility score 1/5

Address: 600 22nd Street, 2nd Floor Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Phone: (757) 385-4700

About

Virginia Beach Boardwalk stretches three miles along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline, offering one of the most welcoming coastal experiences on the East Coast. The wide, level concrete promenade runs parallel to the beach, connecting visitors to restaurants, shops, street performers, and stunning ocean views without a single step in the way.

The boardwalk itself is a destination. Morning joggers share the path with families in beach chairs, cyclists on the parallel bike trail, and visitors simply soaking in the salt air. Public art installations dot the route, including the famous King Neptune statue at 31st Street, a towering bronze sculpture that's become the city's unofficial mascot.

At 2nd Street, you'll find JT's Grommet Island Beach Park - a 15,000-square-foot playground built specifically so kids of all abilities can play together. It features poured-in-place rubber surfacing, raised sand tables for sandcastle building from a seated position, and wheelchair-accessible swings. It's one of the first beaches in the country designed from the ground up for inclusive play.

Beyond the boardwalk, Virginia Beach offers plenty to explore. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is fully ADA compliant, with accessible paths through the main building and nature trail. Dolphin-watching boat trips depart from the aquarium area, though the dock and boat currently accommodate manual wheelchairs only.

Dining options line Atlantic Avenue just one block inland. Most restaurants along the strip have step-free entrances, and several offer outdoor patios with ocean breezes. For a quieter experience, head to the north end of the boardwalk where crowds thin out and the dunes take over.

The closest airport is Norfolk International (ORF), about 20 minutes away. The resort area has ample hotel options, many with accessible rooms and beach views. Summer is peak season with warm water and long days, but spring and fall bring mild weather and smaller crowds - ideal for a relaxed visit.

Whether you're watching the sunrise from the boardwalk, building sandcastles at Grommet Island, or exploring marine life at the aquarium, Virginia Beach delivers a genuine coastal getaway that doesn't ask you to compromise on access.

Accessibility

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a 3-mile level concrete promenade running along the shoreline, providing smooth, step-free access to the beachfront. The path is wide enough for wheelchairs and mobility devices to pass comfortably alongside pedestrians.

Beach wheelchair access is available at most resort area locations. Free beach wheelchairs can be borrowed to reach the sand and waterline. Wheelchair ramps leading toward the water's edge are located at 8th, 17th, 24th, and 30th Streets.

ADA-accessible restrooms are available at five locations: 2nd Street and the Boardwalk, 17th Street and the Boardwalk, 24th Street and Atlantic Avenue, 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue, and the 25th Street parking lot.

Grommet Island Beach Park at 2nd Street features wheelchair-accessible entrances, poured-in-place rubber surfacing throughout the playground, raised sand tables for seated sandcastle building, and adaptive play equipment. The park was designed specifically for visitors with disabilities.

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is ADA compliant. The main building and nature trail are accessible to both manual and power wheelchairs. Boat trips from the aquarium dock accommodate manual wheelchairs only.

Parking is available at multiple lots along Atlantic Avenue, with designated accessible spaces. Contact the City of Virginia Beach at (757) 385-4700 for current details on beach wheelchair availability, pickup locations, and any seasonal changes to accessibility services.

More accessible places in Virginia

More accessible destinations in Virginia