A Couple’s Guide to Virginia Beach, V.A.

The monumental Cavalier Hotel has stood atop a lush, grassy hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean for nearly a century. Notable guests including Judy Garland, Bette Davis, F. Scott Fitzgerald and even President John F. Kennedy visited the hotel for the luxurious accommodations, beautiful scenery and impeccable service. A trace of the lavish Roaring Twenties era still lingers in the air today, and the upscale amenities and whimsical decorations exude romance, making it the perfect getaway spot for you and your beau.

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Before heading to dinner, enjoy cocktails at the hotel’s historic Hunt Room. The social house, a Southern-style bar and distillery, is a replica of a hearth room (where men would convene to drink bourbon and chat). The space is filled with rustic antiques, books and oil paintings. Indulge in an appetizer, hand-crafted cocktail or brew, and relax by the wood burning fireplace. Walk across the street and watch the sun set over the Atlantic before heading to dinner.

Open Table ranked this contemporary, seaside restaurant as one of the best in the country. Terrapin favorites include the truffle mac and cheese, fennel pollen dusted sea scallops, lobster pasta and heirloom baby beet salad. Head chef and co-owner Rodney Einhorn supports local waterman and sustainable organic farmers by sourcing food directly from them. The menu alters seasonally, but we recommend spliting a dozen hand-shucked Pleasure House oysters on the half shell with your sweetheart.

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And speaking of oysters, there aren’t many places that offer an oyster farm boat tour. Perfect for couples who are oyster enthusiasts or are simply interested in learning, you’ll hop aboard a boat and cruise along the Lynnhaven River. During the tour, you’ll be given a concise history of the fabled Lynnhaven oyster, see where the delicacies are harvested and participate in a tasting. Bring your own wine and enjoy an afternoon of hands-on learning.

Commune, located in Virginia Beach’s ViBe Creative District, sources all produce from the restaurant’s backyard. For brunch order the fluffy, made-to-order Sorghum pancakes, bread pudding French toast or local’s favorite, “Southern Benne.” The Benne consists of toasted buttermilk biscuits topped with deviled ham, potlicker collards, poached farm eggs, hot sauce hollandaise, and smoked Hubbs peanuts.

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There is a variety of outdoor adventures in Virginia Beach. From dolphin watching and kayaking, to surfing and stand up puddle boarding, there simply won’t be enough time in one day to do it all. Sign up for a surfing lesson with your significant other and learn basic surfing techniques, safety practices, etiquette, terminology and more. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, grab your towels and lounge chairs, pick up a couple boxed lunches from Taste and head to the beach for an afternoon, of sunbathing, reading, swimming and relaxing.

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End the day with a stroll along the three-mile stretch of boardwalk. Lined with restaurants, outdoor cafés, shops, vendors and art sculptures, the boardwalk is the perfect place to people-watch and socialize. You might even catch an outdoor concert or nightly performance during the summer months at one of the four oceanfront stages located at 7th, 17th, 24h or 31st streets. Don’t forget to stop and see King Neptune, the magnificent bronze statue that stands at the entryway of Neptune Festival Park on 31st Street.