Destination of the Week: Virginia Beach, Va.
From its bike-friendly boardwalk to its landfill-turned-mountain, Virginia Beach is for lovers -- of the environment.
By Josh LewSat, Aug 15 2009 at 4:41 AM EST
3
SEA FOAM GREEN: You'll be even more excited about your beach trip if you visit this eco-friendly getaway. (Photo: Flickr) Virginia Beach is a classic seaside resort town. It's characterized by the carnival-like atmosphere on its boardwalk and by the seafood restaurants that seem to inhabit every other building. Even those who fail to land a coveted oceanview room at one of the beachside hotels can still appreciate the city's laid-back, family friendly vibe and pleasant, breezy weather.
Visitors looking for cosmopolitan excitement may leave disappointed, but travelers in search of an environmentally friendly vacation will find that Virginia Beach is one of the greenest vacation spots on the Eastern Seaboard. The city and its businesses seem to be taking seriously the state government's plan to create an eco-friendly and sustainable tourism industry, known as the Virginia Green project. Mount Trashmore, the affectionately named trash heap turned parkland, is the showcase environmental attraction. But there are other equally impressive, albeit less noticeable, features all around this popular seaside city.
Embracing the government's green tourism plan
Earlier this year, Gov. Tim Kaine declared April "Virginia Green Travel Month." The goal was to bring attention to the ongoing Virginia Green initiative, which encourages major players in the state's tourism industry to adopt greener practices. This is by no means a small undertaking, considering tourism in Virginia brings in nearly $20 billion a year.
The Virginia Beach Convention Center was one of the city's first buildings to receive the Virginia Green stamp, and it's a prime example of the statewide movement's success. In 2008, the venue was able to cut its electricity and water costs by 25 percent while still hosting a full slate of trade shows, cultural celebrations and sporting events.
From garbage to green playground
Mount Trashmore is much more than a cleverly named public space. The 165-acre park features a 60-foot-tall "mountain" that owes its altitude to garbage. During the building process, layers of solid waste were compacted in between layers of clean soil.
Trashmore's amenities make it one of the city's best attractions that don't involve beaches or boardwalks. There's a large skate park as well as several playgrounds, multiple picnic areas and 1.5 miles of walking trails. More than 1 million visitors come to the park each year.Trashmore also features a demonstration xeriscaping garden. This method of horticulture focuses on native plant species, allowing gardeners to grow healthy flowers and other flora while also minimizing water usage, since plants can usually survive on their native region's rainfall without much extra watering.
Treading lightly on the boardwalk
Most of Virginia Beach's oceanfront attractions are organized along a three-mile boardwalk. Eco-minded tourists can tread lightly along this car-free commercial stretch, which has separate paths for bicyclists. Two-wheelers can be rented at shops along the boardwalk, and it's not uncommon to see multiple-seat bicycles of various shapes and sizes on the pathways.
But people don't head to the boardwalk to simply avoid cars. It's often called one of America's favorite boardwalks and has been praised by publications such as National Geographic Traveler and Coastal Living.
Sleep green
Even big brand-name hotels are taking part in Virginia Beach's green scene. The Marriot Residence Inn Oceanfront not only has a full slate of coveted seaside rooms, but it's also certified as a green hotel by the state of Virginia and recognized as an EarthPact Green Hotel.
The Founders Inn is a rather over-the-top hotel with design and decor that bring to mind America's colonial era. But many of the hotel's amenities are tasteful, and it has an expansive list of green programs and initiatives.
For those who want a close-to-nature experience, the cabins at First Landing State Park are about 30 minutes from the Virginia Beach boardwalk. These wood or cinderblock buildings offer a rustic vibe and easy access to the park's many trails. There's also a dose of modern comfort in the form of air conditioning and in-cabin microwaves and stoves.
Green eats
Croc's 19th Street Bistro was one of the first restaurants in Virginia Beach to take on the Virginia Green label. The menu features seasonal, locally grown (or caught) food that's mostly organic. Much of the decor is made from recycled material and carry-out packaging is completely biodegradable.
The nearby Rockefeller's Restaurant is one of the city's many seafood eateries. It boasts an oil recycling program and also donates excess food to local charities. Many of the area's seafood restaurants rely on fresh, locally caught fish to stock their kitchens. Wherever visitors choose to dine, chances are their main course traveled a relatively short distance from source to plate.
Virginia Beach isn't necessarily the ultimate destination for green-minded tourists -- it's actually the most populous city in Virginia -- but it does have plenty of eco-friendly traits and attractions. The city's businesses have, at least on the surface, embraced the Virginia Green tourism initiatives. Tourists who want to tread lightly can do a lot worse than taking a trip to Virginia Beach.
Photos:
Beach scene: Flickr
Mount Trashmore: Flickr
Boardwalk: Flickr
MNN homepage: jimbrickett/Flickr
CLOSE
link:
link:
Comments
Jim Zint
08/17/2009 01:49 AM
Talking to several locals at an outdoor music venue on the boardwalk, my wife and I didn't meet ANYONE that liked the noise. They were a little embarrassed by it. Lots of folks that grew up there said the noise has gotten much worse over the years and the city of Virginia Beach feels like the local economy would fizzle if the Naval Aviation Base closed down. Oh well - after a coupla' beers it didn't bother anyone anymore! I guess that's why there are so many bars at the oceanfront resort.... More
Don Meador
08/15/2009 22:56 PM
While I'm sure some tourists may be surprised by the jets flying from a Naval Air Station, many of us who live here have come to appreciate that "noise" as the "sound of freedom."
Also, for visitors looking for a more "cosmopolitan" experience, many of those may be had by driving about eight miles inland to the Town Center of Virginia Beach, where there's plenty of fancy dining, evening entertainment, and shopping.
Jim Zint
08/15/2009 16:08 PM
My wife and I went last month and had a great time fishing on the pier and riding the carnival rides. I wasn't told about the fighter jets that fly over the resort area when I made my reservations and the noise startled me out of bed one morning around 8:15. It is very loud and goes on until about midnight! Some say it's the sound of freedom, but whatever you think about - there's no denying it's really, really LOUD!
