Visiting Virginia Beach and Norfolk

Welcome to Virginia's summer playground. Virginia Beach, Colonial Williamsburg and the Chesapeake Bay are buzzing with fun and excitement. It is the perfect time of year to visit he Jamestown settlement, Busch Gardens, the US Transportation Museum and the Mariners Museum. Virginia's beautiful beaches are the perfect place to relax. There is no better playground than the sand and waves for young and old. The active enjoy kayaking or jet-skiing on the Chesapeake Bay. From the eastern shores of Virginia Beach, Norfolk and across the bay to Hampton, Newport News and Williamsburg a terrific summer vacation awaits you in Virginia.

Enjoy the summer season and some exercise in Norfolk at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. The gardens have 12 miles of pathways which are open in the evenings on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for bicycles. Through September, bring the family and your bikes and enjoy over 155 acres of beautiful gardens and scenery. No worries about traffic – relax and ride safely through the Botanical Garden.

Downtown Hampton features a Saturday Summer Street Fest also through September. Spend a fun Saturday evening in downtown where the streets are filled with fun and entertainment. Activities for all ages are available, along with live performances, food, drinks and great company.

For travelers, The Best Western Coliseum Inn & Suites in Hampton and the Best Western Holiday Sands Inn & Suites are ideal locations to spend the night. Conveniently located off the freeway and with affordable rates, you can plan on staying a few days to enjoy more of the local attractions.

Virginia Beach hosts the 2010 Boardwalk Art Show and Festival June 17th through the 20th. The 55th year, this is one of Virginia's oldest and best outdoor art shows. Located along 12 blocks of the boardwalk, the festival is a great opportunity to enjoy a long summer weekend at the beach. Virginia Beach has two Best Western Hotels with ideal accommodations for a getaway. Choose the conveniently located Best Western Center Inn or the Best Western Oceanfront Virginia Beach, near the boardwalk. Wake-up refreshed and ready for your day's fun activities.

Every summer should include a visit to the fair, and none is better than Williamsburg's James City County Fair. The 2010 fair is June 24th through the 26th at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. Enjoy the traditional agriculture and livestock competitions and displays, tractor pull, lawn mower racing and midway games and rides. Take in live concerts and watch the dazzling fireworks over the river – a wonderful way to pass a summer weekend.

Start and end your day at the Best Western Historic Area Inn. Begin with a complimentary hot breakfast before heading out to enjoy the fair or any of the local sites. Located in the heart of Williansburg for easy travel and with affordable rates, this Best Western is ideal for your lodging needs.

Music lovers mark your 2010 calendar for the 28th Annual Norfolk Jazz Festival, July 23rd and 24th. This long running and popular festival features well known national performers along with the best local and regional jazz musicians. This year you can enjoy Spyro Gyra, The Ripplingtons and Ramsey Lewis among many others. The performances are in the evenings, leaving the day free to enjoy your pick of local attractions. Come to Norfolk, relax and enjoy a weekend of jazz.