Virginia Beach: the house made the trip

Our big family stayed together in a canal-side house for a week. The pool and hot tub were there for us day or night, and the house worked so well that we were happy to spend plenty of time at home. This was a summer trip we loved, even though it felt very different from Ocean City.

Extended family Private pool + hot tub First Landing Virginia Aquarium Dolphins on the boat

The pool beside the canal at our Virginia Beach rental house

StayedOne large family rental house

Home basePool and hot tub by the canal

Best outingFirst Landing State Park

Beach visitsTwice; access was difficult for us

Staying together worked

This time the extended family shared one big house. Having a great pool and hot tub available whenever we wanted, right on the canal, changed the pace of the week. We did not have to make every day a major excursion to have a good time. Email me if you want the details of the exact rental we used.

Beach and boardwalk reality

Beach access was harder than we hoped, so we only went twice. The boardwalk was not a highlight for us either. We found fewer restaurant options we loved than on our Ocean City trip, but with such a good house we were content to spend more time there.

First Landing in serious heat

First Landing State Park was such a cool place to visit, even with temperatures in the high 90s. It was one of the memorable outings of the week. The heat is absolutely something I would plan around on a return visit.

The aquarium was a standout

The Virginia Aquarium was really, really nice. We enjoyed the exhibits, and there were more points of interest outside, including a zip line. We noticed those extra activities but did not try the zip line ourselves.

A boat ride and a kayak lesson

We tried the Rudee Rocket speedboat and saw dolphins. Isamu fell asleep almost as soon as we got going, which made for its own memorable boat moment. The house also had kayaks we could take toward the bay, but getting them out was difficult and they were not suitable for the kids on this trip.

Wide view across the pool toward the canal-side neighborhood — Having the pool right at the house made the week.

Isamu playing with a family member in the pool — Pool time with family, whenever we felt like it.

A white wading bird among trees and wetlands at First Landing — A quiet wildlife moment at First Landing.

Virginia Beach shoreline at dusk — A beautiful evening on the beach.

Liz and Isamu aboard the Rudee Rocket with family — Out on the water together aboard the Rudee Rocket.

Isamu exploring a wooded trail at First Landing — First Landing was worth the hot day.

Boardwalk path through dunes leading to a Virginia Beach shoreline — Getting to the beach took more effort than expected.

Family members standing at the edge of the surf — One of our two beach visits.

Two lighthouses seen from the water near Virginia Beach — Views from the water.

Neptune statue at the Virginia Beach boardwalk — A boardwalk landmark, even if the walk was not our favorite.

Isamu watching colorful jellyfish in an aquarium display — Colorful aquarium displays caught Isamu's eye.

Isamu and a family member standing in front of a large aquarium tank filled with fish — Up close with the fish.

Family walking along a raised outdoor path beside water at the aquarium — There was more to explore outside too.

The speedboat nap

We spotted dolphins, and Isamu promptly fell asleep on the Rudee Rocket.

Bottom line for autism families

The rental house was the key to this vacation: family together, a pool whenever we wanted it, and no pressure to love the boardwalk or make a difficult beach trip every day. First Landing, the aquarium and the boat ride gave us memorable outings, while the kayaks were not a good fit for the kids.