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Rudee’s on the Inlet: A Virginia Beach Favorite For Seafood

May 17, 2012 By

Housed in a replica Coast Guard station, Rudee’s has grown into one of the most popular restaurants in Virginia Beach for its great service, tasty food, and fair prices. The name of the game here is seafood, and if you love the bounty of the sea you’ll come away from the table full and happy. Regulars recommend the seafood pasta, which is full of generous bits of shrimp, scallops, and fish. The catch of the day is always fresh and the real serious eaters get theirs with a crabcake on top. Lobster rolls are also New England-quality, packed with tender meat. And if you’re not a pescetarian, there are other options available, including some well-loved burgers.

Rudee’s on the Inlet
227 Mediterranean Avenue
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 425-1777
www.rudees.com

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A Great Dining Experience Every Time: Burton’s Grill

April 19, 2012 By

Fresh ingredients, prepared with simplicity and style, brought to your table by attentive, informative servers, and eaten in a classy designer environment—those are the key elements that have made Burton’s Grill a success. A small chain that also includes locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Burton's is the perfect spot for a light lunch, dinner with friends, or a drink at the bar.

Starting in on the menu, the fresh fish risotto draws raves from diners—it’s tough to balance well-cooked fish in a sometimes persnickety rice dish, but Burton’s nails it every time it comes out of the kitchen. She-crab soup is loaded with delicious, high-quality lump crabmeat. Burgers are also fantastic, coming out perfectly pink in the middle (as the chef recommends) and topped with a variety of goodies that include crisp bacon, sauteéd mushrooms, and onions. Portions are large across the menu, so even though prices are a bit high you’ll find yourself bringing leftovers home more often than not. Make sure to leave room for dessert, as well—the crème brulee is a must.

Burton’s Grill
741 First Colonial Rd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 422-8971
www.burtonsgrill.com

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Norfolk Botanical Garden: Tranquil Virginia

March 22, 2012 By

Originally started as a Works Progress Administration project designed to employ people during the Depression, the Norfolk Botanical Garden has grown into a jewel of the community, occupying over 155 acres with thousands of plants. Split up into over thirty themed gardens, there’s something for just about everyone here, from areas devoted to the native foliage of Virginia to a classical Japanese garden. The WOW Children’s Garden features fountains to splash in, an oversized treehouse filled with dirt to dig, and the indoor Exploration Station. A pair of majestic American bald eagles have made a nest in the Garden recently, and the organization has trained a camera on their eggs, waiting for them to hatch. In addition to all this, the Gardens host a wide number of programs and events keyed to gardeners, nature lovers, and the general community, as well as educational programs for students and groups.

Norfolk Botanical Garden
6700 Azalea Garden Road
Norfolk, VA 23518
(757) 441-5830
www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

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Waterside Marketplace: Shop ‘Til You Drop

February 16, 2012 By

If you’re looking for an afternoon of shopping in the Hampton Roads area, Norfolk’s Waterside Marketplace just might be your spot. At the mouth of the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk, it’s convenient to parking and transportation. The Marketplace boasts a number of stores that you won’t find at any other area shopping center—All About Virginia sells a wide variety of unique gifts made in and focused on the state of Virginia. All About Racing is your one-stop shop for NASCAR merchandise and memorabilia. If you get tired of walking, take a Segway for a test drive at Segway of Hampton Roads. If you get hungry, there are a number of dining options available to you. The popular Joe’s Crab Shack has an outpost here, as well as an Outback Steakhouse. The Marketplace also stages a number of events throughout the year, featuring concerts by local bands, family activities and more — check its website for details.

Waterside Marketplace
333 Waterside Dr # 112
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 623-7204
www.watersidemarketplace.com

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Dockside Seafood Market: The Ocean’s Bounty

January 5, 2012 By

If you want to get out on the water, which any visitor to Virginia Beach should do, you’re going to need a boat. Buying one might be a little too much for a day trip, which is why the fishing trips offered by Dockside Seafood Market are so awesome. This place has been a Chesapeake Bay institution for decades, and it’s well worth a visit. As you might guess from the name, they do sell seafood here, caught fresh from a number of independent boats that work the Bay. But the real draw here is getting your hands on a pole and catching your own dinner. Their half-day fishing trips are priced for travelers on a budget and you’ll be pulling in fish soon after you leave the shore. They also offer dolphin watch cruises at sunset to catch a glimpse of the elusive, intelligent sea mammals.

Dockside Seafood Market
3311 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 481-4545

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Looking for Something Fun to Do?

December 2, 2011 By

If you’re looking for fun things to do and interesting places to see—you’ve come to the right place! Check back here for upcoming activities and events in your area as well as local restaurant reviews and much more!

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