Why Everyone Is Flocking to Virginia Beach in 2025: Hidden Gems, Events & Travel Tips

Virginia Beach officials are urging residents and late-summer visitors to finalize hurricane plans as Hurricane Erin moves northwest across the Atlantic. According to the city’s Emergency Management Office, the system could bring heavy rain, rough surf, tidal flooding, and tropical-storm-force winds to the resort area by the weekend. Tourism businesses on the Oceanfront are watching the forecast hour by hour. The Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau says September occupancy typically rises during signature events such as the Neptune Festival and the Coastal Craft Beer Festival; hoteliers report a spike in rebooking inquiries rather than outright cancellations, suggesting travelers are waiting to see Erin’s final track before changing plans. Hurricane season—and visitor season—peak together The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, but Hampton Roads historically sees its most active stretch from mid-August to early October. That window overlaps with Virginia Beach’s second-largest tourism surge, powered by lower lodging rates, cooler temperatures and marquee festivals. What visitors need to know right now • Check your evacuation zone. Most Oceanfront hotels and short-term rentals sit in Zone A, the first area that could receive evacuation orders if storm-surge models worsen. • Monitor local alerts. Text “VBAlert” to 67283 for real-time emergency push notifications from the city. • Pack a 72-hour kit even if you’re on vacation. Officials recommend water, non-perishable snacks, phone chargers, prescription meds and copies of critical documents in a waterproof pouch. • Respect beach flags. Red flags mean no swimming; city lifeguards can issue $250 fines for violations when tropical systems generate dangerous rip currents. Boardwalk businesses brace but stay open Managers along Atlantic Avenue say they will keep doors open as long as conditions remain safe. Restaurants such as Waterman’s Surfside Grille have installed temporary flood barriers, while souvenir shops have moved low-lying inventory to higher shelves. “We’ve done this drill before—Isabel, Dorian, Ian,” owner Chris Johnson said. “If Erin jogs east, we’ll have sunshine shoppers. If not, we’re ready to lock up and ride it out.” Neptune Festival contingency plans The 51st annual Neptune Festival, slated for Sept. 26-28, draws more than 400,000 people to free boardwalk concerts, art shows and the North American Sand Sculpting Championship. Festival president Kelli O’Hara says the organization has mapped alternate dates and is prepared to condense the schedule if post-storm cleanup is needed. An official decision will be announced no later than 72 hours after Erin’s closest pass. Economic ripple effects beyond the beach Farther inland, the city’s push to market itself as a renewable-energy hub continues. Economic Development Director Taylor Adams notes that the 2025 International Partnering Forum on offshore wind, confirmed for the Virginia Beach Convention Center next spring, “remains on track and underscores the need for resilient coastal infrastructure.” How Hurricane Erin could change your itinerary • Indoor attractions—Virginia Aquarium, Military Aviation Museum, the newly expanded Surf & Rescue Museum—are preparing to accommodate larger crowds if beach access is restricted. • Kayak and dolphin-watching tours may cancel through early next week due to elevated seas. • Expect scattered lane closures on I-264 and Shore Drive if VDOT begins staging high-water response crews. Forecast snapshot (as of 8 a.m. Monday) • Location: 520 mi. southeast of Cape Hatteras • Movement: NW at 12 mph • Max sustained winds: 80 mph • Tropical-storm-force wind field: 190 mi. from center Next steps for travelers and residents 1. Refresh your accommodation’s cancellation policy; many waive penalties once a National Weather Service watch is issued. 2. Photograph rental units and vehicles for insurance before the first rain bands arrive. 3. Follow @CityofVaBeach, @NWSWakefieldVA and @ReadyVB on X (Twitter) for verified updates. Bottom line Virginia Beach hopes to welcome fall vacationers and festival-goers, but Hurricane Erin’s path will dictate the final call. Whether you’re a homeowner in Sandbridge, a surfer eyeing the swell at First Street Jetty, or a family planning a long weekend on the boardwalk, stay weather-aware, keep plans flexible and prioritize safety over surf sessions.