The major marathon season in Virginia Beach has ended, but that doesn’t stop Donna King, 48, from running every day-figuratively, at least.
A cashier and waitress at Mary’s Restaurant, 616 Virginia Beach Blvd., King has honed the art of multi-tasking, as evidenced recently when she made change for one customer, while offering directions to another, and telling a third about her hometown.
“One of the kids left without his cell phone,” said King, discussing a group of teens who recently left an unpaid check. “When the mother called, we told her what happened and said that once we received the $17 [tab], we’d return the phone.”
Such family values are in abundance throughout Virginia Beach where rules against foul language and cruising are posted and enforced. The result is that Virginia Beach is a bit more civil than some of its neighbors — more reminiscent of yesterday’s Coney Island than today’s South Beach. That civility combined with a multitude of festivals, activities, and historic sites, makes it a popular year-round tourist destination.
Steve and Mary-Louise LaFond, both 59, who own Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast, 400 16th St., said that the lack of a “honky-tonk element” in Virginia Beach entices many travelers from Maryland and neighboring states.
“What we offer here is good quality and inexpensive [entertainment] compared to other major beach areas,” said Steve LaFond.”There’s so much to do. This really is just a charming place.”
Manuel Caceres, 47, Lake Ridge, Va., recently took an RV vacation there which his entire family enjoyed. No small accomplishment when you consider the family includes kids ages 2 through 21.
“It was different because there was so little stress,” said Caceres. “We had no TV, no radio, and we all had a beautiful time.”
IF YOU GO
Try some of these “local favorites:”
» Virginia Marine Science Museum: 717 General Booth Blvd.- Includes 800,000 gallons of aquariums, 300 hands-on exhibits. 757-385-FISH www.vmsm.com.
» Atlantic Wildlife Heritage Museum: 1113 Atlantic Ave.- Located in historic DeWitt Cottage, highlights include wildfowl artifacts. 757-437-8432.
» Beach Festivals-Virginia Beach hosts a multitude of festivals. For a list, visit www.va-beach.com/calendar/index.html.
