Virginia Beach 3-Day Trip｜Day 1 Itinerary

Memorial Day weekend we drove from Raleigh to Virginia Beach for a 3-day getaway 🚗💨 Here’s what we did on Day 1! 👭 We split into two groups—one headed straight to Water Country USA water park (highly recommend if you love water rides🌊). 🚗 10:00 AM – Departed Raleigh, arrived in Norfolk around 1 PM (approx. 3-hour drive). 📌 Parking: MacArthur South Garage First 3 hours: $1 💸 Hours 4–6: $2 🏛 First Stop: MacArthur Memorial (Free Entry) A moving tribute to General Douglas MacArthur—the only five-star general in U.S. history! 🌟 The exhibit includes the original document of Japan’s WWII surrender. I was surprised to see signatures from representatives of multiple nations, including China—not just Japan. A powerful historical experience. ⚓️ Second Stop: Nauticus Maritime Museum + USS Wisconsin Battleship 🎟 Ticket (includes ship access): $19.75 per person (tax included) You can board the actual USS Wisconsin battleship 🚢 from the museum’s second floor. The ship is HUGE—like a mini floating city with everything from the bridge to living quarters, kitchens, and command centers. It’s easy to get lost in there! ⚠️ Tips: The ship’s interior is enclosed—can feel damp and has a distinct “historic” smell 😅 Last boarding: 4:45 PM Museum closes: 5:00 PM 🍽 Dinner: Saltine (An AMAZING seafood restaurant!) 📍 Just a 2-minute walk from Nauticus 💡 Happy Hour: Mon–Fri, 3–5 PM → Oysters only $0.50 each! 🦪 🌟 Must-Order Dishes: • Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So fresh and giant—literally so good I forgot to take a photo 😂 • She Crab Soup ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Creamy, packed with crab meat, and so flavorful I finished the whole bowl myself! 🦀 • P.E.I Mussels ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Huge portion—juicy, plump, and delicious. We meant to order it as an appetizer but it could be a meal! • Truffle Fries ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Strong truffle flavor—a bit soft but still tasty! A full and fantastic first day! ☀️🛳🍤 Stay tuned for Day 2! #VirginiaBeach #Norfolk #USATravel #HistoricSites #SeafoodLover #TravelDiary #MemorialDayWeekend 🗺️📸