Virginia Beach 3 Days 2 Nights｜Day 1 Itinerary

Over the Memorial Day holiday, we drove from Raleigh to Virginia Beach for a 3-day, 2-night trip 🚗💨. Here’s our Day 1 itinerary! 👭 We split into two groups—one headed straight to Water Country USA water park. If you’re interested, you can look it up—it’s a fun spot! 🚗 10:00 AM - Departed from Raleigh. Arrived in Norfolk after about 3 hours. 📌 Parking: We parked at MacArthur South Garage First 3 hours: $1 Hours 4-6: $2 🏛 First Stop: MacArthur Memorial (Free Entry) The memorial tells the story of General Douglas MacArthur’s life and the battles he fought in—he’s the only five-star general in U.S. history! 🤯 The most impactful exhibit was the original document of Japan’s unconditional surrender in WWII. I thought only Japanese representatives signed it, but turns out it was signed by multiple countries, including China. ⚓️ Second Stop: Nauticus Maritime Museum + USS Wisconsin Battleship 🎫 Ticket (includes battleship access): $19.75 per person (tax included) On the second floor of the museum, you can board the real USS Wisconsin and explore its interior. The ship is way bigger than I imagined—like a mini naval base! It has everything from the bridge to living quarters, kitchens, and command areas. Felt like a maze—I was honestly scared of getting lost 😅 ⚠️ Heads-up: The battleship interior is enclosed—a bit humid and has a distinct smell. Last boarding: 4:45 PM Museum closes: 5:00 PM 🍽 Dinner Recommendation: Saltine (An absolutely divine seafood restaurant!) 📍 Just a 2-minute walk from Nauticus Museum 💡 PS: Their Happy Hour is Monday–Friday, 3–5 PM—oysters are only $0.50 each! 🦪 🌟 Must-Order Dishes: Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The shrimp were super fresh and huge—so delicious I forgot to take a picture 😂 She Crab Soup ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Originally meant to share, but I finished the whole bowl myself! Packed with crab meat, rich and sweet—I’d order this every time! P.E.I Mussels ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Huge portion! We meant to order it as an appetizer, but it could easily be a main. Each mussel was plump, juicy, and flavorful—highly recommend! Truffle Fries ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Truffle flavor was strong, though the fries were a bit soft. Still tasty though! #VirginiaBeach #Norfolk #TravelUSA 🇺🇸🌊