Virginia Beach, VA

One of my most favorite spots to visit is the Botannical Gardens in Norfolk.

It’s a great activity any time of year(more on that later), but at this time of the year, you can drive thru the gardens and enjoy the light displays. Wow.

I enjoy these displays even more than the ones at the oceanfront. They are beautiful!

The best part about it is that you can get a discount if you buy tickets for both displays–meaning the displays at the oceanfront and at the gardens. Discounted tickets are very limited, so you need to buy them early in the season.

The light display continues until December 31st. Check out the Botannical Garden website for more information or to plan your trip!

One of my most favorite spots to visit is the Botannical Gardens in Norfolk.

It’s a great activity any time of year(more on that later), but at this time of the year, you can drive thru the gardens and enjoy the light displays. Wow.

I enjoy these displays even more than the ones at the oceanfront. They are beautiful!

The best part about it is that you can get a discount if you buy tickets for both displays–meaning the displays at the oceanfront and at the gardens. Discounted tickets are very limited, so you need to buy them early in the season.

The light display continues until December 31st. Check out the Botannical Garden website for more information or to plan your trip!

Wishing everyone a happy thanksgiving and joyous beginning of the holiday season.

It’s natural to think of food on a day like today. I’m thinking of the coversation I had this morning with my step mother about turkey prices up north and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I paid significantly less for our turkey down south!

I remember when we first moved down here, friends and family came to check out the situation, and brought cars full of food “just in case” there wasn’t a grocery store close by. I laugh to think of them with their frozen lasagnas(seriously) hauled in coolers across the Mason Dixon line–just in case.

In case you are wondering, there is plenty of food down south. Grocery stores come aplenty. In this area, there is a bunch of Food Lion grocery stores. Food lion is my favorite because of the buy one get one free offers.

If you are looking for high end or specialty items, try Krogers or Harris Teeter grocery stores.

Of course, should you find it necessary, there’s always Walmart!

The holidays are awesome at the beach! Not only is there much to do in VA Beach, but in the surrounding communities as well.

Last nite, we took the kids out to MacArthur Mall. I love this place! It’s just a beautiful Mall–very upscale as well. We do a lot of window shopping, but I digress.

One of our favorite shops is the 2 story Barnes and Noble. Last nite, we took the kids for hot chocolate and a holiday treat. They love to snack while eating at their own booth. Makes them feel so grown up.

The science store is wonderful and I love the Calendar’s Only store. Wow.

The absolutely NEATEST part about this whole thing is that they have seasonal ice skating! It starts today. How much fun is that? We intend to take the kids to this.

Also, new this year is the indoor upscale farmers market every Saturday and Sunday in November and December. I intend to check this out as well.

Why is it named MacArthur you ask? General MacArthur’s mom was from Norfolk, VA. In fact, he’s buried here at the site close by the Mall.

One thing to note–there is plenty of parking in the parking garage, but you must pay to park. It’s reasonable, but remember to bring some cash if you tend to use a debit/credit card for all of your purchases.

What a teaser, no?

Seriously though, next week, Williamsburg gives free passes to the historical site for military families to celebrate the Veteran’s Day holiday.

So, what does Williamsburg have to do with VA Beach you ask? Well, ok, it is a short 45 minute jaunt(depending upon the time of the day) from VA Beach, just up Route 64. We went last year and it should be noted that you can’t call ahead to get in on this deal. You have to stand in the long line of other savvy folks experiencing this wonderful free event. Best to come early and plan to stay late.

Also, keep in mind that there are limited dining areas in Williamsburg. A great idea might be to pack a picnic lunch in the car.

One other thing that is interesting about Williamsburg is that people still do really live in the town. And, the main street is a public street. SOOOOO….even if you aren’t military, you can still go to Williamsburg for FREE. You just can’t take the trolley in or go in the buildings with the flags outside of them, but you can walk the streets and experience the demonstrations and talk with the actors etc. The church where George Washington and many of the founding fathers worshipped is still in use today. As a public building, you can get into it for free as well. It’s fun to sit in the same pew that George Washington sat it, and to note that the pew where the widow Martha Custis would have sat was just around the bend. HMMMMM……

The website is worth checking out even if you don’t venture to VA or Williamsburg. There’s lots of great activities, especially for children.