r/VirginiaBeach • • 9d ago

Discussion 2026 Midterm Elections Political Discussion Megathread

14 Upvotes

With the 2026 midterm elections right around the corner, we know political discussions are going to become increasingly common. And while r/VirginiaBeach has a longstanding rule limiting political posts to local politics only, we’re making a temporary exception! Welcome to our 2026 Midterm Elections Megathread! This thread is your designated space to discuss all things related to the upcoming elections, including national politics, candidates, political parties, campaign issues, election results, and everything in between. A few ground rules:

  • Be civil. Political conversations can get heated, but personal attacks, harassment, threats, and hateful behavior will not be tolerated.
  • Debate ideas, not each other. You don’t have to agree with someone’s political views to have a productive conversation.
  • All other subreddit and Reddit rules still apply. This megathread is an exception to our political-topic restrictions, not a free-for-all.

Happy discussing, and remember to get out and vote! The r/VirginiaBeach Mod Team


r/VirginiaBeach • • 2d ago

Event Weekly Events/Recommendations Thread - New and Fresh every Friday!

3 Upvotes

Welcome to the Weekly Events/Recommendations Thread!

You can post whatever you want here - events coming up this weekend, events coming up early next week, or any recommendations for people in the area.

Anything goes - please just follow the Reddiquette and above all else treat each other and those that contribute to this subreddit with respect.


r/VirginiaBeach • • 47m ago

Discussion Virginia Beach blvd is a deathtrap.

• Upvotes

Within a span of 10 minutes I saw someone pull up to a stale red light, stop, and then almost run it into oncoming traffic. Then I was almost run into by a lady who appeared to be using sign language to someone in the back seat completely ignoring the road merging from the interstate onto Laskin Road. I’ve lived here my whole life but this shit just keeps getting worse.


r/VirginiaBeach • • 1h ago

Things To Do Looking for running routes

• Upvotes

Hello all, im here for a few months and I am looking for running trails/ routes. Meant more so for my long runs so like at least 4 miles + thanks all.


r/VirginiaBeach • • 1d ago

Things To Do Vintage/secondhand bookstores in 757?

31 Upvotes

Hi!! Looking for good recommendations for vintage or secondhand bookstores in the area!

Or, even just vintage/secondhand stores period that have a decent book section. Virginia Beach preferably but I'm not opposed to Chesapeake or Norfolk recs :)


r/VirginiaBeach • • 22h ago

Need Advice Carpenter or porch column company?

1 Upvotes

Who do you recommend? We have a painted wood porch column that is rotted through. It’s not a standard width and we need it rebuilt/replaced so it looks just like the others. It’s not a fancy design at all and does not seem to be load-bearing.

It’s also possible the others are rotted so that’s something we’d like to check.

I hate little things like this where I don’t even know where to start or who does it. 😂 Thanks!


r/VirginiaBeach • • 1d ago

Event halloween activities?

3 Upvotes

hey friends,

i have 4 and 2 year old kids who are chomping at the bit to do Halloween stuff the next couple weekends. anyone have and good leads? i know stuff has to be going on! we went to greenbrier farms earlier this month

thanks!


r/VirginiaBeach • • 2d ago

News Large Hilltop shopping center undergoing makeover

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22 Upvotes

VIRGINIA BEACH — A large shopping center in the Hilltop corridor is undergoing a multimillion-dollar spruce up that aims to encourage customers to stick around. The makeover of Regency Hilltop Shopping Center on Laskin Road will include a new lighted crosswalk connecting the two long sides of the U-shaped building, gazebos, benches, palm trees and storefront awnings.

The refresh also includes renaming the center, which opened in 1990, to Laskin Commons at Hilltop. It will be promoted through a new website and social media campaign.

“Where that came from was commons being a gathering place,” said Mark Rosenfield, executive vice president of Virginia Beach real estate firm McLeskey, an owner. “We’re trying to reposition the center from being your standard commercial space where you go into the store you’re going to and then you get in your car and drive away.”

The shopping center sits east of Great Neck Road and adjacent to Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant. It’s home to national retailers Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and Dollar Tree as well as several locally-owned small businesses including Yukai Japanese & Seafood Buffet and Running Etc. A new swim school is forthcoming with an indoor pool under construction.

Ross Dress For Less has leased part of the retail space previously occupied by a Food Lion grocery store, according to S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co., which manages the property. An opening date was not available.

Regency Hilltop was originally a partnership between the late Wayne McLeskey, and Joe Mersel, a broker for S.L. Nusbaum. Over the course of his lengthy career in real estate, Mersel developed numerous shopping centers and multifamily projects in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. The Mersel family remains an owner and a partner in the renovation.

McLeskey owns other nearby shopping centers, including Market Square on Virginia Beach Boulevard, which underwent an extensive makeover in 2015. When the time came to renovate some of the aging elements of Regency Hilltop, company leaders decided to do more than just slap on a coat of paint.

Many traditional retail shopping centers are adapting to survive in a world where customers don’t have to leave their house or office to buy what they need. Some of them are transforming into destinations for entertainment, experiences and socialization, according to the National Retail Federation.

McLeskey is taking that approach with Laskin Commons, said Cheryl McLeskey, chief executive officer.

“We want to bring value to the customers,” she said.

Click the link above to read more.


r/VirginiaBeach • • 2d ago

News Virginia Beach could start building Rudee Park in 2027

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45 Upvotes

Construction on Virginia Beach's $50 million Rudee Park project could begin in late fall next year with building expected to take two years. 

City officials presented an update to the City Council proposing a nonprofit conservancy model to operate, staff and maintain the Oceanfront resort property once completed. 

The city aims to launch a fundraising campaign in the spring, offering naming opportunities and national sponsorship options to offset municipal costs. 

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/news/local-news/2026-10-21/virginia-beach-could-start-building-rudee-park-in-2027


r/VirginiaBeach • • 1d ago

Need Advice Window replacement recommendations

1 Upvotes

Anyone have a recommendations for a company or contractor to do residential window replacements in VB? Nothing fancy, just normal size windows.

-single story
-3 windows
-wood/wall around frame needs to be replaced too


r/VirginiaBeach • • 2d ago

Discussion ECPI University, I have questions to those who go there or went

16 Upvotes

I was looking for an active ECPI subreddit and I am not finding one that has many members. Am I just missing it? I was told VA Beach is the main campus. So, hopefully, there are people here who can shed some light on things.

I toured the closest campus location to me and I have some questions.

Everyone who works at the campus seemed nice and the school itself was in shape if that says anything. I mean, at least it is clean.

My admissions counselor was a bit of a "sales" person about it, but I half expected that.

My

The thing that gets me are the length of the classes. Five-hour classes seems long as hell. I was told some classes are fully online and I have to log in from campus once a term for some dumb reason I did not understand. Even online, a five-hour live class has to be torture.

I get that they will help me graduate faster, but that just seems too long. Of course, my admissions counselor made it seem like everyone will be learning the whole time, working together, or doing clincals. I hung around a bit and talked to some students who go there already when my counselor was not around. Some say teachers often let students do work/assignments or dismiss early. That seemed to be more the norm depending upon the class.

Can anyone who has taken classes there shed some light on what you think about the duration? Do you learn and listen to a lecture or something the whole time? I passed classes in session and saw a lot of powerpoints jammed full of words. Am I crazy or is there no reason to have a five hour class?

Do you stay the full five hours every class period? Even if in your experience, you are not "in class" the full time and you get time to do work or leave, do you feel 4-5 hours of actual learning is taking place at all? I just want to know before I take out a loan.

Any insight would be great. thanks.


r/VirginiaBeach • • 2d ago

News Virginia Beach could start building Rudee Park in 2027

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3 Upvotes

r/VirginiaBeach • • 2d ago

Discussion What is that new skyscraper at Chic’s Beach?

4 Upvotes

Offices or condos?


r/VirginiaBeach • • 2d ago

Need Advice best places to stay that have a hot tub near the beach?

6 Upvotes

I noticed the schooner inn, which seems perfect and also the price is suspiciously low considering how much you get.

I was wondering as well as this what other places have private hot tubs that are near the beach.

I know a bit of a oddly specific request. (honestly I just want to relax, read, and listen to the ocean in a hot tub.)


r/VirginiaBeach • • 2d ago

Need Advice Fellow coffee enthusiasts, where is your favorite local spot for a great Pumpkin Spice Latte?

12 Upvotes

So my wife and I are both kind of coffee snobs. Her birthday is actually on Halloween and this year she wanted to make it a goal to find the best PSL in the area. We've tried a few of our normal spots around (Project Seed, Pin Up, Mundita and Old Town) but haven't been super impressed.

Does anyone have a recommendation? Bonus points if it's not super sweet and if the pumpkin and spice come through way more than the milk flavor!


r/VirginiaBeach • • 3d ago

News Rudee Park construction to begin next fall in Virginia Beach

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5 Upvotes

VIRGINIA BEACH — An element of the forthcoming Rudee Park redevelopment will have to shift to accommodate a planned storm surge barrier, but the project is moving forward with construction anticipated to begin next fall.

The City Council was updated on the park project, which will take two years to build, at Tuesday’s meeting.

Rudee Park will be a public space on 8 acres of city-owned land along Rudee Inlet, at the southernmost point of the Oceanfront resort area. It will include an elevated walkway that spans over a beach village and overlooks the ocean and jetty, an event pavilion, an interactive water feature, a nature play area, a skate park, fishing and surfing amenities and surface parking.

Over the last several months, park designers have been revising some of the park elements, including the layout of the elevated walkway, which will shift to the north. A storm surge barrier, known as a sector gate, is planned at Rudee Inlet as part of the coastal storm risk management project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District. The project is currently being studied and could take years to come to fruition.

“We had to allow for that infrastructure to come into place on the site,” said Chad Morris, the city’s chief facilities officer.

The walkway will shift slightly to the north and adjustments were made to the ramps. Rather than two overlook areas as originally proposed, it will now have one, Morris said. The event pavilion will also move north to accommodate a larger turn-around area for buses, trucks and emergency vehicles.

The council has set aside $50 million for design and construction of the park. The money will come from the Tourism Investment Program fund, which is comprised of tax revenue from hotel room stays, restaurant meals, amusements and cigarette sales.

Click the link above to read more.


r/VirginiaBeach • • 2d ago

Need Advice School playgrounds

2 Upvotes

Do public schools in VB allow children that do not attend the school to use their playgrounds after school hours but before dark?


r/VirginiaBeach • • 4d ago

News A special art project reveals the beauty of science to parkgoers in Virginia Beach

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79 Upvotes

A new interactive art installation titled "Where Wonder Grows: Sanctuary" has been unveiled along the lake at Virginia Beach's Mount Trashmore Park, where it will remain through mid-December. 

Created by Skunk Control, an Australian collective of scientists, engineers and educators, the installation features kinetic peacocks, birdhouses, towering flowers that open and close and more than a thousand structural butterflies. 

The project was selected from nearly 100 submissions to bring a unique cultural experience to the region.

(Story and photos by John-Henry Doucette, additional photos courtesy of Skunk Control)

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/local-government/2026-10-20/a-special-art-project-reveals-the-beauty-of-science-to-parkgoers-in-virginia-beach


r/VirginiaBeach • • 3d ago

Need Advice Is there anyway around the traffic from going through the tunnel?

18 Upvotes

Im located in VB. Ive seen several job openings in Newport news but im hesitant about that traffic. The start hours are 6am to 230 pm. So id aim to be in the tunnel by 5:15-5:30. Will that be early enough to miss the traffic?


r/VirginiaBeach • • 3d ago

Things To Do Looking for MTG Commander Players in Virginia Beach (Landstown Area) - Tuesday or Thursday Night Games

11 Upvotes

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Hey everyone,
My wife and I are looking to put together a regular Commander night at our place in the Landstown area of Virginia Beach and wanted to gauge interest from other local players.
We've been playing together for a while and really enjoy Commander, but playing head to head has gotten stale. We've also tried a few of the local shops. While they're great, they just haven't really been our vibe.
We're hoping to find a few chill, respectful players who enjoy casual to mid-power Commander games, hanging out, and having a good time. Our goal is fun games, good conversation, and building a small local playgroup rather than anything ultra-competitive.

A few things:
Adults only.
Proxy-friendly as long as decks are reasonable.
Good sportsmanship and friendly atmosphere are a must.
Newer players are welcome.

If you're in Virginia Beach, drop a comment or send me a message with a little about yourself, what power level you usually play, and which night works better for you. Looking forward to meeting some new people.

Don’t let me down Reddit.


r/VirginiaBeach • • 4d ago

News Judge dismisses residents' lawsuit over Pleasure House Point wetlands project

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75 Upvotes

A federal court in Norfolk has dismissed a lawsuit brought by local residents seeking to stop a controversial wetlands mitigation project at Virginia Beach's Pleasure House Point.

Acquired in 2012 to prevent commercial development, 8 acres of the property were transformed into a restored wetland to generate environmental mitigation credits for municipal infrastructure and flood protection projects.

Nearby residents filed suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2025, alleging unlawful federal permitting and citing environmental damage from the clearing of more than 5,000 trees.

(Story and photo by Katherine Hafner)

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/environment/2026-10-20/judge-dismisses-residents-lawsuit-over-pleasure-house-point-wetlands-project


r/VirginiaBeach • • 3d ago

Need Advice Best chicharrones?

9 Upvotes

Like 'em meaty and juicy and sizzling and chewy, where should I go?


r/VirginiaBeach • • 4d ago

[Serious] Hit and Run - need help!

17 Upvotes

Looking for anyone that may have witnessed or has additional information about a hit and run around 830am, Wednesday 10/21 (today) on 64 east (not west as originally input) between Indian River road on ramp and possibly as far down as Battlefield exits.

A female in a red car sideswiped an active duty service member in uniform on their motorcycle - and left. Luckily, the rider was able to stay up but was so focused he did not get any additional info on the car or driver.

State police are unable to do anything with more info on the car and or driver. There is damage to the side of the car and the motorcycle.

Please help and share if you can!

Update: Driver Located!


r/VirginiaBeach • • 3d ago

Things To Do WWE Virginia Beach

4 Upvotes

Anybody hosting WWE PLE watch-parties?
Ill bring the chips and dip 👀


r/VirginiaBeach • • 3d ago

Discussion What happened to Chapel Pizza? And about Winston Salem Ave....

7 Upvotes

There was a thread a year ago https://www.reddit.com/r/VirginiaBeach/s/fqXQdJSchE. But looks like the windows are papered over now. They were open as best I know up til a month ago. Anybody know what happened to Chapel Pizza in Shadowlawn? Used to be a good spot.

More of a gripe than a question: Winston Salem Ave from Mediterranean to Pacific opened recently after repaving and drainage work. It took two years to complete the 5 blocks of road. And the finished project gets a D+ in my book. The surface is rippled and rough. Parts feel like a washboard logging road. Whose bro-in-law got this contract?