Adventurous Andrea

The Solo Female Travel Blog

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Top 6 Virginia Beach Attractions for Millennials

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You’ve heard that Virginia is for lovers. But did you know that Virginia Beach is for millennials?

With its close proximity to the ocean, which means swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing and playing sand volleyball, this coastal town is attracting millennials to visit here year after year for spring break, as well as being an affordable place for these young adults to live.

So whether you’re planning your next vacation or big move, here are six attractions to get you to Virginia Beach.

  1. First Landing State Park

 

[Image: Virginia State Parks/Flickr]

If you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors without the coastline crowds, head to First Landing State Park—a park that got its name because it’s where the Jamestown colonists first landed in 1607. Today, you can easily spend a half or whole day swimming, fishing, biking or hiking, as it’s home to nine miles of trails covering more than 19 miles in this scenic area.

  1. Resort Beach Area

 

[Image: Tony Alter/Flickr]

For those who enjoy the beach and making friends with strangers, the Virginia Beach resort area screams your idea of a fun afternoon or night. On the three-mile oceanfront boardwalk, that’s made of concrete, you can walk, bike or roller blade and see a variety of local public art. Make sure to snap a selfie with the King Neptune Statue. You can’t miss him—he stands at 34-feet tall and is surrounded by large bronze sea creatures. The area also boasts outdoor cafes, live music and festivals throughout the year, as well as some hot nightlife.

  1. Beach Eco Tours

 

[Image: Beach Eco Tours/Facebook]

Besides the mainstream water activity of swimming, explore the waters, beautiful scenery and local marine life of Virginia Beach via paddle boarding. Beach Eco Tours is the city’s first stand up paddleboard company, offering tours, lessons, rentals and sales. They also give wave-riding lessons and can take you on dolphin and moonlight tours.

  1. Shaka’s Live

 

[Image: Shaka’s Live/Facebook]

Shaka’s Live is Virginia Beach’s premier oceanfront venue. Besides a mellow beach vibe (shorts and flip flops are totally acceptable), there are pool tables, a quick bar that serves up tasty drinks, live music and a lively dance floor all inside a spacious venue. Shaka’s always has great talent that puts on great shows every week, featuring local and touring acts from various genres. The live music show is an all-ages show, but once the show is over, the venue becomes a 21 and older nightclub.

  1. Leaping Lizard Café

 

[Image: Leaping Lizard Café—Shore Drive/Facebook]

There are two reasons locals and tourists alike love this eatery—low prices and farm-fresh produce. And as a bonus, this local joint was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Guy Fieri couldn’t get enough of the gourmet Panini-style chicken salad sandwich that’s made on homemade bread with fresh tomatoes, greens and curry yogurt. Other palate pleasers include their quinoa salad and fresh tuna salad. For fast, casual dining of delicious organic foods for lunch or dinner and amazing service, Leaping Lizard Café is where to go.

  1.  Coastal Edge

[Image: Coastal Edge/Facebook]

We’ve told you where to play and where to eat; now it’s time to get your shop on. For all things beach-related, from guys’ sunglasses to ladies’ tees and other surfing and skater gear, Coastal Edge is the shop to visit. Whether you need a long-sleeved shirt to keep you warm on those cool beach nights or a new hat to keep your wet, messy ocean hair covered, come check out Coastal Edge’s array of clothing, accessories and gear in one of their six locations in the Virginia Beach area.

Be sure to check out the Holiday Inn Hotel in Virginia Beach during your visit as well.

How to Have an Eco-Friendly Trip to Lake Tahoe

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Lake Tahoe may not be the most environmentally friendly destination in the world. On the Nevada side, casinos make the environment less of a priority when there’s money to be made and won. The California side is better, but it still has a long way to go. The good news is that you can find some decent Lake Tahoe vacation rentals if you look hard enough that do support sustainable tourism. This article describes why you should make your vacation this year an eco-friendly one.

Is Lake Tahoe Eco-Friendly?

Management around the Lake has started to encourage environmentally friendly tourism in recent years. The mass of hotels and buildings that shot up in the 1960’s and 1970’s are outdated and cause a lot of pollution. This may trickle into the lake and cause the water to go cloudy.

This is now changing. The South shore is undergoing a huge renovation to make it greener and to cut the unnecessary emissions. You’ll also see more people caring about their actions and not leaving their litter along the side of the mountain.

We need to set an example. Most people aren’t aware of the consequences of unsustainable tourism and we need to take the lead. This is why you should have an eco-friendly vacation to Lake Tahoe.

Why Should You Stay at Eco-Friendly Accommodation?

Eco-friendly accommodation around the world strives to reduce their print on the environment. This is an ideal place for you to stay if you’re always recycling and concerned about the environment when you’re back at home. You should do your research and avoid giving money to hotels that aren’t making an effort to keep this beautiful lake clean. Imagine the wildlife in the mountains and the fish that are suffering.

You don’t have to be completely motivated by being green. In fact, you’ll find that they’re often more charming and have better views. Buildings tend to use reclaimed wood as a material and have beautiful gardens, which combined together gives it a rustic feeling. It’s a much better place to come and relax than inside one of the concrete jungle hotel blocks.

Another major benefit for the traveler is that you’re going to meet likeminded people and others who share the same passion as you towards the environment. Friendships and meaningful bonds can blossom.

What to Expect at a Green Hotel at Lake Tahoe:

The hotel is built and designed to reduce their environmental impact. This is usually by being minimalistic and relying heavily on the environment. A lot of eco-friendly hotels in the area take advantage of reclaimed wood from the mountains rather than importing timber from factories.

Image from:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/339107046912305427/

How are they Eco-Friendly?

Everything is more energy efficient in terms of power and water. Rooms and common areas are designed in a way to allow natural light to enter rather than relying on light bulbs. Exposure to sunlight also makes us feel good. Water is recycled and used sparingly rather than wasting gallons on gallons of someone lounging in the bathtub. Cleaning and bath products are more eco-friendly and the bed sheets will probably be 100% cotton.

The Experience in an Eco-Friendly Hotel:

If this is your first time experiencing the green accommodation, you’re in for a treat. Views are spectacular and deep down you know that you’re doing the best you can to sustain the beauty. By staying in an eco-friendly hotel, your actions directly reduce the environmental impacts on the lake, which in turn is good for conversation.

What If I Can’t Get a Green Hotel at Lake Tahoe?

It’s not always possible to find a suitable place but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do your best for the environment. Even if you’re not at a green hotel, you can always make sure you do your bit. This includes reusing bed linen and making sure that you turn off all the lights and power when you go outside.

Another way to decrease your environmental impact is with the water. Avoid taking baths and use the shower water more carefully. For example, turn the water off when you apply soap and shampoo and only turn it on to wash it off. If you’re traveling as a couple, the amount of water that you’re going to save adds up quickly, especially if you’re staying there for more than a few days.

The Takeaway Message:

Doing your part for the environment is a priority in the daily lives of a lot of people around the world. Sometimes it can be challenging to find a vacation destination where you’re certain to be in a place that actually cares. You don’t want to give your money to a hotel when they’re causing so much pollution. And the good news is that you can at Lake Tahoe. The advantages are plentiful and you’re doing your bit to preserve this beautiful part of the country.