Exploring the Unusual Side of Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach is best known for its long stretches of sandy coastline, lively boardwalk, and family-friendly attractions.
But beyond the well-trodden paths and crowded beaches, the city hides a fascinating collection of odd, unexpected, and downright eccentric experiences.
From a ghost town buried in the marsh to a towering statue of an ancient sea god, there are plenty of unusual things to do in Virginia Beach, VA—if you know where to look.
Some of these places hold deep historical roots, like the Wash Woods Settlement, an abandoned village built from shipwreck debris.
Others lean into mystery, such as the Edgar Cayce A.R.E. Library, home to a vast archive of psychic readings.
Some spots take the ordinary and make it extraordinary—Mount Trashmore, for example, is a massive public park built on a former landfill, proving that even garbage can turn into a destination.
History buffs, adventure seekers, and the simply curious can all find something unexpected here.
Visitors can stand at the site of a 300-year-old witch trial, ride on military boats once used by Navy SEALs, or wander through a backyard filled with towering metal dinosaurs.
Some experiences, like exploring a hidden animal rescue or watching restored WWII planes take flight, bring a hands-on, immersive element that turns a casual visit into a story worth telling.
While Virginia Beach has plenty of mainstream attractions, its quirks make it worth a deeper dive. These offbeat spots challenge expectations, offering something far more memorable than another day at the beach.
1. The Witch of Pungo Statue: Honoring Virginia’s Last Accused Witch
Why It’s Unusual
In 1706, a woman named Grace Sherwood was accused of witchcraft in Virginia Beach.
Unlike the infamous Salem trials, her case involved a “ducking test”—a legal practice where the accused was thrown into a river to determine guilt. If she floated, she was considered a witch.
Sherwood floated, but she survived the ordeal, spent time in jail, and later regained her freedom. Today, a statue of her stands near the site of her trial, keeping her story alive.
Why It’s Unique
This memorial is one of the only known statues dedicated to an accused witch in the United States.
Standing in front of the Sentara Bayside Hospital, the bronze sculpture captures Sherwood with a determined expression, a basket in one hand, and a fox by her side—symbols of her resilience and the suspicions cast upon her.
The nearby historical marker explains the events that led to her arrest and eventual exoneration.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Stand on the site where a colonial-era witch trial took place.
- Read the court records that documented the accusations against Sherwood.
- Attend the annual reenactment of her infamous ducking trial on the Lynnhaven River.
2. Edgar Cayce A.R.E. Library: The Mystical Hub of the ‘Sleeping Prophet’
Why It’s Unusual
Edgar Cayce, one of the most famous psychics in American history, made Virginia Beach his home in the 1920s.
Known as the “Sleeping Prophet,” he gave over 14,000 recorded readings while in a trance-like state, offering insights on health, past lives, and even predictions about world events.
His legacy lives on through the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.), which houses a vast library of his work.
Why It’s Unique
Few places in the world combine metaphysical research with holistic healing the way A.R.E. does.
Visitors can browse through Cayce’s original readings, take part in meditation sessions, or attend workshops on dream interpretation and spiritual growth.
The center also offers a spa that follows Cayce’s health recommendations, with treatments like castor oil therapy and hydrotherapy.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Read through the psychic predictions Cayce made about health, Atlantis, and the future.
- Book an aura reading and learn about energy fields from trained practitioners.
- Take part in a dream analysis session using Cayce’s methods.
3. Military Aviation Museum: Home to Flyable Warbirds
Why It’s Unusual
Most aviation museums display aircraft behind ropes or in glass cases. The Military Aviation Museum does things differently—it keeps nearly all of its planes in flying condition.
Located in the Pungo area of Virginia Beach, this museum has one of the largest collections of World War I and II aircraft in the world, with many restored to their original specs.
Why It’s Unique
Some of the aircraft here are the last of their kind. The museum’s prized possessions include a de Havilland Mosquito, a Messerschmitt Bf 109, and a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.
Restoration crews work on-site, meticulously rebuilding old warbirds to their former glory.
Special events, like the annual Warbirds Over the Beach airshow, allow visitors to see these historic machines take to the sky.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Watch WWII-era planes fly over the Virginia Beach countryside.
- Step inside a real military hangar where restorations happen.
- Book a ride in a vintage aircraft soaring over the coastline.
4. Wash Woods Settlement: The Lost Village in the Marsh
Why It’s Unusual
Hidden deep inside False Cape State Park, the Wash Woods Settlement feels like a place that time abandoned.
This isolated community, believed to have been founded by shipwreck survivors in the 1600s, once thrived in the unforgiving marshlands of coastal Virginia.
The settlers built homes, a school, and a church using driftwood that washed ashore. Over time, erosion and harsh conditions forced its last residents to leave, turning the village into a forgotten relic.
Why It’s Unique
Unlike typical ghost towns, Wash Woods is nearly impossible to access by car. The only way to reach it is by hiking, biking, or kayaking several miles through the park.
The remaining structures, including the crumbling church and a graveyard where tombstones peek through the sand, give an eerie sense of how life once was here.
Park rangers sometimes guide visitors through the site, sharing stories about the village’s struggles and eventual disappearance.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Trek through an abandoned settlement in one of Virginia’s most remote coastal areas.
- Spot gravestones half-buried in the shifting sands of False Cape State Park.
- Explore by kayak, paddling through the marshlands that once surrounded the village.
5. Mount Trashmore: A Landfill Turned into a Park
Why It’s Unusual
At first glance, Mount Trashmore looks like any other public park, with green fields, walking trails, and a lake.
But beneath the grass and trees lies something unexpected—thousands of tons of compacted garbage.
Built in 1974, this was one of the first landfill-to-park conversion projects in the U.S., transforming an old waste site into a 165-acre recreational space.
Why It’s Unique
Few places turn a landfill into a community gathering spot. The hill itself, rising 60 feet, was made by covering compressed trash with clean soil and grass.
Engineers installed methane vents throughout the park to safely release gases from decomposing waste.
Today, Mount Trashmore hosts events and festivals and is one of the best kite-flying spots in the area due to its elevation and coastal winds.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Picnic on top of a former landfill, enjoying views of Virginia Beach.
- Learn about environmental engineering from the educational plaques around the park.
- Join a kite festival and take advantage of the park’s strong breezes.
6. Jerrassic Park: Metal Dinosaurs in the Wild
Why It’s Unusual
Tucked away on private property in Pungo, Jerrassic Park isn’t a typical dinosaur exhibit. Instead of fossils or animatronic creatures, this roadside attraction features life-sized metal dinosaur sculptures crafted from scrap materials.
The park’s creator, Jerry McNamara, started building these towering figures in the early 2000s, transforming his backyard into a prehistoric sculpture garden.
Why It’s Unique
Most dinosaur-themed attractions focus on education or entertainment, but Jerrassic Park blends both with local artistry.
The dinosaurs, ranging from raptors to a massive T-Rex, stand among trees and open fields, giving them an almost lifelike presence.
Unlike traditional museums, visitors can walk right up to these metal beasts and examine the intricate welding details up close.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Take surreal photos with towering metal dinosaurs in a rural setting.
- Meet the artist behind the sculptures (by appointment).
- Explore a unique mix of art and paleontology with handmade metal creatures.
7. Cape Henry Memorial Cross: The First Landing Site of English Settlers
Why It’s Unusual
Before Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement, the colonists made landfall at Cape Henry in 1607.
To mark the event, a massive stone cross was erected in 1935 near the spot where the settlers first stepped onto American soil.
Located inside Fort Story, an active military base, this historic landmark requires a valid ID for entry.
Why It’s Unique
Few people realize that English colonists originally intended to settle at Cape Henry before moving inland to Jamestown.
The memorial cross overlooks the Chesapeake Bay, standing as a reminder of the country’s earliest days. Nearby, the Cape Henry Lighthouse, built in 1792, provides additional historical context.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Stand where English settlers first arrived in America.
- Visit the Cape Henry Lighthouse, one of the oldest in the U.S.
- Enter an active military base to see a national landmark.
8. The Haunted Ferry Plantation House: A Ghostly Encounter in Virginia Beach
Why It’s Unusual
The Ferry Plantation House, built in 1830, sits on land that has seen centuries of history—including a courthouse, a ferry service, and multiple tragic deaths.
Locals believe the house is haunted, and it’s one of the few places in Virginia Beach where visitors can take a guided ghost tour inside a reportedly active paranormal site.
Why It’s Unique
Unlike most historic homes, this one embraces its eerie reputation. Paranormal investigators regularly visit, and some claim to have encountered spirits like the “Lady in White,” a former resident who reportedly died in a tragic accident.
The house also stands near the site of Virginia’s last recorded witch trial, adding to its supernatural lore.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Take a guided ghost tour through one of Virginia Beach’s most haunted houses.
- Stand near the site of a colonial witch trial and learn about its history.
- Use real paranormal investigation tools during special ghost-hunting nights.
9. Patriotic Excursions: Ride a Navy SEAL Boat
Why It’s Unusual
For those who want a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping experience, Patriotic Excursions offers boat rides on real rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) used by Navy SEALs.
These vessels, known for their speed and agility, were once used for military training and maritime operations. Departing from Little Creek Marina, the tour provides a close-up look at Virginia Beach’s naval history.
Why It’s Unique
Few tours allow civilians to ride military-grade boats with former service members at the helm. These RHIBs can reach speeds over 50 mph, making the ride as thrilling as it is educational.
Along the way, passengers get insights into SEAL training, maritime security, and local military history.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Speed across the water in a real Navy SEAL boat.
- Learn about special operations history from experienced veterans.
- See Virginia Beach’s naval installations from a new perspective.
10. King Neptune Statue: 34-foot Oceanfront Giant
Why It’s Unusual
Standing at the entrance of Neptune Park on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the King Neptune statue is impossible to miss.
This massive 34-foot bronze sculpture, unveiled in 2005, depicts the Roman god of the sea holding a trident, surrounded by marine creatures like fish, dolphins, and sea turtles.
Why It’s Unique
Unlike most boardwalk attractions, this statue serves as both a public art installation and a symbol of the city’s coastal heritage.
It was designed by artist Paul DiPasquale, whose work appears in several U.S. cities. Every year, the statue becomes the centerpiece of the Neptune Festival, one of Virginia Beach’s biggest events.
Unusual Experiences to Obtain
- Pose for a photo with a massive bronze sea god.
- Spot the intricate marine life details hidden in the statue’s base.
- Visit during the Neptune Festival to see the statue’s role in local celebrations.
