1. You’ll Develop A Love-Hate Relationship With Tourists
Every summer, they will come. The boardwalk will be packed, and there will be busier beaches, restaurants, bars, and shops. But really, can you blame them wanting to visit such a stunning place?
2. This Icy Concoction Is To Die For
You're not really in Virginia Beach unless you're drinking the famous local cocktail, The Orange Crush. Originating from Waterman's Surfside Grill, the drink mixes orange vodka, triple sec, and Sprite. The Orange Crush even has its own event, the annual Crush N' Country and Crushfest.
3. The Difference Between Jimmies And Sallies
It's no surprise that Virginia Beach has incredible seafood, and locals know just how to dig into even the most difficult crustaceans. And to tell apart male and female blue crabs? Jimmies have the Washington Monument on their stomachs and Sallies have the Capitol.
4. Mount Trashmore Isn't Home To Oscar The Grouch
Quite the opposite, actually. Yes, Mount Trashmore was once an abandoned landfill, but now it's the best park in Virginia Beach, with a skate park, picnic areas, a huge playground, a basketball court, and volleyball nets.
5. VB Locals Have To Bite Their Tongues When They Want To Let A Few Choice Words Fly
No potty-mouths here in Virginia Beach. A city ordinance says that cursing or profanity in public is a misdemeanor, and you'll see the signs around to prove it.
6. All You Need Is A Tackle Box, A Pole, And A Drink
If you're a local, chances are you or someone you know is up at the break of dawn to see if the fish are biting. And the places to go are the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, the Little Island Fishing Pier, known as the Sandbridge Fishing Pier, and some small spot that no one will tell you about.
7. Squids Walk On Land In Virginia Beach
With the Naval Air Station Oceana in the city, you'll see Navy pilots, men and women, all over the place—and locals have become adept at spotting one in the crowd to say hello.
8. Breakfast Is The Most Delicious Meal Of The Day
Sure, it's an important meal, but in Virginia Beach, it’s also the best one. Citrus has an incredible soft-shell crab benedict, Pocohontas Pancakes has mouth-watering fruit-topped pancakes, and you can wash it all down with a famous Bloody Mary from Doc Taylor's.
9. There’s A Reason This Park Has “Fun” Right In The Name
Sure, Atlantic Fun Park can get crowded with tourists, but it has that carnival charm you'll always love anyway. Plus, it has an entire separate huge go-kart track at Motor World.
10. Strawberry Tacos Are Mouth-Popping Delicious
Virginia Beach knows that strawberries deserve to be celebrated, so it hosts the annual Pungo Strawberry Festival. And the strawberry taco is an absolute must.
11. Mermaids Really Do Exist
If you've had a kids’ (or adults’) party, you've probably heard of Mermaid Hales. She's a real, live mermaid—okay, so she's a person in a mermaid costume, but it's all very realistic.
12. VB Locals Know Where To Go To Get Away From Crowds
Tourists tend to congregate on the resort strip, so locals know that when it gets to be too much, they can head to the beaches and the community in the Sandbridge area for a little peace.
13. Volleyball Is A 24/7 Kind Of Deal
Volleyball probably tops all other sports in Virginia Beach, with the largest following and love for the sport. The city is home to so many volleyball organizations, it'd be hard to count.
Plus, if you want to see some pro beach volleyball, this is the place to be with the Pro Beach East and Spalding Corona Wide Open, among so many others.
14. Neptune Is Actually A Huge Deal
Heralded as one of the top 10 festivals on the East Coast and top 100 everywhere, Virginia Beach's Neptune Festival is an absolutely can't-miss event, complete with a wine festival, sandsculpting competition, arts and crafts show, sporting events—and those are just a few of the 35-plus events on the calendar.
15. Summer Goes Out With A Bash
Get your party flip flops ready. On the tail end of the Neptune Festival, Virginia Beach says goodbye to summer in style, with a massive party known as the Neptune End of Summer Beach Bash.
16. If You Don’t Learn To Surf, You’re Seriously Missing Out
If you're not on a board, you're missing out on a major attraction in Virginia Beach. Every year the city hosts the East Coast Surfing Championships, where the best of the best catch the biggest waves, and everyone else looks on in awe.
17. There's Magic In Sand And Salt Water
Virginia Beach holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for longest pleasure beach in the world. And locals know there's nothing quite like the smell of the salt air and sand between your toes in their city.
18. Art Lives In Unexpected Places
Virginia Beach's Museum of Contemporary Art, or MOCA, hosts its largest fundraiser of the year directly on the boardwalk. Its Boardwalk Art Show has become a national standard for museums—and it's really awesome, too.
19. The Best Soccer Isn't Played On Grass
Every year, Virginia Beach hosts the North American Sand Soccer Championship—yes, soccer in the sand—and it draws major crowds to cheer on the players.
20. There's Only One Thing To Do On Labor Day Weekend
Why travel for Labor Day weekend when you're in the perfect spot already? The holiday marks the day of the American Music Festival, jam-packed with big name talent.
Insider hint: Buy a full pass in advance.
21. The Reason Locals Can Sleep Through Anything Is Thanks To The Navy
What's that loud noise overhead? Virginia Beach locals know it's just Navy F-18 Superhornets, which frequently pass over.
22. VB Schools Are Better Than Your Schools
It's no wonder parents love Virginia Beach as much as kids do. The public school system is top-notch. There are dozens of excellent elementary, middle, and high schools all across the city—and yes, Pharell is an alumnus.
23. There's One Stop For Fresh Produce
With so many farmers around, you don't need to take a trip to the grocery store to get your fruits and veggies. Visit one of the farmers’ markets in the city, particularly the biggest, the Virginia Beach Farmers Market.
24. Even VB Races Are A Little Bit Rock 'n' Roll
Virginia Beach locals aren't just beach bums, they're seriously active. One of the biggest races of the year is the Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon, where runners race to the finish line with entertainment all around them and then a major headlining act concert.
25. Locals Seafood Everywhere
Look around you in Virginia Beach. There are delicious seafood places practically on every corner. But locals flock to Waterman’s Surfside Grille, the fancier Catch 31 Fishhouse and Bar, Tautog's Restaurant with its crab nachos, and A.W. Shucks Raw Bar & Grill—just to name a few.
26. There's Always Time For Tee Time
Golfers flock to Virginia Beach for its stunning golf courses, both public and private. One of the most famous is Virginia Beach National, where the Virginia Beach Open is held every year.
27. This Isn't Your Average Waterpark
With the ocean so close, you might ask why Virginia Beach needs a waterpark. But it's so much more than that. Ocean Breeze Waterpark hosts a concert series, yoga, and other special events.
28. There's More To Do Outside Than Just Sunbathe
With all the outdoor activities Virginia Beach has to offer, it's hard to imagine why anyone would stay inside. And the beaches aren't just for sunbathing; there are amazing hiking trails and state parks all over, including First Landing State Park and the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
29. Locals Are Used To Seeing Sea Life Up Close
You don't have to venture into the depths of the Atlantic—though you can in Virginia Beach, too—to see huge sea creatures right up close. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is the place to be, especially when the weather gets too cold for swimming.
What’s something you learned living in Virginia Beach? Tell us in the comments below! 
