Virginia Beach Population 2010: 437,994, #39 in U.S., #1 in Virginia 1950: 42,277 2010
Metropolitan Area: 1,671,683, #36 in U.S. 1950 Metropolitan Area (Norfolk MSA): 409,543, #39 in U.S. Virginia
Beach was consolidated with Princess Anne County in 1963 to form the
“independent city” of Virginia Beach. Setting Virginia
Beach, with miles of beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, is located at the mouth of
Chesapeake Bay. The area was first settled in the 1600s. It became a
beach resort in the late 19th century and never had a traditional downtown. (Nearby Norfolk had the area's central business district.) In 2000 the city began construction of Virginia
Beach Town Center, several miles west of the beach, as a new "downtown." Buildings Tallest building: Westin Hotel, 508 feet (2007) List of tallest buildings Almost all of the tall buildings in Virginia Beach are hotels, condos, and apartments. Stores Pembroke Mall has Target and Kohl’s department stores. Sears closed in 2018. Town Center, across the street from Pembroke Mall, has stores, restaurants, and entertainment. |  Virginia Beach Waterfront Trains Amtrak has no service to Virginia Beach. Museums The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center is east of Town Center, near the beach. Theaters The Regal Columbus Stadium 12 is a first-run movie theater. The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts (2007), in the Town Center, hosts the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and a variety of concerts, plays, and other events. Sports Virginia Beach has no professional sports teams. Convention and Visitors Bureau
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