The Pungo area of Virginia Beach is a land of hidden gems.
Last year, I decided to celebrate my birthday by exploring the area. It turned out to be a wonderful day filled with outdoor adventure, history, and delicious food!
Here’s how to spend a day exploring the Pungo area of Virginia Beach.
The Bee & The Biscuit: Breakfast or Brunch
Although this stop wasn’t part of my birthday adventure—mainly because I was traveling from an hour away and our kayaking tour was scheduled for the morning—I’ve included this beloved brunch spot to complete a full-day itinerary.
If you haven’t experienced brunch at The Bee & The Biscuit, consider this your sign—you’ve been seriously missing out. Housed in a charming old cottage turned cozy restaurant, this spot is the very definition of a hidden gem.
The Bee & The Biscuit is closed on Mondays but open every other day from 7 AM to 2 PM, offering the fluffiest freshly made biscuits and Southern breakfast favorites from locally sourced ingredients. They also offer a mimosa flight, which is pretty cool!
Although reservations aren’t available and wait times can be lengthy, The Bee & The Biscuit offers plenty to enjoy while you wait.
You can grab cocktails or coffee from the outdoor bar and play board games in their garden-style patio. We also loved browsing their adorable gift shop, tucked inside a charmingly decorated shed on the property.
You’ll also find a bright yellow van that once belonged to the owners’ late son, who lived an inspiring life, traveling from Alaska to Panama in it.
Once you’re finally seated and served, the experience is absolutely mouthwatering, and you’ll find that the long wait time was 100% worth it!
Surf & Adventure Co.: Back Bay Kayaking Tour with Lunch
After a satisfying and energizing breakfast, head to your Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge kayaking tour at Surf & Adventure Co., about 10 minutes away.
While the launch point is technically in the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach, the kayaking tour takes you into the waterways that wind through Pungo.
As requested, we arrived about an hour early to sign release forms and other paperwork required for the tour. Once this was done, there was a wait, so we spent some time browsing the surf shop.
When it was time for our tour to begin, we met our guide at the launch point directly behind the shop. After going over safety protocols, we hopped into our kayaks—my husband and I shared a kayak so I could take photos, and my brother-in-law went solo.
The waterways were incredibly calm, and you’ll mostly paddle through winding creeks surrounded by beautiful green marshland.
We saw lots of birds, including a great blue heron and turtles, and at one point, we almost collided with a cottonmouth. Yes, they are poisonous, but it comes with the territory, literally!
After our two-hour tour, we were treated to lunch boxes from the local Back Bay Gourmet, and the sandwiches and homemade chips were on point!
What a fun experience!
Pungo Pizza & Ice Cream: Birthday Banana Split
After our kayaking tour, we decided to get a birthday treat from Pungo Pizza & Ice Cream. We were trying to time everything based on our dinner plans with a friend, so we had some time to kill. It was about ten minutes away.
Pungo Pizza & Ice Cream is a family-owned restaurant known for its New York-style pizzas and tasty ice cream options. It’s also a super family-friendly spot, complete with an arcade in the back!
Since we had just eaten, the guys grabbed a beer while I decided to get a birthday banana split to share. And wow, it was an absolute treat!
So, after loading up on sugary delights, it was time to burn some energy at the Military Aviation Museum, which was only about seven minutes away.
Military Aviation Museum: Fly in an Open-Cockpit Warbird
I was thrilled to visit the Military Aviation Museum on a Saturday, knowing they offer narrated flight demonstrations of vintage warbirds at 1 PM during the summer—an event included with admission.
Since the website indicated the demonstrations ran from 1 PM to 2 PM, we arrived leisurely at 1:10 PM, only to discover we had missed it!
I learned that the flight demo starts promptly at 1 PM and only lasts about ten minutes, an important detail not mentioned on their website.
So, if you want to catch it, arrive early. Despite this disappointment, I was still eager to explore one of the largest private collections of fully restored and flyable World War I and World War II aircraft in the world!
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about WWII aircraft and being able to see them up close, including legendary planes like the P-51D Mustang and the Supermarine Spitfire.
The hangars showcased warplanes from the U.S. Army and Navy, as well as aircraft from Britain, Russia, and other countries.
The main building featured additional military vehicles and fascinating exhibits, such as the Bomber Jacket display with original, hand-painted artwork that told unique stories of the pilots who wore them.
The museum feels expansive, with multiple exhibits, hangars, and structures spread across the property, offering tons to explore. Not to mention the passionate staff and volunteers eager to share more about the exhibits.
It was an engaging learning experience, made even more special because of my connection to family members who have served or are currently serving.
Before leaving, don’t miss the gift shop—you might find the perfect gift for the military history lover in your life!
Lastly, I should mention the option of an open-cockpit warbird airplane ride! While we did not have enough time to take a ride on this visit, there’s always next time!
Blue Pete’s Restaurant: Seafood Dinner with Friends
The final stop on my Pungo birthday adventure was Blue Pete’s Restaurant, which is known for its lively atmosphere, fresh seafood, and creekside dining.
They also partner with Surf & Adventure Co. to offer after-dinner Back Bay kayaking tours directly from the restaurant—what a unique opportunity!
The atmosphere was quite lively during our visit, possibly due to what seemed like a rehearsal dinner. While the restaurant looked busy, we were seated fairly quickly when we arrived around 4:30 PM.
We opted for indoor seating since we had just spent most of the day in the heat and sun, though sitting outside on the deck was an option.
Once my friend joined us, the four of us dove right in! Our table was completely covered with delicious food like crabby fries, tuna bites, she-crab soup, and scallops.
I had never tried anything like crabby fries before—crispy fries smothered in thickened she-crab soup and topped with Old Bay seasoning. So good!
After about two hours of celebrating, it was time to hop back in the car and make the hour-long drive back home to Smithfield.
PS – Sorry, I don’t have photos from this stop. We were having so much fun, I forgot. However, their Instagram (above) will give you a great idea of the atmosphere.
How to Spend a Day in Pungo, Virginia Beach
And that’s a wrap—a day packed with outdoor adventures, great food, and fun history.
Needless to say, I had a fantastic birthday, and I can’t wait to explore more of Pungo on our next visit!