Travel Story:


Photograph provided by Regent Online Media Assets



Virginia Beach, Virginia is one of seven cities that define the Hampton Roads Community on the east coast. The other six cities are the following: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, and Suffolk (Welcome Guide, 2012).
The demographics of the Virginia Beach region are diverse according to Michaela Hooper's insight with World Population View. "...It is composed of 67.7% Caucasians, nearly 20% African American, 6% Asian, and 6.6% Hispanic or Latino. As far as age demographics are concerned, 27%(+) are under the age of 18, 34.3% are between the ages of 25 and 44, and only 8.4% of people at 65(+) years old," (Hooper, 2019). 
An incredibly extensive list of universities and colleges, as well as trade schools, populate Virginia Beach. This geographical area is not shy to higher education, and provides numerous opportunities with colleges such as: Regent University, ECPI University, Stratford University, Virginia Wesleyan University, UVA Hampton Roads Center, Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Center, Tidewater Community College, Advanced Technology Institute, Bryant and Stratton College, Strayer University, and ECPI University Medical Careers, Institute College of Health Science (VirginiaBeach.gov, 2017).
Virginia Beach, Virginia is home for the world’s largest Christian television production, the Christian Broadcasting Network, which is founded on Regent University’s campus. Specifically, Dr. Marion Gordon “Pat” Robertson currently resides on university property among his students as founder, Chancellor, and CEO. Furthermore, the development of Regent University continues to progress as enrollment approximates 10,000 online and on-campus students.
Since the east coast is heavily populated with military personnel in this region, tourists are encouraged to observe locations such as the Military Aviation Museum, the Old Coast Guard Station Museum, and the Cape Henry Lighthouse. Additionally, the neighboring city of Norfolk hosts the world’s largest naval base and includes the USS Wisconsin. There are currently 83,000 military personnel actively serving in this region, and it is likely to encounter multiple branches of our armed forces in this culture (Hampton Roads Chamber, 2019). Other tourist attractions incorporate family-friendly events like dolphin cruises, parasailing, the Virginia Zoo, the Virginia aquarium, and Busch Gardens Amusement Park.
Virginia Beach restaurants have been featured on the Food Network, and a few include: Pocahantas Pancakes, Citrus Breakfast & Lunch, and Whitner’s Barbeque (Food Network, 2019). Local coffee shops dominate the area with local hubs like Three Ships, Roast Rider, and Café Moka (on Regent’s campus). 
Ultimately, Virginia Beach and the surrounding communities offer an insightful and historical experience to families of various demographic, societal, and economical lifestyles.







References
City of Virginia Beach. (2017). Retrieved April 3, 2019, from https://www.vbgov.com/residents/learning/Pages/colleges-universities-and-trade.aspx
Hooper, M. (2019, April 18). Virginia Beach [Telephone Interview]. 
Our Military | About the Hampton Roads Chamber | Hampton Roads Chamber | Means Business. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2019, from https://www.hamptonroadschamber.com/page/our-military/
Restaurants in Virginia Beach. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2019, from https://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants/va/virginia-beach
Welcome Guide - Hampton Roads Cities. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.coastalvirginiamag.com/May-June-2012/Welcome-Guide-Hampton-Roads-Seven-Cities/


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