There's no escaping history around here, even if all you're looking for is a good time. Story army base are two lighthouses, one across the road from the other. One, Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, was the first lighthouse authorized by the United States government, completed in 1792. The other is, of course, called New Cape Henry Lighthouse. It went up in 1881 and, unlike Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, still works.
Some people actually do.
From Cape Henry south along the Atlantic is Virginia Beach. Then, around 40th Street, the homes yield to hotels and motels, most of them mid-range. I like history, a lot. Meeting George Washington and seeing Tom Jefferson was a thrill, and so was the Atlantic Fleet and MacArthur and Pocahontas. But sometimes a beach and a cold beer are just about right.