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Virginia Beach is one of the most popular family-friendly resort areas north of Florida. For some tourists, the laid-back mid-Atlantic vibe is as much of an attraction as the three-mile-long boardwalk, the sandy beaches, and the perpetually mild weather. With a little planning, a trip to Virginia Beach can go well beyond the beach and the boardwalk.

Here are some travel tips for would-be beach-goers who want to give Virginia Beach a try.

If you plan to spend your vacation near or on the beach and boardwalk, you do not necessarily need a vehicle. It is possible to catch a shuttle from Norfolk Airport and then rely on foot power or the Hampton Roads bus system to get up and down the coastline. If you plan to explore beyond the beach, or if you do not want to be tied down by the bus schedule, a car is all but necessary.

The playing in the sand and surf is not the only activity in the area. There are surf contests held annually. The biggest of these is the East Coast Surfing Championships, which takes place each August. The waves are usually small, but high enough to be ridden. Fishing, sea kayaking, and dolphin and whale watching are other water-centered activities in which Virginia Beach tourists can partake.

If you are a shopper, there are plenty of reasons to explore beyond the Virginia Beach boardwalk. Town Center is a square mile of shoulder-to-shoulder shops, boutiques, and eateries. There are cheaper options along Atlantic Avenue.

Virginia Beach is not all cement, crowded sidewalks and tourists. Virginia's countryside is never far away. You don't even have to leave the city. Activities like the Virginia Beach Farmer's Market remind tourists that this is still prime farm country. In addition, the market is a great place to find some local specialties like home-made jams and unique produce.

Virtually every major hotel chain is represented in Virginia Beach, with hospitality industry heavies like Ramada and Marriot boasting multiple locations. It is still possible, however, to find locally owned and operated hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. In many cases, these indie inns offer a more welcoming, if not cheaper, experience.

Though Virginia Beach is known primarily as a family-centric city, there is enough nightlife and activities are energetic enough to attract singles as well. It is no "Daytona Beach during Spring Break," but Virginia Beach can be a happening place, if you know where to look.