Naval Aviation Monument Park
Naval Aviation Monument Park is a attraction in Oceanfront, Virginia Beach, best for military families, Boardwalk strolls, public-art fans.
A 16,000-square-foot plaza at 25th Street and Atlantic Avenue holds six larger-than-life bronze sculptures by Michael Maiden telling the story of naval aviation across three eras — from Eugene Ely, the first aviator to fly off a ship's deck, through a WWII flight crew scrambling for their aircraft, to a modern homecoming scene of a Navy family reunited. The $1.9 million monument was funded entirely by donations, a point of local pride in a city that hosts NAS Oceana, the Navy's East Coast master jet base — the fighter jets you hear over the beach are part of daily life here, and this park explains why. It sits right on the Boardwalk next to the Norwegian Lady statue, free and open to all, and makes a natural pause on an Oceanfront walk.
- Free
Amenities
- Six bronze sculpture groupings
- Oceanfront plaza seating
Know Before You Go
- Best for: military families, Boardwalk strolls, public-art fans
- Parking: Oceanfront municipal parking nearby; no dedicated lot.
- Accessibility: Open, paved public plaza at Boardwalk level.
- Dogs: allowed — Leashed dogs are permitted on the adjacent Boardwalk 6am-7pm; summer beach restrictions apply on the sand.
- Location: 25th Street and Atlantic Avenue, on the Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, VA
Last verified 2026-07-10.
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While You're in the Area
17th Street Surf Shop
Virginia Beach's original surf shop since 1970 — a Pacific Avenue retail store plus Seth Broudy School of Surf camp sessions from 1 to 4 days.
- Surfing
Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant
Beatles-themed pub a block off the beach at 22nd Street — 42 taps, live music, a dog-friendly patio, and a Monday military discount.
- Dog Friendly
- Live Music
- Outdoor Seating
- Military Discount
Adventure Parasail & Rudee Inlet Jet Ski
Virginia Beach's original watersports operator since 1985 — parasailing, jet ski and kayak/SUP rentals, and banana boat rides at Rudee Inlet.
- Fishing
Afishinado Fishing Charters
Capt. Kevin Perry's 31-foot Ocean Master out of Inlet Station Marina — inshore speckled trout and cobia trips, offshore game-fish runs, and seasonal dolphin/whale watching.
- Family Friendly
- Fishing
Angie's Guest Cottage Bed & Breakfast
An early-1900s former Coast Guard surfmen's boarding house two blocks from the Boardwalk, run under the same family lore that gave it its name.
- Hidden Gem
AquaMan Sportfishing Charters
Two-boat Rudee Inlet charter operation — The Flat Line and The Game On — running inshore, nearshore, and offshore deep-sea trips around the clock.
Upcoming Events Nearby
Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships
August 23, 2026 – August 30, 2026 · annual
The world's oldest continuously running surfing competition returns for its 64th year, turning the south end of the Oceanfront — from the 1st Street Jetty up to 10th Street — into a week-long surf carnival. More than 850 competitors surf pro and amateur divisions, including a WSL qualifying event, while the beach fills out with skate and BMX demos, live music, and tournament games. It's the anchor event of late summer at the beach and the best week of the year to watch serious surfing at the 1st Street break.
Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party
August 28, 2026 – August 29, 2026 · annual
A free two-day beach party on the Oceanfront closing out August with funk, R&B, and soul acts on the sand. Part of the official Beach Events season, Funk Fest draws a big, dance-heavy crowd to the resort beach for one of the last major music weekends before Labor Day — no ticket needed, just claim a patch of sand.
American Music Festival
September 4, 2026 – September 6, 2026 · annual
Beach Events' Labor Day weekend concert series bills itself as the largest outdoor music festival on the East Coast, spreading national, regional, and local acts across a 60-foot stage at 5th Street plus free park stages at 17th, 24th, and 31st Streets along the boardwalk. Past headliners have included Sheryl Crow, the Doobie Brothers, ZZ Top, and Zac Brown Band, with tickets sold per show, as a three-day Passport Pin, or as VIP packages, while the park stages stay free. It's the Oceanfront's last big blowout of the summer season, timed to send visitors off before the crowds thin out after Labor Day.