Is Atlantic Park safe?
Virginia Beach, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Atlantic Park as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Atlantic Park
“Go freely during the day and early evening, though exercise standard situational awareness late at night. Atlantic Park and the surrounding Oceanfront district are vibrant, well-patrolled, and welcoming to tourists. Minor property crime and late-night bar-crowd friction during peak summer weekends are the primary safety considerations.”
The phased opening of the $350M Atlantic Park surf park and entertainment venue has significantly transformed the corridor, accompanied by increased municipal security cameras and seasonal policing.
About the area
Atlantic Park is a centerpiece mixed-use entertainment and surf park development anchored in the heart of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront resort area between 18th and 20th Streets. The surrounding corridor blends modern event venues, retail, and dining with immediate proximity to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and the adjacent ViBe Creative District. Visitors will find an active, pedestrian-heavy atmosphere dominated by vacationers, surfers, and coastal residents.
- Coastal Entertainment Hub
- Walkable Dining District
- Bustling Resort Strip
- Active & Energetic
Walking and biking in Atlantic Park
Walk score: 83/100 · Bike score: 80/100
Biking is exceptionally popular, with direct access to the oceanfront boardwalk multi-use path and dedicated bike lanes along 19th Street, complemented by numerous private beach cruiser rental shops.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High-density police patrols including mounted, bicycle, and foot units throughout the resort area
- Massive public-private revitalization investment reducing vacant lots in the immediate Dome site footprint
- Virginia Beach maintains lower violent crime rates than most comparable coastal resort destinations
- Immediate, safe pedestrian connectivity to the beach, boardwalk, and ViBe arts district
Cons
- Seasonal surges in vehicular break-ins and opportunistic theft in open parking lots
- Late-night alcohol-related scuffles and disorderly conduct around Pacific Avenue bars on summer weekends
- Heavy pedestrian and vehicle congestion during peak summer season and major event weekends
Homelessness: A modest unhoused presence is occasionally visible near transit shelters along Pacific and Arctic Avenues and around beachside benches, but encampments are not present and interactions are typically passive.
What Atlantic Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with early morning joggers, surfers, and dog walkers heading toward the boardwalk.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Vibrant and bustling with heavy tourist foot traffic, family groups, and very safe pedestrian conditions.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively dining and entertainment vibe with brightly lit avenues and consistent police presence.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally manageable, though crowds spill out from Pacific Avenue bars; keep your wits about you and avoid unlit alleys.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides bus service via Route 20 and Route 33, alongside the seasonal VB Wave (Route 30/31) trolley connecting oceanfront attractions; there is no light rail in Virginia Beach.
The 19th Street and 25th Street municipal parking garages offer reliable public parking at hourly or daily rates ($2-$20 depending on season), while on-street parking is strictly metered or reserved for residential permits.
Things to do in Atlantic Park
- Experience the inland surfing lagoon and live outdoor music venue at Atlantic Park
- Stroll east to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk and oceanfront at 19th Street
- Walk a few blocks west to explore murals, artisan shops, and local roasters in the ViBe Creative District
Local favorites
- The Stockpot Virginia Beach · New American Cafe · 4.7★ (920)Bright neighborhood spot serving artisanal broths, bowls, hearty breakfast plates, and craft cocktails.
- Esoteric · Gastropub · 4.6★ (1050)Craft beer haven and upscale eatery housed in a 1920s building with an on-site garden.
- Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (580)Popular morning staple near 18th Street pouring Kona blends, espresso drinks, and breakfast sandwiches.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.