Virginia Beach to Stamford train

While boasting a suburban atmosphere that will make anyone jealous of an East Coast life, Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia by population and one of the state's best destinations. Positioned at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, its primary focus has always been its oceanfront location.

In the record books as having the longest pleasure beach in the world, the soft golden sands of Virginia Beach stretch for miles. One of the best ways to enjoy it is to take a stroll or bike along the three-mile boardwalk lined with cafés.

A block back, Atlantic Avenue plays host to Virginia Beach's dining scene, which incorporates everything from well-known names to family-run restaurants specializing in the bay's seafood.

But for all the glitz and glamour of Atlantic Avenue, it's Virginia Beach's natural splendors that will have you coming back again and again. As it twists with the coastline to become Shore Drive, you'll reach First Landing State Park. It preserves the spot at which English colonists first arrived on U.S. soil in 1607 after a five-month voyage. Meanwhile, out to sea, there's a chance to spot humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins.

The city’s central location on the Atlantic coastline means there are many destinations you can visit from Virginia Beach for very cheap. The busiest terminus in Virginia Beach is on Northampton Boulevard. It sees buses reach New York City in around eight hours. Head to Norfolk, and you can also jump on Amtrak's Northeast Regional train service to Boston.

Stamford is one of the most populous cities in the state of Connecticut, and many residents commute into New York City, about 30 miles southwest. You can even see NYC from Greenwich Point Park, a scenic spot on Long Island Sound. But don't get too distracted by the Big Apple; there is plenty to enjoy in Stamford itself!

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is a 118-acre museum that includes a working farm, an art gallery, outdoor trails, a planetarium, an otter pond, and endless activities for visitors of all ages. Visitors of legal ages will also love the many clubs, bars, and breweries in downtown Stamford. Some popular spots for drinks and dinner are Olio, Brasitas, and ZAZA Italian Gastrobar.

Stamford is a major transportation hub for travelers in the region. The Stamford train station is the second-busiest in the Metro-North system, after only Grand Central Station. Commuter rails connect Stamford to New York City and New Haven, and Amtrak trains provide service to Boston, Washington, and beyond. Or, OurBus and Greyhound offer intercity bus tickets as a more affordable alternative to trains. Stamford benefits from many airports in the region, but the closest international airport is LaGuardia in Queens.