5 Best Places to go Bird Watching

When you're looking for a place to relax and unwind, make an appointment at one of these spas in the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, area. Each offers a wide range of pampering treatments in a welcoming and soothing atmosphere. Check websites for availability, then reward yourself with a day of gratifying indulgence! Flowering Almond Spa Located within the Founders Inn, a Tapestry Collection hotel from Hilton, the Flowering Almond Spa offers a number of treatment options to hotel guests and locals. The technicians use time-honored relaxation and rejuvenation techniques to help you feel more comfortable and pampered. When you receive a treatment, you can enjoy all-day access to the hotel's pool and fitness center as well. more Massage treatments include those for muscle repair, stress relief, and deep tissue repair. Couples' massages are also available, as are aromatherapy oil add-ons, face and scalp massages, and reflexology. For your body, treatments include wraps, balm applications, scrubs, and polishes. Skincare treatments include facials with a variety of ingredient options, chemical peels, hand treatments, and anti-aging solutions. You can also enjoy a mini experience, such as a sampler with a sugar scrub, facial, and massage. Kimpton Lorien Hotel and Spa At Kimpton Lorien Hotel and Spa, you can enjoy a treatment that will help you look and feel your best. This location was voted the “Best Spa 2019” by Northern Virginia Magazine and Best Hotel + Spa 2018 in the Zebra's Readers' Choice Awards. As the seasons change, the spa rotates the ingredients used in its pampering treatments. Whether you're getting ready for your big day and need a pre-wedding treatment or simply looking to relax, you can find the perfect option at this spot. Exclusive services include facials, body scrubs and wraps; Swedish, deep-tissue, and therapeutic massages; and tinting and waxing. For brides, the pre-wedding package is the ideal option as it includes a pigment correcting facial, body polish treatment, and trial makeup. Enhance any treatment with a customized facial booster, LED light treatment, eye rescue patch application, paraffin softening treatment, or scalp massage. Lotus Day Spa Lotus Day Spa is in Norfolk, which is about 7 miles from Chesapeake Bay. This location is proud to offer customers the best in salon and spa services. When you walk through the doors, you'll be surrounded by upscale, posh elements that make you feel more relaxed. The technicians use organic and natural ingredients to meet all your pampering needs in a fulfilling way. You can book individual treatments or take advantage of multi-treatment packages. Nail services include acrylic, UV gel, shellac, and dipping powder manicures and pedicures, while additional beauty options include lash application, permanent makeup, microblading, and facial and body waxing. If you want a relaxing massage, choose from Swedish, deep tissue, relaxing herbal, hot stone, prenatal, and trigger point options. Additionally, you can treat your skin to a facial, acne treatment, anti-aging treatment, or purifying skin treatment. Book a treatment at one of these Chesapeake Bay spas when you want to experience the ultimate in relaxation. You can truly unwind and feel your best after a pampering treatment! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Sometimes, when you're hungry, only a great burger will satisfy your appetite. Fortunately, the Chesapeake, VA, area has some awesome burger joints! Here are four of the best spots for you to check out. The Egg Bistro The Egg Bistro on Kempsville Road features wood floors, colorful walls, hanging lamps, and tasteful artwork that give the place a cool, laid-back vibe. The service is quick and friendly, but keep in mind that it gets very busy, especially on the weekend, so you might have to wait to be seated. At the bar, you have an amazing choice of Bloody Marys, mimosas, and specialty cocktails. more The half-pound burgers include the Farmhouse, 501, Cali, Western, and the Egg Bistro Burger. You can build your own burger from a variety of fillings or choose a vegan patty as an alternative. Apart from burgers, the menu features a great range of breakfast and lunch options with a good selection of healthy living choices. Razorback Grill Located on Holland Boulevard, Razorback Grill is a small hole-in-the-wall joint with stools at the bar and a couple of tables. Don't be fooled by first impressions, because this is a hidden gem that gets consistently great reviews and is almost always busy! The hospitality of the owner and the quality of the food will have you wanting to come back again and again. On the menu, you'll find a choice of burgers including the Double Razorback Burger with crispy bacon and perfectly fried onions. From the selection of salads, cold plates, subs and sandwiches, the pulled pork barbecue with slaw sandwich is also highly recommended. Hotrodders Cafe Walking into Hotrodders Cafe on Mount Pleasant Road is like taking a step back in time to the 1950s with its classic diner decor and food. The furniture is retro with red vinyl-covered chairs and booths, photos and murals of hot rods on the walls, and the condiments sitting in classic car holders. Watch out for Elvis as you head to the restrooms! The hand-pattied burgers are cooked to order and served in homemade buns. You can choose from specialty burgers like the Inside Out Burger, Hawaiian, the Danny Burger, Bacon Cheddar, Mushroom Swiss, Chili Cheese, or the Bay Burger, which is topped with a crab cake! They also serve a full range of appetizers, wraps, sandwiches, and dinner platters. LA Dog LA Dog on Battlefield Boulevard South is a cute place named after the founder, LoriAnn. It's got a nostalgic feel with diner-style stools at the counter, but the quirky decor and murals also give it a fun and funky beach bar vibe. The servers look like they enjoy their work and offer pleasant service with an easy smile. The hamburger, cheeseburger, and bacon cheeseburger are amazing, as are their signature hot dogs that include the Foot Long and the Beef Tuff Skin. Also available is a selection of sandwiches including the Carolina-style pork barbecue with homemade slaw, and the fried beef Bologna. These burger restaurants offer amazing food, personal service, and an atmosphere that's hands-down better than the huge burger chains. Visit some to experience the fun in person! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

When you get a craving for the finest pancakes, Chesapeake, Virginia, boasts some awesome breakfast spots that put their own twist on this classic breakfast favorite. Here are some of the best pancake places in the area. Irwin's Fountain Established in 1934, Irwin's Fountain is an old school diner located inside a pharmacy on Indian River Road. With its colorful decor, vintage artwork, and retro furniture, it's like taking a step back in time. The seating is in booths or on the classic stools at the counter. You have to try their secret recipe limeade or lemonade made with freshly squeezed fruit. more The breakfast menu is served all day and features light and fluffy pancakes that can be served by the stack or with eggs and bacon or sausage if you choose. There's a variety of omelets, steak and eggs, sandwiches, French toast, and breakfast plates; and you get free refills of coffee, tea, and fountain sodas! Irwin's also offers a lunch and dinner menu. Sunrise Breakfast Shoppe Located on Battlefield Boulevard North, the Sunrise Breakfast Shoppe is a cute place offering American breakfast and lunch with some Filipino and Cajun influences. The restaurant isn't fancy, but instead has a very relaxed ambiance and is nicely decorated. The cheerful staff provides quick and friendly service. As well as regular pancakes, you can order buckwheat, blueberry, sweet potato, chocolate chip, and pecan pancakes. Breakfast items on the menu include Nawalin's Cajun Omelet, the Three Pepper Rainbow omelet, waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, Cajun Andouille Sausage, and the Filipino Breakfast. The Egg Bistro Locally owned and operated, The Egg Bistro has three locations in Virginia, including one on Kempsville Road in Chesapeake. Featuring cheerful decor, eclectic artwork, and hanging lights, the place has a cool laid-back vibe and offers an extensive breakfast and lunch menu. Free refills are offered for coffee and fountain drinks. For your pancake fix, you could try the pancakes infused with your choice of blueberries, strawberries, bananas, pecans, chocolate chips, or Oreo pieces. Alternatively, go for the Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes. If you're an early starter, The Virginian is only available before 8 a.m. and features two pancakes, eggs, and bacon, links, or patties. D'cracked Egg D'cracked Egg on Atlantic Avenue is a family-owned and operated restaurant featuring simple decor with plain walls and wood flooring. The owner offers a warm welcome, friendly service, and superb home-style cooking. There’s plenty of seating, which is just as well because it gets busy, especially for the weekend brunch! You can have your pancakes in a short stack, full stack, or as a combo with eggs, grits, sausage or bacon, hot syrup, and butter. Their specialty is sweet potato pancakes made to a secret recipe and served with whipped cream or as the combo. The menu has all your favorite breakfast items and, on the weekends, they offer a breakfast buffet. Chesapeake has plenty of other places that serve great pancakes – we can’t list them all! You'll have to try these ones and a few more to decide which is your favorite! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License