Flock to Fall Foliage
If there’s one thing that fall is known for, it’s the changing of the leaves. When the green leaves of summer burst into vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow and brown, it feels absolutely magical. Luckily, Virginia Beach has a few different spots where you can witness this annual transformation, starting with First Landing State Park. Each October, this hidden gem’s Spanish-moss-and-mushroom-laden trees become filled with fire-colored leaves. Plop yourself down on one of the many scattered benches or go on the 1.8-mile Bald Cypress Trail to really get an up-close look at this natural phenomenon.
If you’re hoping for a few more spots to go leaf peeping in Virginia Beach, Stumpy Lake Natural Area, False Cape State Park, and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge are all great options to get your fall foliage fix.
Sample the Seasonal Brews
Beer lovers, unite! Virginia Beach and Norfolk’s many craft breweries go all out for fall, with special seasonal brews that draw locals and visitors alike. Some take influence from the hops-heavy flavors of Oktoberfest with beloved brews like New Realm Brewing Company’s Munich Dunkel Lager and Commonwealth Brewing Company’s aptly named Oktoberfest. Then, there are the beers that embrace the seasonal produce. Try the Pumpkin “Juice,” a delicious cream ale also from Commonwealth or the crowd-favorite Witch of Pungo Pumpkin Beer from Back Bay Brew House Beach House.
Pick a Pumpkin – And Other Incredible Fall Produce
Pumpkins and fall go hand and hand, and Virginia Beach and the farming suburb of Pungo are bursting with pumpkin patches galore— like he family-owned Cullipher Farm, offering 25 different pumpkin and gourd varieties for you to cut right off the vine. In VB’s inland district, Hunt Club Farm is home to the area’s largest pumpkin patch, boasting acres of fall-themed fun.If you’re craving a fall road trip, the pumpkin patch at the Historic Greenbrier Farms in nearby Chesapeake has long been a crowd favorite, with a 15-acre pumpkin field, hay rides and kids’ corn maze.
While pumpkins are fall’s most popular u-pick item, they’re certainly not the only produce in season. Pick your own apples at Cullipher Farms or pluck tomatoes and green beans right off the plant at Henley Farms. In addition to pick-your-own produce, many Pungo farms have farm stands with pre-picked fall favorites, like corn, cabbage, kale, collard greens and sweet potatoes.
Get Pumped for Pumpkin Treats at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market
All of those bright orange pumpkins aren’t just for decorating or Jack-o’-lantern carving. Many local purveyors turn these autumnal gourds into tasty treats and sell them at the daily Virginia Beach Farmers Market. Keep your eye out for pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bars and pumpkin-topped waffles. Before you know it, you’ll be headed home with an armful of pumpkin goodies!
Experience the Biggest Fall Festival in Virginia Beach
No trip to Virginia Beach in the fall would be complete without a visit to Hunt Club Farm’s Harvest Fair. Taking place from the beginning of September to the end of October, this annual festival is filled with all things autumn, including pumpkin picking and petting zoos, hayrides and thrilling TreeWalk Adventures. It’s fall fun at its finest!
But the fall celebrations don’t end there. Starting at the end of September/beginning of October, Hunt Club Farm adds a spooky evening experience to the calendar: the Haunted Hunt Club Farm. For an additional fee, visitors can get the scare of their lives nearly every evening until Halloween. Cursed creatures and unfriendly ghosts await your visit!
Explore the Most Haunted Spots in Town
Since fall brings along the spookiest holiday of all – Halloween, of course! – it’s the ideal time to dive into the town's ghostly haunts and spine-chilling spots. Ready for a fright? There are quite a few haunted places in Virginia Beach – and who knows? You may be able to listen in as ghosts play the piano in The Cavalier Hotel’s grand Crystal Ballroom, say hello to Civil War-era ghosts at the Ferry Plantation House, or run into pirate spirits at First Landing State Park, just to start.
If you really want the inside scoop on all of the ghost and ghoul hotspots in town, book a ghost tour with Neptune Ghosts. Their expert guides will take you to specter-ridden gems and tell you the spooky stories behind them.
Enjoy Fall Virginia Beach-Style with Oysters Galore
While fire-colored leaves, picked pumpkins and ghost tales are hallmarks of fall across the U.S., bayfront Virginia Beach puts its own sea-focused spin on the season with its abundance of oysters. While oyster season is typically from October to March, fall really gets all of the oyster hype. After all, everyone has been waiting months to savor some fresh local oysters.
There are a couple of different ways to get into the swing of oyster-filled fall in Virginia Beach. First, you can simply slurp down some salty oysters at a beloved local seafood restaurant, like The Atlantic on Pacific or A. W. Shucks Raw Bar & Grill. Alternatively, you can get a true sea-to-table experience with Pleasure House Oysters. With their hands-on tours, you’ll be able to snag oysters right from the Lynnhaven River before dining on this Chesapeake Bay delicacy. Be sure to book your tour with Pleasure House Oysters in advance, as space is very limited.
