As the leaves begin to fall in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, we pull our jackets out of the closet and head outside. The cool temperatures and local feel of the season make this one of our favorite times of year to get out and enjoy the beauty of our area in full color in eastern Virginia. From afternoons at the park to a day spent at the zoo, here are some of our favorite ways to spend a fall day in our area.
Spend a Day at the Park
First Landing State Park is a great place to start for leaf peepers looking to take in the full palette of autumn. With the perfect temps and enchanting fall canopies, a hike, bike or leisure stroll through First Landing, as well as False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, is definitely in order.
Go to the Zoo
@virginiazoo, Instagram
The perfect weather makes fall our favorite time to visit the Virginia Zoo. Explore the 53 acres of gardens and visit with the nearly 700 animals. From giraffes, monkeys, various reptiles and more, explore the animals here in their natural habitats.
Pick Your Own Seasonal Produce
Celebrate the season by stopping by a Pungo farm, in Virginia Beach, where you can pick your own local, seasonal produce with which to create the perfect fall meal – don’t forget to grab a farm-made pumpkin pie!
Explore the Norfolk Botanical Gardens
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The beautiful Norfolk Botanical Garden has over 60 themed gardens on the property and there is always something to explore, no matter the time of year. This is the perfect spot to enjoy the sights, textures and smells of the season.
Go Zip-lining
The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium, in Virginia Beach, is the largest park of its kind in Virginia and features multiple zip lines and aerial ropes challenge courses, perfect for thrill-seekers ages five and up. Located just down the road from the Adventure Park, Adventure Works Wetland Zipline Park, is offering a more traditional ziplining experience to guests of all ages. Guests will enjoy nine zip lines, up to 1,000 feet in length, including their popular tandem zip line, all nestled within 60 acres of maritime forests in the Oceanfront area.
Sample the Seasonal Brews
@oconnorbrewing, Instagram
Fall is many beer lovers favorite season, and the beer scenes in both Norfolk and Virginia Beach don't disappoint.
In Norfolk, spots like O'Connor Brewing Co. and Veil Brewing Co., among many others, offer ample opportunity to sip your favorite Oktoberfest Lager outside in their respective beer gardens. In Virginia Beach, the open-settings and fall flavors pouring out of Back Bay Farmhouse Brewing Co. and Commonwealth Brewing Co., are not to be missed this season.
Explore Our Waterways
Fall is the perfect time to hop aboard a kayak or paddleboard and navigate the many inlets, bays, and rivers of our coastal cities, from the Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, and beyond. This is also a great way to interact with some of the species who call Virginia Beach and Norfolk home. You may even find yourself sharing the water with a dolphin or two.
