Two people hiking on a forest trail, carrying backpacks and walking sticks, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Fall in love with Virginia Beach and nearby Norfolk this autumn. With everything from fire-colored leaves and pumpkin treats to ghostly encounters and regional oysters, these cities are filled with ways to enjoy the beloved, pumpkin spice-sprinkled season. Read on to discover the best ways to celebrate autumn in beautiful Virginia Beach.
Dirt path winding through a forest with hanging moss, surrounded by trees and autumn leaves on the ground. Wooden fence on the right side of the path.
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.
Vintage pickup truck parked on grass in front of a large, two-story house with a porch. Trees are in the background.
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.
A produce market with pumpkins displayed outside. A-frame building with plants and flowers hanging on the porch. Trees in the background.
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.
Close-up of vibrant plants in a pot at a sunny outdoor market. White tents and people are visible in the background.
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!
A person in a yellow shirt stands in a pumpkin patch. A Ferris wheel and corn stalks are visible in the background.
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!
Elegant hotel lobby with plush seating, ornate chandeliers, and a checkered floor. Large artwork and decorative pillars enhance the luxurious ambiance.
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.
A metal basket filled with various oyster shells, partially covered in mud, sits in the water.
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.
As a full-time freelance travel writer and editor, Sarah Etinas is always on the lookout for her next adventure. With a passion for exploring new destinations, she's covered everything from the vibrant food scene in Hawaii to the stunning outdoor landscapes of Florida. Her work has been featured in renowned publications like TimeOut, TripAdvisor, Thrillist, and Lonely Planet. When she's not writing, Sarah practices what she preaches by hiking to beautiful waterfalls, visiting local markets, and dining on the most unique dishes she can find.
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