12 Unforgettable Fall Getaways From Virginia Beach
As warm summer days give way to cool, crisp autumn air, there is no better time to explore destinations near Virginia Beach. From the mountains ablaze with fall foliage to serene shore towns to towns rich with history, the region offers a diverse range of getaways perfect for an autumn escape. Whether you are looking for a cozy mountain retreat, a quiet coastal visit, or a historical vacation, these 12 destinations provide a mix of historical, cultural, and outdoor experiences, all within a short drive from Virginia Beach.
Surry, VA
If you are searching for a fall destination that offers history, natural beauty, and boundless charm, Surry, VA, is your ideal getaway. About an hour and a half from Virginia Beach, Surry is easily drivable via I-264 W and VA-10 W. As a bonus, you are likely to see trees radiant with color on your drive there.
Alternatively, you can drive for an hour and a half to Jamestown and take a half-hour ride on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, a free ferry connecting Jamestown to Scotland Wharf in Surry County. This ferry ride provides stunning views of nature and foliage across the James River.
Once you arrive in Surry, visit Chippokes Plantation State Park, which has 12 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, with approximately 8.3 miles designated as equestrian-friendly. Home to one of the oldest continuously farmed plantations in the US, Chippokes Plantation State Park sits along the James River. Cypress and magnolia trees provide awesome autumn colors.
Plan your trip in October so that you will not miss the Chippokes Harvest Festival in the park. This features pumpkin painting, hay rides, cornhole games, local food and craft vendors, and guided tours of the Jones-Stewart Mansion, a plantation house built in 1854.
Dismal Swamp State Park, NC
About an hour's drive from Virginia Beach via I-264 W and US-17 S, you will find Dismal Swamp State Park, NC. Once again, the drive down is likely to feature foliage in full fiery colors.
This state park in Camden County along the northeast border of Virginia offers visitors access to the Great Dismal Swamp, the largest remaining swamp in the eastern US. There are 21.5 miles of trails for hiking and biking, and fishing, paddle-boarding, and picnicking are all popular pastimes in this peaceful destination filled with wildlife, plant life, and scenic beauty. View the impressive colors of the foliage of the red maple, Atlantic white cedar, and bald cypress trees found within the park.
Each October, the park hosts Dismal Day, a day-long festival including activities like boat tours, crafts, food vendors, live music, and more. The annual festival celebrates the history of the area as well as its abundant plants and wildlife.
Fredericksburg, VA
The historic town of Fredericksburg, VA, is just a two-hour and 45-minute drive north of Virginia Beach via I-64W and I-95 N. The season may be the best time to visit this town, as there are many events and activities planned.
Braehead Farm, the last remaining farm in historic Fredericksburg, offers one of the most memorable events. The farm hosts a Fall Festival each weekend from the end of September through October. Its Family Playgrounds feature a hay barn, corn pit, swings, farm animals, and picnic area. A corn maze, hayrides, scavenger hunt, food, and crafts are all available at the farm (which can be visited anytime, not just during the Festival). You may also enjoy a stroll along the farm's Sunflower Walk, where you can pick your own sunflowers.
Be sure to visit Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, the site of Civil War battles. Self-guided tours of the park are available, as are 23 miles of trails. The park's wetlands and forest are home to birds and other wildlife, as well as oak, hickory, sweetgum, red maple, and yellow poplar trees, providing breathtaking foliage colors.
Ocean City, MD
Just under three hours from Virginia Beach, via Lankford Highway and US-13 N, the town of Ocean City, MD is also a beach town, but one that is vastly different. Ocean City is a fantastic destination in the season, offering beautiful coastal scenery, pleasant weather, and various seasonal activities.
In addition to enjoying less crowded beaches, sunsets and sunrises, and the famous boardwalk, there are many events held in Ocean City during the fall. Sunfest, one of the area's largest outdoor festivals, is held in late October and is a four-day arts, crafts, music, and food festival. Ocean City's Winterfest of Lights starts at the end of November and runs through the end of December. This festival features thousands of holiday lights and light displays in Northside Park.
Other activities in Ocean City include golfing at one of the area's 17 courses, outlet shopping at the Outlets Ocean City, and enjoying musical performances at the town's Performing Arts Center. Featured performances include the Mid Atlantic Symphony and an early showing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer--the Musical.
Williamsburg, VA
An hour and a half's drive via I-264 W and I-64 W is the colonial town of Williamsburg, a perfect all-season destination that really comes alive in the fall. From harvest festivals to Halloween-themed activities, there is much to do in Williamsburg in autumn.
Held in early fall, the Burg Quest Gaming Festival is held at Williamsburg's Woodlands Convention Center. It features three days of RPG and board game free play, workshops in game design, panels, and more. If scary, spooky festivals are more to your liking, head to Busch Gardens' Howl-o-Scream, running from September through November. The festival includes haunted houses, scare zones, and spooky live shows.
Colonial Williamsburg hosts many events, including Harvest's In and Fiddle's Out, featuring 18th-century music and dance on the Play House Stage, street theater performances, and evening ghost tours of the colonial area. You can enjoy the beautiful autumn colors of the foliage of the town's renowned Compton Oak tree, as well as the colors of the elm, Southern red oak, and American sycamore trees lining the streets of the colonial area.
Norfolk, VA
A short, 25-minute drive from Virginia Beach west on I-264 will take you to the town of Norfolk. Located where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the town is surrounded by water. Norfolk is bustling with activities in the fall.
Visit the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk's downtown area and see more than 700 animals of 150 species. If you are a history buff, you will enjoy the Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin on Norfolk's waterfront. To see more flowers and foliage, head to Norfolk Botanical Garden, the largest botanical garden in the state. You will see the stunning colors of Japanese maples, Korean sweetheart trees, oakleaf hydrangeas, and Sasanqua camellias.
During a weekend in October, the Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival features art from over 130 artists nationwide, live music, children's activities, and food. It is in the historic district in Ghent, Norfolk, and is free to attend.
Northern Outer Banks, NC
Take a two-and-a-half-hour drive on US-158 E, and you will come to North Carolina's Northern Outer Banks. The season offers visitors less crowded beaches and so much more.
View the majestic, awe-inspiring wild Spanish mustangs, otherwise known as the wild horses of Corolla, in Corolla and Currituck Counties. Companies such as Corolla Jeep Adventures will provide you with 25-mile jeep tours to see the wild horses. You will also learn about local ecology from your guide on the tour.
Local farms and stands, such as Grandy Greenhouse & Farm Market, offer seasonal fruits, hayrides, and pumpkins. If you are a music lover, you should attend the Duck Jazz Festival. Held in October at the Duck Town Park, the free festival features food and drinks for sale, as well as a variety of jazz bands, movies, and story times for children.
Charlottesville, VA
About three hours from Virginia beach via I-64 W, among the Blue Ridge Mountains, is the town of Charlottesville. Dazzling foliage can be seen in many places around town, including Charlottesville's Downtown Mall. Large, mature oak trees lining the pedestrian walkway begin changing colors in October, to the delight of visitors and townspeople alike.
Wine lovers may want to explore some of the more than 40 wineries in the Charlottesville region. These picturesque vineyards increase in beauty during autumn, when leaves begin to change colors.
History enthusiasts may wish to visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home; Highland, James Monroe's home; and Montpelier, James Madison's home. They are all close to each other. Walking the trails at these historic homes, you will be able to see the vibrant colors surrounding you.
Be sure not to miss the annual Loop De 'Ville festival in Charlottesville in early October. This festival, which celebrates the 20-mile loop of trails surrounding the town, offers guided trail walks and runs, a children's area, and an after party and concert with DJ and live music.
Chincoteague, VA
Just over two hours up US-13 N is Chincoteague, an island at the northern tip of Virginia's eastern shore, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Chincoteague Bay. It is known for its wild pony roundups in the summer and autumn. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company performs a health check on the ponies and identifies any new foals born since summer. Visitors can witness this exciting event.
Autumn is also the prime season for birdwatching on Chincoteague Island. Waterfowl visit the island on their migratory paths. If you dine at one of the waterfront eateries, such as Ropewalk or AJs on the Creek, you will have a spectacular view of the bay and, potentially, of birds and other wildlife.
You can see even more area wildlife at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. More than 320 species of birds on their migratory paths and raptors are often seen in the fall. Threatened and endangered wildlife, such as Delmarva fox squirrel and Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle, also make their homes here.
Richmond, VA
Drive about two hours and 15 minutes on I-64 W from Virginia Beach, and you will be in Richmond, the capital of Virginia. There are many cultural, historical, and natural landmarks to visit in the fall months.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts displays 50,000 works of art covering 6,000 years of world history. Activities include guided tours, photography exhibits, and speakers such as floral designer Canaan Marshall.
Visit the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood of Richmond in the city's northeastern area to see historic warehouses turned into apartments, the 17th Street Market, and an African burial ground. Walking around the neighborhood, you're likely to see autumn foliage from the tree-lined streets of Shockoe Bottom.
Be sure to stop at Ashland Farmers Market, a 20-mile drive down I-95 S, which is open on Saturdays through the end of October. They feature local goods and produce that are all created and grown within 30 miles of Ashland.
Hampton, VA
About an hour from Virginia Beach, via I-264 W and I-64 W, you will come to the town of Hampton. Various events take place throughout the town during the fall, and there are also popular landmarks to visit.
The Virginia Air & Space Science Center offers fun for all ages, including creating slime, launching pumpkin catapults, and making coding pumpkins. History enthusiasts should visit Fort Monroe, the site of the arrival of a slave ship 400 years ago that historians believe may have started the slave trade in the US.
At the end of October, the Bluebird Gap Farm Fall Festival takes place over two days. Hayrides, ax throwing, storytelling, live music, seasonal foods, and a pumpkin patch are all available at this annual festival. The Bodacious Bazaar is held in early November at the Hampton Roads Convention Center and offers vendors selling crafts and goods.
Cape Charles, VA
An hour north of Virginia Beach, up US-13 N, you will find the town of Cape Charles in Northampton County on the eastern shore of Virginia. This beach town is also dissimilar to Virginia Beach and worth a visit.
The Cape Charles Town Beach is the only public beach on the Eastern Shore of the state that does not require a fee to use. Visitors enjoy walking on the beach in the quieter months and admiring views of the Chesapeake Bay. Also, in Cape Charles, at the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge, you can witness the migration of raptors, songbirds, and Monarch butterflies.
The town holds a Fall Mini-Fest at the end of October, during which the wearing of costumes is encouraged. Activities, crafts, and food are all available at this festival. Visitors in October may also attend the St. Charles Catholic Church Oktoberfest. This annual festival features beer, food, wine, music, children's activities, vendors, and a silent auction.
Fall in Love with These Getaways
As autumn settles in, Virginia Beach residents are not lacking in exciting destinations within easy driving range. Each of these getaways offers special ways to enjoy the beauty and enchantment of the season. Whether you are drawn to the spectacular foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the historic charm of Williamsburg, or the quiet beaches along the Eastern Shore, these getaways offer the ideal escape from the monotony of everyday life. Grab a warm sweater, plan your getaway, and experience the majesty of the full splendor of autumn just a short drive away.
