As fall weather sets in, Virginia Beach — which welcomes more than 13 million visitors annually — reveals its quieter, more relaxed side. Gone are the crowded beaches and long lines, replaced by serene shorelines and golden sunsets.

Visitors are treated to perfect weather for outdoor adventures like hiking through scenic trails, biking along coastal paths, and camping under the stars at places like First Landing State Park, winner of the 2024 Travelers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor.

Fall festivals offer visitors a variety of experiences, including wine tastings, live music performances, and boardwalk art shows. The annual VA Beach Jeep Fest expands to four days this year. The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival celebrates its 50th year with parades, free concerts, craft shows, and local vendors. An annual highlight, the International Sand Sculpting Championship, kicks off this weekend.

In this season, local breweries begin crafting fall favorites, such as rich, malty Oktoberfest lagers, pumpkin-flavored beers, and refreshing hard ciders. It’s the perfect time to explore the Virginia Beach Beer Trail with family, friends, and even Fido!

During these months, seafood lovers are in for a treat as oyster harvesting season begins. Virginia, often called the “Oyster Capital of the East Coast,” sources a significant portion of its oysters from the waters surrounding Virginia Beach, including the Atlantic Ocean, Lynnhaven River, and Chesapeake Bay.

Want something scary? With its rich and storied past, Virginia Beach has many spooky spots to get you in the Halloween spirit. Virginia Beach is full of eerie tales and ghostly encounters, from colonial and Civil War-era sites to haunted historic hotels.

Outdoor Autumn Adventures

Virginia Beach offers many trails perfect for hiking and biking, especially during the cooler fall season when the leaves turn beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow.

First Landing State Park features a variety of paths that wind past lakes, cypress swamps, and salt marshes, while False Cape State Park provides a gateway into Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Both state parks also offer camping opportunities. First Landing accommodates tents and RVs and includes amenities like bathhouses, laundry facilities, a camp store, and beach access. For a little more comfort, rent a yurt or cabin.

False Cape State Park, only accessible by foot, bike, or boat, offers a more primitive experience with tent-only camping.

The city’s vast network of waterways makes kayaking an excellent way to experience the city’s coastal scenery. Among the best places for kayaking in Virginia Beach is the 64th Street entrance to First Landing State Park, or “The Narrows” to locals.

The generally calm waters make it the perfect spot for families with children. Other great options include Back Bay, the Chesapeake Bay, or the open waters of the Atlantic, where lucky sightseers often spot dolphins.

While fishing is always in season in Virginia Beach, the fall months are great for reeling in bluefish, king mackerel, striped bass, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna.

Popular spots for saltwater fishing include the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, offshore fishing charters from Rudee Inlet, the Lynnhaven River, and the Chesapeake Bay. Freshwater anglers can test their luck at spots like Stumpy Lake Natural Area, Lake Trashmore, and Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area.

Fall Festivals and Events

The annual Virginia Beach Neptune Festival features parades, live performances, sand sculpting competitions, Neptune’s 8K Race, volleyball tournaments, and more for an all-around beach life celebration.

Art lovers can look forward to the annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show, held over three days and featuring more than 175 artists from across the country. Meanwhile, the ViBe Art District will hold its annual Mural Festival, featuring 10 new murals over ten days.

Jeep enthusiasts can enjoy a dedicated long weekend during VA Beach Jeep Fest. More than 1,400 vehicles from 15 states gather to celebrate the brand with beach cruises, sand courses, and evening gatherings.

The Africana Arts & Music Festival is a lively celebration of African culture, showcasing art, music, and performances. This three-day event includes LIVE Poetry, Indie Soul artists, wine tastings, and community conversations.

Pumpkins & Pirates is a family-friendly Oceanfront event blending fall festivities with pirate-themed fun, including face painting, carnival games, and costume contests. Part of the “Wicked Weekend,” the festival coincides with the Old Point National Bank Wicked 10K race.

Seasonal Sips

Celebrate Virginia Spirits Month in September by exploring the Virginia Distillery Trail, where you can sample spirits from local distilleries, including smooth bourbons, handcrafted vodkas, and innovative gins.

Don’t forget to use the complimentary Virginia Spirits Mobile Passport to track your adventure and collect stamps at participating distilleries, like Chesapeake Bay Distillery and Tarnished Truth.

This October, indulge in Virginia Wine Month by visiting local wineries like Mermaid Winery and Love Song, where you can taste exquisite wines from the region’s finest vineyards.

Join the Virginia Bourbon Invitational in November at the Historic Cavalier Hotel to taste rare and limited-edition bourbons from top local distilleries. Enjoy a day of bourbon tastings, gourmet food pairings, and live music while learning from master distillers.

Spooky Experiences

The Cavalier Hotel is a rumored hotspot for ghostly encounters, including a phantom piano player and the apparition of Adolph Coors, who died on the property under mysterious circumstances in 1929. Guests have also reported seeing a vanished bellman and the sound of a ghostly cat scratching at doors. Book a stay this fall and find out for yourself!

The Ferry Plantation House, dating back to 1642, also purportedly houses ghostly residents, including colonial-era figures and a mourning woman named Sally Rebecca Walke. Be sure to book your tour in advance.

Similarly, the Thoroughgood House holds playful spirits known to move objects around the property. Visitors often report seeing a red-haired woman in colonial attire and a man in a brown suit. Book a Ghosts of Thoroughgood Past tour and explore by candlelight.

Many believe the spirit of a bride and other less-friendly male ghosts haunt Princess Anne Country Club. Reports of ghostly 1920s music and unexplained sounds of shuffling dinner table settings heighten the spooky atmosphere.

Fall in Love with Virginia Beach this Autumn

Fall is the perfect season for a Virginia Beach getaway, offering lively festivals, outdoor adventures, seasonal flavors, and spooky experiences. It’s a wonderful time of year to visit and fall in love with the city’s coastal charm and creative vibes.

Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a nationally syndicated travel writer who collaborates with destinations, hotels, and hospitality firms to provide fellow travelers with exclusive insights and information.