Fall is the season of color in Virginia Beach. As the leaves on the trees turn to their bright yellows, reds and oranges, visitors and residents alike start to think of pumpkins, apple spice, cranberry sauces, and mulled ciders. You might think that most activities would start moving indoors as the weather starts to cool. And you’d be somewhat right. But there are still plenty of great things to do in the autumn months in Virginia Beach – both indoor and outdoor. Read below for just a few ideas.

If you love kids and if your kids love animals, then you need to visit the petting zoo at Hunt Club Farm, a 23-acre family-owned farm just about five miles from the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The petting portion of the farm touts itself as the “only” petting animal farm in Virginia Beach. Visit and your children can see and touch (and chase after) ducks, llamas, cows, sheep, rabbits, miniature horses, cats, dogs peacocks, turkeys goats, donkeys and more. What’s more, the Farm hosts a terrific Haunted Halloween Fest that includes three (three!) Halloween sets, the Haunted Hayride, the Village of the Dead and Field of Screams.

And, keeping with a Halloween theme, check out the Nightmare Mansion in Virginia Beach, Virginia’s oldest haunted house attraction (giving folks the frights for more than 20 years). October means it’s time for beers and bratwurst. Virginia Beach doesn’t disappoint with its Oktober Brewfest at Hampton Roads’ 24th Street Park.

You’ll enjoy authentic German beers such as Premium Dunkel, Premium Verum, Konig Ludwig Weiss, and more. You’ll also get to chow down on German sausages, pretzels, pizza, nuts, and other snacks. Enjoy a Dachshund Beauty Pageant as well as other entertainment such as costume contests, dunk tanks (“Dunk a Hunk” and “Dunk a Wench”), talent shows, and more.

Stay for the evening, when the event morphs to a ROCKtoberfest, with local rock and roll bands entertaining the crowds. If wine is more to your liking than beer, visit Virginia Beach for the Virginia Wine Festival in October. This festival shows off more than 200 of Virginia’s wines. The event takes place in Town Point Park and also includes live musical performances as well as the opportunity to purchase gourmet foods and speciality gifts for the wine enthusiast.

Earlier in the fall is the annual Neptune Festival Art and Crafts Show. The show, held in late September, features more than 300 artists and artisans who display their handmade crafts (paintings, sculpture, glasswork, photography, etc.). The show is held in cooperation with the Museum of Contemporary Art and is juried. Be aware, as much as you’d like to, the show doesn’t allow for artists to sell their works at the show. You will be amazed at all of the talent that is found right here at the beach!

The same weekend as the art show is the Boardwalk Weekend, in which you can enjoy daily concerts at several festival stages along 32 blocks of the Boardwalk. Shop ’til you drop and eat crab cakes and seafood, ice cream, chocolates, and Italian ice until you can’t eat anymore!

A very large bonus of vacationing in Virginia Beach in the fall is the cost. Hotel rates are considerably cheaper when comparing rates from summer to fall. This is a huge saving. This huge plus will make your stay a lot more peaceful knowing it can be done on a budget. Find all the fabulous Virginia Beach hotels on our site. There are many rooms on the oceanfront you will find at great rates!

Fall is a terrific time to visit Virginia Beach. The weather can still be warm, and the crowds are less so. Book your vacation today!