Top 5 Hampton Roads fall attractions

Looking to have some fun this lovely autumn season? Fall isn’t just an enchanting time of year because of the brightly-colored leaves or the beautiful chilling breeze, or even the decadent pumpkin spice lattes, caramel apples and candy at every corner. It’s also a great time to create fun-filled memories with family and friends right here in Hampton Roads, where you can find copious fall-related activities to participate in. For those of you looking for haunted Halloween fun, Hampton Roads provides tons of spooky activities; and for the rest of us who get a little squeamish from the frightening festivities, there are more family-friendly seasonal activities as well.

Here are our top five fall activities we recommend you check out before the season ends:

1. Hunt Club Farm: Hunt Club Farm is a particularly popular October attraction here in Virginia Beach. They hold many annual events, but none probably as famous as their “Haunted Hunt Club.” This year marks the 25^th anniversary of this event. Activities consist of a Haunted Hayride, the Field of Screams and Village of the Dead. If you are looking a more family-friendly event, Hunt Club also continues to have Fall Fair Fun throughout the season until Nov. 1 with festivities including a pumpkin patch, a petting farm, pony rides, hayrides and a carnival.

2. Bergey’s Breadbasket: Located in Chesapeake for the next three Saturdays in October, Bergey’s Breadbasket will be open for fun fall activities. These include a corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals, wagon rides, sack races, corn hole and other fun family activities. This farm has a bakery, deli, a selection of fresh produce and a creamery throughout the year.

3. Howl-O-Scream: If you enjoy getting scared, and don’t mind traveling a little, Busch Gardens will be holding the 15^th annual Howl-O-Scream event in Williamsburg. Featuring Jack the Ripper, terrifying skeletons, vampires and pretty much all things creepy, the park is transformed into a fun yet bone-chilling experience. Some activities are scarier than others and are appropriately rated on the Busch Gardens map you can pick up at the park entrance. Each ride or activity is rated in one to five pumpkins; one pumpkin being the least terrifying, five being the most. Fun Halloween-themed shows, including musical performances, can be seen. One in particular is at “Das Festhaus.” Howl-O-Scream will be running weekends through Oct. 27.

4. Farmer’s Market: The Virginia Beach Farmer’s Market hosts a Harvest Fair complete with arts and crafts, animals, live entertainment and seasonal produce; it also provides several carnival-themed activities including face painting and pony rides. The market holds several contests, including a pumpkin pie eating contest, a pumpkin carving contest and a spicy chili contest.

5. Ghost Walk: On Friday, Oct. 25, for just $10 you can participate in the 33^rd annual Portsmouth Old Towne Ghost Walk. You will visit historic buildings in the area with actors telling local ghost stories along the way. Afterwards, enjoy hot apple cider and live entertainment with your friends. If you are interesting in buying tickets you can call (757) 525-0318.

Special Mention—On Campus Event: If you’d rather stay close to home, there will be a fall fair taking place at the Regent Village on Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.—2 p.m. Students can participate in face painting, photo-booths and a bake sale, to name a few activities.

Everyone has their own opinions about Halloween, but even if you don’t feel comfortable engaging in the creepy costumes and the haunted houses, you can still enjoy some good ole’ fashioned carnivals, caramel apples and pie-eating contests!