Your Complete Fall Must-Do-List for 2019

With the changing seasons, fall activities are all around us! Read below for some seasonal adventures nearby!

Fall is the time of year that everyone looks forward to; the leaves are just starting to turn shades of vibrant yellows and fiery oranges with the promise of cooler weather. With such a special season that God has given us, we should embrace all it has to offer (which is more than just the pumpkin spice latte). Read below for some of the things you can do this fall to get the most out of this splendid time of year!

Festivals and Fairs

Fall is the perfect season for getting outside and into the community for unique experiences that are only available at this time of year. The Virginia Beach farmers market on Dam Neck Road will be having a harvest fair on October 19th from 10 am-4 pm with a pumpkin carving and decorating contest, food trucks, craft show and more.

Then they will host a fall festival on November 16th from 10 am-4 pm featuring a pie-eating contest, music and more!

The 46th annual Neptune Festival takes place on September 27th-29th for their magnificent Boardwalk Weekend that will feature the International Sandsculpting Championship, craft and food vendors, an 8K race, grand parade and more. If you’ve never been, check out the pictures and article from last year’s festival!

If you want to support the local schools around town, check out some of their craft fairs. Princess Anne, Salem, Deep Creek, Great Bridge, Grassfield, and Hickory High Schools will all be having them this season.

Spend the day on the farm

Living in Virginia means many opportunities to pick pumpkins, travel through corn mazes, and spend quality time with family and friends in the great outdoors. Greenbrier Farms Nursery and Bergey’s Bread Basket are two places in Chesapeake for adventures like this. At Greenbrier you can pick a pumpkin starting at $12, and at Bergey’s you can tackle the challenge of a spiral corn maze or pick up some of their authentic Amish baked goods. I went here frequently as a child, and I have to say, the food is delicious.

Cullipher Farms near Pungo in Virginia Beach also has an array of pumpkins to choose from and an assortment of mazes to try for every brave soul; a 12-acre corn maze for the puzzle whiz, a cotton maze, and a sunflower maze for the young ones.

The Hunt Club in Virginia Beach also has daytime activities like pumpkin picking, rides, and games or a spooky nighttime experience for those brave enough to try it out.

Try Adventurous Fall-Themed Foods

I know, the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte is one of the first things people think about when they hear “fall” or “autumn.” However, there are lots of other pumpkin-flavored foods that are worth a go. Pumpkin muffins, cookies, pies, breads, bagels, and squash soup are just a few classic autumn staples.

For those who want to step out of the box a little, there are some new interesting flavors of the year. Oreo has put out a maple creme flavored cookie this year, and honestly, it’s amazing. IHOP has an Addams Family inspired menu right now that features various types of breakfast options including a pancake stack with cupcake icing on top. Cracker Barrel also has their own Pumpkin Pie Latte, served hot or iced. And for those feeling extra daring, you can now buy Spam that is pumpkin spice flavored. Yes, you really can.

Be Festive with Friends

Spend time with friends competing in cornhole tournaments in September, carve pumpkins in October, and have a Friendsgiving in November before everyone heads home for Thanksgiving. With busy schedules, this gives people enough time to catch up with one another without breaking the bank or getting behind with other commitments (like school).

Spend some time enjoying nature

Curl up outside with a blanket by the fire.
Play in a leaf pile.
Go on a day trip to hike in the mountains (You can read here to see places within 6 hours or less from Virginia Beach). Whatever you do outside, praise God that He has given us such a beautiful time of year to reflect on the simple joys of life.

Abby Trivett

Abby Trivett

Abby Trivett is the former senior editor for The Daily Runner and is a current Regent masters student.