Top 6 Fall Activities in Richmond, VA

Winter, spring, summer, and fall. In Richmond, VA, you get to experience them all!

We’re going to shoot straight — and the truth is, we’re big fans of fall. Maybe it’s the changing foliage, both in our back yard and just a day trip away along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Perhaps it’s something else, from your favorite fall festivals to football weather.

We think it’s everything. Richmond is chock full of seasonal activities every autumn, and we want to make sure you know all about the free-falling fun.

Here are six of our favorites…

1) GET OUT AND EAT UP

We love s’mores and hotdogs as much as the next person, but not all of fall’s favorite treats are served by campfire or at tailgates. Because when you live in Richmond, you live in a foodie’s paradise. One way to get out there and eat it all is by booking a food tour. After all, what better way to cap off exploring one of RVA’s vibrant neighborhoods than by eating at their best restaurants? Whether you’re looking for a Carytown Food Tour to complement a shopping trip, an Arts District Food Tour to get your creative juices flowing, or a Scott’s Addition Food Tour to plug into the popular social scene, it’s all on the menu. Of course, you can D.I.Y. any of these tours as well, setting the pace and selecting the venues to match your tastes accordingly. Here’s a great place to start: Richmond Magazine’s list of the 25 best local restaurants.

2) LEAVE IT TO MOTHER NATURE

If you’re a believer that the best things in life are free, then fall in Richmond was tailormade for you. While it can vary by year based on temperature and other factors, peak viewing times for fall’s changing colors occur at the end of October. And there’s no shortage of prime spots for watching the annual spectacle. A jaunt down Monument Avenue can provide a quick fix of fall foliage, while hiking day trips to Pocahontas State Park or Shenandoah National Park can offer a more immerse experience. And, of course, the James River always offers a picturesque backdrop for Mother Nature’s changing palette.

3) GET PUMPED FOR PUMPKIN SEASON

Sure, you can get your pumpkins at the grocery or home improvement store. But what fun is that? With a number of local farms and pumpkin patches to pick from, it’s easy to take in the entire experience — hayrides, corn mazes, and other fall hoopla. A couple of our favorites spots include Gallmeyer Farms Pumpkin Patch, which is right across the street from our Village at Millers Lane community, as well as Hanover Vegetable Farm in Ashland and Chesterfield Berry Farm south of the river.

4) HEAD TO THE BEST BLOCK IN TOWN

 We all have that one house in the neighborhood that goes a little over the top – maybe an animatronic skeleton here and some spooky sounds effects over there. Perhaps they even give out full-size candy bars. Now imagine a neighborhood where every home went all out — competing against each other while entertaining thousands. This is the scene on Hanover Avenue in The Fan. And once you visit the first time, it’s hard to trick or treat anywhere else.

5) DRINK IN FALL

For craft beer aficionados, more than the leaves are changing colors come fall. Light lagers designed to beat the heat take the back shelf of the fridge, while pumpkin-flavored IPAs and darker beers brewed to warm the body take the spotlight. There’s no better spot in town to taste test the flavors of fall than Scott’s Addition, where you can sip on Ardent’s Pale Chestnut Altbier or pick up Hardywood’s famous Farmhouse Pumpkin. If you’re part of the anti-pumpkin movement, not to worry, as Buskey Cider’s Earl Grey Lemon Ginger and Blue Bee Cider’s multiple seasonal blends can hit the spot. As you’re crawling around Scott’s Addition, take a moment to imagine living a quick walk from all these watering holes. StyleCraft luxury condo communities The Outpost at Brewers Row & Mason Yards communities are both right in the neighborhood!

6) GET FESTIVE!

Sorry winter, spring, and summer, but you’ve got nothing on fall’s festivals. And Richmond boasts a copious amount of such celebrations. Here are a few worth checking out…

• Theme Parks-Turned Scream Parks: With Kings Dominion’s Halloween Haunt and Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Screen located just down I-95 and I-64, respectively, it’s easy to fill an evening with thrills and chills. Both massive fun parks celebrate Halloween with G-rated fun for kids and families — and far scarier attractions for adults.
• Ripe for Scares: Remember that pumpkin-picking paradise we painted a picture of above? Well, forget all about it. When night falls on Ashland Berry Farm, the ghosts and ghouls come out to play. If you’re brave enough, come explore Lost Souls Inn, Morbid Darkness, Twisted 3D, and Booger Woods.
• Shop 'Til You Drop: The Richmond Night Market is a monthly, open-air market held at 17th Street Market in Shockoe Bottom where you can find artisans, vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment.
• Get Your Glow On: Maymont’s Garden Glow is free-range, family-friendly fun. Wander through illuminated trails and gardens, warm up by a fire pit, or grab a fall-inspired cocktail from the Glow Bar. This is a laid-back, chill environment where you can do as much or as little as you want.

Just be sure to check the dates and times for each festival before making the short drive.

It’s pretty tough to dispute that fall isn’t the greatest season of them all. And once you spend a few falls in Greater Richmond, you’ll see how the area has uniquely embraced autumn with more activities than you could ever possibly complete in a single season. Yes, that’s a challenge.