Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Virginia

February 16, 2025

With the ocean on the east and the mountains on the west, it’s no surprise that Virginia is for nature lovers. While calling Virginia home for two years, we spent our weekends exploring all the state has to offer. These are the 10 best things to do in Virginia’s outdoors.

Top 10 Outdoor Things to Do in Virginia

#1- Dock & dine on the water

In Eastern Virginia, the water is never far away. Many restaurants with seating on the water let you arrive to dinner by boat. Watching boats drive by in all shapes and sizes ensures an idyllic dinner setting. The Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach is lined with scenic waterfront restaurants, boat docks included.

#2- Tour an oyster farm

Virginia calls itself the Oyster Capital of the East Coast, home to eight distinct oyster regions. We stepped into the fascinating world of the oyster on an interactive tour from York River Oysters. Knowledgable owner Tommy takes you on his boat to harvest the freshest oysters you’ll ever taste, paired with a local wine or oyster stout. Further north, Merrior Tasting Room serves its delicious Rappahannock oysters right on the Chesapeake Bay.

#3- Taste wine paired with a view

Virginia knows how to work with nature. Despite battling with hot and humid summers, the state has emerged as a respected wine region in the United States. As most wineries are found in mountainous valleys, wine tastings are paired with stunning scenery. Many wineries even allow you to park an RV or trailer overnight with the Harvest Host program.

#4- Visit DC in peak bloom

Even though Washington DC does not belong to any state, it is within a three-hour drive from most of Virginia. One of the advantages of having the capital within easy reach, is you can plan a trip during peak cherry blossom season. For one week in early spring, the Japanese cherry trees put on a gorgeous display of pink and white. But arrive a couple of days late, and the blossoms will be mostly on the ground. The trees were a gift from Japan to the US to cherish the relationship between both countries.

#5- Go on a leaf peeping trip

Another natural display of colors is found in mountainous Virginia during fall. The Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains house some of the best fall foliage in the United States. If planning a leaf peeping trip in Virginia, check out my guide to Shenandoah National Park and these 15 spots not to miss on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

#6- Try natural hard cider

Fall in Virginia keeps on giving, as it’s also prime apple picking season. In October weekends, orchards welcome visitors with cider donuts, pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Courthouse Creek Cider in Central Virginia brews barrel-aged hard cider, the perfect treat after a leaf peeping hike. These natural hard ciders have nothing in common with the artificially flavored ciders found in stores.

#7- Camp next to the ocean

Virginia has over 7,200 miles of shoreline, created by the Atlantic ocean, tidal rivers and the large Chesapeake Bay. Several state parks are located along the shore, offering camping right on the water. Of our 10 favorite camping locations in Virginia, both First Landing State Park and Kiptopeke State Park let you set up camp on beautiful, calm bays.

#8- Walk the beaches for beautiful shells

Of Virginia’s extensive coastline, 132 miles border the Atlantic Ocean. Virginia Beach and Norfolk are the state’s prime beach towns, with more than 30 beaches to pick from. On the northern bay side, East Beach and First Landing State Park have calm waters and great sunsets. False Cape State Park offers miles of pristine beaches and beautiful shells to collect, earning it a spot on our list of best shelling locations on the East Coast.

#9- Catch a trophy fish

In order to reach the deep sea, fishing charters travel a minimum of 20 miles offshore. If and when you get past the sea sickness, you can catch a fish that can feed a small town. Trophy fish such as sailfish are caught for the sport of it, and released back into the ocean afterwards. For more edible action, deep drops are the answer. Captains can pinpoint locations where bottom dwellers like tilefish hang out. The line gets dropped 400 feet to the bottom of the ocean, and with the push of a button it pulls out a delicious dinner.

#10- Take a road trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Virginia can claim half of one of the most scenic drives in the US. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles in Virginia and North Carolina. With access to great hikes, eight campgrounds, stunning wineries and non-stop scenic views, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a perfect road trip destination. We compiled our 15 favorite stops from mileposts 0 to 469.