Scenic Coastal Drives for Fall

As the colors of fall roll eastward across Virginia, ride the wave all the way to the shore for beauty and signature Coastal Virginia flavors. It is oyster season, after all!

COLONIAL PARKWAY

Connecting the major sites of the Historic Triangle is Colonial Parkway, a 23-mile byway lined with incredible seasonal color. Created by the National Park Service over the course of 26 years, the Parkway is surfaced differently than modern thoroughfares and includes "historic brown" and brick bridges and tunnels the NPS is known for. The maximum speed limit is 45 miles per hour allowing casual motorists to have the opportunity to take in the beauty at a leisurely pace.

Colonial Parkway is part of Colonial National Historical Park, 10,221 acres of connected historical storytelling between Historic Jamestowne, Yorktown Battlefield (both NPS managed), and Colonial Williamsburg.

Things to Do along the Colonial Parkway

• Local oysters are waiting for you at places like Waypoint Seafood & Grill and Fat Canary in Williamsburg.
• Visit the sites that make up Virginia's Historic Triangle in Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.
• Stroll through the shops at Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing and put your feet in the sand at Yorktown Beach. 

Find more things to do in Williamsburg and Yorktown. 

ROUTE 5

This scenic route connects the Historic Triangle to Richmond and is mirrored by the Virginia Capital Trail, a paved trail for walkers, joggers, and bicyclists. Along and just off of Route 5 are historic homes and the James River. In fact, the first Thanksgiving occurred in 1619 along the shores at what became Berkeley Plantation, a 1726 Georgian mansion and the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth President of the United States.

Things to Do along Route 5

• Bike, camp, swim, or just relax at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
• Walk amongst Civil War battlements at Fort Pocahontas in Charles City. Look out for the road marker commemorating the first major clash between U.S. Colored Troops and the Army of Northern Virginia.  
• In Richmond, enjoy a scenic picnic at Libby Hill Park in the Church Hill neighborhood, which provides views of the river and the city. 

Find more things to do in Williamsburg and Richmond. 

ROUTE 10

A short but beautiful route to enjoy this fall is Route 10 from Hopewell to Smithfield (or vice versa). Don't forget to enjoy some Virginia ham along the way in Surry. You can even make this trip a loop by connecting Route 10 to Route 5 (above) with the connector of Route 156 and the Benjamin Harrison Bridge to the west and the Jamestown Ferry to the east.

Things to Do along Route 10

• Check out Chippokes State Park, once a working farm. Stroll the formal gardens, bike, hike, and check out antique equipment at the on-site museum.
• Bacon's Castle in Surry is the oldest documented brick dwelling in the United States.

ROUTE 13

The beaten path from north to south on the Eastern Shore is Route 13, with several towns and hamlets just off of it to the east and west. Keep an eye to the sky as this is migration season and the Shore is a major stopover for fowl of all kinds.

Things to Do along Route 13 

• For birders, spend a little time at the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge. 
• Spend a day in Cape Charles with some main street window shopping, beach relaxation, and a scoop of ice cream.
• Spot wild ponies at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge — charter a ride with a guide to see them from the water. 

Discover more Eastern Shore towns for a fall getaway. 

Find more scenic drives to enjoy this fall.