Your Guide to Visiting Virginia in November

Planning a trip to Virginia this November? You’ll always find plenty to do in Virginia’s cities, such as Richmond, Alexandria, and Charlottesville, but this is an excellent time to explore the smaller coastal towns and sample one of Virginia’s most unique (and delicious) draws: the oyster. And as November is Virginia Oyster Month, there are dozens of festivals and special events in and around the eight distinct oyster regions that honor this beautiful bivalve. 

If you prefer the buttery, sweet oysters harvested from the waters of the upper Chesapeake Bay or the rivers that empty into this renowned waterway, plan your November vacation to the Northern Neck/River Realm area, staying in charming small towns like Irvington, Kilmarnock, and Urbanna. 

For the oyster enthusiasts that love the briny, salty oysters found in the Atlantic Ocean waters, the Eastern Shore makes for a fantastic home base during your November getaway.

The Newest Attractions in the Northern Neck & Eastern Shore

Camp Irvington in the Northern Neck is designed as a place to unwind and relax, with fire pits, live music, snacks made on-site as well as local food trucks, and delicious craft beer and wine to sip on while lounging in the Adirondack chairs. 

In Irvington, Compass Entertainment Complex offers families options for indoor and outdoor fun. From a movie theater to indoor arcade and adventure room to mini golf and go-carts, you're bound to find something you love here.

On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Iron Pony Adventure Park is a family-friendly attraction that allows visitors to climb to new heights and tackle over 30 aerial obstacles on two courses. Don’t miss the Pony Plunge, a 26-foot high leap of faith that will test even the most daring adrenaline lovers. 

Chincoteague’s Key West Cottages officially opened in the summer of 2022, and have slowly been adding more cottage rentals each year. They are working to open an additional 33 cottages, pool, bayfront beach, and an expansive lobby, as well as providing boat docking, kayaking, paddle boarding, yoga, and event packages for retreats or weddings. 

Where to Stay

A luxury retreat in the Northern Neck’s town of Irvington, The Tides Inn is a private waterfront resort that has been welcoming guests for more than 75 years. The property offers peaceful tranquility in the natural landscape of the cove, with the landscaped areas utilizing native plants to seamlessly blend the lush property grounds with the surrounding coastline. 

There is plenty to do on-site at the Tides Inn, from guided cruises and boating trips to golfing and pampering treatments at the spa, but if you’re looking to learn more about Virginia’s oysters, book the Chesapeake Gold experience. This guided tour will take you out onto the Chesapeake Bay to an oyster farm, where you’ll hear all about the importance of oysters in keeping the Bay waters clean and how these marine creatures are harvested. Afterwards, you’ll return to the Inn, where you can watch a waterman grill oysters to perfection and enjoy these locally-sourced delicacies with a glass of Virginia wine. 

For a boutique stay in Irvington, check out the Hope & Glory Inn.

On the southern tip of the Eastern Shore, Sunset Beach Resort is right off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and is an affordable option for lodging near Cape Charles. The resort’s private beach provides a prime spot to take in a sunset (as the resort name suggests), and as a pet-friendly hotel, you’re welcome to bring the entire family, even the four-legged family members, to Sunset Beach Resort. 

Continue your drive up the Shore and stop in Onancock to stay at the Charlotte Hotel, a boutique retreat in this pristine coastal town, then head up to Chincoteague for a romantic retreat at the Channel Bass Inn. 

Where to Eat

Dine on fresh oysters and other seafood at Merroir, a waterfront restaurant owned by Rappahannock Oyster Company. While you’ll find a casual, laid-back ambiance at the restaurant, expect only the highest quality of seafood served with a side of incredible views of the Rappahannock River. 

Take the bridge across the river into Irvington and head to the Tides Inn’s Fish Hawk Oyster Bar for lunch or dinner. Another waterfront spot offering locally-sourced seafood as well as burgers and specialty sandwiches, Fish Hawk is open daily from 11am-9pm, and food can either be enjoyed inside the watermen-themed restaurant, on the patio overlooking the water, or by the luxurious pool if the weather allows. 

If you’re searching for upscale dining options in the Northern Neck, make reservations at Adrift in White Stone. Helmed by a husband and wife duo that both trained at the Michelin-star Inn at Little Washington restaurant, Adrift utilizes partnerships with the local watermen and farmers to create a seasonally-inspired menu that highlights the flavors of the Chesapeake Bay. 

There are many delicious seafood dining destinations on the Eastern Shore; in Cape Charles, The Shanty’s seasonal menu includes all your raw and steamed favorites, such as clams, shrimp, and oysters, a rotation of fresh catch seafood entrees, and options like burgers, tacos, and sandwiches for the “land lover” diners. Pair your meal with one of their signature “crushes”, a vodka cocktail mixed with colorful fruit juices. 

Located on Sunset Beach Resort’s private beach, the Jackspot’s incredible waterfront views make for a memorable dining experience when in the Cape Charles area. 

In Wachapreague, the Island House  Restaurant & Marina overlooks the Eastern Shore’s wildly beautiful Barrier Islands and is a local favorite spot for seafood. 

Chincoteague’s Pico Taqueria is a must for taco fans, and with the motto, “You can put anything in a taco”, the unique spins on the Mexican classics will have you craving their tasty tacos long after you leave the shore. For an awesome outdoor, waterfront meal, check out ChincoTiki for casual, Carribean inspired food and atmosphere.

What to Do

As oysters are on the agenda for November, map out an itinerary along the Virginia Oyster Trail to dine on oysters from the eight distinct oyster regions, book a guided tour at an oyster farm, or pick up a bushel of oysters to take home after your vacation. 

While coastal outdoor activities like kayaking slow down during the cooler months, the chilly weather is ideal for warming up with a glass of wine at a Virginia vineyard. Visit Chatham Vineyards on the Eastern Shore, or if you’re planning a trip to the Northern Neck area, check out Good Luck Cellars, the Hague Winery, and General’s Ridge Vineyard.

A can’t-miss oyster experience in November for the Northern Neck is the Urbanna Oyster Festival. Held the first weekend in November, this free culinary festival is in its 67th year and offers a pay-as-you-go approach, giving you the chance to sample whatever tasty culinary delights you come across as you walk around the grounds. In addition to food and drink, the festival features an oyster shucking competition, a parade and car show, and live music performances throughout the weekend. 

The Eastern Shore may be known for the sleepy coastal towns and the abundance of fresh seafood, but the peninsula has yet another hidden gem: NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The Wallops Visitor Center invites the public to delve into the history and future of NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility through interactive exhibits, captivating videos, special events, educational programs, and guided group tours.

More Virginia Vacation Ideas for November

Spend Veteran’s Day at a historic site, such as the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, to honor the brave men and women who have served our country.

As temperatures drop, skies become clearer, and stargazing events offer incredible views of the night skies above. While you can stargaze in any rural area free of light pollution, some areas offer organized stargazing experiences, such as Nelson County’s Dark Skies events. 

For wine lovers, wineries all over the state will be hosting a Women in Wine Holidays Kickoff Weekend from November 1-3, 2024. Each winery's event will vary, but many include holiday drink tastings, wine and food pairings, live music, craft workshops, and other festive activities that will put you into the holiday spirit!

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest hosts the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival on November 9th from 11:00am until 5:00pm. Enjoy live music while celebrating the father of Virginia wine. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and include a tasting ticket and a complimentary Poplar Forest wine glass. Hopewell is also celebrating wine lovers with the 13th annual Hopewell Wine Tasting Festival on November 23rd. The festival runs from 12:00pm to 5:00pm and features tastings from seven Virginia wineries. 

Another option for exploring Virginia's wine scene? Book a guided trip with a local wine tour company to take all the planning out of your vacation! Spirited Wine Tours, a tour operator in the Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. area, is a great option for a wine excursion, driving you around several wineries throughout the day with a certified wine expert who can answer questions and teach you all about Virginia's thriving wine scene.

If you're looking to celebrate the holiday season early, Virginia is home to several holiday light displays throughout the commonwealth that begin in mid-November.