Virginia’s Best Fall Activities, From Ghost Tours To Halloween Happenings

‘Tis the season for colorful foliage, cooler weather, apple cider doughnuts, pumpkin spice everything and Halloween festivities ranging from spooky ghost tours to not-so-scary days—and horrifying nights—at beloved theme parks. Here’s a look at some of our favorite fall and Halloween events happening this year in Alexandria, Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, all easily reachable from Washington, D.C. by train or car.

Alexandria

History buffs will love the Ghost & Graveyard Tour by Alexandria Colonial Tours, during which a 18th-century costumed guide leads you along the historic city’s cobblestone streets while sharing spooky stories. Another tour, Nightly Spirits, offers a similar 21+ experience with a pub crawl twist.

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Otherwise, don’t miss the Del Ray Halloween Parade, happening this year on Oct. 30 at 2 p.m., or any of the family-friendly trick-or-treat events happening in Old Town (Oct. 29 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) or nearby at Mount Vernon (Oct. 29 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.) The city is also hosting a ton of Halloween events throughout October, ranging from dog-friendly festivities to the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum’s Poison Specialty Tour.

How to get there: Board a City Cruises Potomac Water Taxi from The Wharf in D.C. for the 30-minute ride to Old Town Alexandria. Otherwise, take the D.C. Metro’s Blue or Yellow line to the King Street-Old Town station, then the free trolley into Old Town. Taxis, Uber and Lyft are also available from D.C., about a 20-minute drive away.

Where to stay: You’ll find points hotels from every major U.S. brand (IHG, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Choice Hotels) in and around Old Town Alexandria—stay along the river at Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria (IHG) or in the heart of downtown at The Alexandrian or The Morrison House, both part of Marriott—or in D.C. if you’re just planning a day trip.

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Williamsburg

Visiting Colonial Williamsburg in the fall means viewing the lighting of the cressets along historic Duke of Gloucester Street, attending the festive Williamsburg Farmers Market on Saturday mornings—or the 2nd Sundays Art & Music Festival if you happen to be in town Oct. 9 or Nov. 13—and feasting at the Williamsburg Inn’s Sunday brunch.

It’s also the perfect time of year to check out the historic 18th-century city’s creepier side on a ghost tour, whether you’re in the mood for Haunted Williamsburg, a candlelit guided walk that begins from the Play House Stage on Palace Green at 7 p.m.,or Ghost Walk Jr., a kid-friendly version that happens at 5:30 p.m. from the weaver’s shop.

Nearby, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is celebrating the season with The Count’s Spooktacular, a not-so-spooky Sesame Street themed daytime event aimed at younger audiences, and Howl-O-Scream, geared more toward older kids and adults with scare zones, themed shows and haunted houses. Both are happening weekends throughout October—Spooktacular from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Howl-O-Scream from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays or 10 p.m. on Sundays and Halloween—and admission is included in your regular ticket price.

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How to get there: This summer, Amtrak launched a second daily service between Washington, D.C.’s Union Station and the Williamsburg Transportation Center, making it easier than ever to reach on a 3.5-hour ride each way. Otherwise, it’s about 2.5 hours away by car—and about an hour’s drive from Norfolk and Virginia Beach if you’re looking to make this a longer regional road trip.

Where to stay: This part of Virginia is a haven for points hotels, whether you’re a fan of Hilton, IHG, Marriott or Choice Hotels (sadly, the nearest Hyatt properties are 30–50 minutes away in Hampton or Richmond). If Colonial Williamsburg is your main focus this trip, Williamsburg Lodge is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection, while the other on-site accommodations options—Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites, Griffin Hotel and the Colonial Houses—are also worth a look, with access to a spa, fine dining and three challenging golf courses.

Yorktown and Jamestown

Yorktown Ghost Walks offers guided walks Monday through Saturday from 301 Main Street at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., rain or shine. Nearby, you can stroll the historic Yorktown with a historian during a Thin Veil of Yorktown ghost tour, which departs from Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters Saturdays at 5 p.m. Note that no kids under 12 are allowed on the tour—it’s that creepy.

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At the Jamestown Settlement, Family Frights takes place on Oct. 21 and 22, with kid-friendly activities like trick-or-treating, whimsical themed areas, the chance to create creepy crafts and view decked out houses.

How to get there: By car, Jamestown and Yorktown are each about a 2.75-hour drive from downtown D.C. or a 20-minute ride from the Williamsburg Transportation Center if you take the train from Union Station, then take a taxi, Uber or Lyft.

Where to stay: Since both locales are so close to Williamsburg, many of the same points hotels and B&Bs are also recommended, especially if you plan on taking the train in from D.C. and would prefer to stay closer to the station for your return trip.

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