I'm heading south out of Atlantic City towards Knoxville, TN in early October. No rush...plenty of time to visit sites along the way. Can't decide whether to go down the east coast thru Virginia Beach or head more west from Atlantic City to the Skyline Drive area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Is Virginia Beach a nice place to visit in October? Cool? Windy? Is it a "touristy" area like Myrtle Beach...mini golf, go carts, etc.?

As a Virginia Beach Local for over 30 years I think Virginia Beach is wonderful with alot of things to do. Since you are talking October the tourist season has died down quite a bit so alot easier to get around at the beach. The Virginia Marine Science museum is close and a nice visit as is Nauticus in Downtown Norfolk which is only 20 minutes away. We also have Busch Gardens with-in a hour which has Howl-Scream on the weekends. You have Motor World also just up the road from the beach that had Go Karts and numerous places to play Mini-golf.The weather is usally very comfortable during the days between 68 and 80 and at night gets down to the 50's in October. There are quite a few Local campgrounds, from Seashore State Park to Holiday Trav'l Park (I will be staying there for a small rally the first weekend of October)also KOA Virginia Beach and North Landing Beach Campground and Resort to mention a few. If you have any particular questions about Virginia beach drop me a IM with the question and I will try and assist.

My wife is from V. Beach. It depends on what you want to see. Based on where you are heading anyway we would go to the mountains. There will be some foliage changing in the lower elevations at that time. Scenery will be beautiful along the parkway I expect.

My wife and I have stayed a couple of nights at First Landing State Park, just a few miles from downtown Virginia Beach. We enjoyed the campground (a short walk from the beach) and you still might catch some decent beach weather in October.

If you choose Virginia Beach, and the nearby Nauticus Museum, you're only a short drive up I-64 to the Colonial Parkway. At one end is Jamestown, the other end is Yorktown and between the two is Colonial Williamsburg. The "Historic Triangle". Then continue NW on I-64 to Charlottesville to visit Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello, then on to I-81 South to Knoxville. You'll be a scholar of early American History and you've avoided the traffic in both Baltimore and Washington, DC. That's worth the few extra miles all by itself. :)

My perception of Virginia Beach is much different. We lived there for 18 years and we are glad to be gone. The traffic is horrendous and the taxes are high. I feel Virginia Beach is for the tourist and their dollars and the residents are completely ignored. So as a tourist, you will probably enjoy your stay.

Virginia...Virginia Beach etc. | Good Sam Community

Rescue16
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
As a Virginia Beach Local for over 30 years I think Virginia Beach is wonderful with alot of things to do. Since you are talking October the tourist season has died down quite a bit so alot easier to get around at the beach. The Virginia Marine Science museum is close and a nice visit as is Nauticus in Downtown Norfolk which is only 20 minutes away. We also have Busch Gardens with-in a hour which has Howl-Scream on the weekends.

You have Motor World also just up the road from the beach that had Go Karts and numerous places to play Mini-golf.

The weather is usally very comfortable during the days between 68 and 80 and at night gets down to the 50's in October.

There are quite a few Local campgrounds, from Seashore State Park to Holiday Trav'l Park (I will be staying there for a small rally the first weekend of October)also KOA Virginia Beach and North Landing Beach Campground and Resort to mention a few. If you have any particular questions about Virginia beach drop me a IM with the question and I will try and assist.
Campinghoss
Explorer II
Sep 16, 2013
My wife is from V. Beach. It depends on what you want to see. Based on where you are heading anyway we would go to the mountains. There will be some foliage changing in the lower elevations at that time. Scenery will be beautiful along the parkway I expect.
2edgesword
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
My wife and I have stayed a couple of nights at First Landing State Park, just a few miles from downtown Virginia Beach. We enjoyed the campground (a short walk from the beach) and you still might catch some decent beach weather in October.
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
If you choose Virginia Beach, and the nearby Nauticus Museum, you're only a short drive up I-64 to the Colonial Parkway. At one end is Jamestown, the other end is Yorktown and between the two is Colonial Williamsburg. The "Historic Triangle". Then continue NW on I-64 to Charlottesville to visit Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello, then on to I-81 South to Knoxville. You'll be a scholar of early American History and you've avoided the traffic in both Baltimore and Washington, DC. That's worth the few extra miles all by itself. :)
jnharley
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
My perception of Virginia Beach is much different. We lived there for 18 years and we are glad to be gone. The traffic is horrendous and the taxes are high. I feel Virginia Beach is for the tourist and their dollars and the residents are completely ignored. So as a tourist, you will probably enjoy your stay.
shutdown
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
I can think of only one reason to avoid VA Beach...I-64. great beach town. loads of toursty things. lots of military history in the area as well as colonial Williamsburg.

Shenandoah valley is cool too. lots of caves and battlefields. More nature than VA beach.

Both great to visit just diffenet things to do. Oh and avoid i64 if you can help it. it is an awful road.
GMandJM
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
October is a good time to visit VA beach. A little cooler and the summer crowds are
thinned out. As said, Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown/Yorktown are in the
area, as well. We're staying at Chippokes Plantation CG (state park) for a few days
next month and plan on taking the ferry over to CW & J/Y.
RicB
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
shutdown wrote:
I can think of only one reason to avoid VA Beach...I-64. great beach town. loads of toursty things. lots of military history in the area as well as colonial Williamsburg.

Shenandoah valley is cool too. lots of caves and battlefields. More nature than VA beach.

Both great to visit just diffenet things to do. Oh and avoid i64 if you can help it. it is an awful road.

Any recommendations on campgrounds in the Shenandoah Valley area? We have a 43' motorhome towing a full size pickup.
jnharley
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
I would stay at Shenandoah River State Park. No sewer hook ups but sites that are long enough for your rig. Wonderful place and close to Skyline Drive.
shutdown
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
RicB wrote:
shutdown wrote:
I can think of only one reason to avoid VA Beach...I-64. great beach town. loads of toursty things. lots of military history in the area as well as colonial Williamsburg.

Shenandoah valley is cool too. lots of caves and battlefields. More nature than VA beach.

Both great to visit just diffenet things to do. Oh and avoid i64 if you can help it. it is an awful road.

Any recommendations on campgrounds in the Shenandoah Valley area? We have a 43' motorhome towing a full size pickup.

My personal favorite is Shenandoah Crossing in Gordansville, va. great place with loads to do at the resort, i don't call many campgrounds resorts but this one is a RESORT. Not awful for $$$ either. there are 2 nice ones in Front Royal too. I forget the name off the top of my head but if you google front royal camping i am sure you'll find them. Your rig size shouldn't be a problem at any of the ones i am familiar with. Stay out of the national parks with it. Try to travel in the daylight some of the roads (non-interstate) can be a bit narrow and twisty.

Have fun!