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Find Yourself in Strawberry Fields Forever

How sweet it is to get back in action with a road trip to Chesapeake, Virginia.

Looking for the perfect springtime destination to officially get your life back in motion? Get things rolling with a road trip to Chesapeake, Virginia. From u-pick strawberry fields filled with the most beautiful and delicious berries you’ve ever seen to miles and miles of scenic waterways, woodland trails and family fun to explore and enjoy, Chesapeake is the place, and now is the time!

Strawberry fields, working farms and farmer’s markets.

Strawberries are nature’s perfect sweet treat – and, somehow, they taste even better when you pick them yourself. The whole family will savor the experience of gently pushing through the canopy of green leaves to reveal clusters of bright red, perfectly ripe berries destined for your baskets. Chesapeake offers acres and acres of world-class strawberry picking opportunities, including Lilley Farms, Greenbrier Farms, Hickory Ridge Farm and Mt. Pleasant Farms. Better start searching for good strawberry and shortcake recipes immediately.

As for family fun on these farms, strawberry picking is just the beginning. Many of Chesapeake’s working farms also offer all sorts of fun attractions and activities designed to delight kids of all ages, from pony rides and hayrides to face painting, bounce houses, animal petting areas and much more. In short, kid paradise. Just remember to charge your phone because you’ll be shooting scores of adorable kid pics and vids.

While you’re enjoying the fresh air, be sure to stop by any of Chesapeake’s farmers’ markets for a fun experience perusing an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade honey, jams and jellies, locally sourced meats, eggs and spices, and much more.

Foodie fun.

For many, a highlight of any road trip vacation is finding an out-of-the-way diner or one-of-a-kind restaurant, a hidden gem where the true local flavor can be discovered and savored. That’s the reason places like Big Woody’s Bar and Grill, the Cutting Edge Cafe and Wicker’s Crab Pot Seafood have become destinations in themselves for foodie excursions and family outings, for road-trippers and residents alike.

Additional popular stops for those in the know are Chesapeake’s microbreweries, Big Ugly Brewing and The Garage Brewery, which both offer seasonal, locally inspired and colorfully named beers on tap. Along those lines, Big Ugly’s Sidecar Saison farmhouse ale, now on tap, has been earning rave reviews – and it’s just one of the many enticing options to choose from.

Camping, hiking, biking, paddling and fishing.

For lovers of the great outdoors, Chesapeake is a destination that truly delivers, and in late spring and summer, it’s a water-lover’s paradise. Camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing – you can do it all here, in settings that look like they should be on a postcard.

Whether you’re here for a day or a week, there are plenty of choices for how to enjoy the area’s stunningly beautiful historic waterways, including Northwest River Park & Campground and the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. At the center of the Great Dismal Swamp is beautiful Lake Drummond, where tannin from the cypress trees kills bacteria, making it some of the purest water in the world. And as you explore, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife encounters. From rare birds and river otters to black bears and bobcats, you never know when you’ll catch a glimpse of something exotic and wonderful.

Get in your car and go!

If you’re looking for the perfect excursion to get your life back in motion, head for Chesapeake. Whether you’re coming from Richmond, Western Virginia or the Northern Virginia area, it’s the perfect destination for a day trip, weekend getaway or an extended stay. When you’re ready for outdoor adventures, fresh, new experiences and family fun, find yourself on the road to Chesapeake, Virginia.

All photos courtesy of Visit Chesapeake

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