Fall is one of the best times to see Virginia. You can spend a week in the mountains, pick apples for an afternoon, get cider and ginger cakes in Colonial Williamsburg, or build a Saturday around a football game. There is enough here to fill several trips, and plenty worth doing without taking a full vacation.
For those of us in Hampton Roads, it is easy to keep returning to the same places. Fall gives us a reason to see more of a state that has a lot to offer. This Virginia fall travel guide starts close to home and reaches all the way to Big Stone Gap, with stops for food, theater, mountain views, and time outside along the way.
Williamsburg: Cider, Ginger Cakes, and Howl-O-Scream
A day in Williamsburg can start with a walk through the Historic Area and a stop for cider and ginger cakes at Raleigh Tavern Bakery. Give yourself time to explore the streets, visit the shops, and choose which historic sites you want to see. Colonial Williamsburg works well for a day trip, but an overnight stay gives you room to linger.
Nearby, Busch Gardens Williamsburg offers a different kind of fall outing. Howl-O-Scream brings haunted houses, shows, and outdoor Terror-Tories to the park. This year's offerings include Viper Valley, with its snake-filled Amazon festival theme, and Witch's Way, an enchanted woodland occupied by witches and crones. Ripper Row also returns with its sinister version of Whitechapel. Check the official Howl-O-Scream attractions when planning your visit.
An afternoon of history followed by an evening at the park makes for a full day. If you are bringing young children, plan around the change in atmosphere: Busch Gardens advises families to use discretion after 6 p.m., when the scares begin.
Markham and Linden: Apple Picking and The Apple House
Apple picking gives a fall trip a simple purpose and something to bring home. The Markham and Linden area is a good place to build an orchard weekend, especially if you want to combine it with time in the northern Shenandoah Valley.
Hartland Orchard in Markham offers pick-your-own fruit, including apples. Check the orchard's current picking information before leaving, since varieties and availability change as the harvest progresses.
Make time for The Apple House in Linden, too. Its apple butter cinnamon donuts deserve a stop of their own. Pick apples, get something to eat, and leave room in the car for the bags and boxes you will probably bring back.
This is a trip that benefits from an open afternoon. You do not need to schedule every hour to make the drive worthwhile.
Bedford County: Peaks of Otter and Smith Mountain Lake
For a longer break, Bedford County gives you both mountain and lake options. Peaks of Otter sits along the Blue Ridge Parkway, with Abbott Lake below the surrounding peaks. You can plan your stay around hiking, scenic drives, or simply having several days to enjoy the setting.
A week here gives you time to refresh without trying to fit every trail and overlook into one afternoon. Choose walks that suit your pace, and check current Parkway conditions before setting out.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers another way to spend time in Bedford County. Its trails pass through woods and along coves, and the park has cabins for those who want to stay. A lake trip in fall can be about walking, reading, and spending time together with a view of the water.
Natural Bridge and Staunton: An Outdoor Stop and an Evening at Blackfriars
Farther along a western Virginia trip, Natural Bridge is worth making time for. The Cedar Creek Trail takes visitors beneath the stone arch, giving you a chance to see its scale from below. The local tourism guide has information for planning a visit to Natural Bridge and the surrounding Rockbridge County area.
Continue north to Staunton for a different kind of stop. Build an evening around a performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse, home of the American Shakespeare Center. Check the performance calendar first, then plan dinner and time downtown around your tickets.
Natural Bridge and Staunton make a useful pairing for a longer weekend: time outside during the day, followed by dinner and a play. You can also give either destination a trip of its own.
Big Stone Gap: Take the Longer Trip
If you have more time, keep going into Southwest Virginia. Big Stone Gap offers mountain scenery, local history, and live music, with places such as Powell Valley Overlook to work into your visit.
From Hampton Roads, this is a destination to give several days. Spend time in town, explore the surrounding area, and allow for stops along the drive. Reaching this part of Virginia is a reminder of how much of the state lies beyond our usual weekend routes.
A Football Weekend, or a Saturday in Norfolk
For some travelers, the destination follows the football schedule. Blacksburg, Harrisonburg, and Charlottesville give you three ways to build a fall weekend around a game: Virginia Tech, James Madison, or the University of Virginia.
Choose a home game, arrange your tickets and lodging, and leave time to enjoy the town before heading back. Check the team's official schedule as your trip approaches, since kickoff times can affect the rest of your plans.
You can also stay closer to home and catch Old Dominion or Norfolk State in Norfolk. A game and a meal out can give you a full Saturday without needing to pack a suitcase. Seeing more of Virginia can start with somewhere nearby that you have been meaning to visit.
Make a Plan for the Pets, Too
Once you know what your trip looks like, decide whether your pets would enjoy coming along. A dog who likes car rides and outdoor walks may fit comfortably into a mountain getaway. A day centered on a theater performance, football game, or theme park calls for a different plan. Check the pet policies for your lodging and activities, and consider how much of the trip your dog would actually spend with you.
Staying home with familiar care is an option for both short outings and longer vacations. Whether you are taking a week to refresh at Peaks of Otter or doing a day trip to Williamsburg, Stable Hands can care for your pets while you enjoy the time away.
Our dog walking, pet sitting, and cat sitting services help pets in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk keep their familiar routines. We can plan visits around meals, walks, medications, and the care your pets need while you are out.
Tell us about your fall plans, and we will help you arrange their care. Virginia has a lot to offer this time of year. You can make time to enjoy it.