Autumn in Virginia

As the weather gets colder and the school year continues with seemingly no end in sight, we start looking for an escape from the repetitiveness of our everyday routines. Whether just a quick drive or a whole plane flight away, everyone longs for a change of scenery.  But there’s no need to travel far to enjoy beautiful scenery and experience all the fall season has to offer.

Shenandoah National Park, which is one of the nineteen National parks located in Virginia, stuns with its amazing scenery and the hiking trails.  It offers a great opportunity to enjoy the fall weather. This is the park’s busiest time of year, so make sure to check out their website before you visit.

If you don’t want to take on the two to three hour drive to get the the Shenandoahs, head over to Waller Mill Park to hike and enjoy the outdoors right here in Williamsburg. With boat rentals and opportunities for fishing, it provides a great place to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors while seeing the beautiful colors of fall.

Throughout November you can go to Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville to pick your own peaches, apples, nectarines, and vegetables. Take your time, enjoy the stunning views and sample some of their amazing ice cream and donuts.

For a more local source of seasonal produce you can go to the Williamsburg Farmers Market, open every Saturday from 8:00am-12:00pm. There you will find what ever local farmers have harvested that week, as well as seasonal house plants, flowers, and other crafted products like soap, honey and baked goods.  Local musicians complete the ambiance with live performances, too.

Another great seasonal opportunity close by is Pumpkinville Farm in Toano. Enjoy lots of free activities such as the hayride that runs the perimeter of the field, a cornfield maze, bean bag toss, ring toss and other games.With a large selection of pumpkins, gourds, winter squash, and flowers, there’s no better way to spend a cool autumn afternoon with the family!

Sophomore Audrey Kovacs, one of the many students to enjoy the fall season at Lafayette, says, “When it’s fall I love to go hiking and relax outside and breath in the crisp autumn air.  Last weekend I drove up to Crabtree Falls (on the Blue Ridge Parkway) to go hiking with my friend Whitney. It was great to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature,” said Kovacs.

There are also many great opportunities to enjoy the fall weather overnight at one of Virginia’s many campgrounds. First Landing State Park, located in Virginia Beach, has a lot to offer to any possible visitors. The park is Virginia’s most visited state park, with nearly 20 miles of hiking and biking trails as well as two miles of Atlantic coastline. If you prefer to go up to the mountains to enjoy the weather, head over to mile marker 51 on Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive and you’ll find Big Meadows Campground. With what feels like endless hiking trails, gorgeous scenery, and access to three waterfalls, it provides stunning views and a chance to escape from the rest of the world.

It’s not difficult to find opportunities to take advantage of the fall season right here in Virginia and experience all that our state has to offer.