Albert Camus once said that “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Seeing the seasons change is one of those simple things in life that fills us up and reminds us how lucky we are to be to witness one of nature’s little miracles. The constant metamorphosis of the world around us shows us that nothing is permanent and that there is always room to shed our past and start fresh. Nothing demonstrates this more than the fiery burst of color of autumn leaves, a temporary display of beauty that only certain regions in the world come to know each year. The changing tides of fall are especially vivid in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, including states like Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Drive Down the Blue Ridge Parkway
Hands down one of the best drives you can take in the U.S. this fall is on Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway. Consistently named one of the top fall foliage drives by Travel + Leisure and the Travel Channel, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds through 469 miles of pure autumn bliss. Surrounded by national forest and stunning mountain views, the parkway is one of the most-visited parts of the National Park System. Bursts of color greet you around every turn, and there are numerous viewpoints to stop and take in the high altitude panoramas. The end of October is said to be the peak time to soak in the most vibrant colors and enjoy the crisp pre-winter weather.
Taste the Flavors of Fall
No fall Virginia trip is complete without going wine tasting, especially in October, which is officially Virginia Wine Month! The state boasts over 250 wineries and is known for producing fine Old World wines, like Bordeaux, Viognier, and Chardonnay. To help visitors navigate through some of the top wineries in the area, Roanoke has created the Cheers Trail Passport. The passport gives you discounts at various wineries, breweries, and distilleries on Virginia’s Blue Ridge Cheers Trail. Also, if you check-in at five different locations on the trail, you’ll win an honorary Blue Ridge Cheers Trail T-Shirt.
A Roanoke Halloween
If you’re in Virginia in October, you shouldn’t miss out on all the Halloween events that happen around Roanoke, Virginia’s picturesque town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. To get some thrills with a spooky twist, check out Scare Quest at Explore Park. This high ropes course transforms into a spooky nighttime adventure that combines ghost stories, puzzles, and life-size spider webs. Explore the forest with headlamps, fly through the trees on an exciting zipline, and avoid booby traps on an exhilarating treasure hunt.
