Richmond, Va. (PRWEB) September 07, 2011
Fall is one of the favorite times of the year for loved ones to take a road trip in Virginia to enjoy 15 million acres of stunning fall foliage and each others company. As autumn spreads a beautiful blanket of foliage throughout the Commonwealth the natural beauty inspires a sense of love and connection.
This year the Virginia Tourism Corporation has pulled together a list of 11 scenic fall drives, where visitors can take a leisurely trip through quaint small towns, vineyards, roadside markets and historic sites around nearly every bend in the road. Each trip idea includes distance and drive time from end to end. Here are 11 great scenic drives that offer beautiful fall foliage and the best of fall in Virginia, with more ideas found on http://www.Virginia.org/fall:
Celebrate an Anniversary on Skyline Drive:
Skyline Drive, one of Americas legendary roadways, is the main artery of Shenandoah National Park, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2011. Just the drive itself is worth the journey but there is so much more to enjoy. Special programs range from nature walks to cooking demonstrations and camping programs for novices. For a special treat, go on a guided tour of Rapidan Camp, the private retreat of President Herbert Hoover. The Junior Ranger program is a must for young ones. At dusk, herds of deer come out to graze in meadows and along roadsides. The eastern black bear can be seen along with a large variety of songbirds and raptors. Stay overnight at Skyland Lodge or Big Meadows Lodge and enjoy outstanding cuisine along with cozy rooms nestled in pastoral settings.
Drive time: Recommended three hours
Distance: 105 miles
Foliage and History on the Colonial National Historical Parkway:
One of the best routes for fall leaf peeping is the 24-mile Colonial National Historical Parkway, a National Scenic Byway, connecting historic Jamestown and Yorktown and passing through (actually under) Colonial Williamsburg. Devoid of billboards and other advertisements and with easements keeping much development hidden, the Parkway is a peaceful and beautiful meander.
Colonial Williamsburg is gorgeous in the fall and is one of Americas best family destinations. Historic Yorktown has a vibrant waterfront and historic homes. Jamestowns attractions detail the history of the earliest permanent English settlement in the New World along with the Virginia Indians who lived her long before.
Drive time: 45 minutes
Distance: 24 miles
A Crooked Road to Fall Splendor:
The Crooked Road: Virginias Heritage Music Trail winds through the mountains and valleys of Southwest Virginia, where the music is as rich as the brilliant fall leaves. Todays country music traces its beginnings to this region which is still a hotbed of bluegrass and Old Time music. Much of this route travels through the higher mountains of Southwest Virginia, making it a beautiful drive for fall colors.
Live music venues, museums and cultural centers lie along the trail. Top bluegrass acts perform at the Carter Family Fold, the Floyd Country Store and the Rex Theater in Galax. Johnny Cash played his last concerts at the Carter Family Fold and at the Floyd Country Store theres as much music going on outside as inside.
The new jewel of the Crooked Road is Heartwood: Southwest Virginias Artisan Gateway. The sparkling new facility in Abingdon features music and crafts by area juried artisans and locally-sourced food and wine.
Drive time: Six hours, 30 minutes
Distance: 300 miles
An American Favorite for Generations The Blue Ridge Parkway:
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited unit of United States National Parks for a reason. Breathtaking vistas and natural splendor have made this peaceful meander, now in its 76th year, a fall foliage destination for generations of families. Well-maintained hiking trails and good overnight accommodations, shops, restaurants and even wineries are nearly everywhere along the way.
Learn about the life of early mountain settlers and watch living history demonstrations at Humpback Rocks Visitor Center. Visit Mabry Mill, the most photographed site on the Parkway. Join a nature hike led by friendly park rangers. Enjoy a romantic dinner at Chateau Morrisette Winery. Watch luthiers crafting fiddles and mandolins at the Blue Ridge Music Center.
The cities of Galax and Waynesboro make good start/end points. Each has quality lodging and dining options.
Drive time: Six hours, 20 minutes
Distance: 215 miles
Across the Bay to the Eastern Shore:
Virginias Eastern Shore is known for coastal serenity. For those taking the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, getting there is half the fun, as the bridge traverses 17 miles over and through the bay. The fall colors found on the shore are enhanced by the small towns, wineries and birding found on the Shore. Route 13 runs the length of the 70-mile portion of Virginias Eastern shore, but the real treasures are found in the roads that lead off of Route 13 and to the Atlantic Ocean or the Chesapeake Bay. At the northern tip take Route 175 to Chincoteague, famed for oysters and wild ponies. Heading south visit the town of Onancock, with quaint B&Bs, inns and restaurants featuring local seafood and produce. Off Route 184 visitors will find the town of Cape Charles, with a wonderful beach, hotels, B&Bs and Bay Creek resort, home to golf, lodging and excellent dining.
Drive time: Just over two hours
Distance: Approximately 75 miles
Through the Pass from Lexington to Hot Springs:
Lexington is one of Americas most historic and charming small towns and is at the eastern end of one of Virginias best fall drives. Going northwest out of town take Rt. 39, a scenic Virginia Byway that follows the Maury River. At Goshen Pass the river swirls through a boulder-strewn gorge where the western mountains roll out into the Shenandoah Valley. Good swimming, barefoot wading, and fishing can be enjoyed amidst curtains of gorgeous hardwood foliage where sharp-eyed visitors may spot bald eagles, hawks and other wildlife.
Continue westward to the village of Hot Springs and go south on Highway 220 to The Homestead, one of Virginias premier four-seasons resorts. Thomas Jefferson took the waters there and loved it. Activities there today include golf, tennis, horseback riding, canoeing, carriage rides, hayrides and even falconry.
Drive time: One hour, 10 minutes
Distance: 46 miles
A Grass-Roots Culinary Tour of Northern Virginia:
Loudoun County is famed for scenic roads and outstanding wine and cuisine. So set a course for dining and sipping delights on this scenic and tasty route.
Start in historic Leesburg and head south on Highway 15 and then west on Highway 50 towards Middleburg. Make a stop at Chrysalis Vineyards with a pleasing tasting room housed in a lovely setting. Continue on to the town of Middleburg, capital of Virginias horse country. Spend an hour shopping along the beautiful village streets and then head to Market Salamander to assemble a gourmet picnic lunch for later.
Retrace steps eastward a short distance and head north on Rt. 748 and then northwest on Rt. 734. Stop at the historic and fun Philomont General Store for a treat or two and then continue on to Great Country Farms near Bluemont. At Bluemont go east on Rt. 7 to Purcellville and then north on Rt. 287. Its close to lunchtime so choose a local winery at which to spread out the picnic. Spend the rest of the trip enjoying fine dining from Leesburg eateries.
Drive time: Two hours
Distance: 67 miles
Take the Road Less Traveled Through the Shenandoah Valley:
Interstate 81 runs the length of the Shenandoah Valley and in the fall might be
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