Chase Fall Foliage in the Highlands Birch Knob Tower The first signs of fall can be seen at the highest altitudes of Virginia’s Highlands. Bursting with red-orange leaves, head to the Blue Ridge Mountains and areas like Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Cruise the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway or hike through George Washington & Jefferson National Forests for dreamy vistas and crisp mountain air. FALL Hit the Slopes at Mountain Resorts When snow falls, Virginia’s ski resorts shine. Traverse the trails at Wintergreen Resort in Nellysford or grab a lift ticket at Massanutten Resort for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. You can also count on winter thrills of all degrees at Bryce Resort in Basye and Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs. WINTER Experience a Colonial Christmas at Mount Vernon Travel back in time to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, where candlelight tours and 18th-century decorations bring the magic of a Colonial Christmas to life. Shop the winter market of handmade goods by Colonial artisans before topping your year off with stunning holiday fireworks over the Potomac River. Pick Apples at Local Farms Pick apples, sip cider, and indulge in apple cider donuts at Showalter’s Orchard & Greenhouse in Timberville. With apple treats and hard ciders made on-site, a visit to the orchard is an ideal way to ring in fall. Spot Elk at Breaks Interstate Park Massanutten Resort Grab your camera and binoculars to join an elk-viewing tour at Breaks Interstate Park. Fall is prime season to hear their echoing bugles and witness these majestic animals in a stunning mountain setting. Ride a Chairlift Through Christmas Lights Tucked into a massive naturally formed cave, Natural Tunnel State Park lights up the holidays with thousands of sparkling, animated Christmas displays. Grab a hot chocolate and take a chairlift ride for a one-of-a-kind aerial view of this dazzling winter wonderland. Walk Through a Sea of Sunflowers In late summer, the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival blooms brightly across 20 acres of black oil sunflower fields. With over 700,000 flowers in bloom, enjoy golden-hour photo shoots, sunset yoga, hayrides, and plenty of farm-fresh family fun during this sunny seasonal celebration. Step Into a Dickens Play in Roanoke Downtown Roanoke transforms into Victorian-era London each December during Dickens of a Christmas. Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, marshmallow roasting, festive carolers, and a full lineup of holiday cheer straight from the pages of “A Christmas Carol.” SUNSHINE SOL; DEVIN ELDRED; SARAH ANN ATKINS 16 Stratford Hall Historic Preserve
Virginia Travel Guide Virginia Travel Guide 2026: Page 16
