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Who’s up for a road trip?!
In the summer we shout ‘shotgun’ and head to the nearest beach, but autumn brings a new adventure.
There’s nothing like the crisp mountain air among an array of fall colors at their peak.
To top it all off, there are plenty of back roads across the US that wind through beautiful, vibrant scenery, but there’s one that stands at the top.
They say “Virginia is for lovers,” but as we soon turn the calendar to fall, a new motto is in store.
Virginia is for road trippers, leaf peepers and anyone looking for the season’s top adventure through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
More than meets the eye: Roanoke is fall’s biggest surprise
Ever been to a city that completely blew your mind?
Maybe you had prejudices; the old one who judges a book by the flaw on the cover.
We’ve all done it, both good and bad. One that fits the ‘good’ side of the column is Roanoke, Vanot necessarily often called a tourist city.
You could even argue that Arlington is the highlight of the state and hardly qualifies as a suburb of Washington DC.
Virginia is a bit of a hidden gem on its own, but as we dig deeper into the Commonwealth, Roanoke exceeds all expectations, especially in autumn.
This unsuspecting town is where the charm of home meets majestic mountains: the perfect gateway to take all the fall photos you can imagine, while also delighting in the small-town feel of this mid-sized city.
For what it’s worth, CNN ranked Roanoke as the second best walking city in the country as it is a short distance from the world famous Appalachian Trail and much more.
Red, gold and orange colors line the vast Blue Ridge Mountains
Nature abounds on the outskirts of Roanoke, and there’s no better place to hit the open road.
Be prepared to be amazed by the dazzling colors along the scenic drive through the region’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
In fact, the area’s Blue Ridge Parkway has often been honored with the title of “America’s Favorite Drive.”
But first, let’s take a step back to Pre-K and get to know our colors. Virginia’s famous Blue Ridge Mountains are a sight to behold in their own right, no matter the season.
There is often a bluish tint to the mountain peaks, so this rightly named mountain range is no stranger to radiating bright colors.
In autumn the colors explode in multitudes of red, gold and orange, while the blue haze remains an extra incentive to visit here compared to other mountainous getaways.
The Blue Ridge Parkway: Time to hit the open road
Sweater on. Coffee at hand. Dog in the back. It’s time to go!
Forget what you know about road trips: the Blue Ridge Parkway is its own unique adventure.
469 miles worth, in fact.
Now, to offend Virginia, but it can’t claim all 469 as its own. Sharing is caring and is fun enough to get North Carolina in on the action.
But there’s no doubt that Roanoke is one of the best gateways to the region for leaf spotting and other nature excursions like mountain biking and kayaking (check out the 45-mile Roanoke River Blueway!)
Roanoke is the perfect base to rent a car and rest overnight, before or after your tour through the bright treetops.
The city feels like a recreation of Charleston, with its variety of Southern food and historic boutique hotels like the newly remodeled 4-star Trust freedom.
Virginia’s Secret Train
Have you heard of the Virginia Scenic Railway? Of course not.
It’s a secret!
Road trips are a great way to explore Virginia’s back roads, but why not let a conductor take the helm while you enjoy the epic view from your window seat?
The train departs from Staunton, VA and comes in multiple packages, but the Blue Ridge Flyer is exactly what you are looking for.
Tickets cost $120 per person for the three-and-a-half-hour ride of a lifetime through the region’s vibrant, green-lined trails, including meals (wine/beer are extra).
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
