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Who’s up for a road trip?!
Summertime has us calling “shotgun” and heading for the nearest beach, but fall brings on another adventure.
There’s nothing quite like the fresh mountain air among an array of fall colors at the height of their peak.
To top it off, there’s plenty of back roads across the U.S. winding through stunning vibrant scenery, but one tops them all.
They say ‘Virginia is for lovers’, but as we flip the calendar to autumn soon, a new motto is in store.
Virginia is for road trippers, leaf peepers, and anyone up for the season’s top adventure through the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains.
More Than Meets The Eye: Roanoke Is Fall’s Top Surprise
Ever been a city that completely blew your mind?
Maybe you had preconceived notions; the ol’ judging a book by its cover mistake.
We’ve all done it, both good and bad. One that fits the bill on the ‘good’ side of the column is Roanoke, Virginia, not often dubbed a tourist city per se.
In fact, one could argue Arlington is the highlight of the state and that barely counts as a suburb of Washington DC.
Virginia is somewhat of a hidden gem in its own right, but digging deeper into the commonwealth, Roanoke exceeds all expectations, especially in the fall.
This unsuspecting city is where down-home charm meets majestic mountains—the perfect gateway to chase down all the fall foliage photo ops you can muster while also being delighted by the small-town feel of this mid-size city.
For what it’s worth, CNN ranked Roanoke as the second best hiking city in the nation as it’s in close distance to the world-renowned Appalachian Trail among many more.
Reds, Golds, & Oranges 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 wowed by eye-popping colors lining the scenic drive across the region’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
In fact, the range’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 learn our colors. Virginia’s famous Blue Ridge Mountains are a sight to behold in their own right, no matter the season.
A bluish hue often haloes the mountaintops, so this rightfully named mountain range is no stranger to exuding luminous colors.
Fall is where you’ll find colors explode in multiple of reds, golds, and oranges while the blue haze remains adding an extra incentive to visit here over other mountainous getaways.
The Blue Ridge Parkway: Time To Hit The Open Road
Sweater on. Coffee in 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 offense to Virginia, but it can’t claim all 469 as its own. Sharing is caring and is nice enough to let North Carolina in on the action as well.
But there’s no doubt Roanoke makes for one of the top gateways into the region for leaf spotting among other nature excursions like mountain biking and kayaking (check out the 45-mile long Roanoke River Blueway!)
Roanoke is the perfect base to rent a car and rest your head at night, either before or after your trek through the bright treetops.
The city feels like a knock-off of Charleston with its variety of southern food offerings and historic boutique hotels like the revamped 4-star Liberty Trust.
Virginia’s Secret Train
Have you heard of the Virginia Scenic Railway? Of course, you haven’t.
It’s a secret!
Road trips are an awesome way to explore Virginia’s back roads, but why not let a conductor take the helm while you enjoy the epic views from your window seat?
Departing from Staunton, VA, the train comes in multiple packages, but the Blue Ridge Flyer is just what you’re looking for.
Tickets are $120 per person for the three-and-a-half-hour ride of a lifetime through the region’s vibrant foliage-lined tracks, which includes meals (wine/beer are extra).
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, 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 within the post.