Most Beautiful Virginia Fall Destinations

Virginia is an exciting destination throughout the year. The combination of beaches, coastal scenery, rich history, and charming towns makes it an appealing place to visit in any season. However, the best time of year to enjoy Virginia may come as the leaves change and the weather starts to cool.

Virginia in the fall is stunning. The state has densely forested areas and mountainous peaks that turn bright shades of red and orange. The weather is mostly mild, although significantly cooler than the summer heat Virginia often experiences. This makes it ideal for outdoor exploration.

Let’s look at some of the towns and cities in Virginia that make for beautiful autumn destinations.

Newport News is a Virginia city situated on the banks of Hampton Roads Harbor. It has been best-known throughout history as an important ship-building hub, but today is a thriving modern city. Once fall arrives, Newport News transforms. The city sees its leaves change but also ushers in a festive, seasonal atmosphere. This includes events like the Newport News Fall Festival, which has corn mazes, petting zoos, and pumpkin patches. There are also fairs like the Harvest Faire. Combined with the great outdoor hiking destinations bursting with color, it is an ideal fall vacation.

Roanoke is a city with significant natural beauty, made all the more appealing by its bright fall colors. Situated in Virginia’s famed Blue Ridge Mountains, this thriving city has many parks and trails that offer some of the most gorgeous views in the state. The fall foliage in Roanoke is famed around the country and can be explored in various hikes or drives through winding mountain roads. Fall is also a time for festivals in the area, with events in the area such as the Olde Salem Days.

Williamsburg is known as a slice of living history, one of Virginia’s oldest cities that maintains much of its colonial charm. This small town is famed for Colonial Williamsburg, one of the world’s most renowned living museums, and fall adds to this museum’s appeal. With beautiful fall foliage, the town’s historically accurate depiction of its history is made all the more vibrant. Williamsburg also has numerous outdoor parks and trails that visitors can explore, as well as outstanding restaurants and craft breweries providing fall flavors throughout the season.

Alexandria is a city located along the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. It is a major city home to nearly 200,000 residents with a modern history stretching back hundreds of years. Alexandria’s Old Town is a charming district with preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, with shops, restaurants, and galleries. Exploring this historic area is best done in the fall with mild temperatures and red, orange, and brown fall colors. Fall also ushers in festival season in Alexandria, including the Alexandria Old Town Art Festival and Old Town Cocktail Week. It is a time when Alexandria comes to life, offering visitors tons to see and do.

Charlottesville is a Virginia city best known as the site of the University of Virginia. Visiting Charlottesville in the fall is the ideal time to take in this historic city, as the fall foliage is hard to beat. One of the most popular autumn activities for visitors is heading out to nearby Shenandoah National Park, which has top-notch views of the area’s fall foliage. The nearby vineyards also make for excellent autumn destinations, as does the bustling Charlottesville Downtown Mall.