This display is the fall foliage and each year the leaves change color from their usual green to a variety of other colors.

Certain trees only change to a single color while others may experience multiple color changes.

There are many places to enjoy these displays and should someone be in the Washington D.C., Virginia or Maryland areas, listed below are several places to enjoy the fall foliage.

Rock Creek Park (D.C.)

Just a few minutes outside of Washington D.C. is one of the nation’s oldest parks.

Rock Creek Park offers several trails and other sites where a person can enjoy the 1,754 acres of forest that are changing colors.

Several walking trails, as well as a variety of other activities and historic sites, are available at the Park.

United States National Arboretum

The National Arboretum offers special autumn exhibits and hikes, which they post to their calendar in August.

It would be hard not to enjoy the fall foliage in the over 400 acres of exhibits and forest available at the arboretum.

Fall Foliage Tours (Virginia)

The Virginia Department of Forestry actually provides directions for ten different tours that are off the normal path for most foliage enthusiasts.

The tours provide directions so individuals can drive through some of the best areas to see the changing leaf landscape in several different areas of the state.

Mount Vernon (Virginia)

The 50 acre site of George Washington’s estate, Mount Vernon, is a great place to find fall foliage in Virginia.

The grounds feature the estate, gardens, a forest trail, and other buildings as well as features that make Mount Vernon one of the most popular historic sites in the country.

Cunningham Falls State Park (Maryland)

Cunningham Falls offers multiple different hiking trails varying from half a mile to over seven miles in length to enjoy fall foliage.

The park is also home to the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland. The park and the lake offer a variety of different activities to enjoy with the surrounding foliage.

Fair Hills Natural Resources Management Area Trails (Maryland)

With over 5,500 acres of land, Fair Hills is a great place to catch fall foliage. The site has about 80 miles of trails for hiking and bicycling where visitors can enjoy the changing leaves and participate in many other activities.

Sycamores, poplars, and oaks bring a variety of warm colors to the surroundings and numerous opportunities to see the all foliage.

If you are looking for a place that is steeped in history and has stories to tell the Tidewater Inn is the place.

Tidewater Inn: A Historic Stay in Easton, MD

Tidewater Inn History

The history of the Inn goes all the back to the early 1700’s, however the current building was opened in 1949.

By 1954 the Tidewater expanded to include a ballroom and more guest rooms.

Tidewater Inn Today

Today, 92 rooms are waiting to welcome you for a luxury getaway, celebration or special event.

It’s proximity to DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia make it the perfect escape for an overnight or long weekend getaway.

Located on Maryland’s prestigious Eastern shore it is the ideal location for exploring the area.

Offering traditional decor and furnishing paired with modern amenities you’ll be comfortable during your entire stay.

There are a number of different room types available to fit everyone’s needs from classic room to luxurious suites including pet friendly rooms.

Tidwater Inn Rooms

I was so incredibly comfy at the Tidewater Inn.

The bedding was luxurious, the room the perfect comfort level and, most importantly, no street or hallway noise filtered into the room.

Isn’t this a gorgeous room? So cozy and ready for you to come visit.

Modern bathrooms and amenities are a nice touch.

If you are celebrating a special occasion, anniversary, or birthday consider upgrading to a suite because this is one sweet suite.

Hotel Restaurant

The hotel restaurant, The Hunter’s Tavern, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as libations in a relaxed fine dining environment while receiving impeccable service.

In addition to indoor seating the Hunter’s Tavern offers seasonal outdoor seating.  Fresh crab cakes, cream of crab soup, and 1/2 off appetizers during happy hour are just a few of the things the Hunter’s Tavern is known for.

Book your room today! 

Oh, and if you want to visit a haunted location that has incredible architecture and good stories during your travels check out the Trans Alleghany Asylum Ghost Tour.

Best Scenic Drives in West Virginia

Historic National Road (15.7 miles)

The perfect drive when you’re short on time!

Travel back in time without ever stepping out of your vehicle.

The Historic National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, was the nation’s first federally funded interstate highway.

The 620-mile (1000-km) road opened the nation to the west and became a corridor for the movement of goods and people.

The road spans East to West, from Cumberland, Maryland all the way to Vandalia, Illinois and includes a section in Wheeling, West Virginia.

One of the key highlights of this historic thoroughfare is the Wheeling Suspension Bridge.

This iconic structure links the main channel of the Ohio River and was once the largest suspension bridge in the world from 1849 until 1851.

Highland Scenic Byway (43 miles)

For those with a bit more time on their hands, but don’t want to commit an entire day consider driving the highland scenic byway.

Navigate through a wild and timbered portion of the Monongahela National Forest on the Highland Scenic Byway. Hardwood forests cover rolling, mountainous terrain capped by dark spruce at high elevations.

Traverse a narrow and steep-walled valley with views of clear mountain streams.

This designated National Scenic Byway extends 43 miles from Richwood to US Route 219, north of Marlinton, WV.

Sights include Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Summit Lake, and Falls of Hills Creek.

The USDA Forest Service have created an audio tour to guide visitors through these iconic landscapes.

Little Kanawha Parkway (77 miles)

I’d plan on a half-day for this drive. Pack a picnic, find a place to hike along the way and make an adventure out of it. 

Skip the highway and take the scenic route. Running parallel to the Little Kanawha River along State Route 5, this scenic drive traverses from Mineral Wells to Flatwoods.

The Little Kanawha Parkway takes travelers through rustic farmlands and quaint rural towns.

Allow 2-3 hours to navigate this byway.

Coal Heritage Trail (98 miles)

Another half-day drive this one through southern West Virginia.

This drive winds you through mountains and valleys of Southern West Virginia showcasing America’s robust industrial heritage.

The Coal Heritage Trail travels through more than 13 counties and showcases the land where thousands of hard-working miners labored to produce the coal which powered modern America.

The Trail is part of the National Coal Heritage Area and begins on Route 52 in Bluefield to Welch, then follows Route 16 towards Ansted.

Washington Heritage Trail (136 miles)

Have a day to spend on an epic adventure? Follow the footsteps of George Washington on the Washington Heritage Trail, and discover the natural and cultural history along 136 miles of the scenic Eastern Panhandle.

See 18th-century towns, 19th-century industrial sites, Washington family homes, springs, rivers and scenic mountain ranges on the drive.

Be sure to plan out a few self-guided tours along the way.

The Morgan County Driving Tour is an 80-mile segment of the trail that is centered around Berkeley Springs and continues on to the town of Paw Paw.

Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike (180 miles)

Another day adventure straight through the middle of the state. The Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike is a designated National Scenic Byway.

It spans from the upper Shenandoah Valley in Staunton, Virginia to the Ohio River Valley in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

This historical turnpike served as the gateway to the Shenandoah Valley.

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Walk the streets of Francis Scott Key, John Hanson, and soldiers and generals from both sides of the Civil War.  Explore nooks and crannies, discover works of art, and find the hidden and not so hidden gems that make this a destination worth visiting.

There is plenty to fill a day or two in the historic district and you can easily fill an entire week by visiting the gems you’ll find county wide and beyond.

(Hint, Frederick makes a great hub. Spoke out to Washington, DC, Gettysburg and more).

Note: I was a guest of Frederick, MD, all opinions are my own.

Historic Frederick is incredibly picturesque. Carroll Creek runs through town, with artful bridges crossing it, lily pads dancing on the water’s surface and ducks swimming by.

Seriously, a good book and a park bench and I’d be happy for hours reading and watching the world go by. Each of the bridges that span the creek is a work of art from painted bricks that appear to be 3-D to decorative iron works.

Frederick is fortunate to have a number of church steeples and when you stand in the right spot the steeples appear clustered together.

If nothing else the steeples make for great photos on sunny days. Step inside and explore the churches during the church tour that takes places every year on December 26th.

Historic homes, business, and churches line the streets and it’s a bit awe inspiring to know many of these are the same buildings that Civil War soldiers marched by on their way to the battle of Antietam.

For many, this would be the last time they would see Frederick as over 22, 000 men would be casualties of the conflict. I loved everything about the architecture and design of the historic district which is comprised of  40 city blocks.

Grab your walking shoes because this area begs to be discovered on foot.

Beyond the historic, the arts are alive and well in Frederick. Sculptures and murals were the two most common art pieces I spotted.

I wish I had more time to find more art works but time was short and there was plenty more to explore. I know the visitor center is putting together a public art guide that will be published soon.

Since you’re out walking you may as well take a guided tour of the district. Before you arrive in town call the Frederick Visitor Center to set up a historic walking tour (ask for Jack, he is a fantastic guide and has many great stories!).

One of the many interesting things about Frederick is that it was ransomed from burning during the Civil War by a Confederate general. The town leaders had to raise $200,000 to save the town.

In today’s money that would be $5.6 MILLION. That Confederate general had quite the racket going.

Civil War buffs will lose their minds in Frederick. Frederick was a hot bed of Civil War activity and there is no better place to get a handle on what happened here than at the Civil War Medical Museum.

Now, to be honest, I was kind of dreading this part of the trip. I’m not really a Civil War buff and museums can be hit or miss.

However, the Civil War Medical Museum was so interesting and I learned so much (we had a docent walk us through, highly recommend that if you can make it happen).  

The triage and transfer of injured patients in the Civil War were the catalyst for today’s emergency medical services. Also, Clara Barton (founder of the American Red Cross) played a vital role in the Civil War providing medical supplies and help.

I was learning so much as we wandered through the very well done exhibits. On the flip side, some of the medical parts of Civil War medicine is horrifying so brace yourself.

That being said the museum was well worth my time to visit.

Note: I heard a rumor that the museum may be haunted so you may want to ask a docent about it.

During a visit buy a ticket for a performance at the Weinberg Center, a 1926 Art Deco building. This lovely refurbished silent film theater hosts approximately 150 performances throughout the year.

Everything from theater to concerts to dance recitals graces the stage. Theater tours are also available and take you behind the scenes and backstage for a peek at life from the other side of the curtain.

Be sure to save time for shopping. There are a plethora of boutique shops in the historic district that are fun and unique and definitely worth visiting.

Book shops, pet stores, home decor, fashions, food, etc. There is definitely something for everyone and even non-shoppers will enjoy wandering these delightful stores.

There is no shortage of good food, drinks, and sweets to be found in the historic district. Stop in at one of the local favorites for chocolate, Zoe’s Chocolate, The Candy Kitchen or Perfect Truffle to satisfy your sweet tooth.

If chocolate isn’t your thing head over to the Pop Shop where there are over 400 varieties of glass bottle soda pop, cane-sugar sweetened and vintage-style soda pop and they are serving up a nice selection of cool treats.

Lunch at Brewer’s Ally, located in the old Opera House, is the perfect stop for pizza or burgers along with a pint.

 Dinner at the Tasting Room offers up a nice selection of entrees with a focus on seafood. The Tasting Room is right on the corner of Market & Church and provides great people watch opportunities.

If you prefer a restaurant along Carroll Creek head over to the Wine Kitchen the offers both indoor and outdoor dining. A delicious selection of entrees (with good vegetarian options..yay), as well as a very nice wine list, await you.

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed anywhere you decide to dine.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the local distillery, McClintock Distillery.

They are young but they are crafting some of the smoothest vodka and whiskey.They have a gin that everyone raves about because it has really toned down the pine flavor.

I tried the all but enjoyed the vodka and whiskey the most.

They also have a selection of house made shrubs that are worth checking out. They offer tours and tasting which is a fun way to experience their spirits to decide which ones to take home or take home one of each….there is no shame 😉

End your visit to Frederick with a ghost tour.

Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick weave together historical accounts and true documented stories of the paranormal. The tour leads visitors through the streets and alleyways in search of ghostly tales.

The Springfield Manor in nearby Thurmont is the perfect place to stay. It’s just 10 minutes from Frederick but close to other nearby attractions.

Note that the manor is a historic building without an elevator but the rooms are lovely as are the views.

Are you ready to plan your visit? Head over to the Visit Frederick website to learn more.

PIN TO PINTEREST

Filled with attractions, entertainment, history, outdoor activities, farms, and excellent food.Winchester is the home of Patsy Cline, acres and acres of apple trees, Civil War history, and even a drive-in movie theater.  

I recently had a quick visit to Winchester and can’t wait to head back to the Shenandoah Valley to explore more.

How To Spend A Great Day In Winchester VA

Below, you’ll find my top picks for how to spend a great day in Winchester, VA!  You’ll love this great little town that is amazing hot spot in the South!

Public Art + Artisan Trail

This is the apple capital of Virginia so finding painted apples in front of businesses should come as no surprise. It was fun stumbling across these during my visit. Each one is painted different and has a unique story.

Wichester sits at the top of the Shenandoah Valley Artisan Trail. This trail ties together artisan studios, agri-artisans, markets, eclectic shops, dining, and lodging as well as points of interest providing a truly local and interesting experience.

Historic Buildings

Tour George Washington’s and Stonewall Jackson’s Office Museum.

Explore Old Town on foot and enjoy some amazing architecture. the most recognizable building is the Handley Library.

I wish I would have had time to step inside, but time was short. However, free tours of the building are available on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm and on the third Saturday at 1pm.  

I mean, seriously, check out the work on that building. It’s simply gorgeous!

Apple Orchards & Farm Markets

Legend says that George Washington planted many of the area’s apple trees and commercial apple harvest began soon after the Civil War.

Today, orchards and markets are a vibrant part of the community and a great place for tourists to visit.

Pumpkins and apples may be the traditional produce that is picked in the region but pick-your-own flowers are becoming more and more popular.

Winchester Ciderworks

There is only one thing to do when there is an abundance of apples and that is to turn it into hard cider. Hello, Wincheter Ciderworks.

They are creating some very delicious small batch hard cider. If you are in the area this is a must to at least try and/or buy a couple cases to take home.

Virginia State Arboretum

Open 365-days a year and it’s always FREE!

Gorgeous grounds and parks and a lovely place to walk off some of the great food you’ve enjoyed in Winchester.

This living museum features plants and trees from around the world, wetlands and a 300-tree ginkgo grove.

The arboretum offers a number of free events throughout the year include full moon walks.

Pedestrian Mall

Go shopping in the pedestrian mall that is full of boutiques and culinary delights. Be sure to stop at the Winchester Book Gallery, an independent, locally owned bookstore that has been providing the best book for more than forty years.

Get Outdoors

You are in a gorgeous part of the country. Get outdoors and spend some time enjoying the outdoor activities available in the region. Horseback riding, hiking, golf, kayaking, fly fishing, biking, and swimming.

Seriously, there is something for every level of fitness and interest.

When you are in Winchester you are a very short drive to Skyline Drive that offers up some of the best scenic vistas and waterfall hikes available in the area.

Roadside Attraction

You don’t really think I’d skip roadside attractions, did you? This is always the best part of travel.

Finding weird and wonderful attractions is kind of my thing. So, be sure to check out Dinosaur Land. Step into the world of the prehistoric past and walk among the 50 dinosaurs that live here.

Geocaching Tours

For my geocaching loving friends, the Winchester area offers up two different geocaching tours. 

A historical tour and a Civil War geo-trail. The historical tour has three stages and the Civil War tour has 20 caches hidden and waiting for you to find.

WHERE TO STAY

I stayed at the George Washington Hotel which is right downtown and is an easy walk to many area attractions and has incredibly lovely rooms.

Be sure to send a letter for the old-time post box located at the elevators. You’ll find little treasures like this throughout this gorgeous property.

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