As the hot summer days turn into cool fall breezes and falling leaves, Northern Virginians begin to crave autumn-themed adventure. This year, they should look to Waynesboro, Virginia for fun fall activities, outdoor adventures and plenty of opportunities for “leaf-peeping.”
A weekend in Waynesboro is perfect for arts lovers of all ages. Within downtown, explore the work of regional artists at the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, P. Buckley Moss Gallery, and the historic Wayne Theatre (home to a rotating exhibit gallery). As you meander through town, you might notice some of the eye-catching products of the Virginia Street Arts Festival, which has called Waynesboro home for the past five years with plans to return again this fall.
Colorful murals can be found in many corners of the city, including next to the Wayne Theatre, along the South River Greenway, and at Basic City Beer Co. just minutes from downtown. In fact, Waynesboro recently developed an interactive Street Arts Trail that features the various works of public art throughout the area. You can find a map and more details on the Trail at traipse.co/waynesboro.
Only two and a half hours away from the heart of Northern Virginia, the city of Waynesboro is a perfect weekend getaway for the fall. The sixth annual Virginia Street Arts Festival is set to take place Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11. So, book a hotel, take the scenic drive and enjoy both the art and the foliage—just don’t forget to pack your face mask and keep social distancing in mind.
Speaking of scenic, Waynesboro bursts with shades of reds, yellows and oranges during the fall season, and “leaf-peeping” is the perfect socially distant, nature activity to participate in this year. Waynesboro is divinely placed in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, with some iconic scenic attractions at your fingertips, with the Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, and Skyline Drive just 4 miles from the heart of downtown. There’s plenty of fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, and other outdoor adventures to keep you busy for days.
Once you work up an appetite from all of your ventures through the arts and beautiful outdoor setting, head to Waynesboro’s myriad of restaurants and breweries for relaxing meals and sips.
Hungry? You can nosh on a wide variety of options from American and Asian cuisine to tasty barbecue, contemporary, Mexican and Italian food. There are plenty of ice cream and coffee shops, too, to take you from morning bites to evening indulgences.
Thirsty? Tap into the fun at one of Waynesboro’s award-winning breweries along the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail, and remember to get your passport stamped for the chance to earn a free T-shirt. There’s also a kombucha taproom in town, along with a distillery and many wineries within a stone’s throw of town.
Ready to plan your trip? Head to visitwaynesboro.net to explore all Waynesboro has to offer.
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