Fall weekends are made for exploring picturesque towns to live out your quaint Hallmark-town dreams. Imagine yourself strolling a bustling Main Street, latte in hand, browsing antique shops and indie bookstores, and pausing to admire front porches draped in pumpkins and mums. Spend the afternoon picking apples or wandering through a golden corn maze, then wrap up the day with a glass of wine at a hillside vineyard or a mug of hot cider by a crackling fire. These destinations in and around Northern Virginia are perfect for a laid-back day trip or weekend autumnal escape.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Don’t tell the summer crowds, but fall may be the best time to visit this Pennsylvania borough, which is about a two-hour drive from NoVA. Tour Gettysburg National Military Park, site of the 1863 battle and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, on a crisp morning when the foliage is in full splendor. Afterward, wander the town’s 19th-century streets, browsing antique shops, galleries, and boutiques, and warm up with a hot coffee or tea from Presidents Coffee or Bantam Coffee Roasters. Venture into Adams County (also known as Apple Country USA) for a scenic drive past rolling orchards, where you can pick your own apples and sip fresh cider. Along the way, sample craft beverages with mountain views on the Adams County Pour Tour, which features local breweries, wineries, and cideries. If you’re visiting on the first two weekends of October, don’t miss the National Apple Harvest Festival in Biglerville, with live music, antique cars, orchard tours, and a petting zoo. Or stop by Fields of Adventure for themed corn mazes and a pick-your-own pumpkin field. Cap the day with a candlelit dinner back in Gettysburg at the historic Dobbin House Tavern, followed by one of the town’s famed ghost tours.
Middleburg
Put on your most stylish riding boots and pay a visit to Virginia’s horse country, where elegant inns, spas, and wineries invite you to linger for a day trip or an indulgent weekend. Explore the area’s equestrian heritage at the National Sporting Library & Museum or cheer at the Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park on October 11. Mingle with filmmakers and actors during the Middleburg Film Festival (October 16 to 19). Be sure to reserve tickets in advance for screenings and special events hosted at the Salamander Resort. Treat yourself to an “Autumn Renewal” facial with fig-infused massage oil at the spa, then savor a Caesar salad with countryside views at Harrimans Grill. Find quality wines, outdoor seating, fire pits, and vineyard views at wineries such as Boxwood Winery. Before you go, wander Middleburg’s historic district, ducking into independent shops like Crème de la Crème, Middleburg Books, and Middleburg Antique Gallery.
Frederick, Maryland
Downtown Frederick comes alive with vibrant events and small-town energy in the fall. On October 19, the Frederick Fall Festival at Carroll Creek Park fills the heart of downtown with live music, local food and drink vendors, and family activities along the picturesque waterway. And Frederick’s Oktoberfest, with more than a dozen different beers from local breweries, returns to Frederick Fairgrounds September 26 and 27. Explore the city’s 50-block historic district lined with cafes and independent shops — it’s great for scoring home decor and vintage finds, and gifts crafted by local artists. In time for Halloween, join a lantern-lit ghost tour with Maryland Heritage Tours to hear tales of Civil War soldiers and 19th-century doctors, stories that helped earn Frederick its reputation as one of Maryland’s most haunted cities.
Feature image courtesy Destination Gettysburg
