Fall Leaves, Scenic Trips, Travel, Uncategorized, Weekend Getaway, West Virginia

YOUR GUIDE TO THE PERFECT FALL GETAWAY 

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BEGINNING IN BALTIMORE / DC ENDING IN ALMOST HEAVEN WEST VIRGINIA



City living has its perks, but once the temperature dips and pumpkin spice fills the air, you may find yourself yearning for an autumnal escape. Living in the Baltimore/DC area you have easy access to immerse yourself in the beauty of the season. It’s time to wrap up in your comfiest sweater and follow our bread crumbs W on I70.

 Somewhere around Harpers Ferry, the air will become filled with wood smoke and whispered ancient secrets. The deep gold, passion red and bright yellow leaves will sing a soul stirring symphony that only you can hear. You will cross mighty Potomac wide and wise, and think of George Washington doing the same so long ago.  And the mountains will rise up in all directions making you feel small and safe.  

WHERE TO GO:

Harpers Ferry.

About an hour from DC.

  I love this little town. It’s at the confluence of two mighty rivers,  the Potomac and the Shenandoah. It’s steeped in history, which, being a total history nerd, I love. In addition to historical tours, the fall offers ghost tours and amazing hikes that show off the leaves in a way that absolutely dazzles.

Berkeley Springs:

About 2 hours from DC

Originally known as the town of Bath, this artsy little mountain town is home to natural healing warm springs. George Washington made frequent trips here and you can walk in his footsteps and even sit in his bathtub.  If that’s not enough reason to visit, consider this, Berkeley Springs has been tauted as having more masseuses than lawyers. My favorite is Frankie Tan, owner of Atasia Spa, (https://atasiaspa.com). His hands will melt away your every ache and worry.

WHERE TO EAT:

Macks Bingo Kitchen in Wardensville. 

under 2 hours from DC

Mack’s Bingo Kitchen

They use seasonal ingredients from their very own organic farm and when that’s not enough they hit up their neighbors. The restaurant serves as a living classroom for young people to engage with all aspects of restaurant and hospitality services. The food will blow your mind.  The cocktails are handcrafted, unexpected and way too good. The interior is high end rustic and the people are wonderful.

Farmers Daughter 

Capon Bridge

About 2 hours from DC

https://www.farmersdaughterwv.com

Burgers maybe my favorite food ever and Farmer’s Daughter’s burgers are the world’s best.  I am ruined from every eating another elsewhere. They’ve won Best of WV more times than I can count, and for good reason. I don’t know what kind of voodoo they do to make those things so delicious, but if you dare to try one, you’ll be hooked.  They also have a great little market. 

WHERE TO STAY:

Mountainaire Luxury Cabin

Mountainaire Luxury Cabin

About 2 hours from DC

Capon Bridge

www.cabin-luxury.com

This place feels like home, if your home was crafted from 150 year old logs and designed and built by an international design duo that have created interiors and furnishings for some of Hollywood’s most elite.  Four bedrooms, three and half baths, a wrap around porch that anticipates your every desire, hot tub/plunge pool (depending on the season) and thoughtful, well appointed touches everywhere you look. It sits on a river at the base of Ice Mountain. Snuggly blankets, perfect rocking chairs and a fire accompany you as you take in the glorious leaves that are swirling everywhere you look.

Kool Wink Motel

Romney WV

About 2.5 hours from DC

https://www.koolwink.com

This perfectly preserved roadside motel has been family owned since 1936.  It’s not fancy but its authentic mid century design and it is awesome. You won’t find a more affordable option with this much cool factor anywhere.

What to do:

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

Romney, WV

About 2.5 hours from DC

Home

Throughout October step aboard these vintage travel locomotives and prepare to be swept away by breathtaking beauty at every turn. The train winds through stunning landscapes including the Trough, a canyon situated along a remote section of the Potomac river. You’ll see ancient forests, majestic wildlife and spectacular fall foliage.  Every season offers different excursions, but the fall foliage is not to be missed.

Hampshire County Fall Crawl

October 12, 2024

About 2 hours from DC

https://cometohampshire.com/wvfarmcrawl

Enjoy the best of the season with hayrides, pumpkin patches, live music, wine tasting, artisanal foods and more.  Meet the people who raise the cattle and work the land. Learn how it all gets done and enjoy the fruits of their labor. This is a self guided tour, so go at your own pace. 

Fall Leaves, Scenic Trips, Travel, West Virginia

Forget New England, West Virginia is the Wildest Place to See Fall Leaves

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A couple of years back, I had the opportunity to take in the autumn leaves of New England. Loving fall as much as I do, I was excited to finally see what all the hype was about. I took a week and traveled up the coast from Baltimore to Maine, and yes, it was beautiful. There were charming small towns, quaint markets and lots of trees!  But I’ve got to say, pound for pound, West Virginia has it beat.

photo by @timmyinwv


There’s a wildness in West Virginia, an atmosphere of the ancient and unknown, that is unlike anywhere I’ve been. It is not as buttoned up as its northern cousin, where every road has been well traveled. In West Virgina, you get the feeling sometimes that you are seeing something few have seen, experiencing something holy and rare. There are just as many charming towns, scenic roads, wineries, and grand mountains, but there’s more. Something undefinable and incredibly intoxicating. And the leaves are unbeatable! 

WHEN TO GO

The leaves are at their height from end of September til end of October.

There’s a wildness in West Virginia, an atmosphere of the ancient and unknown, that is unlike anywhere I’ve been.

WHERE TO SEE THE BEST LEAVES

Literally anywhere. West Virginia is the the only state located entirely within the Appalachian Mountains, which due to its high elevation, inspires the most vibrant fall leaves throughout the entire state. However, I have narrowed down my top 3 destinations for the ultimate fall escape.

    Eastern Panhandle

    If you are in the DC/Baltimore metro area, this is your destination. In about an hour you can be swallowed up in honey colored mountains and raging rivers. This part of the world offers culture, cuisine and true appalachian charm. Travel scenic roads through historic towns like Harpers Ferry, Sherpherdstown, Berkley Springs and Martinsburg. Enjoy world class cuisine, local artisans, and accommodations ranging from the luxurious to the rugged. Check out our Guide to The Perfect Fall Getaway from DC and Baltimore.

    Potomac Highlands

    Home of Seneca Rocks and Blackwater Falls which are among the state’s top tourist destinations the Potomac Highlands is packed with jaw dropping majesty. Take a thrilling ride to the top of Bald Knob on the scenic Cass railroad and watch as the atmosphere changes and the whole wide world unfolds before you.

    New River-Greenbrier Valley

    Home of America’s newest national park, Gorge National Park & Preserve is a must see and there’s no better time than fall. The New River, a rugged, whitewater river, flows northward through deep canyons and is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history.

    Enjoy over 78 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails, the longest of its kind, along the Greenbrier Trail. Explore Fayetteville, home of the famed Gorge Bridge. On the third Saturday of October the famous New River Gorge Bridge is open to pedestrians. A wide variety of activities draw thousands of people. Visitors experience great views, vendors, BASE jumping, rappelling, music, and more. Bridge Day is not only West Virginia’s largest one-day festival but also the largest extreme sports event in the world.

    West Virginia will captivate you if you give it a chance. Leave your preconceptions at the door and step into the wild, wonderful land they call God’s country.

    Travel, West Virginia

    Welcome to Wild & Wonderful

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    I was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of a West Virginian mountain man and a North Carolina Lumbee Indian. My earliest memories of summer  vacations consisted of family packed into my dad’s 1970 Ford camper headed west. When we crossed the state line from Maryland into WV he would inevitably say, “Smell that kids? The air just got sweeter?” And, I swear, it truly did. Thus began my life long love affair with the mountain state. 
    Wild and wonderful is your invitation to shed everything you think you know about West Virginia and travel her beautiful country roads to discover for yourself the depths of her charms. 

    There is staggeringly magnificent natural beauty, deep rich history, wildlife, and adventure around every corner. There is a spirit here that is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. It’s deep, ancient and wise.  
    Rugged Western Virginia was settled largely by Germans and Scotch-Irish. The entire state is encapsulated in the Appalachian mountains, which both isolated them and made them independent creating the perfect environment for a unique way of life to flourish. The food, music, and artistry still reflects those roots and you can find amazing festivals throughout the state that celebrate the old ways. 
    West Virginia is having a renaissance at the moment. Since the rise of tele work, there has been an influx of people moving from the cities to the mountain state. Old towns are seeing a revitalization, world class chefs are recognizing the bounty of organic farms and creating a whole new class of cuisine, luxury escapes are cropping up allowing a getaway that offers privacy and natural beauty without sacrificing style an amenities. I am excited to bring you my West Virginia.