Check Off These Bucket List Items in Staunton, VA October 15, 2021 by StauntonVA We’ve rounded up Staunton-area bucket list ideas to brighten up your year. Read on to live your best life. Walk Under a Mountain The 2.25-mile Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel trail has just opened for foot and bike traffic. At just under a mile, the tunnel was the longest railroad tunnel in North America when it was completed in 1858. Part spooky, part history lesson, part invigorating and just plain dark, the tunnel stays a temperate 50 degrees, so it’s a good way to get outside even on the hottest and coldest days. Make sure you bring your strongest flashlight and look for subterranean creatures like crawfish and salamanders. Complete Your Beerwerks Passport Need some motivation to get more beer in your life? Grab a Shenandoah Valley Beerwerks passport and taste your way through the best craft beer the Shenandoah Valley has to offer. Many breweries are located in Rockingham, Augusta, and Lexington/Rockbridge Counties, making Staunton an enviable jumping off point. You’ll enjoy taproom vibes that range from homey, to cool industrial, to alfresco with bucolic views. Get your passport stamped at 8 breweries and earn yourself a free t-shirt! Enjoy a Spa Day Feeling stressed and ready for some major relaxation? This is the time to book a spa day at the new spa at the Blackburn Inn. Choose from massage, skincare treatments, nail treatments, or go crazy and indulge in all of the above! Want to pamper yourself even more? Buy yourself a cute new outfit at Design@9 or the Fashion Gallery, where you can browse 25,000 square feet of high quality clothes, shoes, and accessories. Better Yourself by Learning Something New Beverley Street Studio School offers “year-round, non-degree, college-level art classes to the serious art student.” The public can register for classes, lectures, and workshops that are being delivered via Zoom as well as in person. Spring offerings include watercolor, art as exploration, and more. If you’re not ready to take a class just yet, get inspired by their gallery, which shares space with Co-Art Gallery at 22 W. Beverley Street. If you’d rather learn a skill that keeps you outside and active. Sign up for some private golf lessons or instructional clinics with the golf pro at Gypsy Hill Golf Club. Kayak Through a Whitewater Gorge Does racing whitewater make your heart thrill? Rack your kayak and head to Goshen Pass for six miles of powerful class II, class III, and class IV rapids. The gorge was created as the Maury River cut through Little North Mountain and the water that courses through is considered some of the best whitewater for intermediate paddlers in Virginia. Take that Hot Air Balloon Ride You’ve Always Promised Her Picture gliding smoothly through the air, gazing down as the Valley spreads out like a map below you. Enjoy the sunrise or sunset with up to three of your favorite people. Bridgewater’s Star Ballooning takes photos, provides champagne toasts, and can even arrange a special proposal flight, should the mood strike you. Spend the Night in Lodgings with a History Much of Staunton’s downtown dates from the Victorian Era, and there are several places to rest your head that date back 100 years or more. Travelers can choose between Hotel 24 South, which was where society ladies went to drink their tea in the early 1900s, or historic homes that have been re-envisioned as B&Bs. Travelers will also enjoy the luxurious Blackburn Inn, which has an institutional past, but is now an updated inn and spa, or Gibson’s Warehouse, which started its life as a warehouse that stored goods as they came off the train, but is now modern suites. Go on a Wildlife Safari You don’t have to travel to Africa to take your kids on safari. Virginia’s only drive-thru safari, Virginia Safari Park, is just a short drive down the highway in Natural Bridge. The 180-acre property includes three miles of gravel road through animal habitat. You can drive with your windows down and the animals will stick their heads into your car for feed. There’s also a walk-through section where you can see giraffes, tigers, penguins, birds, and farm animals. If you’re looking for an even rarer experience, sign up to spend a Saturday with a pair of cheetahs, penguins, or sloths and their handlers. You’ll learn how the animal-care specialists feed and interact with them. Eat an Entire Cake…or Quiche…or Pie all by Yourself You know you’ve always wanted to do it. Take that first delicious bite and keep on eating until it’s gone. Well, maybe you are capable of restraint, but you won’t want to after you taste a cake from Giancarlo Fine European Pastry. This tiny shop is tucked away, but once you discover it, you’ll return again and again for cakes, chocolates and tarts. Check Facebook for a taste of what’s available. Réunion Bakery & Espresso serves pastries, breads, and if you’re lucky, quiche. You can check out what they’re baking on Facebook and order at the window. And if pie is your weakness, Firkin Pie Company has something in the oven right now that will make you swoon. Pretend to Be in a Movie Parts of several major motion pictures were shot in Staunton! Step one is to watch the movie and try to spot Staunton. Watch the Civil War come to life in Gods and Generals or Wicked Spring. Get spooked on Sears Hill after watching Hearts in Atlantis or giggle along with Evan Almighty. Step two is to head to the location and snap your selfie there. Explore the area while you’re there!
Mill Creek | More than just a creek… October 15, 2021 by Giles County LET’S TALK ABOUT NARROWS… A little, rural town of a less than 2,000 residents, Narrows, Virginia is quite possibly the epi-center of easy-to-access, family friendly outdoor adventures. We’ll walk you through some prime examples of how to spend some time basking in the great outdoors… We start at Mill Creek Nature Park. Truthfully you could spend all day at Mill Creek Nature Park and be quite content. The options available to you are extensive. Mill Creek Nature Park is owned and managed by the Town. It’s free to access, but it never hurts to put a few dollars in the donation box to help offset the costs and maintenance of the park. Photo credit: Aspires Marketing Getting to Mill Creek is straight forward, but a little tricky. Coming via Route 460, at the Narrows stoplight, turn off 460 and head towards downtown. Coming this way, you’ll find options if you want to stop to pick up supplies or snacks. Once in Narrows you’ll turn left onto Main Street. In approximately one and a half miles turn right onto Northview Street. It’s important to note this is residential area and the road can be narrow, so be careful but you’ll find the entrance to Mill Creek at the end of Northview. The asphalt gives way to a gravel road that passes between a garage and house, go on through and follow the gravel road to the ample parking (and donation box) at the end. Seriously you could spend all day enjoying the picnic shelters and easy creek access within minutes of the parking lot. A favorite of mine is just below the first shelter at the creek, you’ll find two spots where you can get right down to the water. The water is cold, beware! There are benches along this section of trail and you’ll see signs for other trails throughout the property. I could spend a good chunk of the day enjoying the sounds of water, reading a book, with my toes in the water. Trout fishing is excellent in this little stream. Native species abound for fly or bank fishing. Don’t forget your license that can be purchased online or a local shop that sells gear. Other wildlife I’ve seen in these lower fields include deer and wild turkeys. I’ve also seen brown snakes and water snakes near the water, but not to worry, this is their home and they’re just hanging out. Starting up the waterfall trail you’ll follow an old road, but still hear the sounds of the rolling mountain creek. Then you’ll come to a very unique spot that also could make a perfect picnic location. They’ve built a sleeping shelter, because you’re on a spur trail off of the Appalachian Trail. Narrows is an AT Community and sees many hikers every year, either hiking the AT or the GET, Great Eastern Trail, of which both parallel near Narrows. You’ll also notice here that the water pools up behind a stone wall. In the olden days, this creek along with this reservoir provided all the water to town residents. The structure holding back the water is thought to be the oldest surviving engineered structure in Giles County. Again, the water is very cold, but some people have been know to take a dip in these mountain waters. You’re welcome to do so, but burrrrr. From here you have a lot of options to traverse the mountain. If you’re a family of mountain bikers, then you’ve found a great spot! Trails with single track crisscross the landscape providing fairly challenging treks and switchbacks. If you’d rather go on foot, I highly recommend the waterfall trail, because as the name suggests there’s a waterfall to enjoy! It’s only a 1.3 mile hike (overall about 3 miles parking lot out and back). From the reservoir follow trail markers to the Waterfall Trail. It’s considered a moderate trail, because you do have to navigate over rock outcrops and the trail becomes very narrow in spots as you go up the gorge. At one point, before the falls, you’ll also have to cross a branch that meanders down to the creek on a wooden single bridge. It’s beautiful and a work of art if you ask us… The waterfalls at Mill Creek are just that, multiple opportunities to take in the spectacular scenery. Some have even been known to take a picnic up to the falls. Between the upper and lower falls there is a nice flat rock you can sit between and enjoy a break or snack. The falls are in a gorge and from the trail you’ll have a few yards down a steep slope to get to this in between area, but completely doable, and worth it! Going beyond the falls you can hike all the way up to Sentinel Point. On a clear day this viewpoint of the Town of Narrows is amazing. The last quarter mile is steep and challenging, but overall the hike is gentle sloping through hardwood forests. Finding native wild flowers or fungi is as easy as looking down and around you. There’s a Shortcut Trail that I like to take on the way back, take the long way going up… One of my other favorite spots is crossing over Mill Creek just before the Shortcut Trail. The rhododendron thicket provides unusual lighting and the illusion of a secret spot along the trail. It’s pretty flat here and when it’s been rainy this could be muddy and difficult to cross, but when it’s not, it’s a really neat spot tucked away up in the hills. Well, we said we’d talk about Narrows, but I’ve only talked about Mill Creek. We’ll have to save the rest of the fun stuff for another day. You can learn more about Mill Creek on the Town’s website http://townofnarrows.org/. Check out the other waterfall hikes in Giles on our website, including Dismal and Cascades, https://virginiasmtnplayground.com/dismal-falls/. If you and your family take advantage of Mill Creek or other trails throughout Giles be sure to check in on Facebook or Instagram. Use #GilesCoVA for us to share your adventures. Stay safe and have fun in Virginia’s Mountain Playground!
Laurel Highlands Fall Checklist October 12, 2021 by Laurel Highlands PA The trees are turning colors and the leaves are slowly falling. Fall is here! That means it is now perfectly acceptable to wear sweaters and eat and drink everything pumpkin flavored, right? We know that fall brings a ton of festivals, events, activities, and views, and we don’t want you to miss a thing. Start your fall checklist today! Complete the Limited Time Laurel Highlands Pour Tour Passport: Boos & Brews! If you’re a fan of fall-themed beverages, the Laurel Highlands Pour Tour launched an exclusive fall tour right up your alley: Boos & Brews! The tour runs until Nov. 30, so get sippin’! Download the free Laurel Highlands Pour Tour app and check-in at 18 of our 40+ locations, and we’ll mail you an exclusive Boos & Brews t-shirt! Visit Frightening Haunted Attractions The Laurel Highlands is a prime spot for hair-raising Halloween horror. At Haunted Hollow, take a haunted hayride to the Toxic Wasteland, make your way through the Milford Asylum and try to find your way out of the escape room. Try and survive a trip to Crawford School of Terror, where the only lesson on the curriculum is FEAR. Cap off your haunted experience with a spooky night’s stay at the Grand Midway Hotel, whose roof is one giant Ouija Board. Or Celebrate a Family-Friendly Halloween Do not fret, there are family-friendly alternatives to the scary Halloween activities! Plan a day at Maple Bottom Farm and navigate through the corn maze, go on a hayride, and watch a movie on the barn. Put on your Halloween costume and spend a Night at the Zoo at Living Treasures Wild Animal Park, where you’ll see more than 50 active nocturnal animals along torchlit paths. And don’t forget to stop at Idlewild‘s Hallowboo! for trick-or-treating through Storybook Forest! Visit Frank Lloyd Wright‘s Masterpieces Four of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs stand in the Laurel Highlands, and the fall is the perfect season to see them thanks to the beautiful foliage! Check something off of your bucket list and reserve a tour of Fallingwater. Less than ten miles away, you can visit the mountain home, Kentuck Knob, which features an art collection and sculpture garden. Planning on staying in the Laurel Highlands? There are two Frank Lloyd Wright houses open for overnight stays in the region: Duncan House and Mäntylä, both onsite at Polymath Park. Discover the Wonders of the Laurel Highlands If you’re about that outdoors life, the Laurel Highlands is the place for you. There are more than 700 miles of hiking and biking trails in the Laurel Highlands. From the Great Allegheny Passage to the Meadow Run Trail in Ohiopyle State Park, you’re guaranteed to find a trail that is your pace. Stay at Buffalo Bill’s House from The Silence of the Lambs If you’re a horror movie fan, you’ve seen “The Silence of the Lambs.” But did you know that there’s a filming location from the movie right in your backyard? For the first time ever, Buffalo Bill’s House in Perryopolis is open to the public as a boutique accommodation and cinematic destination. Perfect for spooky season! Be sure to use #LaurelHighlands when you post photos from your fall adventures to be featured on social media, on our website, and more!
Get in the “Spirit” in the Mid-Atlantic: Ghostly Brews October 1, 2021 by MATPRA Admin (Mid-Atlantic Region, October 1, 2021) — Destinations across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia feature some of the best craft beverage businesses in the country. What better way to celebrate local haunts than with a pint in your hand? We’ve rounded up places around the Mid-Atlantic region that are getting into the “spirit” of Halloween with a micro-itinerary that includes both a local brewery or distillery and haunted place that is sure to be high on your spooky road trip bucket list. For more information on any of the following, contact the destination marketing organization listed below. For general information on the Mid-Atlantic, visit MATPRA.org. Delaware Wilmington, Delaware and the Brandywine Valley Featured on “Ghost Hunters,” the 1800s-era Rockwood Mansion gives off gothic vibes. Remnants of an old playhouse on the property once belonged to a young boy who continues to haunt his childhood home. If you dare, grab a ticket to Rockwood’s Paranormal Investigation. Afterward, head to Bellefonte Brewing Company nearby for a Halloween appropriate pint of Claymonster. Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jen Boes, VisitWilmingtonDE.com, [email protected] Maryland State of Maryland The C&O Canal Experience offers some of the best brews (and boos) in the region. Travel along the C&O Canal Libations Trail for brews dedicated to the C&O Canal and then check out a few of the region’s ghost tours for a spooky good time. State of Maryland, Matthew Scales, VisitMaryland.org, [email protected] Allegany County Grab your flashlight and hike or bike through the Paw Paw Tunnel, an architectural marvel located along the historic C&O Canal towpath. Reward your bravery with a gulp of Douglas’ Ditch beer, which honors the canal and is available at Dig Deep Brewing, located close to the trail. Allegany County, The Mountain Side of Maryland, Mindy Bianca, MDMountainside.com, [email protected] Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Grab a cold brew from Forward Brewing Company, Crooked Crab Brewing Company, Pherm Brewing, and more before exploring dark alleys, spooky side streets, and haunted sites of historic Annapolis on a Historic Hauntings or Annapolis Ghost Tour. If you dare, follow a spirited guide on a haunted pub crawl. Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Susan Seifried, VisitAnnapolis.org, [email protected] Calvert County Maryland’s smallest county plays a big role when it comes to the fine art of fermentation. Roam the Calvert County Wine & Ale Trail and sample superb wines and brews in a restored tobacco barn, on the slopes of a rolling vineyard or along the banks of a pristine creek. Calvert County Department of Economic Development, Hilary Dailey, ChooseCalvert.com, [email protected] Charles County Get into the Halloween spirit with a visit to Charles County and Blue Dyer Distilling Co. Stop in for a Smoked Old Fashion made with Blue Dyer Whiskey and take a tour of this newly renovated industrial space and learn how it’s all made. Sit back with friends and sip your libations while you snack on smoked chicken nachos from the Chuckwagon Food Truck in the Scratch Bar. Charles County Government, Department of Recreation, Parks, & Tourism, Maggie Boyden, ExploreCharlesCounty.com, [email protected] Hagerstown, Washington County Get spooky with a ghost tour of the Hager House, then go grab an adult beverage at one of the breweries or distilleries, found in our online Grapes & Grains Guide. All are locally crafted, with excellence. Visit Hagerstown, Betsy DeVore, VisitHagerstown.com, [email protected] Howard County Visit Historic Ellicott City & Historic Savage Mill, some of the country’s most haunted places. Tour the historic mill town’s paranormal activity and unlock the spirit at Ellicott Distillery. Enjoy rounds of hops and storytelling. Howard County, Maryland is filled with stories that will sure knock your boots off. Visit Howard County, Crystal Abrom, VisitHowardCounty.com, [email protected] Montgomery County Did you know that portions of the 1999 film “The Blair Witch Project” were filmed in Montgomery County, Maryland? Spend the afternoon exploring Seneca Creek State Park (aka Blair Witch Woods) and then enjoy a pint from a local farm brewery in the Agricultural Reserve along the Tastemakers Trail. Visit Montgomery, MD, Cory Van Horn, VisitMontgomery.com, [email protected] Talbot County Talbot County celebrates the bounty of fall with OysterFest on Oct. 30 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. Savor Chesapeake Bay wild and aquaculture oysters served steamed, raw, fried, and grilled. Lyon Rum Distilling Company will serve a specialty rum cocktail, plus oyster shooters and Chesapeake-style Bloody Marys. Talbot County Office of Economic Development and Tourism, Krista Boothby, TourTalbot.org, [email protected] Pennsylvania Bradford County Learn the tales of ghoulish hangings that took place in the very prison courtyard where you begin your tour of the Bradford County Historical Society Museum before visiting some of the county’s popular tasting spots like Grovedale Winery, Antler Ridge Winery and Pickering Winery to sample the area’s seasonal favorites. Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency, Morgan Christopher, VisitBradfordCounty.com, [email protected] Columbia-Montour Spooky tales abound about Katy’s Church in Washingtonville, Pennsylvania. According to legend, the ghost of Katy Vandine is sometimes seen near the church, crying for the married man who betrayed her. Afterward, visit Old Forge and Rock God Brewing Companies to enjoy seasonal fall brews and settle those ghostly jitters. Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, Linda Sones, ITourColumbiaMontour.com, [email protected] Erie Join us in October for Haunted History Tours of Union Station at The Brewerie-Erie PA. What lies beneath the halls of Union Station? There have been dozens of tragic and untimely deaths in and around the station throughout its long history. Strange and unexplainable things happen regularly at Union Station. Sign up for this 60-minute tour and sample an Apparition Amber Ale. VisitErie, Christine Temple, Brewerie.com, [email protected] Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau There’s a trick to visiting the Endless Mountains this October. Tantalize your taste buds with a spook-tacular treat from Deep Roots Hard Cider to sample beverages crafted with locally grown apples from Millers Orchard, then head to Chocolates by Leopold for ghoulishly delicious Halloween treats from this award-winning confectioner. Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Morgan Christopher, EndlessMountains.org, [email protected] Lancaster County Get your October brew and fright all in one place in Lancaster County at Bube’s Brewery in Mount Joy, which offers regular ghost tours, murder mystery dinner theater, and paranormal investigations. It is the only 1800s brewery complex still intact in the U.S. Discover Lancaster, Joel Cliff, DiscoverLancaster.com, [email protected] Lehigh Valley Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, has many “spook-tacular” attractions. Taste the nation’s original spirit, Applejack, at Eight Oaks Farm Distillery and see historic hauntings from the 18th century up close on a thrilling ghost tour in Bethlehem. Finally, spend the night at Historic Hotel Bethlehem that claims ghosts as guests. Discover Lehigh Valley, Alicia Quinn, DiscoverLehighValley.com/Fall, [email protected] Pocono Mountains Here & Now Brewing Company on Main Street in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, has amazing craft beers and local, seasonal, whimsical pizzas and other delicious items. It’s just down the street from Ghost Tours planned for Oct. 9 and 10, which leave from Central Park and take a candlelight walking tour of the historic and spooky past. Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, James Hamill, PoconoMountains.com, [email protected] Potter County – Tioga County Flying saucers, UFOs, and extraterrestrial beings have long captured the imagination of sci-fi movie fans. After a craft brew at the Hotel Crittenden in Coudersport, let your imagination run wild by viewing the dark skies from one of the best spots in North America to see them — Cherry Springs State Park. Visit Potter-Tioga, Morgan Christopher, VisitPotterTioga.com, [email protected] Virginia Harrisonburg Experience Haunted Harrisonburg this October, from the haunted 18th century manor house at By the Side of the Road Getaway Lodging to the Virginia Quilt Museum’s reported ghost of Joseph Latimer. End the evening at Sage Bird Cider’s spooky movie night. Harrisonburg Tourism & Visitor Services, Jennifer Bell, VisitHarrisonburgVA.com, [email protected] Lexington & Rockbridge Cauldrons of small-batch brews swirl at Heliotrope Brewery, a stop on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail. After some liquid courage, join the Haunting Tales Ghost Tours on an eerie candlelight walk of the dark alleyways of downtown Lexington. Witness something unexplainable at the Oak Grove Cemetery, the final resting place of General Jackson. Lexington & Rockbridge Area Tourism, Patty Williams, LexingtonVirginia.com, [email protected] Norfolk Experience an October like no other in Norfolk. Sip your way through Town Point Virginia Wine Festival as you take in the waterside views or bring the family to enjoy the Annual Children’s Festival. Art lovers will not want to miss the NEON Festival or the Museum of the Moon. VisitNorfolk, Sarah Hughes, VisitNorfolk.com, [email protected] Prince William County There are tales of the parlor piano playing on its own as well as sightings of Benoni, who guided the home’s restoration in the 1800s. A glass of wine sits out in the Tasting Room for his ghost each day to ensure no mysterious phenomena occurs while open to the public. Visit Prince William, Virginia, Nicole Warner, WineryAtLaGrange.com/about/history/, [email protected] Staunton Join us for Dark Tales & Haunts of the Queen City. Visit Blackburn Inn to walk the grounds of what once was known as Western State Asylum and then hear the spirits at Thornrose Cemetery. Grab a fall brew like Moriarty or Sweet Potato Pie Porter at Redbeard Brewing Company. Staunton, VA, Jessica Williams, VisitStaunton.com, [email protected] Virginia’s Blue Ridge Set against the vibrant backdrop of Virginia’s Blue Ridge mountains, Downtown Salem is the perfect place to uncover spirits of all sorts. Tour centuries-old cemeteries with the Salem Museum, sip craft spirits in a historically renovated taproom at Olde Salem Brewing Company, or browse endless antiques along Main Street shops. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Taylor Spellman, VisitVBR.com, [email protected] West Virginia Hampshire County Located in one of West Virginia’s oldest counties within one of the state’s largest organic farms is veteran-owned Flying Buck Distillery. During this Halloween season, you can enjoy tasting their spirits before seeing ghosts and goblins at House of the Setting Sun and the Haunted Barn. Hampshire County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tina Ladd, ComeToHampshire.com, [email protected] Take a look at images from across the Mid-Atlantic. Please be sure to provide photo credit to the appropriate DMO. About the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The group serves travel journalists by creating a regional resource that ignores geographical boundaries to better promote common threads, offering story ideas about the Mid-Atlantic region as a whole. For more information, visit MATPRA.org.
Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands Named Readers’ Choice Winner as Best Destination for Fall Foliage September 13, 2021 by Laurel Highlands PA LIGONIER, PA., (Sept. 13, 2021) – USA Today announced that Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands has been named a Readers’ Choice Winner for the Best Destination for Fall Foliage category in the 2021 USA Today 10Best Travel Award Contest. “We are extremely honored to have been nominated for a second year and recognized as a Top 10 destination by readers of USA Today,” said Ann Nemanic, Executive Director of GO Laurel Highlands. “Each season in the Laurel Highlands bears its own unique charm. When autumn unfurls a magnificent blanket of color along our rolling hills, through our valleys, and atop our vistas, it’s a sight everyone in America needs to see.” The Laurel Highlands placed eighth overall in voting amid a field of 20 nominees that included Vermont’s White Mountains, Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Ozark Mountain Region. Winners were selected by readers’ choice via a month-long online contest that encouraged travelers to vote daily for their favorite place to explore for fall. The winning destinations were announced on the 10Best website on Friday, Sept.10. The Best Destination for Fall Foliage award is one of several USA Today 10Best honors recently won by the Laurel Highlands. The region previously won third overall for Best Fall Foliage in 2020, one of the top Best New Destinations in 2018 for Flight 93 National Memorial’s Tower of Voices, and Best Pennsylvania Attractions for Ohiopyle State Park 10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. Their staff is made up of a collection of local travel experts that specialize in the region or city they write about. As home to thousands of acres of unspoiled state forests, parks, and game lands, the Laurel Highlands is the ideal destination for an autumn getaway for leaf peepers. The mountain ridges and river valleys provide a dramatic landscape for the diverse population of trees that offer their own signature color each fall. Eager leaf peepers are always anxious to take their first fall hike or drive of the season and curious to know when the leaves will start changing. While Mother Nature is not always predictable, fall foliage begins to shine in mid-September with the brightest bursts of color ablaze in mid-October. “Before winter settles in, you need a road trip to soak in the autumn splendor of the Laurel Highlands,” added Nemanic. “Our wide-open spaces, scenic byways, and historic routes will lead you to some of the very best fall photo ops in the country. Add in our craft beverage scene, roadside markets, corn mazes, and quaint small towns for an ideal autumn multi-day excursion.” For more information or inspiration, please visit www.golaurelhighlands.com/fall. About Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands A magnificent mountainous region, the Laurel Highlands spans 3,000 square miles in southwestern Pennsylvania. Located an hour’s drive east of Pittsburgh, the beautiful four-season destination offers spectacular natural scenery, outstanding outdoor recreation, historic sites and attractions, family activities, and world-class resorts. Notable destinations within the region include four architectural masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright – Fallingwater®, Kentuck Knob, Mäntylä and Duncan House – Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Flight 93 National Memorial, Idlewild and Soak Zone, whitewater rafting in Ohiopyle State Park, and more. Located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Washington D.C., Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands can be easily accessed from exits 67, 75, 91, and 110 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Visitors to the Laurel Highlands can find information online at www.GoLaurelHighlands.com, calling 724.238.5661, www.facebook.com/laurelhighlandsPA and www.twitter.com/laurelhighlands. Established in 1958, GO Laurel Highlands, formerly known as Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, is the official destination marketing organization for Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. ###
Leaf Peepers’ Paradise Spots Across the Mid-Atlantic September 7, 2021 by MATPRA Admin (Mid-Atlantic Region, September 7, 2021) — From weekend getaways to long road trips to short scenic drives, the Mid-Atlantic is a leaf peepers’ paradise. Visitors flock to the region’s popular fall foliage destinations to see leaves change from the lush greens of summer to the bright golds, oranges, and reds of autumn. Special events and local landmarks across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia highlight the region’s transformation from summer to fall. For more information on any of the following, contact the destination marketing organization listed below. For general information on the Mid-Atlantic, visit MATPRA.org. Delaware Delaware’s Quaint Villages Experience the seasonal spectacle of wildlife that makes its way through Delaware’s Quaint Villages as birds of every variety migrate south during the fall season. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, located in the heart of Delaware, is a nationally recognized bird watchers and photographers’ paradise. Kent County Tourism, John Doerfler, VisitDelawareVillages.com, [email protected] Greater Wilmington This region is one of the country’s most undiscovered fall foliage destinations. Explore the country roads of Chateau Country, taking in the stunning hues of changing leaves while exploring the region’s grand estates and gardens, scenic river, and covered bridges. Or, leave the car behind and take a fall foliage-themed ride on the historic Wilmington & Western Railroad. Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jen Boes, VisitWilmingtonDE.com, [email protected] Maryland State of Maryland Visitors fall in love with Maryland during the autumn season, with the beautiful foliage in the mountains to the colors gleaming off the Chesapeake Bay. Stroll along the C&O Canal towpath, head to Maryland’s horse country and then indulge in a crab feast, as crabs are heaviest in October. Maryland Office of Tourism, Matthew Scales, VisitMaryland.org, [email protected] Allegany County Enjoy fall in Allegany County, The Mountain Side of Maryland, by riding through the leaves … literally! From rail biking with Tracks and Yaks to excursions on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, from driving through Green Ridge State Forest to bicycling the Great Allegheny Passage, there’s a ride for everyone! Allegany County, The Mountain Side of Maryland, Mindy Bianca, MDMountainside.com, [email protected] Annapolis & Anne Arundel County The Bay Bridge Paddle, Anne Arundel County Fair, Maryland Seafood Festival, Lifeline 100 Bicycling Event, and Maryland Renaissance Festival are great reasons to visit Annapolis this fall. Along with farmers markets, outdoor concerts, and First Sunday Arts Celebrations, they beckon you to enjoy the beauty of nature’s autumn glory. Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Susan Seifried, VisitAnnapolis.org, [email protected] Calvert County Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons, Maryland always hosts whimsical events! Enjoy 175 artist booths, 35 performers on four stages, street performers, bubble artists and musicians at “Artsfest,” and indulge your love of all things weird, wild, and wonderful and bizarre at their “Monster Market.” Calvert County Department of Economic Development, Hilary Dailey, ChooseCalvert.com, [email protected] Cecil County Experience beautiful autumn countryside and world class equestrian competition at “Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill”, Oct. 14th – 17th. One of only 7 such events world-wide, it offers food, fun, vendors, international equestrian competition, and more. Come early to enjoy Cecil County’s small towns, Chesapeake Bay cuisine, scenic waterfront, and outdoor recreation. Cecil County Tourism, Sandy Turner, SeeCecil.org, [email protected] Harford County King and Queen Seat, a 190-foot-high rock outcrop overlooking Deer Creek in Rocks State Park, provides a spectacular vantage point to see leaves change color. Stroll Eden Mill or Ma and Pa Trails as the leaves fall on your path. An illuminated fall event, Garden Glow, returns to Ladew Gardens in October. Visit Harford, Mindy Schneider, VisitHarford.com, [email protected] Kent County A getaway to Kent County is an amazing way to make memories! Explore quaint waterfront towns on a bike ride or embark on a sunset cruise to view the hues of fall. Enjoy art galleries, specialty shopping, and an award-winning farmers’ and artisans’ market. Sip and savor home-grown wines and spirits, harvest ripe grapes or horseback ride through the rural landscape. Kent County Tourism, Jana Carter, KentCounty.com, [email protected] Talbot County On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the Chesapeake Bay glistens with fall colors, migrating birds rest their wings, and autumn traditions are celebrated during Talbot County’s 50th Waterfowl Festival in downtown Easton! This unique family fall festival features diving dog and retriever competitions, art vendors, tastings, calling contests, decoy auction, and more! Talbot County Office of Tourism, Krista Boothby, TourTalbot.org, [email protected] Pennsylvania Allegheny National Forest Enjoy the amazing colors of fall from the Kinzua Sky Walk, “One of the top 10 most scenic skywalks in the world,” stretching 624 feet into the Kinzua Gorge. Enjoy “leaf peeping” as you cruise along the Longhouse National Scenic Byway located in the Allegheny National Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania. Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, Linda Devlin, VisitANF.com, [email protected] Bradford County Travel Route 6 across beautiful Bradford County to capture spectacular scenery of the season! From panoramic views at Marie Antoinette Overlook to the colorful mountains experienced from Wyalusing Rocks, the county is the place to celebrate autumnal splendor. Small towns along the route make Bradford County a fantastic fall destination! Bradford County Tourism, Morgan Christopher, VisitBradfordCounty.com, [email protected] Butler County Moraine State Park features stunning fall foliage. Capture breathtaking views on Preston’s Pearl, a new tour boat at the Park. This enclosed pontoon boat has an upper deck for outdoor viewing, and offers cruises on weekends through October where passengers will learn about the Park’s history and wildlife. Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, Tiffany Hernandez, VisitButlerCounty.com, [email protected] Clearfield County With the changing of the weather brings a joyous time among Clearfield County that many local residents and tourists get excited about. The hillsides are painted with bright hues of red, orange, and yellows which make Clearfield County one of the top places for a beautiful Fall scenic visit. Visit Clearfield County, Josiah Jones, VisitClearfieldCounty.org, [email protected] Cumberland Valley Explore scenic backroads and hundreds of miles of hiking trails this autumn to find an array of fall colors in the Cumberland Valley. Experience several fall festivals nearly every weekend from mid-September to late October like Apple Festival and Pumpkin Fest. Mid-Late October is peak fall foliage. Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, Aaron Jumper, VisitCumberlandValley.com, [email protected] Endless Mountains Scenic byways of the Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania feature some of the most spectacular foliage on the East Coast. Waterfall trails at Ricketts Glen, vistas at Worlds End State Park, trails in Loyalsock Forest and the D-H Rail Trail offer visitors an autumn oasis in this part of Pennsylvania! Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Morgan Christopher, EndlessMountains.org, [email protected] Erie Fiery oranges and reds, warm browns, splashes of purple and radiant golds transform Erie Pennsylvania into a dazzling display of colors. Ideal fall foliage views include Presque Isle State Park, historic Pennsylvania Route 6, Great Lakes Seaway Trail and Erie’s sprawling countryside. For the best views, visit us mid-October! Visit Erie, Chris Temple, VisitErie.com, [email protected] Gettysburg Travel Adams County’s country roads through orchards, valleys and the Historic Gettysburg National Military Park all brimming with colorful fall foliage. Sip on craft hard cider, pick an apple or two, eat apple cider donuts and attend perfect sweater weather festivals such as the National Apple Harvest Festival to round out the perfect fall Gettysburg getaway. Destination Gettysburg, Rachel Wright, DestinationGettysburg.com, [email protected] Lancaster County In the heart of beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Lancaster County’s fall foliage season is primarily late September through early November. Great ways to experience leaf-peeping here include hiking, a covered bridge driving tour, a round on the (golf) links, and views from a hot air balloon, zipline, or electric scooter. Discover Lancaster, Joel Cliff, DiscoverLancaster.com, [email protected] Laurel Highlands Mountain vistas, historic highways, fertile farmlands and thousands of acres of unspoiled state parks, Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands is the ideal destination for a fun, family leaf-peeping getaway. Take a drive under a canopy of colors on scenic byways and through picturesque covered bridges. GO Laurel Highlands, Anna Weltz, GoLaurelHighlands.com/fall, [email protected] Lawrence County A fall foliage driving tour of Western Pennsylvania’s Amish Countryside provides a glimpse of life into the Old Order Amish. Drive the back roads through Banks Covered Bridge, past Amish farms, schoolhouses and craft shops. There is never a shortage of beauty in the Amish Countryside. Visit Lawrence County, Janet Falotico, VisitLawrenceCounty.com, [email protected] Lehigh Valley The autumn months wash Lehigh Valley in brilliant reds and vibrant oranges, the air crisp and full of new opportunities. From apple orchards beckoning for you to pick your own varieties to corn mazes just waiting to get lost in – Lehigh Valley does fall right. Discover Lehigh Valley, Alicia Quinn, DiscoverLehighValley.com/fall, [email protected] Potter County – Tioga County The difference between Arizona’s & Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyons? Being covered with trees, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is the better one to enjoy the beauty of Fall Foliage each year! From the parks at each rim of the canyon, to an Ole Covered Wagon ride along Pine Creek Trail on the floor, this is the premiere destination to celebrate the season. Visit Potter-Tioga, Morgan Christopher, VisitPotterTioga.com, [email protected] Pocono Mountains The Pocono Mountains are ablaze with hues of red, orange and yellow come autumn, thanks to the area’s 127 species of indigenous trees, plants and shrubs. From hopping in the car to climbing aboard a fall foliage train or chairlift, there are many ways to enjoy autumn across the region. Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Brianna Strunk, PoconoMountains.com, [email protected] Reading, Berks County There’s no better place to experience the spectacular colors of fall than Pennsylvania’s Americana Region. From the lookouts of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary to the trails of Hopewell Big Woods at French Creek State Park, you’ll be surrounded by color. For an exceptional leaf-peeping journey, plan a visit to Berks County, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s Americana Region, Lisa Haggerty, VisitPaAmericana.com, [email protected] Virginia Charlottesville and Albemarle County With close proximity to scenic drives like the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, Charlottesville & Albemarle County make for the perfect leaf peeping destination. The leaves also pop with color on the pedestrian Downtown Mall, the University of Virginia, vineyards, and the area’s historic sites. Charlottesville & Albemarle County CVB, Brantley Ussery, VisitCharlottesville.org, [email protected] Lexington & Rockbridge County Get your motor running in Lexington and Rockbridge County, VA! Leaf-peepers will be awe-struck by the vibrant fall colors from iconic byways and overlooks, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Daniel Boone’s western migration route the Great Wagon Road, and the Appalachian Waters Scenic Byway following the Maury River into WV. Lexington & Rockbridge Area Tourism, Patty Williams, LexingtonVirginia.com, [email protected] Loudoun County Celebrate fall in DC’s Wine Country where vine-covered slopes along the Blue Ridge Mountains turn a beautiful red and gold. Enjoy harvest events at some 40-plus wineries during Virginia Wine Month (October), meet farm animals, pick pumpkins and get spooked at Shocktober- named one of the country’s scariest haunted houses. Visit Loudoun, Jennifer Sigal, VisitLoudoun.org, [email protected] Norfolk Head over to Norfolk Botanical Gardens to take in the seasonal foliage and bring your favorite furry friend to their Sunday Dog Days events. For a little extra adventure, enjoy the beautiful colors of the clouds on the water with a sunset kayaking excursion. Visit Norfolk, Nicole Nussbaum, VisitNorfolk.com, [email protected] Orange County The Fall season in OCVA is like your favorite sweater, cozy and comfortable, it feels like home. Scenic drives with blue ridge mountain views, lush craft beverages, farm fresh comfort foods, small town strolling, steeplechase racing, PYO orchards and bucket list activities; the largest corn maze in the US! Orange County, Virginia Tourism, Lori Landes-Carter VisitOrangeVirginia.com, [email protected] Prince William County Sip on apple cider, a pumpkin spice latte, or craft beer while picking a pumpkin at a local farm. Take a scenic drive, bike ride or hike through Prince William Forest National Park and explore over 5,000 acres of fall foliage or choose to leaf peep from the Potomac River. Prince William County Office of Tourism, Nicole Warner, VisitPWC.com, [email protected] Shenandoah County The word Shenandoah evokes a sense of beauty. Shenandoah County is filled with a blend of spectacular fall foliage, and sweet small town charm. Immerse yourself in the landscape, visit family farms, the corn maze or go pumpkin picking; shop for local art, and indulge in the flavors of fall. Shenandoah County Tourism, Brenda Black, VisitShenandoahCounty.com, [email protected] Shenandoah Valley Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway are iconic mountain drives that crest the Blue Ridge Mountains, looking across the Shenandoah Valley and the Shenandoah River below. Hundreds of miles of spectacular hiking, cycling, and paddling adventures await. Gorgeous small cities, museums, orchards, vineyards and breweries delight at every turn. Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, Kathy Moore, VisitShenandoah.org, [email protected] Staunton Fall is coming and there’s no better way to welcome the sweater weather than by traveling to Staunton, VA! A trip to the Queen City has plenty to offer craft-beer-connoisseurs, adventure-seeking outdoor lovers, and seasonally-inspired foodies—or just about anyone looking for an excellent weekend getaway. Visit Staunton, Jessica Williams, VisitStaunton.com, [email protected] Virginia’s Blue Ridge From trails to towns, Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains make the perfect backdrop for every fall adventure. Explore 1000+ miles of trails, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail, or attend GO Outside Fest as it makes a big move to Downtown Roanoke with stunt shows, beer gardens and more. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Taylor Spellman, VisitVBR.com, [email protected] West Virginia Hampshire County Travel through Hampshire County’s 2 lane paradise from Capon Spring through Capon Bridge to Romney and experience the multi-colored world of rolling hills and old forests. Explore fall foliage by foot to scenic overlooks, by kayak/canoe down river or by train through a natural trough where bald eagles nest. Hampshire County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Jonathan Bellingham, cometohampshire.com, [email protected] Take a look at fall foliage images from across the Mid-Atlantic. Please be sure to provide photo credit to the appropriate DMO. About the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The group serves travel journalists by creating a regional resource that ignores geographical boundaries to better promote common threads, offering story ideas about the Mid-Atlantic region as a whole. For more information, visit MATPRA.org.