Virginia is for Lovers

"Virginia is for Lovers" is the tourism and travel slogan of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. Spending the past 4 years in the state of Virginia has taught me that the people in Virginia are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Every person I had an interaction with was genuine and sweet.  Once you begin a conversation with someone from Virginia, you can't help but notice the good feeling running through your body. The amazing people compliment the beautiful mountain range found in Virginia. During my time at James Madison University, I was unable to explore the entirety of Virginia due to my volleyball schedule in the Fall. The days that I was free from school, work, and volleyball I was always searching for something new and exciting to do! This state has brought me some of my best friends, my fondest memories and greatest adventures. 

If you are thinking of planning a trip to Virginia near the Shenandoah Valley, here are some of my favorite things to do throughout the year. As you might tell from reading through this blog, Fall is my favorite time of the year!

1. Hiking ​

Shenandoah National Park offers 500 miles of trails! The trails offer a range of scenic views, waterfalls and views of the Shenandoah River. Keep in mind that choosing the right hike depends on how much time you have, where you are going in the park, your physical capabilities, your fellow travelers physical capabilities and what you want to get from your experience. My tip is do not plan anything after your hike. Enjoy the day, your experience will be much more enjoyed if you are able to soak in everything around you without worrying about later obligations. But...... if you have time after your hike and are a beer lover like me, head over to a brewery and enjoy a cold one, you deserve it after that hike! I have completed over 10 hikes during my time in Virginia and they all brought a unique experience and adventure! ​

my top 3 trails : 
Old Rag
Rose River Falls 
Black Rock Summit Hike 

2. Breweries

What time is it?? BEER TIME! Virginia has over 200 breweries and the Shenandoah Valley has some of the best! Some breweries are close in proximity to each other so you can make a full day of visiting multiple! Remember to plan ahead and have a DD or Uber! Drinking and driving is not cool. Bottoms up! 

my favorites: 
Devil's Backbone 
Bold Rock Hard Cider 
Pro Re Neta 
Brothers Craft Brewing 
Three Notch'd Brewing Company 

3. Wineries ​

​Virginia is home to over 230 wineries. Many have beautiful outdoor patios where you can sit outside and enjoy the view of the mountains while sipping on some excellent wine.  There are 22 wineries located in the Shenandoah Valley. 

5. Pumpkin Patch ​

The fall is B-E-A-utilful !!! All the leaves change color and it is a jaw dropping sight! I would drive around the state just to look at the beauty of the trees. Fall is a perfect time of the year to go outside on a nice day and pick some pumpkins. Most patches have wheelbarrows and clippers on sight, all you need is a nice day and a great friend. The fields are scattered with all sizes of pumpkins, pick your favorite and have a wonderful time! 

6. Apple & Peach Picking ​

Virginia offers fruit and vegetable picking year round, but my favorite ones to pick are peaches and apples! During the summer months, they offer strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Apple and peach season generally runs from late August through the middle of October. 
My two favorite places to pick apples and peaches are Chiles Peach Orchard and Carter Mountain Orchard.  At Carter Mountain Orchard, they have a tap room selling cider from Bold Rock. Bold Rock uses the apples and peaches from Carter Mountain to make there ciders.  It’s farm to glass!

7. Watch a VA Sunset

The State of Virginia has, hands down, the best sunsets in the country! My friends and I would always go to the same hill on campus to watch the sunset. The whole sky illuminates with beautiful oranges, reds and pinks. It's a bucket list sunset to see! You can watch the sunset from multiple locations across Virginia. My favorite way is to grab a 6-pack of Bold Rock Hard Cider and a couple great friends!