Condé Nast Traveler
These Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals Are Begging to Be Booked for Your First Fall Getaway
Wake up to mountain views at these cozy Airbnbs, all within 45 minutes of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
OutsideAug 4
I Spent Years Looking for an Affordable Mountain Town. I Finally Found It.
As housing costs soar in famous outdoor hubs, one Southwest Virginia city offers mountain access, vibrant culture, and homes for half the price.
12 things in this story
- Old SouthwestQuarterThe "Old Southwest" is an informal name for the southwestern frontier territories of the United States from the…
- Golden Cactus BreweryRestauranthosted a weekly "Mid-Week Market"
- Fishburn ParkParkhad shades over play equipment for summer heat
- Blue Cow Ice Cream Co.Ice cream shoplocal-favorite ice cream shop
- Red Rooster CoffeeRestaurantlocally roasted coffee flavor
- Mill MountainSighthome to a zoo, trails, and the Roanoke Star
- Roanoke StarAttractionlargest, free-standing, man-made, illuminated star
- Appalachian TrailTrailcould be hiked from Roanoke
- McAfee KnobTrailtrailhead a 20-minute drive from Roanoke
- Blue Ridge ParkwayTrailsky-high conduit to mountain Virginia
- Blue Ridge MountainsSightmountains symbolized by the Roanoke Star
- Roanoke River GreenwayTrail
Lonely PlanetJul 31
3 Train Routes to See Virginia's Fall Foliage
These three train journeys capitalize on views of Virginia
25 things in this story
- Virginia Museum of TransportationMuseumThe 611 spent recent decades here before returning to tracks.
- Elsewhere
- American Shakespeare CenterSightStaunton, United StatesCozy theater recreating London's famed Blackfriars Theatre.
- Blue Ridge TunnelSightStaunton, United StatesSay yes to lights off for soul-rattling darkness inside.
- Blue Ridge FlyerPlaceStaunton, United States3-hour round-trip from Staunton past small towns and pastures.
- Virginia Scenic RailwayPlaceStaunton, United StatesBegan offering rides in 2022; runs murder mystery and wine excursions.
- Little Rock TunnelSightStaunton, United StatesHistoric rock-cuts squeeze the tracks; circus train wrecked here.
- Three Notch'd Mango WheatRestaurantStaunton, United StatesVirginia-made beer recommended on the train.
- Hotel 24 SouthHotelStaunton, United StatesStately hotel for quick access to the train station.
- Maude & the BearRestaurantStaunton, United StatesMulti-course dinner by James Beard nominee Ian Boden.
- Blue Ridge ParkwaySightStaunton, United StatesDrive for high elevation views of fall colors.
- Blue Ridge Tunnel TrailTrailStaunton, United StatesEerie walk inside the first of the area's two Blue Ridge Tunnels.
- Norfolk & Western Class J 611PlaceGoshen, United StatesStreamlined, bullet-nosed powerhouse; sole survivor of its class.
- George Washington & Jefferson National ForestsSightGoshen, United StatesRoute stretches through these forests to Staunton.
- Victoria StationSightGoshen, United StatesGoshen Volunteer Fire Department serves burgers and snacks here.
- Washington & Lee UniversitySightLexington, United StatesWashington and Lee University is a small liberal arts university nestled in the mountains of Virginia’s Shenandoah…
- Virginia Military InstituteSightLexington, United StatesIt was founded in 1839 as America's first state-sponsored and -supported military college and is the oldest public…
- SeasonsBakeryLexington, United StatesBakery drawing crowds for bread and breakfast.
- Hampton Inn Col AltoHotelLexington, United StatesHistoric lodging option in Lexington.
- The GeorgesHotelLexington, United StatesPosh digs in Lexington.
- AmtrakPlaceCharlottesville, United StatesLow-stress ride from DC to Charlottesville on Northeast Regional/Cardinal.
- Union StationTrain stationWashington, United StatesAdmire the enormous Main Hall and its five curved bays.
- Journey through Hallowed Ground National Heritage AreaSightManassas, United StatesTrains travel through this area near Founding Fathers' homes.
- GraduateHotelCharlottesville, United StatesHotel on Main St in Charlottesville, short walk from station.
- PumpkinseedsPlaceLexington, United States
- Sugar Maple TradingPlaceLexington, United States