There’s something magical about Virginia in the fall. The air gets unbelievably crisp and you can almost see the colors of the leaves change before your very eyes. Plus, the changing seasons seem to rejuvenate and reinvigorate and send locals and visitors alike into the streets and mountains for a little adventure.
Plan the perfect fall Saturday itinerary in Lynchburg with these must-visit destinations.
Morning
Fall mornings can get brisk in the ‘Burg, so bundle up and head downtown to grab a coffee (or pumpkin spice latte (PSL), if that’s more your speed). With warm drink in-hand, make your way to the Lynchburg Community Market. Not only is it one of the longest running community markets in the United States, but fall brings out dozens of vendors selling their fresh Virginia apples, pumpkins, fall vegetables, apple cider and more. If you’re hoping for a true taste (literally!) of Lynchburg, you’ll want to start your day here.
Stow away a couple of apples for a road snack and enjoy a scenic drive to and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches for 470 miles and links Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With the north entrance being just 30 minutes away from Lynchburg, it makes for the perfect fall drive.
Afternoon
The Blue Ridge Parkway can connect you with the Peaks of Otter, another stunning scenic spot nearby. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could hike up to the top of Sharp Top, or you could simply wander around the grounds at the base of the mountain to take in the fall foliage. Stroll around the pond, or stop for a rest at one of the picnic spots.
From there, Gross Orchard is at the very base of the mountain, just as you get into Lynchburg’s neighboring town of Bedford. Stop by their quaint store to refill on fresh apples. If they have peach ice cream stored away in their freezer, you’re in luck! There’s nothing better than their homemade ice cream using their very own peaches.
But, with a belly full for sweets, you’ll want something a little bit more savory to tie you over for the rest of the day. As you make your way back to Lynchburg, you have a number of delicious, local restaurants to choose a meal from.
Evening
End the night in the most quintessentially fall way—with a corn maze! Yoder’s Farm boasts a 10 acre corn maze that is more fun than frightening to get lost in. Plus, they have fresh apple cider and dozens of pumpkins to choose from at their farm store.
Be sure to bring a camera with you as you experience this scenic fall itinerary in Lynchburg. We guarantee you’ll have plenty of beautiful moments to capture along the way. And, when you do, feel free to share them with us using #FallInLYH!