While we are somewhat sad to see summer slipping away much too fast, the optimists in us are looking forward to the autumn season. The fall season is simply gorgeous in and around Winchester and there remains no shortage of things to see and do around town and sometimes just a little beyond.
It’s harvest time! And what better way to ease yourself into the fall harvest than by visiting one of your local farmer’s markets! It’s the perfect time to go pick some fresh apples, get pumpkins for decorating or making pumpkin pies for Halloween and Thanksgiving. You can shop for seasonal arts & crafts, incredible homemade baked good, and enjoy family activities like corn mazes and haunted houses. Visit places like Virginia Farm Market and Marker-Miller Orchards. Drop-in at Richard’s Fruit Market, Hill High Farm, and even the Homestead Farm at Fruit Hill Orchard. Keep on going if you have the stamina and try West Oaks Farm Market or Rinker Orchards.
Go on a hike! Keep the juices flowing and get that exercise in while taking in breathtaking views around the area. Autumn is a simply wonderful time of the year to take in the outdoors!
Big Schloss, one of the most well known and most panoramic hikes in the region, with an almost 270° vista from the main overlook. Tibbet Knob is nearly identical in distance to the Big Schloss hike and every bit as spectacular. Go visit Shenandoah County Park (Located at Park Lane in Maurertown, VA 22644). It is approximately 68 acres and is located along Route 11 between Maurertown and Toms Brook. The Tuscarora Trail passes through it! Raven Rocks (Located at VA Route 679 And Route 7 Bluemont, VA 20135) has one of the most amazing viewscapes in the area. Although the distance is only 5.5 miles with a vertical gain of 1530 feet, there are three strenuous ascents on this out-and-back hike. Raven Rocks is also a popular area with rock climbers, as it can be accessed by a road 0.4 miles from the east. Roll on over to Skyline Drive to visit the Mount Marshall Trailhead or Compton Gap Trailhead!
Get to the Family Drive-In before it’s too late! The Family Drive-In is located just outside Stephens City and remains an icon of a by-gone era as well as one of the best places to really enjoy a movie on the biggest screen around! Get your tickets early and often because it remains quite popular around the region and the lot fills up fast . Best of all – it remains open throughout the Fall season. They don’t just offer the latest and allegedly greatest films available, but periodically present special screenings of classic films which are also quite popular.
And of course, we all love to head on down to Old Town Winchester and stroll along the walking mall while the weather and temperature are still cooperative enough to dine on one of the many patios along the way, or hey, maybe go on a Winchester Food Tour! 😉 The food is great, the people are friendly, and the events are still quite plentiful!
Don’t miss out! Especially if you’re not a fan of the really cold weather. Get outdoors as often as you can before the really frigid weather starts sweeping into the area!