Fall is the best time to plan a getaway. Crowds have dissipated. The sun is still warm, even though the air is crisp. The cultural-events season commences, and festivals flourish, celebrating flora, foliage, fall harvests and more. Best of all, the Mid-Atlantic region produces some of the most spectacular fall foliage in the nation. We've found five fabulous fall destinations, all no more than five hours from Baltimore. They provide plenty of autumn activity to keep you entertained and showcase all that nature has to offer.
Lewisburg, W.Va. (5 hours southwest of Baltimore)
The spellbinding scenery you'll see while driving into southern West Virginia's Allegheny ranges will provide enough pictorial keepsakes to fill a scrapbook. Lewisburg, a stylish, historic town with 19th-century architecture, is filled with antiques shops, hip boutiques, art galleries and upscale cafes. Its 235-acre historic district has one of the four still-operating Carnegie halls, live theater, preserved Civil War sites and North House Museum, where exhibitions shed light on the town's first 200 years. For more information, go to lewisburg-wv.com.
Leaf-peeping perch: : Hikers and mountain bikers declare that the region's most scenic vistas are atop Kate's Mountain in Greenbrier State Forest, at nearly 3,200 feet. Flatlanders can stroll the Greenbrier River Trail - 77 miles along the Greenbrier River - and view the kayakers and canoers. ( www.greenbriersf.com)
Stay: : The General Lewis Inn (circa 1834) has 25 antique-filled rooms on a Civil War battlefield. Rates begin at about $110 per night. (800-628-4454; generallewisinn.com)
Sip and bite: : Watts Roost Winery is a family-farm operation with award-winning vintages. Tastings are available by appointment. (www.wattsroostvineyard.com). Tavern 1785 is a historic restaurant with an innovative farm-to-table menu. (tavern1785.com)
Don't miss: : Ghost tours by candlelight of the historic district are offered Fridays and Saturdays, including a cemetery tour. (304-256-8687; greenbrierwv.com)
Middleburg, Va. (2 hours south of Baltimore)
If you turn the car off just outside of town, you're likely to hear Virginia's finest thundering hooves on a fox hunt. Middleburg is in the core of Virginia's horse country. Meander through the antique shops in town, but rejuvenate your soul amid the grazing sheep and cows residing on part of the Goodstone Inn's 265 rolling acres. The inn offers its guests complimentary mountain bikes, canoes at its lake, a pool, access to its private hiking trails, golfing, wine in the evenings and stunning accommodations. For more information, go to www.middleburgonline.com.
