`Tis the season for bright fall foliage, crisp autumn air, apple picking and pumpkin spice everything. Get the most out of the fleeting fall weather and beauty with a family trip to Virginia.
Apple Harvest Festival at Marker-Miller Orchard
The Marker Miller Orchards Farm Market and Bakery is located in Winchester, situated in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Bring the family to the orchard for live music, apple picking and homemade goodies. Taste homemade apple cobbler and cider slushies between varieties of activities for the whole family. Hop on the “cow train” for a wagon ride around the farm and head over to the playground with the kids.
Photo: Wakr10 | Dreamstime
Richards Apple Harvest Festival
Walk through the fruit market of Richards during the Apple Harvest Festival Oct. 14. Taste an assortment of seasonal items including Brunswick stew while perusing local produce and goods. Tour the grounds on a family wagon ride, stopping to visit and pet the local farm animals. Parents, enjoy the free event with local wine tastings while kids play on the farm.
After visiting Richards Fruit Market, make your way to the Apple Day Festival
in Millboro, Va. Celebrate Appalachian heritage with traditional clogging performances, arts and crafts, live blue grass music, hayrides and various family-friendly events. Taste fresh locally prepared apple butter — among many other apple dishes for you to try at the festival. Shop locally made items including jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, pottery, candles and baskets. Purchase photography or take some of your own in this breathtaking destination in Douthat State Park.
Shenandoah National Park. Photo: Sborisov | Dreamstime
After your fair share of hayrides, caramel apples and fall celebrations, layer up and hit the hiking trails with the family. Between the incredible vistas at Shenandoah National Park and Douthat State Park’s open trails, there will be plenty of sites to see from waterfalls and changing leaves to cliffs and wildlife.
For those looking for a longer hike, head out on the trails early and hit the local festivals afterward. This way, you can get the most out of the day and not have to cut the hike short when the sun starts to set. Virginia is for lovers — of all things fall and family fun.
Read This Next
5 Family-Friendly Museums in Charleston
Destinations / North America
Aug 22, 2024#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Sep 7, 2026Head to Seattle for a Family-Friendly Skillcation
Seattle is always good for a family vacation to the Pacific Northwest because of its plethora of outdoor experiences. But it’s also a great place to plan a skillcation, a trip designed around specific skills or hobbies your family is either interested in learning about or already involved in.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Hotels
Sep 7, 2026This Caribbean Hotel Unveils Festive Experiences for the 2026 Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us and there’s no better way to get families in a festive spirit than a nature-led holiday program set in the Caribbean.
Travel Tips
Sep 4, 2026Coping with Lost Luggage on a Family Trip
It’s among the most stressful few minutes of a trip — when the baggage carousel starts moving and you strain to see your family’s luggage roll onto it. It’s bound to happen eventually: You’ll be one of those few lost souls still standing there when the conveyor belt stops and everyone else has left.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Travel Goods
Sep 4, 2026Meet Cloud of Goods: Baby Gear Rentals Delivered by Local Moms to Hotels, Airports, More
Consider Cloud of Goods the Uber for travel gear. Family travelers can book strollers and other baby and travel gear online, then a vetted local partner delivers it wherever they need it — whether that's the hotel, the airport or the theme park gate.
ShareThis