With the splendor of autumn, traditional favorites--scenic drives and postcard-perfect photo-ops--are especially rewarding in the valley. Combine it with the colorful character of small-town life, and you have a fall weekend getaway that tops them all.
To get acquainted with the lay of the land, take a look at the best time to enjoy West Virginia in the fall and this sampling of six Greenbrier Valley excursions.
We spoke with Joe Fitzwater, Chief Meteorologist at 59 News in southern West Virginia, for an outlook on this year’s fall colors.
“The ideal formula for a spectacular show includes regular precipitation leading into fall. Not too wet but enough to seep into the ground and keep the trees healthy,” Fitzwater explained. “A gradual cooling and shorter days... that’s what really jump-starts the transformation.”
He noted that color typically appears above 3,500 feet in early September. “This year, a dry pattern has settled in over the region for a few weeks, but we’ve already started to see pops of color, and we’re on schedule for great leaf-peeping well into October.”
We thank WVTourism.com for this illustration.
While you can’t go wrong with any of the three Greenbrier Valley driving tours, when it comes to seeing the West Virginia fall colors, the Hill Country Tour just might be your best bet. It heads north on Rt. 219 through farmland, then takes an easterly course along Anthony Creek, where the hardwoods forests line the single lane road with spectacular color. Extend your outing with a detour to Blue Bend Recreation Area or Lake Sherwood for more photo-worthy sites.
59 News Chief Meteorologist Joe Fitzwater agrees. “Hands-down, my favorite drive for fall colors in West Virginia is Route 92 out of White Sulphur Springs. It delivers!”
One drive across the Valley’s rolling landscape, and you’ll be inclined to venture off the beaten path. And whether it's hiking, biking, boating or full-throttle adventuring you're after, WV in the fall delivers!
An ancient system of limestone caves and passageways runs all through the region. Get a glimpse of this underground world, and walk among the stalagmites and stalactites at Lost World Caverns. Short on time? The self-guided tour is about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. For hikers and bikers, the Greenbrier River Trail and Meadow River Rail Trail gently meander for miles and are among the most scenic places to see the fall colors in West Virginia. Take on as many as your day allows—there's easy access at the southern trailhead near downtown Lewisburg.
Looking for mountain goat-like capabilities without the workout? Hop in a Polaris RZR side-by-side. Greenbrier Off-Road Adventures is equipped with a whole fleet of these gravity-defying machines. Power up steep hills, wind around trees, rocks and drop into car-sized ruts. Beware, mud is in your future!
If you've been looking for West Virginia's best dining experience, you've found it. Lewisburg recently garnered the highly coveted USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice for "Best Small Town Food Scene for the third year in a row, touting its fresh and flavorful cuisine scene. Dozens of local dining venues extend across town and beyond, from on-the-go breakfast foods to fine French food.
A Greenbrier Valley mainstay for generations, Food & Friends is well-regarded for its American home-style dining done to perfection. Everyone can find a favorite on this extensive menu! The Humble Tomato takes Italian to a whole new level of "delicioso." The restored circa 1790s home features relaxed garden dining and more intimate indoor seating dispersed throughout the house's original rooms. Drop in at Del Sol Cantina & Grille for a round of tapas and craft cocktails under the shade sails if you want to get a laid-back feel of the dining landscape. And burger lovers, take note. The Asylum has dialed in the most flavorful Angus burger concoction you'll find this side of the Mississippi.
For the third year, Lewisburg has earned USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice for Best Small Town Food Scene.
The Greenbrier resort dates back to 1778, luring visitors with its restorative sulphur springs and moderate summer climate. It continues today to be among the world's most famous, with notable guests that include US presidents, royalty and foreign dignitaries. Open to day visitors, the hotel’s labyrinth of lobbies, ballrooms and galleries is often the star attraction. Decorated in the 1960s by Dorothy Draper and continuously undergoing various updates, her dramatic style endures, with bold patterns and vibrant hues adorning every room, right down to the bathrooms.
Don’t stop there. While on property, treat yourself to a horse-drawn carriage ride to take in the West Virginia fall foliage on the surrounding mountains. The acres of fall-inspired gardens, world-class golf courses, the 18th-century springhouse and the rolling hills of the Greenbrier Valley make for a relaxing afternoon of sightseeing.
Southern Living selected downtown Lewisburg for its 50 Best Small Towns in the South 2023 list. Take some time to poke around the artsy shops, quaint cafes and relaxing green spaces--albeit more golden this time of year. Sprinkled throughout town are pockets of historic sites, galleries and museums. Flanking the west end, the North House Museum, Old Stone Church, and Civil War cemetery are within an easy walk. Or sit on the lawn of Carnegie Hall (one of only four in operation worldwide) with a picnic lunch and enjoy the warm autumn breeze that accompanies West Virginia in the fall. On the east end of town, the Historic General Lewis Inn makes a convenient stopping point. The roomy veranda and full bar with a selection of hand-crafted cocktails are added bonuses.
Only 15 minutes away, White Sulphur Springs has undergone a resurgence of equal proportions. You’ll find the same friendly folks but with a “Carhartt meets Patagonia” kind of vibe. We like to say it has the makings of a relaxing afternoon hanging out with the local contingency. Yes, we’re guilty! So check out the new shops, restaurants and gathering places. We’re confident you’ll uncover another stroll-worthy downtown in the Greenbrier Valley.
A jaunt up to Smooth Ambler Spirits will not only get you a grain-to-glass tour of the distillery, but the tasting room offers a robust selection of spirits to try for yourself. Sip samples of the Appalachian-made spirits and maybe walk away with a bottle for later.
If you prefer the flavor of hops, the Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company is just a stone's throw away. Drawing inspiration from WV local legends and mythical forest creatures, these brewers possess an innate flair for selecting flavors that go down smooth. Taste for yourself. Stop by the Brewing Company taproom for a cold brew and a bite to eat (yes, The Hangar is open with hearty bar food options). Be sure to check out the event schedule... from live music to line dancing, there's always something on tap.
The perfect accompaniment to WV in the fall, Hawk Knob Hard Cider & Mead owner-operators are capitalizing on the valley's robust variety of heirloom apples. Using traditional hand-crafted methods, they feature four flavors of hard cider and a cyser apple honey mead.
Getting to the Greenbrier Valley is easy. Get directions.
Visit the Smooth Ambler distillery for a sample, and while you’re at it, take the production tour.
Take a look at the map above to track the progression of fall across the mountain state. The Greenbrier Valley is surrounded by soft, rolling mountains, so fall comes a little later to this region, beginning in late September, with colors peaking in mid-October.
There are several events that pair nicely with fall, and they all happen to land on the same weekend! Taste of Our Towns on the second Saturday in October is a favorite Lewisburg fall festival. The streets downtown line up with local food vendors with tastings at each station, from barbecue to baked goods. Live music, art exhibits and street entertainers add to the festivities. While in for this event, the Art & Craft Show and Hawk Knob’s Harvest Festival should not be missed. Together, they round out the weekend with local artistry, mountain traditions and plenty of seasonal flavors!
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