Fall in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains is the perfect time for an adventure. Whether it’s by car, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, or by foot, hiking the Shenandoah National Park, don’t miss this fall in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. While most travelers come in October for the epic leaf peeping, you’re not limited to it. Our valley comes to life in the fall, with plenty of festivals and seasonal activities creating the perfect backdrop for your next adventure. There’s a bounty of fall adventures in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. Book your room now!
Sometimes, if I’m being honest, there’s too much fun to choose from. We’ve got a Harry Potter-inspired weekend (Queen City Mischief & Magic, typically in September in Staunton), the Blue Ridge Mountain Maze, and Oktoberfest at Blue Mountain Brewery. See the latest Fall Foliage Report here or plan an adventure in Shenandoah National Park to experience the foliage yourself. Spend the day in Charlottesville for an event or take a tour, tasting seasonal craft beers and wines.
FOOD AND DRINK
Because most wineries close by 5:30, we recommend you explore them during the day and either order lunch or pack a picnic. Hours and availability can vary based on the season, so best to look each up first. Breweries serve lunch and dinner daily. All restaurants have dog-friendly outdoor seating.
Very few places require reservations, but don’t hesitate to call and arrange one, especially during the busyness of fall! Of course, this is subject to change, and each business’s website has the latest hours, offers, and information.
COFFEE
- Beltie’s Farmhouse Cafe (less than 5 mins away): Offers hand-crafted coffee, gluten-free waffles, and 18-layer scratch biscuits while you relax on the porch or feed the cows. Open daily.
- Trager Brothers Coffee (less than 2 mins away): Walk-up organic coffee shop located in our community center. They’re also a CCOF certified organic roastery. Open daily.
LUNCH
- Three Notch’d (less than 10 mins away): Locally-sourced, beer-infused dishes designed to complement the season as well as what’s on tap. Best black bean burger in town, too. Weekend brunch served 11am-2pm. Open daily.
- Hazy Mountain (less than 15 mins away): Epic views and tasty bites. Serving charcuterie, salads, sandwiches, and more. Open daily.
- Blue Ridge Pig (10 mins away): Rustic BBQ shack with amazing croissant sandwiches, BBQ salads, smoked meats, and the occasional brisket.
- Bold Rock Hard Cider (10 mins away) Serving shareable apps, sandwiches, and burgers with great views. Open daily.
- Basic Necessities (10 mins away): A cozy, European-inspired cafe serving lighter lunch fare on a rotating menu Tuesdays-Sundays.
- Iron and Ale (5 mins away): Generous portions, golf course views, and a well-rounded menu. Open daily.
- Veritas Winery (10 mins away): Order from the winery’s Tasting Menu for options like a hummus board, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Open daily.
- Paulie’s Pig Out (2 mins away): A tasty roadside BBQ walk-up (perfect for take out) with smokers out front. Order the pulled pork, smoked chicken, or ribs with all the sides.
- Blue Mountain Brewery (10 mins away): Craft brewery with great burgers and huge pizzas, occasional live music & tons of outdoor seating with mountain views. Open daily.
- Devil’s Backbone Brewery (10 mins away): Lodgelike brewpub serving its own lineup of lagers, pilsners & ales with an inventive pub fare menu. Open daily.
- Greenwood Grocery or Batesville Market (about 15 mins away): A country, gourmet grocery with delicious sandwiches, a deli counter, and anything you need for a picnic.
DINNER
- Blue Mountain Brewery (10 mins away): Craft brewery with great burgers and huge pizzas, occasional live music & tons of outdoor seating with mountain views. Open daily.
- Brewing Tree and Scratch Kitchen (less than 10 mins away): A riverside brewery and food truck with lots of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Get there early as the food truck tends to sell out on the weekends.
- Paulie’s Pig Out (2 mins away): A tasty roadside BBQ walk-up (perfect for take-out) with smokers out front. Order the pulled pork, smoked chicken, or ribs with all the sides.
- Farmhouse at Veritas (10 mins away): Reservations required for this four-course dinner with wine pairing. perfect for a special occasion or decadent meal.
- Basic Necessities (10 mins away): A European-inspired cafe serving dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, often with live music.
- Iron and Ale (5 mins away): Generous portions, golf course views, and a well-rounded menu. Open daily.
- Bold Rock Hard Cider (10 mins away): Serves shareable apps, sandwiches, and burgers with great views. Open daily.
- Devil’s Backbone Brewery (10 mins away): Lodgelike brewpub serving its own lineup of lagers, pilsners & ales with an inventive pub fare menu. Open daily.
- Three Notch’d (less than 10 mins away): Locally-sourced, beer-infused dishes designed to complement the season as well as what’s on tap. Great black bean burgers. Happy hour served weekdays from 3-6 pm. Open daily.
- Hazy Mountain (less than 15 mins away): Epic views and tasty bites. Serving charcuterie, salads, sandwiches, and more. Open daily (and later than most wineries).
- The Edge at Wintergreen (20 mins away): Offers seasonal appetizers, savory sandwiches, house-made desserts, and a robust list of locally crafted beers and ciders to complement views of the ski mountain.
THINGS TO DO
Just 30 minutes from Charlottesville, VA, The Indigo House is conveniently located to epic hiking trails, award-winning craft beverages, and seasonal activities to help your fall adventure dreams come true! View the area’s current event calendar here.
HIKING
- Shenandoah National Park (20 mins from southern entrance): Turk Mountain and Blackrock Summit offer gorgeous views of fall foliage or hike Beagle Gap and collect heritage wild apples.
- Blue Ridge Parkway (20 mins away): You can drive a loop from the Indigo, up the BRP, and down past Wintergreen to see all the best fall foliage. Hike Dripping Rock South or Humpback Rocks for expansive views of fall color.
- Rockfish Valley Trails (less than 10 mins away): Flat, easy, and groomed valley trails with immersive views.
- Blue Ridge Tunnel (less than 15 mins away): The coolest trail and perfect for when rainy weather strikes.
- Sugar Hollow Reservoir (30 mins away): Hike to a waterfall, swimming hole, or both! Walk through the trees as they change colors.
- Crabtree Falls (30 mins away): Enjoy the longest cascading falls on the east with incredible views of fall foliage from the top.
- Wintergreen (20 mins away): There are trails through the Wintergreen system but it’s also a beautiful drive around the mountain with the windows down and a cup of apple cider.
ACTIVITIES
- Drumhellers Orchard (less than 20 mins away): Offers u-pick apples and pears. Their farm market showcases apple butter slow-cooked in copper kettles, cider vinegar aged in oak barrels, and apple cider that tastes like liquid autumn.
- Nelson County Farmer’s Market (2 mins away): Live music Saturdays until 11:30 am. A well-rounded collection of produce, plants, artisan goods, food, and more.
- Vineyard Trail Rides: Book a ride through the vineyards or breweries with Rebel’s Run or Indian Summer Guide Service.
- Glass Blowing Workshop (5 mins away): Make your own blown glass pumpkin at Glass Hollow. Reservations required.
- Oktoberfest: Celebrate the season (typically late September- early October) at Devil’s Backbone or Blue Mountain Brewery.
- Corn Maze (less than 15 mins away): Wander the corn maze and Fall Festival at Blue Toad Hard Cidery.
- Scenic Chairlift Rides at Wintergreen Resort (20 mins away): Ride the ski lift chair overlooking the best fall foliage.
Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival (20 mins away): This October 11th and 12th, head over to the festival, which features 125+ talented artisans exhibiting from around the country. This is the perfect event to discover unique, handmade treasures and get a head start on your holiday shopping.
Virginia Film Festival (30 mins away): The full program for this year’s festival was just announced and features highly-anticipated films such as ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,’ ‘Christy,’ and ‘Frankenstein.’ Screening and panels will be hosted at venues across Charlottesville from October 22nd – 26th. Get your tickets before they sell out!
FIP Arena World Polo Championship (20 mins away): For the first time in history, the Federation of International Polo (FIP) Arena World Polo Championship is coming to the United States! From October 5th–12th, Roseland Polo Club, together with Virginia Polo, will proudly co-host this world-class tournament at King Family Vineyards.
- Harvest Festival at Albemarle Ciderworks (30 mins away): On November 1st, pop over to the cidery for their 25th festival! Find many of your favorite farmers’ market vendors, local artisans, and craftsmen demonstrating their skills. Enjoy Brunswick stew and apple butter, and a variety of apples or fine sparkling ciders. Dance the afternoon away with live music from local bands, and take a hayride around the mountain.
- Two Up Wine Down
Exciting (30 mins away): The Veraison Project and Oenoverse are coming back with year four of Two Up Wine Down on Saturday, November 15th. Join in for an afternoon of tastings, DJ-spun beats, and an all-star cast of Virginia wine curators. Whether you’re a wine aficionado or just down for a fun day, this is the place to be.