Five Fall Getaways for the Couple Who Need a Break
September 6, 2019
The kids are back in school, Mom and Dad are willing to babysit for a few days, and it’s time for that long weekend getaway! The only problem is you spent so much time planning trips to the scene museum, coordinating drop off and pickup from summer camp, and back to school shopping that you forgot to plan your post-summer trip. It’s definitely time to call your trusted travel advisor and let them do the planning for you. Travel advisors at Maupin Travel handle every detail from the moment you step out your front door into your private car to the moment you return home, souvenirs for your little ones in tote. We take care of every detail from where one goes and how one gets there to where one eats, visits, and plays while on holiday. Let these five fall getaway spots inspire your perfect weekend vacation!
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Surrounded by the lush, rolling slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Mountain Range, the Shenandoah Valley is one of the most beautiful places to relax. From Staunton to Charlottesville, this area along the Blue Ridge Mountains is perfect for leaf peepers and wine drinkers alike. Stay at the Stonewall Jackson in Staunton Virginia, walk the quaint downtown streets, and take in a show at the American Shakespeare Center. Learn the History of Mary Baldwin College, once a women’s seminary, now a coeducational university (much to the chagrin of the alumnae- a fascinating history in itself), and go antiquing in the array of shops on Main. Or, if Staunton is a little too small for your taste, head over the mountain to Charlottesville, home of Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia. With a delightful downtown pedestrian mall and plenty of friendly eateries and boutiques to peruse, you could spend an entire day on the historic square! Head out to Afton Mountain and take in the stunning valley view at Afton Mountain Vineyards over a glass of expertly crafted wine by the Smith family and their winemaker, Damien Blanchon. Stop by Blue Mountain Brewery for dinner and finish your evening at the Oakhurst Inn for the perfect, quaint Virginia getaway.
Asheville, North Carolina
Another destination tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville NC is a thriving mountain city that’s a near perfect blend of natural beauty and hip culture. Whether you want to take a hike, tour the breweries, or sample the local cuisine, there’s something for everyone in Asheville. One can spend a full day touring the famed Biltmore Estate– the palatial home of George Vanderbilt. With over 8,000 acres of formal gardens, verdant forests, and rolling lawns surrounding the 250-room house, visiting Biltmore is like taking a step back in time. After that take in the local farm to fork cuisine with restaurants like Chestnut in the downtown area, Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village, or the Red Stag Grill in the Grand Bohemian Hotel! If hitting up the local breweries is more your style be sure to stop into Hi-Wire, Green Man, and Wicked Weed. With over 100 local microbreweries, you’re sure to find your new favorite brew!
Point Clear, Alabama
I know this seems a little off the beaten path, but bear with me! With The Grand Hotel Marriott located in Point Clear, this town is a fantastic weekend destination in the fall. Tucked away on over 550 acres this historic property, founded in 1847, offers outdoor and indoor swimming pools, 36 holes on an esteemed course, a full luxury spa, daily tea-and-cookie service, and a drop-dead stunning setting along the Alabama coastline just adjacent to the absolutely charming town of Fairhope, home to several of Fannie Flagg’s famed southern novels. An easy flight from Mobile or Pensacola, be sure to check out the neighboring town of Gulf Shores while you’re in the area for a truly charming coastal weekend!
Knoxville, Tennessee
Step aside, Nashville. Music City is great, but not if you’re in the mood for a relaxing weekend! Knoxville, on the other hand, is a fantastic location for some great outdoor fun. The Town’s Adventure Center offers moonlight paddles, disc golf, and mountain biking as well as many other options. If you’re not in the mood to exercise the downtown district has tons of mouthwatering dining options. Stop in to grab a night cap at Peter Kern Library; coffee house by day, speakeasy by night. There’s also the Knoxville Zoo, Star of Knoxville Riverboat Tours, and plenty of culinary tours if you’d like your experience to be a little more curated!
St. Michaels, Maryland
Dubbed “the Heart and Soul of the Chesapeake Bay,” St. Michaels is a small seaport known for its bustling marinas and historic architecture. The Eastern Shore escape makes the perfect getaway from both Washington DC and Philadelphia, with cottage rentals tucked into quiet coves and meandering bike trails along the shore. Spend the morning at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, then climb aboard a sailing charter for a tour of the area—or head back to your rental and wait for low tide to try your hand at crabbing. Take a stroll through downtown and check out the shopping on Talbot Street, then stop in for a drink of rum at Lyon Distilling Company!
Call Maupin Travel today to set up your travel plans for your perfect weekend getaway!
