A fall day trip combines the fun of a road trip with the beautiful colors of fall. Whether it's a weekend trip or a weekday trip, we've got you covered!
When you're thinking about fall day trips, you don't have to do any planning - let Lynchburg Macaroni KID do the planning for you!
You've asked for all of our best fall day trips in one place, so here it is. Click on each link for more information.
Fall Festival Day Trips
One of our favorite activities in fall is attending fall festivals. Here's some of our favorites:
Sept. 12-13 - Sunflower Festival at Beaver Dam Farm - Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM - 5 PM (Sept. 11-20 - multiple events)
Sept. 19 - 53rd Annual Lynchburg Art Festival from 10 AM - 4 PM
Sept. 19 - Centerfest in Bedford from 10 AM - 4 PM
Sept. 19-20 - Sunflower Festival at Beaver Dam Farm - Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM - 5 PM (Sept. 11-20 - multiple events)
Sept. 26-27 - Drumheller's Orchard Apple Festival 2026 from 9 AM - 5 PM (also Oct. 17-18)
Oct. 3 - Clifford Ruritan Sorghum Festival from 9 AM - 6 PM
Oct. 3 - 26th Annual Day at the Point at Point of Honor from 10 AM - 4 PM
Oct. 3 - Apple Butter Makin' Festival at Silver Creek and Seamans' Orchards from 10 AM - 4:30 PM (also Oct. 17)
Oct. 3 - Rivertown Fest in Altavista from 1 PM - 5 PM
Oct. 9-11 - Historic Appomattox Railroad Festival - Friday 5-10 PM; Saturday 9 AM-10 PM; Sunday 12 PM - 5 PM
Oct. 10-11 - Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival at Rebec Vineyards from 10 AM - 5 PM
Oct. 16-17 - Mountain View Vintage Market - Friday from 2 PM - 6 PM; Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM
Oct. 16-18 - Roanoke GO Outside Festival (times and locations vary) - (Fri 5 PM - 11 PM; Sat 10 AM - 11 PM; Sun 10 AM - 5 PM)
Oct. 17 - Apple Harvest Festival at Gross' Orchard from 8 AM - 6 PM
Oct. 17-18 - 55th Annual Amherst County Apple Harvest Festival - Saturday from 9 AM - 4 PM; Sunday from 11 AM - 4 PM
Oct. 17-18 - Drumheller's Orchard Apple Festival 2026 from 9 AM - 5 PM
Oct. 17 - Apple Butter Makin' Festival at Silver Creek and Seamans' Orchards from 10 AM - 4:30 PM
You'll find more fall festivals and fun on our event calendar and in our monthly, weekend, and weekday articles on our website.
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes Day Trips- HOURS FROM 2026 - Listed alphabetically
Nothing says fall like a trip to a pumpkin patch! There are many pumpkin patches to choose from in the Lynchburg and Roanoke areas. Here's our favorites:
Blue Ridge Mountain Maze -- (2026 hours: Sept. 19 - Nov. 8: Saturdays from 10 AM - 10 PM; Sundays from 10 AM - 6 PM; and Fridays (October and November only) from 12 PM - 6 PM, at Blue Toad Hard Cider, Roseland
Dark Leaf Farms -- (2026 hours: Sept. 26 through late October (date not noted); Friday through Sunday: Fridays from 4 PM - 6 PM; Saturdays from 10 AM - 6 PM; Sundays from 1 PM - 5 PM) 2026 events: Haunted Corn Maze Oct. 10, 24, and 30 from 7 PM - 11 PM; Kids Spookley Night Oct. 16 and 23 from 7 PM - 11 PM. Opening at 1 PM on Oct. 10 due to the Appomattox Railroad Festival. If using a GPS please use the address 185 Dark Leaf Rd. Appomattox VA 24522. As you get close follow the signs and look for the big red barn.
Jeter Farm Fall Festival -- (2026 hours: Sat/Sun only Oct. 3 - Nov. 1: SAT from 9 AM - 6 PM; SUN from 12 PM - 6 PM), Roanoke
Layman Family Farms Fall Festival -- (2026 hours: Sat/Sun only Sept. 19 - Nov. 1: Saturdays from 10 AM - 6 PM; Sundays from 11 AM - 6 PM; and Columbus Day, Oct. 12 from 10 AM - 6 PM), Blue Ridge
Sinkland Farms -- (2026 hours: Sept. 19 - Nov. 1: Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM - 5 PM (Sat/Sun only in September; adding Thursdays and Fridays in October only from 4 PM - 8 PM), Christiansburg
Smith's Pumpkin Patch -- (2026 hours: Daily from from Sept. 26 through Oct. 31: Monday - Thursday 3 PM - 8 PM; Friday - Saturday 10 AM - 8 PM; Sunday 12 PM - 8 PM), Lynchburg
Yoders' Farm Fall Festival -- (2026 hours: Sept. 19 - Oct. 31: Fridays and Saturdays from 10 AM - 10 PM; Tuesdays in October from 3 PM - 7 PM; Wednesdays and Thursdays in October from 10 AM - 7 PM), Rustburg
You can find more information about pumpkin patches and corn mazes here: Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes for 2026 in Central Virginia
Apple Orchard Day Trips
Apples are the favorite fruit of fall. Here's our favorite apple orchards in the Lynchburg area and beyond:
Morris Orchard is located at 226 Tobacco Row Lane in Monroe. Morris Orchard is open from mid-June through late fall. Morris Orchard offers many varieties of apples from late July through late October including several varieties of pick-your-own apples in season. Check the apple schedule for pick-your-own apple availability. Morris Orchard is open in season Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM - 5 PM.
Johnson's Orchards is located at 1218 Elmos Road in Bedford. Johnson's offers nearly 200 varieties of apples at their family owned and operated farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and they're in season now. Apples are available from August through October. Choose from U-pick or U-select apples with picking hours daily from 10 AM - 5 PM. Johnson's Orchards is open daily from 12 PM to 5 PM from April to December and weekends from 10 AM to 5 PM in season.
Gross' Orchard is located at 6817 Wheats Valley Road in Bedford. Gross' Orchard offers pick-your-own or pre-picked apples from mid-June to mid-September. Check the apple schedule on their website for varieties and average ripening dates. Gross' Orchard is open year-round Monday through Saturday from 8 AM - 6 PM.
Saunders Brothers Orchard and Farm Market is located at 2717 Tye Brook Highway in Piney River. It's apple season at Saunders Brothers from August to October. During apple season, you can find a schedule of which apples are ripe on the website. Saunders Brothers is open in season on Monday through Saturday from 9 AM - 6 PM.
Drumheller’s Orchard, located at 1130 Drumheller Orchard Lane in Lovingston, offers a variety of apples from early July to early November and peaches, plums, and pluots from late June to mid-September. During apple season at Drumheller's, you'll find an apple ripening schedule on the website. Drumheller's is open in season on Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM - 5 PM and Sundays from 12 PM - 5 PM.
Dickie Brothers Orchard is located at 2685 Dickie Road in Roseland. Dickie Brothers is open from early July through early November. Dickie Brothers offers a variety of apples, which are available from July to early November. You'll find the average apple ripening schedule on the website. Dickie Brothers is open in season from Thursday through Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM and Sundays from 12 PM - 4 PM.
Silver Creek and Seamans' Orchard has two locations: Silver Creek Orchard, located at 5529 Crabtree Falls Highway in Tyro and Seamans' Orchards, located at 1040 Dark Hollow Road in Roseland. Seaman's Orchard offers strawberries, cherries, and blueberries in spring and early summer, as well as pick-your-own apple dates in the fall. Silver Creek & Seamans' Orchard is open in season on Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM and Saturdays in October from 10 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Chiles Family Orchards include Carter Mountain Orchard, located at 1435 Carters Mountain Trail in Charlottesville; Chiles Peach Orchard, located at 1351 Greenwood Road in Crozet; and Spring Valley Orchard, located at 3526 Spring Valley Road in Afton. Each orchard specializes in specific fruits. Spring Valley offers cherries. Chiles Peach Orchard offers strawberries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins. Carter Mountain Orchard offers peaches and apples. The pick-your-own schedule for Carter Mountain Orchard and pick-your-own schedule for Chiles Peach Orchard on the website. Daily hours vary, so check the hours at each venue before you head out.
You can find more information about apple orchards here: It's Apple Orchard Time in Central Virginia for 2026!
All Around Virginia (and North Caroline) Fall Day Trips
Explore Virginia on Day Trips with Lynchburg Macaroni KID - Here's links to videos from various fun places in Virginia, including here in the Lynchburg area. Come along with us on a day trip!
Hiking Day Trips
Pack a picnic lunch and take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Peaks of Otter, shown in the cover photo, is probably the top fall day trip destination in our area. It's always beautiful at the Peaks and the trail around the lake is easy and accessible. Stop at overlooks along the way to enjoy the scenery. There are numerous places where the kids can wade in streams or cross bridges. Here's our favorite hikes on the Parkway, around Lynchburg, and in Shenandoah National Park.
Hiking Off the Blue Ridge Parkway - The Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect East Coast family getaway destination!
Take a Family Hike to Johnson Farm on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Enjoy Outdoor Beauty in Every Season!
Take a Hike at the Peaks of Otter - Choose your hike at the Peaks of Otter!
Hiking Indian Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Kids love the giant Indian Rocks!
Hit the Trails at These Lynchburg Area Hiking Trails - Hike your own hike at one of these favorite area trails!
10 Awesome Hikes in Shenandoah National Park - From mountaintop views to waterfalls, there's a hike for everyone in Shenandoah National Park!
Virginia State Park Day Trips
Head to Smith Mountain Lake State Park, located about an hour from Lynchburg at 1235 State Park Road in Huddleston. Smith Mountain Lake State Park is very popular with local families all year round. There are 13 hiking trails, ranging from half a mile to three miles long, including family favorites Turtle Island Trail and Lakeview Trail, both with great views of the lake. The swimming beach is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. The fishing is great at Smith Mountain Lake and the water is perfect for boating too.
Visit Natural Bridge State Park, located about an hour from Lynchburg at 6477 South Lee Highway in Natural Bridge. The 215-foot tall Natural Bridge was once owned by Thomas Jefferson and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are six miles of hiking trails in the park, including the accessible Cedar Creek Trail that leads from the bridge to the Monacan Indian Village and Lace Falls with its 30-foot cascade.
Check out High Bridge Trail State Park. The former rail bed is 31 miles long and is wide, level and mostly flat -- perfect for kids of all ages. Kids will love the High Bridge, which is more than 2,400 feet long and 125 feet above the Appomattox River. It's the longest recreational bridge in Virginia and is among the longest in the United States. High Bridge, a Virginia Historic Landmark, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
You'll find information about all 44 Virginia State Parks and event listings at the Virginia State Parks website.
Enjoy outdoor play fun at Whimsy Pines Farm in Appomattox or at Claytor Nature Center in Bedford. Check their websites for operating hours, to reserve playtime at Whimsy Pines Farm, and to find specific events at each location.
Take a short drive down the road to Altavista and check out the Scarecrow Stroll, with scarecrows located outside of many businesses during the month of October. Vote for your favorite scarecrow and be sure to take some family photos with the displays. While you're in Altavista, check out Shreve Park, home of the First Saturday Trade Lot, or English Park, home of the annual Rivertown Fest celebration. Both offer playground areas and English Park, located beside the Staunton River, also offers walking and hiking trails to enjoy.
Head to the Appalachian Trail for an exciting family adventure. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, the 2,190 mile AT will bring you face-to-face with nature. The AT stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, with approximately one-quarter of the AT's miles located in Virginia. There are many AT access points within an hour's drive, including: James River Foot Bridge off Route 501 near Big Island, Tye River parking lot on Route 56 in Montebello, and multiple parking areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.
Mill Mountain Zoo in Downtown Roanoke and Virginia Safari Park (a drive-thru adventure) in Natural Bridge are each about an hour away. Visit the animals and let the kids see nature close-up. You can even feed the animals from your vehicle at Virginia Safari Park!
Learn about our country's history at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park in Appomattox or the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford. If you want to stay closer to home, take a walking or driving tour of historic sites in Lynchburg.
Drive to Crabtree Falls in Nelson County and hike up to the waterfalls. A short hike from the parking area brings you to the first viewing area. Allow a couple of hours or more if you plan to hike the entire 2.7-mile loop.
Virginia Museum of Transportation in Downtown Roanoke is open 10-5 Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 on Sundays (closed on major holidays). The museum's collection includes 2,500 transportation items, including the largest collection of diesel locomotives in the South. Children ages 2 and under are admitted free. In addition to a number of rail transportation exhibits, kids of all ages will also enjoy road transportation exhibits, air and space exhibits, a maritime gallery, transportation-themed playground and much more.
Center in the Square, located at One Market Square SE in downtown Roanoke, houses multiple museums, aquariums and a theater all in one place. Some of the favorite museums are Science Museum of Western Virginia, Kids Square Children’s Museum, Roanoke STARCADE Arcade Museum, and Roanoke Pinball Museum. Hours vary for each museum, so check the website for hours and ticket information.
Maymont Park is located at 1700 Hampton Street in Richmond. The 100-acre Victorian estate of Maymont was gifted to the city of Richmond by James and Sallie Dooley to be preserved for new generations. The grounds, gardens, children's farm and wildlife exhibits are open daily from 10 AM - 5 PM or later. Some areas are closed on Mondays. Maymont celebrates 100 years in 2026. Admission to Maymont Park is free; however, donations are suggested and appreciated. Pack a lunch to enjoy on the grounds, stroll through the gardens, check out the animal exhibits, and enjoy a day of family fun.
The Frontier Culture Museum, located at 1290 Richmond Road in Staunton, is open daily from 9-5 with "living history" interpreters to bring history to life for your family. You can experience daily life in farm households in the 1600s and 1700s in England, Ireland, Germany, and West Africa at the Frontier Culture Museum. Kids and adults can learn a lot about the history of thousands of people who migrated to Colonial America at the Frontier Culture Museum.
Virginia Museum of Natural History is located at 21 Starling Avenue in Martinsville. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM and Sundays from 12 PM - 4 PM, exhibits include: The Age of Dinosaurs, Hall of Ancient Life, Ice Age, Uncovering Virginia, How Nature Works, an interactive exhibit featuring plants, animals and rocks; as well as exhibits on biodiversity, fossils, Virginia's watersheds, animal skeletons, leafcutter ants, traveling exhibits, and the Discovery Reef play area. Kids under age 3 are admitted free.
Danville Science Center, located at 677 Craghead Street, is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:30 AM - 5 PM and Sundays from 11:30 AM - 5 PM. See the website for Digital Dome Theater showtimes. There are numerous exhibits suitable for all ages. Kids under 3 years are admitted free.
Virginia Discovery Museum, located at 524 East Main Street on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM - 5 PM. Kids must be accompanied by an adult and little ones under 12 months old are free. There are lots of hands-on exhibits for your children to enjoy. See the website for more information.
Gather the family and head to Jamestown Settlement. Although it's only a few hours from Lynchburg, you'll feel you've stepped back in time when you arrive. Explore the history of the Jamestown Settlement and learn about early America with your family. There are lots of hands-on learning activities for kids. Jamestown was founded in 1607. Your kids will love boarding re-creations one of of the three ships that sailed from England to Virginia. You can also explore in the life-size re-creations of the colonists' fort and a Paspahegh town. Historic Virginia comes to life at Jamestown.
Metro Richmond Zoo is located at 8300 Beaver Bridge Road in Moseley, about an hour and a half from Lynchburg and just west of Richmond. Virginia's Largest zoological park, the Metro Richmond Zoo is home to 2,000 animals from around the world. There's a children's petting area with barnyard animals. You can also feed the bigger animals and attend keeper talks to learn more about the animals, There are extra fees to ride the safari sky lift, safari train, jungle carousel, and penguin falls drop tower or you can purchase an unlimited ride band to enjoy on your visit. The Treetop Zoofari for ages 8 and older and the Junior Explorer Course for ages 4 and older will challenge the adventurous and both require additional fees. Metro Richmond Zoo is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM - 5 PM and closed on Sundays and major holidays.
Take a Books and Buc-ee's day trip to Mount Crawford, just south of Harrisonburg. It's just under a two hour drive to get to Mount Crawford. First stop: Green Valley Book Fair, located at 2192 Green Valley Lane in Mount Crawford. Green Valley Book Fair is a discount book outlet store featuring over 500,000 new books at incredible bargain prices, open year-round Tuesday through Saturday from 8 AM - 5 PM. Next stop: Buc-ee's, located at 6500 Buc-Ees Boulevard in Mount Crawford. At Buc-ee's, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner because they're open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Best known for their BBQ brisket sandwiches, you can also pick up hot or cold sandwiches, salads, protein packs, homemade fudge, snacks of every variety, check out the jerky bar, and more. Buc-ee's is known for the cleanest bathrooms in America, has dozens of gas pumps, EV chargers, and so many fun retail items for purchase, including many items featuring Buc-ee himself.
Greensboro Science Center is located at 4301 Lawndale Drive in Greensboro, NC. You can enjoy an outdoor zoo, aquarium, and lots of interactive exhibits all in one place at Greensboro Science Center. There's also a fun old school carousel to ride, shows in the OmniSphere Theater and Adventure Theater, and more. There's also FLYWAY zipline and SKYWILD ropes and adventure course, both for ages 8 and older participants in good health, and both require additional fees. Greensboro Science Center is open year-round from 9 AM - 5 PM daily and closed on major holidays.
North Carolina Zoo, located at 4401 Zoo Parkway in Asheboro, NC, is open daily year round, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. From mid-March through mid-November, the hours are 9 AM - 5 PM. From mid-November through mid-March, the hours are 9 AM - 4 PM. The zoo is home to animals from A to Z, including elephants, lions, cougars, giraffes, polar bears, rhinoceros, zebras, and many others. North Carolina Zoo is two and a half hours from Lynchburg. Children under age 3 are admitted free.
You'll find family-friendly events to last you all fall in the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events on our website. Subscribe to receive a FREE weekly listing of events and activities, as well as articles and guides about local family fun. If anyone tells you that there's nothing to do in Lynchburg, don't believe them!
Looking for fall colors? Check out Best Places To See Fall Leaves in Lynchburg and Central Virginia - COMING SOON - with a fall colors predictive interactive map!
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