family travel – The Virginia Hype Girl: Uncovering the Best of Virginia + Nearby Adventures!

Sponsored| Visiting West Virginia in the fall is like stepping into a vibrant postcard, complete with stunning landscapes, delectable eats, and a touch of luxury. The quaint town of Romney and the wooded trails of Augusta offer a perfect blend of nature, culture, and comfort, making it an ideal getaway for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.

Fall Foliage on the Potomac Eagle Train Ride

One of the most breathtaking highlights of my visit to West Virginia was taking a ride on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad in Romney. This historic train journey takes you through the heart of the West Virginia countryside, with the fall foliage transforming the landscape into a stunning tapestry of oranges, reds, and yellows.

As you board the train, the ambiance is set with vintage charm and comfortable seating. The ride meanders along rural countryside, mountains and waterways, offering panoramic views that are simply unmatched. The experience is enhanced by the sounds of the train gently chugging along the tracks and the rustling of leaves in the autumn breeze. Each bend reveals new vistas, and the majestic scenery will undoubtedly leave you in awe. Wildlife enthusiasts will love this adventure as eagles soared overhead of the train by the water, adding to the magic of the moment.

A Foodie Experience to Remember

Dining offered on the Potomac Eagle transforms the train journey into a gourmet adventure, where exquisite flavors accompany stunning views. Passengers can choose to be treated to chef-prepared meals, served right at their seats, making it an intimate and enjoyable experience.

Throughout the ride, the combination of natural scenery and historical narration enhances the journey, offering insights into the rich stories of the region. This immersive experience allows diners to not only savor their meals but also appreciate their surroundings.

In the Club, Superior, and Premium Dining classes, guests can enjoy a variety of menu options. Some of the choices when I visited in the Superior Dining Car were appetizers of shrimp cocktails and savory beef Wellington puff pastries, along with fresh salads and delectable entrees, including Chilean sea bass with lemon and garlic butter. Desserts ranged from indulgent chocolate torte to refreshing lemon mascarpone cake.

To complement the dining experience, beer and wine were available for purchase, enhancing the flavors of the carefully crafted menu. If diners wish to stretch their legs or get some fresh air, the observatory cars invited exploration, allowing for a more dynamic experience throughout the journey. This delightful combination of exceptional food, amazing waitstaff (like my server Mary), scenic views, and engaging storytelling makes dining on the Potomac Eagle a memorable foodie experience.

Relaxing at North River’s Edge

After a delightful day of exploration and indulgence, I retreated about 25 minutes from the station to Augusta and North River’s Edge Luxury Camping. This camping experience takes glamping to a whole new level. North Rivers Edge offers a camping experience that seamlessly blends nature with comfort. This oasis is conveniently located less than two hours from Washington, DC, and just 30 minutes from the historic charm of downtown Winchester, VA.

Unique Lodging Experience

Luxurious A-Frames

Guests can stay in stunning 12×18 glass front A-Frames that provide breathtaking views of the crystal-clear river and the dramatic 180-foot rock face. Each A-Frame features:

Queen size bed and soothing interior ambiance
Mini fridge, coffee and tea machine, and comfortable seating
Heating and cooling, with dimmable lighting for ultimate comfort

Nature Meets Comfort

In addition to comfortable sleeping quarters, North Rivers Edge offers:

Well-maintained amenity barn with free high-speed Wi-Fi, a 50″ TV, and games
Two full bathrooms with stand-up showers and changing areas
Outdoor activities, including kayaking, a corn hole court, and a fire pit

Careful landscaping minimizes insects, ensuring a pleasant outdoor experience. The property is truly designed for guests to enjoy the beauty of nature without the inconveniences typically associated with camping.

Ideal for Relaxation and Adventure

If you are looking to unwind by the riverside or partake in more active pursuits, North Rivers Edge Luxury Camping promises a unique getaway that combines relaxation, fun, and adventure.

For more information or to book your stay, you can visit North Rivers Edge Luxury Camping.

A Perfect Getaway in West Virginia

The journey aboard the Potomac Eagle train, exploring the local area and the serene stay at North Rivers Edge Luxury Camping created a perfect getaway that harmoniously blended adventure and relaxation. As you soak in the picturesque landscapes from the train, savoring gourmet meal and learning about the history of the region, you set the stage for an unforgettable experience.

This appreciation of nature continues at your campsite, where evenings spent around the firepit invite connection and contemplation. Surrounded by the sounds of rustling leaves and crackling flames, you reflect on the stunning vistas witnessed throughout your journey. Together, these two experiences forge a deep connection with the natural beauty of the area, ensuring that your escape is as enriching as it is memorable.

West Virginia, encapsulates the beauty of fall with its stunning landscapes, delicious food, and luxurious accommodations. Nature lovers, foodies, or those simply looking for a cozy escape, will find this experience has everything you need for a memorable trip. Pack your bags, grab your camera, and make plans to set off for an enchanting experience in the heart of the West Virginia mountains!

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Thank you for reading! Don’t forget to pin this idea on your vacation board for your next trip inspiration and to check out my other travel posts. If you are a hotel, campground or business and would like me to visit and write a blog for you please contact me at krystle@takeawalkinmyflipflops.com

Things to do in Cherokee, North Carolina

The Oconaluftee River (behind me) in Cherokee is a beautiful area to visit and if you’re ever near the Smokies I suggest checking it out🏔

The Oconaluftee River in Cherokee is a beautiful area to visit and if you’re ever near the Smokies I suggest checking it out. The Oconaluftee area and trails have plenty of places to float/raft, fish, and play. The river here is a place where many families gather, especially the Oconoluftee Island Park. In the evenings or on the weekends many people can be seen playing in the water and enjoying family time together.

When I visit family we like to go to Oconaluftee Island and listen to stories from elders over a bonfire. Fun fact: Cherokee don’t have typical powwow-type dances like you may have seen from other tribes or on TV, but instead hold stomps. Bonfire times and other special events can be found on the Visit Cherokee website.

Museum of the Cherokee

If you’re looking to see Native American artifacts and learn more about the history of the Cherokee tribe I highly suggest checking out the Museum of the Cherokee. The layout of the museum is great and the exhibits are very interactive. The collection of Native American artifacts is impressive. The museum is also, within walking distance to many shops and food options.

Indian Village-Cherokee, North Carolina

There are many things to see and do in and around Cherokee, Nc. The peace and tranquillity of the Indian village alone is worth the drive.

If you’re looking to see the heart of the Cherokee people I would also suggest visiting the Indian village. The village isn’t far up the mountain from the museum and has tours daily with Native American guides that explain the culture, history, and way of life. The village also has a walking trail and gardens to explore.

The internal flame is worth a walk down to the theater where the Unto these Hills takes place, but I highly recommend getting tickets to watch the performance too in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Combined tickets can be purchased that include multiple attractions such as the Unto the Hills drama. The theatrical interpretation of the journey of the Cherokee people is a must-see. The internal flame in front of the theater is worth a walk down to the theater and I highly recommend getting tickets to watch the performance.

Visiting the Great Smoky Mountain’s National Park

The Great Smoky Mountain National park offers plenty to enjoy and some one of a kind photo opportunities and hiking experiences.

If you’re into hiking Cherokee has many beautiful trails. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is also a close drive from Cherokee and offers a plethora of trails and photo opportunities. Hiking part of the Appalachian trail is an unbeatable experience.

Things to do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

As you drive from Cherokee, NC to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park you will also, be close to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. From where I was staying in Cherokee it was only 37 miles to Gatlinburg. If you’re not familiar this area along with Pigeon Forge is a known tourist hotspot. It is a vacation destination in itself and has everything you can imagine in terms of entertainment, restaurants, and shopping. During this trip, I didn’t spend much time in Gatlinburg, but I have been there several times with family.

Skylift Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee offers amazing views, plenty of chairs to sit, gift shop, concessios and areas to capture the perfect photos.

Skylift Park-Gatlinburg, Tennessee

One evening of the trip was dedicated to Gatlinburg. While there I wanted to revisit one of my favorite attractions and ride on the Skylift. This ride is a Gatlinburg icon and I remember riding on it as a child. I was excited to be able to finally check out the new partial glass bridge this trip as well. Tip: The Skylift Park allows multiple visits in a day with paid admission and it is the perfect spot to catch the sunset.

While at the Skylift park, a storm came up and we stayed put there for a couple of hours. There is a gift shop, concession-style restaurant, and bar on top of the mountain. Along with the beautiful views, there are plenty of chairs to sit on and areas to capture the perfect photos. We decided to enjoy lunch there too and had pizza and beer with the mountain views. The concession area had fresh food and the bar staff were very friendly.

Sugarlands Distillery- Gatlinburg, Tennessee

One of the other activities I decided to do while in Gatlinburg was to visit Sugarlands. I enjoy a good drink and have heard so many positive things about this distillery. I am not a stranger to moonshine and grew up with a family that proudly made their shine.

Watching programs like Moonshiners on the History Channel piqued my interest in this topic as an adult. I was excited to be in Gatlinburg and to finally get to check out Sugarlands for myself. Tasting tours are available for $5 and I tried 12 tiny samples of different varieties of their moonshine, plus a cream liqueur. Honestly, it was all amazing!

The bar inside Sugarlands in Gatlinburg, Tennessee didn’t disappoint and their drinks were made with lots of shine and sass.

Sugarlands also has a huge gift shop and after our tasting, we purchased several types of shine to take home. The $5 tasting fee is knocked off a shine purchase too which was nice. There were several deals for a percent off certain items and a free item after 5 when we visited. We also enjoyed some fun cocktails and live music in their bar behind the gift shop. Sugarlands was a great way to spend our evening in Gatlinburg and a fun way to experience something different.

There is so much to do and see in this area of the Smoky Mountains from Cherokee, Maggie Valley, and Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge anyone could make a multi-week vacation out of it. There is something to appeal to everyone in the family too from history, water activities, food/drink, and the outdoor lifestyle. I know I can’t wait to plan another trip back to the area.

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Tag: family travel

Exploring the Charm of Fall in West Virginia