West Virginia and Kentucky

[CorreCaminos]

I'm going to be traveling through WV and KY on the way to DC in late October. I'll have a couple days to drive and plan to spend one night in or near Lexington, KY and another night somewhere in eastern WV before I get to DC.

Can anyone recommend things to do/see/photograph while in the area?

Thanks,
Miguel

 

[Sikario]

Autumn colours! 🙂

 

[mediumformatpho]

Yes. For pure scenery, nothing will match Canaan Valley, with access to the spectacular 18,000 protected acres of high plateau National Forest that is Dolly Sods. Please Google it to see what I'm talking about. Perhaps the most unique nature in the Eastern US.

For people, WV has great small towns that range from true "Americana" style to depressed, coal-country bust towns. My advice is to stop anywhere that looks interesting to you. The people are unfailingly gracious.

R.J.

 

[Al Patterson]

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is in Eastern WV in Green Bank.

 

[rover]

The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington is a beautiful relaxing stop. Basically it is the Life of the Rich and Famous for horses who live better than we do.

In eastern WV you will be within easy reach of a number of Civil War historical sites. If you are a history buff you may find some must see places at the various battle grounds.

 

[wgerrard]

Harper's Ferry is interesting, and can be photogenic. Besides the historicity of the place, it's also where the Shenandoah River joins the Potomac. From there, you can take Route 340 over to Charlestown, picking up Route 9 which runs down into Virginia joining Route 7 just outside Leesburg. From Leesburg, you can go on into D.C. on Route 7 or via the Toll Road. (It's got a name, but no one uses it.). With little traffic, you can drive from Harper's Ferry into D.C. in about two hours. Rush hour congestion is horrific around D.C., and it begins right around Leesburg.

 

[CorreCaminos]

Thanks guys. Canaan Valley looks like a great place and I'll look into the other suggestions.

It sounds like late October might be too late for foliage color. Is that true?

 

[not_in_good_order]

You could visit the Woodford Reserve distillery in Versailles, KY which is just outside of Lexington.

 

[wgerrard]

It sounds like late October might be too late for foliage color. Is that true?

Maybe, maybe not. Peak leaf season varies depending on weather variables. Colors will turn first farther north and at higher elevations.

Be aware that when the colors are at their peak, some roads can be almost bumper-bumper with leaf peepers. The Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge Parkway are the usual suspects. Hotels and motels fill up, too.

 

[3rdtrick]

+1 on the Harpers Ferry. If you have time, hike up the mountain to the overlook.
Also, October 16th is Bridge Day on the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, WV.
http://www.officialbridgeday.com/spectator-information
Lots of fun and BASE jumping off of the bridge... Well at least should be good photo ops...
Pete

 

[dogberryjr]

It sounds like late October might be too late for foliage color. Is that true?

Probably, especially in the higher elevations. Depending on your intended route here are a couple more options for WV: Hawk's Nest State Park near Ansted (wonderful overlooks over a river valley) and Seneca Rocks near the aforementioned Canaan.

 

[wgerrard]

Actually, Miguel, if you have the time, a good ramble through the upper Shenandoah Valley in Virginia ought to be pretty nice that time of year. I-81 goes all the way, but ignore it and use Route 11 or some of the state roads that, more or less, parallel it. Route 42 is one. Route 11 will take you into West Virginia within a few miles of Harper's Ferry. Virginia towns along the way include Harrisonburg, Winchester and Front Royal.

BTW, driving off the interstate in West Virginia can be rather slow. Very hilly and mountainous, twisty-turny roads going through small towns.

 

[CorreCaminos]

I looked into all the suggestions and I have tentative plans but, of course, it'll all depend on time as I need to be in DC on 10/29.

I plan to spend a whole day (two nights) in Lexington to check out the Kentucky Horse Park and other horse attractions. Then the following day driving up to the Canaan Valley and Seneca Rocks and up towards DC. I'd like to spend the night a couple hours west of DC, any interesting small towns near Harrisonburg or Winchester?

On the way back, I'll stop by Harper's Ferry and then head back on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.