Country roads and historic towns are nestled in the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia, which offers abundant opportunities to enjoy a memorable and festive fall weekend getaway. Whether you want to pick your own apples; canoe down the Potomac in the brisk fall air; or see sugar maples paint the mountains with shades of red, these are the best places to find vacation rentals in West Virginia for Columbus Day weekend.
1. Milton
Staying in a vacation rental in this cozy farming community puts you at the footstep of the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival that takes place on Columbus Day weekend at Milton’s Pumpkin Park. Witness artisans demonstrating blacksmithing, quilting, and pottery-making alongside pumpkin contests, pumpkin-based foods, and a rustic mountain man encampment. After buying a pumpkin and feasting on pumpkin-flavored baked goods, shop the town’s antique shops and Amish market. Check out the corn maze and zip line at Cooper Family Farm before heading home.
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2. Davis
Tucked away in the Canaan Valley, Davis is a gateway to fall beauty for your October trip. Head to Blackwater Falls State Park to hike to the falls of Elakala or Pendleton Point Overlook to take in the fiery reds of thousands of sugar maples. Hike the Davis Trail along the Blackwater River or see the fall colors from the saddle with Mountain Trail Rides.
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3. Bluefield
This small town in the Appalachian Mountains is home of the Southern West Virginia Italian Festival, which falls fittingly over Columbus Day weekend. Sample cannelloni, spaghetti, and fresh meatballs as part of authentic Italian cuisine. Enjoy face painting, mechanical bull rides, and live music before buying some marinara sauce for dinner at your Bluefield vacation rental. For the best October views, head to East River Mountain Overlook. Discover the Landmark Antique Mall for unique souvenirs or if you have a rainy day during your weekend getaway.
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4. Berkeley Springs
Stay in Berkeley Springs to take a dip in the same mineral waters where George Washington once relaxed. Find a vacation rental near one of several refreshing spas to enjoy the springs, or spend your weekend at Cacapon Resort State Park to hike through 6,000 acres of woods painted in vibrant fall colors. Remember to snap some photos at the breathtaking Berkeley Springs Castle. For a special experience, order a latte while cuddling with a cat when you visit Give Purrs a Chance’s Cat Cafe.
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5. Hinton
Situated in the heart of Summers County, this railway town on the banks of New River was built around the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. When you’re not hiking through the hills of Bluestone State Park on the scenic Bluestone River, learn about the town’s rich history at the Hinton Railroad Museum. Columbus Day weekend is also the perfect opportunity to take a fall foliage tour on the New River Train that stops in Hinton.
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6. Beckley
Find an old-fashioned home for rent in Beckley as your home base for exploring Grandview State Park and visiting the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum. A few miles south in Cool Ridge, make a stop at Okes Family Farm to take a wagon ride to the sprawling pumpkin patch, try out the corn cannon, and buy some apple butter to bring back to your vacation rental for your Columbus Day breakfast.
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7. Shepherdstown
Shepherdstown represents the oldest town in West Virginia and a charming community on the Potomac River. Stay here to visit cafes and window-shop on German Street, or view the Shepherdstown Museum to capture a glimpse of the town’s rich history. To see the fall foliage from the Potomac, rent a canoe from Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle. For a fun little detour, drive across the bridge to Maryland to discover more brilliant fall colors.
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8. Harpers Ferry
Located where the Shenandoah meets the Potomac, this weekend favorite boasts 20 miles of trails with views of the Appalachian Mountains. Enjoy the mild fall weather canoeing and kayaking, or book a horseback ride with Blue Ridge Trail Riding. During your Columbus Day weekend stay, visit Ridgefield Farm and Orchard to get lost in the sprawling corn maze, choose your gourd at the pumpkin patch, and take a traditional hayride before sampling fresh apple cider.
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9. Pocahontas County
This wilderness region offers plenty of opportunities to stay in a rustic vacation rental tucked in the woods, but Pocahontas County is also a hub of West Virginia adventure. You have multiple options for viewing fall foliage and enjoying the great outdoors. Ride along the Cass Scenic Railroad, hike the Allegheny Mountain trails of Watoga State Park, or bike the Greenbrier River Trail to take in sights. Drive the Highland Scenic Highway for unbeatable views, and pull over to stop at scenic overlooks or cozy towns that revel in the changing of autumn colors. Early October also highlights the perfect time of year to visit the Cranberry Glades, where farmers prepare to harvest the bright red fruits that float in the bogs.
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10. Buckhannon
This coal mining town in the Allegheny foothills offers more than just fall foliage, coal culture and crisp temperatures. Take a walk along Main Street to visit shops housed in historic buildings, or enjoy some late-season fishing on Stonecoal Lake. Soak in the October sun along the Middle Fork River trails of Audra State Park as you gaze out upon rolling mountains and deep valleys.
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11. Spencer
Tucked away in the heart of Appalachia, Spencer is the place to get away from the city scene with an old-fashioned country cottage vacation rental. Over Columbus Day weekend, canoe Fork Charles Lake for an all-day adventure. After your time on the water, stop by Vu Ja de Vineyards to sip some classic wines or visit Sweeter Side of the Feud, a hometown winery that lets you sample classic honey bourbon. If you catch a rainy day, enjoy a movie at the Robey Theatre, West Virginia’s oldest continuously operating movie theater. You might fall in love with the town so much that you may return to Spencer the following weekend for the West Virginia Black Walnut Festival.
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