Calling all leaf peepers, road trippers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Now is your time. Get out there this weekend. The leaves of deciduous varieties are at their peak and there are options aplenty, here at home and just a short drive away, for enjoying one of the best times of the year. See ya out there ...
Carter
Mountain
It's hard to know where to start when talking about this beautiful mountain-top orchard, but something tells us that fresh, hot apple cider donuts are a good place to begin. That's right, come hungry when you come to the mountain...'cause these award-winning donuts are legendary. And they come with dramatic vistas and acres and acres of fruit trees. When you're finished with this fall treat at Carter Mountain Orchard, meander into the orchard to pick-your-own apples (or you can buy fresh-picked apples) as you take in the Virginia countryside. No trip to this family orchard is complete without also popping into the onsite Bold Rock Hard Cider tasting room where you can sip on a cider crafted in the Blue Ridge Mountains using local apples from Carter Mountain. If you make the quick, approximately 1-hour, trip from Richmond this Veteran's Day weekend, make sure to check out the Hometown Heroes celebration on Saturday honoring active and retired military and first responders!
As the temperatures cool, there's no better time to hit the trail, huddle around a fire, or even squeeze in one more camping trip just in time for spectacular displays of orange, yellow, and red during peak fall foliage. And the good news is that you don't have to travel very far. Just 20 miles from Richmond, Pocahontas State Park offers 64-plus miles of pristine trails (particularly popular among bicyclists), rotating nature and history programs, three lakes (including the 225-acre Swift Creek Lake), some of the best camping around, and a variety of cabins. And if yurts are more your style, Pocahontas State Park has you covered. Bundle up, make a fire, and soak in the beauty of our state parks!
Just outside of Richmond is Upper Shirley Vineyards, an estate/winery/restaurant that is perched above one of the most scenic bends on the James River that is stunning this time of year. Located at mile maker 30, we recommend hopping on a bike and taking the Capital Trail to this rural wonderland. The tasting room is open Wednesday to Monday from 11-5, with lunch from 11-3 and small plates from 11-4:30. On their fall menu, the crispy fried Virginia oysters (with Absinthe creamed spinach, smoky bacon, and Parmesan) are not to be missed. And if you want to make it easy on yourself, let the Cap Trail Bike Shuttle turn your outing into a one-way cycling trip by dropping you and your bike off at Upper Shirley or have them drive you back!
Join or watch the fifth annual ‘King of the James’ adventure triathlon on Sunday, November 10th. Individuals and teams will
battle it out as they run the Forest Hill Trail loop, mountain bike Buttermilk and North Bank Trails, and paddle the urban whitewater found deep in the heart of Richmond’s fall line!
Haven't locked down your New Year's Eve plans yet? We're pumped about two bashes just out of town. If you’re keeping it close to home, some dinner reservations are still available at Alewife, Brenner Pass and Longoven.
We also snuck in a tip on a new burger hub for some end-of-year bingeing before we clean it up in the New Year...
Let’s ring it in!
The Grand
Cuckoo
This time next year, the party in Richmond will be at Common House, the social club opening on Broad Street. But we don't want to wait that long, so we've decided to welcome 2019 with their epic New Year’s Eve bash, The Grand Cuckoo, at their Charlottesville location. We booked their four-course dinner to start (lobster and oysters!), before moving on to the party for dancing and bubbly!
We’ve already become members and recommend you do the same. The clubhouse is stunning, the membership intriguing, and the programming always compelling. If you join now as an out-of-town member, Common House will waive your initiation fee. Plus, being a member offers discounts at some of our favorite spots like The Quirk, Ledbury and Shockoe Atelier. And, as soon as Richmond opens, membership will give you access to both Houses. In!
The grand ballroom and pub bar at Dover Hall are the perfect spaces for a New Year’s Eve party. Don your best attire, and enjoy music from The Dickens Band and food from chef Lee Hendrickson.
Worried about driving home from Manakin Sabot? Let the Allen law firm take care of you for up to $50 off your Lyft ride home within a 20-mile radius of Richmond*. The codes will be posted on their Facebook page the day of at 10pm and 12am.
*We did the math. Dover Hall is 19.3 miles away from the Fan. Safe riding!
The Jack Brown’s team has opened a Richmond location of its beloved Billy Jack’s Shack. We’re pumped, to say the least.
The menu offers everything from burgers to salads, and the new space seats 147 people. Be sure to check out the lower level of their two-story place; known as The Hideaway, it offers a more intimate and laid-back dining experience with a select drink and food menu. Be sure to order their sticky nuggs, and consider Billy Jack's for brunch starting in 2019.
vol. 5 / here & thereEach week, Here. delivers three ideas on cool happenings in Richmond, straight to your inbox.
VOL. 5 / HERE & THERE
Welcome to our first Here & There!
As much as we love Richmond, we love adventure more. And sometimes you’ve just gotta get out of town. We scout neighboring areas for their best day trips or long weekends — all within driving distance. Here & There newsletters will occasionally replace our weekly Richmond content.
As the leaves turn, head west to Charlottesville. Road trip!
Wine
Country
There’s just something about strolling the grounds at Veritas Vineyard & Winery, wine in hand, vistas of the Blue Ridge in every direction. Maybe the relaxed, friendly vibe stems from the family who runs the winery so personally.
During your tasting, pay special attention to Veritas’ Viognier and Petit Verdot grapes that thrive in Virginia. Veritas does offer food on-site, though you’re welcome to pack your own.
You could even stay on the property, at their intimate bed-and-breakfast, The Farmhouse at Veritas. There is a handful of rooms left for the season.
Picking up the pace, the season just begs for a brisk hike. How fortunate are we that picturesque trails are just an hour away?
Skip the mob scene at Old Rag. For an approachable challenge, the 9-mile Riprap Hollow tops off with a vista payoff at Chimney Rock. White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run is a similar length, winding by a series of waterfalls.
For something less athletic, Blackrock Summit has a worthwhile 1-mile circuit. Or you could always cruise the overlooks down Skyline Drive.
Narrowing Charlottesville’s bright culinary reputation to a few essentials:
LUNCH / Whether your destination is a winery or a mountain, stock up on elevated sandwiches, cheeses, charcuterie and bread at Feast! Also consider pie from The Pie Chest.
DINNER / A cozy gem of a restaurant, The Alley Light is indeed tucked in an alley. You’ll find French small plates and a healthy wine and cocktail list. You can’t order wrong.
BRUNCH / Soak up sins from the night before with tasty diner fare from Bluegrass Grill & Bakery, the perfect brunch dive.
Go
