Best time to visit Virginia: I'm planning to visit relatives in Virginia and had thought a fall trip would be best. They suggest spring would be better. If any of you either live there...

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I'm planning to visit relatives in Virginia and had thought a fall trip would be best. They suggest spring would be better. If any of you either live there or have experience photographing in that area, can you suggest a "best time" for good photos? I'll mostly be visiting Civil War places, Shanendoah NF and places like that.

Thanks in advance!

travlpix

Fall has autumn colors and is cooler; spring has flowers and can be warm. I'd pick autumn, late September/early October.

Kestrel1029 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

AzPicLady wrote:

I'm planning to visit relatives in Virginia and had thought a fall trip would be best. They suggest spring would be better. If any of you either live there or have experience photographing in that area, can you suggest a "best time" for good photos? I'll mostly be visiting Civil War places, Shanendoah NF and places like that.

Thanks in advance!

Peak fall color is late October. Very stunning views from Skyline Drive. I highly recommend it.

Sheila Loc: Arizona or New York

Either fall or spring is a lovely time to visit Virginia. In the fall, you will see the changing of the leaves. The weather in September and early October is cool at night with warmer days. My daughter went to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg for graduate school and I made a number of trip through part of western Virginia in the fall. Many of the Civil War sites are in northern to middle Virginia and I would prefer fall.

In the spring, many flowers and trees will be in blossom and the weather is usually pleasant. Maybe spring is more covenient for relatives due to their schedule or they may know of local events that would add to your enjoyment.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Monticello definitely looks best in autumn!

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

One scenic that can only be shot in spring is the Japanese Cherry trees in DC. But the traffic/tourists is HELL. Mount Vernon, Monticello, Skyline Drive and others in the fall get my vote. :)

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

The FALL! You will love that crispness in the air.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks so much, all of you. You're confirming my original thought. I think they're stuck on the cherry blossoms, and frankly, I'll probably avoid DC.

PhotoBiker Loc: Charleston, SC

Most definitely September/October over springtime months, they can be wet and chilly.
Another place to go for wonderful photos of landscape and buildings would be Harpers Ferry, WV which is just over the VA border. I live nearby yet continually visit HF just for the photo ops. Sunrise over the Potomac River there in HF is a beautiful scene.

nikonateer Loc: Draper, VA.

I live in the southwest section of Virginia. While spring can be very nice with the dogwoods and redbud trees in bloom, I find mid October to be the best for rich colors. We have the Blue Ridge Parkway about 20 miles from where I live and it is very scenic, Mabry's Mill and the route along that stretch is very nice with overlooks offering stunning views down into North Carolina. Maple, Hickory, and Poplar trees will change colors earlier followed by the Oaks. Mid October is usually the peak of color if that is what you are looking for. Whenever you visit, I hope your trip is a great one.

http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fall/

Klayne1

I live in Staunton, just 14 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. I commute over the Blue Ridge daily. Looks like peak will be between Oct 14 and Oct 21 this year. Great time to come! However, and not much help, Spring ain't to bad either. Can still be cold though depending on the winter. Lately we really have not had much of a winter though. Enjoy your trip

Klayne1

PS, Staunton is in the central Shennendoah Valley

Klayne1

Ditto Harpers Ferry is very cool. Great photo trip

eddiezm

Yes Fall and spring with all the color is spectacular and I know they are your choices can't go wrong with either. In the future try a winter trip. The views and photo opportunities are just as stunning. Have a great trip and shoot some panoramic s.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Kmehrzad wrote:

Most definitely September/October over springtime months, they can be wet and chilly.
Another place to go for wonderful photos of landscape and buildings would be Harpers Ferry, WV which is just over the VA border. I live nearby yet continually visit HF just for the photo ops. Sunrise over the Potomac River there in HF is a beautiful scene.

Thanks, Kmelrzad. I'll put that on my list.