Peak color season is on the way, a time when many Atlantans will hit the road to view the burnt hues of the autumn trees. If you're looking for a place beyond Georgia, consider one of these Southeastern destinations or events for your fall leaf looking this year.
Fall Colorfest, Mentone, Ala.
Mentone seems stuck in time. Perched on the western edge of the Lookout Mountain plateau in northeast Alabama, the tiny downtown area contains a small collection of historic buildings and rustic log cabins, a couple of mom-and-pop convenience stores and that's about it. The town has been a mountain getaway for tourists since the 1800s. In October, Mentone makes a good base for short side trips to nearby Desoto Falls and Little River Canyon National Preserve to see the fall colors surrounding these natural treasures. On the third weekend in October, Mentone will host its annual Fall Colorfest. The festival kicks off on the evening of October 14, with a bonfire in the heart of downtown, complete with storytelling, sing-a-longs and a marshmallow roast. Brow Park, located a quarter-mile north of the downtown area on the brow of the mountain overlooking the valley below, will be the main site of the festival for the rest of the weekend. Browse arts and crafts, nosh on Southern fare from local chefs, listen to live entertainment all weekend long and take in the parade on Saturday afternoon.
Stay
Mentone Springs Hotel. Now under new ownership, this beauty of a hotel was built in 1884, is on the National Register of Historic Places and was listed in the bestselling book, "1,000 Places to See Before You Die." Fall rates start at $115. 6114 Hwy. 117, Mentone, Ala. 256-634-4040, www.mentonesprings.com.
Eat
The Moonlight Bistro. It's worth eating at the Moonlight Bistro for the fried green tomatoes, as well as the cozy, wooden environs of the old log cabin housing the restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Entrees start at $8.99. 6080 Hwy. 117, Mentone, Ala. 256-634-4560, www.themoonlightbistro.com.
Visitor info
DeKalb County Tourist Association. 1503 Glen Blvd., Fort Payne, Ala. 888-805-4740, www.discoverlookoutmountain.com
Fall color boat rides, Chattanooga
The 26-mile long Tennessee River Gorge near Chattanooga is a good place to catch vibrant fall color from the water. Also known as Tennessee's Grand Canyon, three companies offer nature watching tours into the gorge this season. The Tennessee Aquarium operates the 70-passenger catamaran River Gorge Explorer, a sleek boat propelled by water jets downriver at high speeds like a thrill ride, then slowing to a crawl when it reaches the gorge. A naturalist is on hand to answer questions and point out notable sights and the abundant wildlife in the gorge. The excursion lasts two hours.
Blue Moon Cruises will offer Fall Color Cruises beginning October 15 aboard its 70-foot dual-deck boat. A full buffet meal is served on the 3 1/2-hour journey. On October 29, a special cruise will travel the full length of gorge to Hales Bar Marina on Nickajack Lake for the Fall Color Bluegrass Festival, a kid-friendly, alcohol-free event held at the marina.
The Southern Belle is an old-fashioned looking riverboat that normally offers offers Dixieland jazz dinner cruises on the river, but it will add the Fall Leaf Cruise, a three-hour lunch/brunch cruise with live entertainment, to its itinerary beginning in mid-October. All three boats have outdoor decks, climate-controlled indoor seating and depart from docks at the riverfront plaza adjacent to the Tennessee Aquarium. For more info and links to each company, visit the Chattanooga CVB website chattanoogafun.com, click on Attractions, then Boat Tours.
Stay
Bluff View Inn. Bed and breakfast inn with rooms in three houses on a high bluff in the Bluff View Art District overlooking the Tennessee River. Fine dining, a coffeehouse, shops, a bocce ball court and an art museum are just steps away. Rates start at $105. 411 E. Second St., Chattanooga. 800-725-8338 x2, www.bluffviewartdistrict.com.
Eat
Niko's Southside Grill. A tasteful blending of Greek and Southern cuisine within easy walking distance of the Chattanooga Choo Choo on the Southside. Open for lunch and dinner. Entrees $8-$27. 1400 Cowart St., Chattanooga. 423-266-9211, nikossouthside.com.
Visitor info
Chattanooga Visitors Center. 215 Broad St., Chattanooga (directly across from the Tennessee Aquarium). 800-322-3344, www.chattanoogafun.com.
Shenandoah Fall Foliage Bike Festival, Staunton, Va.
Staunton is a small, historic and easily walkable town situated in the heart of Virgina's Shenandoah Valley, a prime leaf watching spot each autumn. A popular way to enjoy the fall colors here is to ditch the car and get on a bike. The Shenandoah Fall Foliage Bike Festival gives locals and visitors an opportunity to do just that on multiple rides along the winding country roads around Staunton. Rides from 10 to 100 miles at all skill levels are offered, from easy loops good for the entire family to longer all-terrain routes for the more hardcore cyclist. The festival takes place October 21-23. Tickets for the rides are $85 for adults, $15 for children ages 6-17 and includes a T-shirt, snacks and refreshments at each rest stop as well as a meal for Saturday and Sunday rides. For registration info visit the website shenandoahbike.org. If you're not up for bike riding, head to Shenandoah National Park near Staunton for the spectacular scenery along the 105-mile Skyline Drive. The two lane road runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains inside the park, has a maximum speed limit of 35 m.p.h. and plenty of pull offs with overlooks and hiking trails.
Stay
Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center. A landmark in downtown Staunton, this hotel was built in 1924 and is listed as one of the Historic Hotels of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Rates start at $145. 24 S. Market St., Staunton, Va. 540-885-4848, www.stonewalljacksonhotel.com.
Eat
Zynoda. Upscale Southern cuisine from a seasonal menu featuring ingredients from local farms served in a stylish but non-fussy atmosphere in the historic downtown area near the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. Entrees usually start between $20-$25, smaller plates $9-$12. 115 E. Beverly St., Staunton, Va. 540-885-7775, www.zynodoa.com.
Visitor info
Downtown Staunton Visitor Center. 35 S. New St., Staunton, Va. 540-332-3971, www.visitstaunton.com.
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