p.1 #1 · Gettysburg, Shenandoah Nat'l Park, Blue Ridge Parkway
Hello, my wife and I will be taking a driving trip in early October and we'll be going through Gettysburg, Shenandoah Nat'l Park, and most of the Blue Ridge Parkway to Chattanooga.
Can anyone let me know what the 'not-so-well-known' attractions and sights are? I've read the tourist guides and have a general idea of what to see, but some of the less visited sights would be nice as well.
My one caveat is my wife does not hike much, about a half mile or so is about the limit.
Thanks for any and all information, it is greatly appreciated.
p.1 #2 · Gettysburg, Shenandoah Nat'l Park, Blue Ridge Parkway
Just got back from several days at Gettysburg. If the battle itself interests you, I highly recommend the Ranger talks.
Otherwise, Little Round Top at sunset is excellent. The view from Seminary Ridge at sunrise can be nice also, especially with the mists along the ground. You can drive along to see most of the monuments & then get out to get closer or other angles. You can get into the main Pennsylvania monument (up a circular staircase) & the NY 'castle' monument on Little Round Top. There are observation towers on Culp's Hill, Warfield Ridge, and Oak Ridge.
You can get a PDF guide here, to help plan your visit. You can ignore the detour, road work is complete.
p.1 #3 · Gettysburg, Shenandoah Nat'l Park, Blue Ridge Parkway
Though you probably already know this, both the Shenandoah's Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway provide for some extraordinary vistas right from the roadway and to take advantage of them there are scenic overlooks, i.e., parking/stopping areas, strategically placed along them. If weather conditions permit, you can enjoy some remarkablesunsets, even as you realize that the striking colors are pollution induced There are other areas of remarkable beauty, but, alas, I've been able to access them only by backpacking into, along the Appalachian Trail and its tributaries, and then out to various trailheads.
HTH, and I hope you and your wife have an enjoyable trip. BTW, +2 to "wiescall" who has given you some very, very good recommendations about Gettysburg, a truly memorable experience to tour it, and the view from Seminary Ridge in the AM, especially if there is mist or light fog, well, it'll knock your socks off.
p.1 #5 · Gettysburg, Shenandoah Nat'l Park, Blue Ridge Parkway
Congrats on your retirement. You will love that part of the Southland. Virginia is indeed "For Lovers." You will also likely enjoy the WVa and MD scenery if you travel the route South out of Gettysburg.
p.1 #6 · Gettysburg, Shenandoah Nat'l Park, Blue Ridge Parkway
If you are hitting Gettysburg on a weekend in the fall I'd suggest getting up early. The park gets crowded pretty fast especially the main tourist points that have already been mentioned. If you have never been before the CD tour guide you can buy at the park and play as you drive for a narrated description of the battle and the monuments you pass is well worth it. The soldiers cemetary in the early morning/evening is often over looked.
p.1 #7 · Gettysburg, Shenandoah Nat'l Park, Blue Ridge Parkway
I'm a huge Civil War buff. I do reenacting, collecting, relic hunting, etc...I reenacted the 135th G'burg amongst others.
Be sure to visit Harpers Ferry. It isn't too far from G'burg and is a great park. Also, Chickamauga battlefield near Chatt. Point Park in Chatt. offers a great view of Chatt. from up top. Some famous original CW photos of Union troops taken on those rocks up there.
We have some reenactments coming up in Oct. around the 1/2 and and 7/9.
p.1 #8 · Gettysburg, Shenandoah Nat'l Park, Blue Ridge Parkway
Pete.
Good advice from all. Heres something else. October 10th. is Columbus day in the USA- that said all of the tourist aeras are jammed, lodging full, long waits to eat, and the parkway and skyline drive in VA. are pretty much a parking lot. Not trying to put a damper on your plans. Having a pet, in such places as Otter-creek Lodge is impossible. However the aera is well worth the effort.
Harry Palmer
p.1 #12 · Gettysburg, Shenandoah Nat'l Park, Blue Ridge Parkway
Pete, In Gettysburg, a nice eatery is the Dobbins House, for lunch or dinner. When you leave G-burg, you'll be on US15; when you cross into Maryland, you'll be in Frederick County, in which there are five or so covered bridges (if you like that sort of thing) and some old stone bridges. See: https://www.fredericktourism.org/what-to-see/tours/historic-covered-bridges-driving-tour. If you don't mind a little detour, you might visit the Dolly Sods wilderness area in West Va. Is located roughly due south of Oakland Maryland. Good photo ops, especially in the Autumn. Once you double back to VA, about a third of the way down Skyline Drive (where it crosses I64) head east to Charlottestown. It has a charming downtown but, more importantly, it has Montecello with good archtectural photo ops if you're so inclined.
Have a great trip and congrats on your retirement.
P.S. The Dolly Sods area can be visited by car with minimal walking.
There are other areas of remarkable beauty, but, alas, I've been able to access them only by backpacking into, along the Appalachian Trail and its tributaries, and then out to various trailheads.