Fall Getaway Favorites
With a long weekend ahead of us, we asked the women of Stylebook where they’d go if they could get away this fall. From epic cheeseburgers in Charleston to cider mills “Up North” to nearby mountain hikes (and maybe some apple donuts!), the cooler temps mean it’s a great time of year for a quick change of scenery.
Darby
It is difficult for me to travel in the fall with new autumn fashion arriving daily — I feel very fortunate if I am able to escape work for even one weekend! If I’m that lucky, I love to head to Charleston, South Carolina. It is close, stunningly beautiful, cultural, surrounded by ocean water, and a foodie’s paradise. I can take a 10am flight and at 12:30pm be eating the to-die-for Husk cheeseburger (not just any burger, bacon is ground with the beef and it is finished with a slathering of freshly made pimento cheese!). I can then shop, walk the Battery along the waterfront, visit museums, nap, etc…my kind of getaway!
Elizabeth
I’m a Michigan girl, so for us, “Up North” is a magical place. For the record: “Up North” is just anywhere you must drive a significant amount of time to get to, that has some kind of camping/woodsy feel to it. It is not necessarily north of where you are, and it usually involves some kind of lake, Great or otherwise. My favorite fall getaway is this mystical region. The colors turn early, cider mills are a way of life, and the smell of wood smoke is everywhere — not necessarily because people are camping, but because a lot of them still use wood stoves on a regular basis. “Up North” is paradise. I’m always sure to take a rich moisturizer with me when I go up — a campfire every night combined with the cooler, windier weather mean that even my oily skin gets dried out if I’m not careful! I’m having an autumnal moment with Mario Badescu’s super rich Bee Pollen Night Cream. (Available at Bellacara, $20)
Christen
Maybe it’s because I’ve been stuck with a broken foot for a couple of months now but I can’t wait to head back out to the mountains for a day-long hike. Hiking is one of the few things I enjoy more in the fall than in the summer, and it’s something my husband, my dog, and I all love to do together. Especially as the weather cools and we start to live our lives indoors, it helps to get out of the city for a day, be active and breathe in lots of fresh air. Plus, if you’re headed in the right direction, you can stop by The Apple House in Linden, Virginia for breakfast or lunch — don’t forget to bring home some apple donuts! And if you grabbed an extra batch for me, I would love you forever!
Alicia
Most of us know The Inn at Little Washington as a fantastic fall destination, but Tula’s Off Main in Little Washington, Virginia is a must this month for a family get together. My brother-in-law, John McCaslin, opened this little gem with Mark Allen quite a while ago and I’m embarrassed to say that I have yet to get there! All that will soon change however…Live music, farm-to-table menu selections, and patio dining are a few reasons to jump in the car, stream my favorite playlist, and head out for a little R&R with the family.
As for packing…my plan is to keep it casual the entire way and let the weather determine my selections. In a perfect world, the air will be brisk and I can wear the reverse seamed sweater from Smythe with some comfortable denim from M.i.h finished with a little bootie. This way I can layer, using the sweater as a coat and keep things simple since this will need to be a very spur of the moment trip!
Alex
Nashville is a casual, young vibrant city, brimming with a great social culture, warm in southern hospitality. The music city does not disappoint with so many styles of music being played around the city on any given day or night, with many of the venues small bar establishments that offer an up-close-and-personal style show. The food scene is rich in all kinds of flavors from southern soul food cuisine to international bistro options; almost any craving can be satisfied. We enjoyed everything from a breakfast at Biscuit Love, lunch of gourmet hotdogs sold out of a converted VW van, to a fine dining dinner at Husk, which offered an interesting menu and a great wine pairing selection. Packing for a weekend in Nashville is a snap. Keep things easy…jeans, a few cute T-shirts, and a great pair of boots!
Asheville, North Carolina is another favorite place for an autumn adventure. Tucked away in the mountains, this would be a perfect place to see the pageantry of color the fall season will soon have to offer. The Biltmore Estate is an easy choice for luxury accommodations. The beauty in Asheville is not only Mother Nature’s display; this funky little art town is chock full of interesting characters. There are so many places to see their works and most are enthusiastic creative types, willing to share their ideas and artistic passions. You can find talented painters, potters, sculptures, and industrial artists all over the city. I bought a ceramic bongo drum from a gallery called The Village Potters and the artists in this gallery invited me to join them in a Friday night drum circle being held in the town square! The White Duck Taco is a locals’ dining spot with both great tacos and tasty margaritas.
