One of the most wild and wonderful places on earth! and it's NOT halfway across the continents. Blackwater Falls State Park is only a 3 hr drive from DC! The trails to both Lindy Point and Blackwater Falls are very accommodating for little ones. Having seen the wild imagery of the Meteora in Greece, I didn't expect to see much here but my jaw was dropped when the windy narrow trail opens up to a magnificent vista with vibrant autumn colors. The best thing is it didn't cost us an arm and leg to get here! 

Travel tips:

Don't expect a lot of fancy nice restaurants along the way. We were literally the only car on Interstate 81. This place is where you would go to spot UFOs!

There is only one rustic lodge inside the park. One of my coworkers stayed here and he said a bunch of ratatouilles came out to be friends with him. It was an easy day trip for us.

Try the pizza at the Smokehouse at the Blackwater Falls...yum!