Best time to visit Williamsburg
 

My husband and I (both recently retired) are planning a car trip from Asheville N.C. up the Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke and then on into Williamsburg in the fall. We are not sure if it would be best to go in middle to late September (maybe avoid the worst crowds) or the first part of October. We plan on spending 2 nights in Asheville, 1 night on Blue Ridge Pkwy and 2 or 3 nights in Williamsburg area. We are not planning on going to Busch Gardens, but are planning on visiting Jamestown and Yorktown. Any suggestions?

Waiting till October will likely eliminate the summer heat. Mid-October will even get you some decent fall foliage on Blue Ridge Pkwy.

I think this would depend on whether you mind dealing with traffic for people driving through to see the fall foliage. Depending on when peak is this year, mid October could be very busy on backroads around Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway area. The intense summer heat and humidity has usually passed by September and kids will be back in school so you would encounter few family vacationers by then plus the weather should be nice. Maybe the visitors center at Williamsburg could give you some suggestions too.

After Labor day.Paul

Wanda,
September is the slowest month of the fall here in Williamsburg. October and December are two of our busiest months so if you want to be able to enjoy the town and not worry about crowds or getting dinner reservations, I would strongly recommend September. It is still warm in September but the humidity is usually gone. We are still in shorts and with any luck you may get to wear a light long sleeve shirt at night! (maybe!!!)
Jamestown and Yorktown are both open daily so it won't matter if you come in September or October. Our foliage does not peak until really late October or even early November...
let us know if you need anything else!

I would also vote for as late in October as possible to still enjoy the "mountains" in the western part of the state. CW will still be warm, quieter, further from hurricane season and maybe cheaper.

I think October is better. September is still hot in central VA. October would provide more color for your Blue Ridge part of the trip.

Thank you all for your input. We have decided to go in early October.