Virginia's Hidden Gem Museum Is A Bookworm's Paradise To Explore In The Fall

The macabre works of Edgar Allan Poe feel all the more haunting in autumn. In Richmond, Virginia, you can step straight into that world at one of Virginia's most underrated attractions, the Poe Museum. There, some delightfully eerie exhibits bring the Gothic poet's legacy to life. Poe called Richmond home for much of his youth, having been adopted by a couple there. Despite moving away for college and later work, he drifted back to Richmond time and again. The museum is situated in a building known as the Old Stone House, and though Poe didn't live there, it's the oldest residential building in the city and is wonderfully atmospheric.

Inside the museum, literary buffs will love the many first editions of the author's works, including one of his most famous poems, The Raven, and a letter from Poe to Washington Irving, author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." For Poe fans looking for a little of the macabre themselves, the museum also has a fragment of the man's coffin and strands of his hair. More sentimental pieces include an engagement ring given by Poe and his pocket watch, engraved with his name. The museum also explains some of the multitude of theories surrounding Poe's death, a mystery worthy of any detective story.

Visitors love the museum itself, but its courtyard and gardens add to the charm. The picturesque Enchanted Garden has lawns, fountains, and trees, and in autumn, fallen leaves litter the lawn. There are also several Poe-esque touches, including ivy taken from Poe's mother's grave and the Poe Shrine with a bust of the author. On top of that, two black cats, Edgar and Tib, stalk the gardens. From April through October, the museum hosts themed UnHappy Hours in the gardens once a month, with live music, food trucks, and local brews. Entrance to the museum costs $12 for adults, with discounts for seniors and those under 18. Free, self-guided audio tours are available.

The Poe Museum is a great stop when in Richmond. If you're looking for more fun-filled day trips in Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg is less than an hour's drive away from Richmond. In autumn, the living-history museum is surrounded by vibrant fall foliage and hosts spooky events, like a ghost tour of the site and mock trials of witches and pirates. For something that might send a chill down your spine in a different way, head west of Richmond to Virginia's longest recreational bridge at High Bridge Trail State Park. The bridge itself sits a heart-stopping 125 feet above the Appomattox River and is surrounded by gorgeous fall hues come late October.