The best time to visit Virginia is during April which marks the beginning of spring to October. Temperatures during these months are considerably warm and subtropical climate dominates the weather of Virginia. The wildflowers in the Blue Ridge Mountains bloom and the flowering trees in Shenandoah National Park are a sight to behold. The beaches of Virginia are most crowded in May and the hotel prices soar high making the peak of the tourist season. Many of the summer festivals are organized during these months and are a warm welcome for the tourists. The Virginia Renaissance Faire, Balloons over Rockbridge, and Virginia Highlands Festival are some of the renowned festivals worth being a part of. Winter in the Mother of State begins in November and experiences chilly temperatures. This is the favorite whale watching season for most nature enthusiasts and the beginning of the Christmas celebrations add a sparkle to the entire Virginia experience. Halloween, winter walks of lights at Meadowlark Botanical Garden, Energy Garden Fest of Lights at Lewis Ginter are some of the remarkable winter experiences to explore in the off-peak season in Virginia.