SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS HELP LEAF PEEPERS MAKE THE MOST OF A VIRGINIA VISIT

According to the 2015 Farmers’ Almanac, Virginia’s fall foliage colors will peak Oct. 12-28 inland and Oct. 19-Nov. 4 in the coastal areas.  Planning a relaxing getaway to enjoy the fall season can be done at the touch of a button with today’s mobile devices, and sites like http://dof.virginia.gov/fall/index.htm offer some great ideas for scenic byways and some of the state’s most majestic forests.

Whatever the reason people travel or wherever they go, studies show that mobile devices are becoming a prominent travel resource. In fact, according to a recent U.S. Cellular Better Moments Survey, 68 percent of smartphone owners used their smartphones to assist them while traveling. Free apps available on smartphones can help save travelers time and money while booking trips and arranging itineraries. 

 

Every autumn travelers journey to Virginia from all over the world to experience the crisp air, comfortable temperatures and fall foliage.  Affectionately called “leaf peepers,” these visitors seek the best and brightest leaves of the season, stay in the coziest inns and eat popular local cuisine, all at the best rates.  Planning a relaxing fall trip isn’t out of reach or overly-complicated. It’s possible to organize an exciting fall adventure at the touch of a button with mobile devices like the 4G LTE iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 or Samsung Galaxy S6.

“Many people take advantage of long weekends for these fall trips, and a lot of times, those weekends go by faster than expected,” says Nathan Waddell, director of sales in the Mid-South. “Travelers have to make the most of their time, and with today’s mobile devices and a reliable 4G LTE with national coverage like U.S. Cellular’s, they can be well informed instantly.”

Whatever the reason people travel or wherever they go, studies show that mobile devices are becoming a prominent travel resource. According to a recent U.S. Cellular Better Moments Survey, 23 percent of mobile customers booked airline tickets[1], and 35 percent of smartphone users used their mobile devices to book hotel reservations. Forty-four percent used smartphones to coordinate plans with others.

To help plan a great fall trip, the experts at U.S. Cellular recommend the following web sites and apps:

Yankeefoliage.com: This site provides weekly foliage updates to help users determine the location of the best colors, and detailed state-by-state foliage drives. YankeeFoliage.com is full of user-generated photos and reports of the best sights to inspire other travelers. Foliage forecasts predict where the best colors will be to help users plan that spur-of-the-moment trip.

Weather Underground (iOS, Android -- Free): Colors aren’t the only things that change in Virginia.  Whether checking the radar or an hourly forecast, this app is a must for all leaf peepers. In app user reports and hyper-local weather station data ensure travelers know where the colors are at their peak and what conditions to expect when they get there.

FarmStaysUS.com: This web site features farms, ranches and vineyards that provide accommodations in Virginia, so adventurers can be hands-on tourists and connect with the land. See the foliage on a hayride, pick apples, learn to make butter and cheese and take part in maple sugaring too.

AllTrails (iOS, Android -- Free): This app is for outdoorsy travelers looking to be on the trail seeing the foliage up close.  Featuring 50,000 trail guides in the U.S. and Canada alone, smartphone users will know where to go whether they’re seeking a grueling mountain bike ride, or a kid-friendly hiking trail. Filter trails by activity and location and get reviews by fellow leaf peepers. Trailblazers can even create new trails with GPS tracking, photos and text. 

TripAdvisor (iOS, Android -- Free): This comprehensive app lets users find reviews for all facets of travel, including airfare, bed and breakfast reservations and restaurants. Including over two million reviews by fellow travelers, everyone – singles, families and retirees – can experience and share the best Virginia has to offer.

                                                                                                                     

Flickr (iOS, Android -- Free): iOS and Android users can both accentuate the fall colors in their pictures with a wide variety of editing tools, like filters, contrast, and color balance. Take a video or picture and share the experience with friends and family.

“Seeing fall foliage can be enhanced with the right information at the right time,” says Waddell.  “With U.S. Cellular’s nationwide coverage, you can catch the best wind, find a hayride and see the best colors without getting stuck in the rain.”

¹ Results are from a nationally representative online survey of 738 smartphone owners conducted by U.S. Cellular in partnership with Maritz Research from November 12-20, 2014.

4G LTE service provided through King Street Wireless, a partner of U.S. Cellular. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.

About U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by a high-quality network in big and small cities and rural communities. Currently, 94 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds, and 98 percent will have access by the end of 2015. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Champion in 2014 for the third time in four years. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.

# # #

For more information, contact:

Melissa Watkins

PR Counsel

Cell: 804-402-5316

melissawatkins@comcast.net

---

[1]