Fall Vacation Ideas
Autumn is such a charming time of year! When the weather gets cooler, the leaves begin to change colors and pumpkin spice is everywhere. It’s the perfect time of year to take a trip somewhere magical and cozy. Whether it’s a family trip, a couple’s getaway, a little escape with some friends or a solo vacay, find yourself a nice cabin in the woods somewhere and breathe in that crisp autumn air. If you’re traveling in the U.S., Fall is when kids go back to school and adults go back to work - that means it’s the perfect time to snag lower prices, fewer crowds and cooler temperatures at many popular vacation destinations. Here are some fun Fall vacation destination ideas in the U.S. to get into the seasonal mood!
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina has some of the most breathtaking displays of fall foliage in the country. Very high elevations and more than 100 species of deciduous trees gives the Blue Ridge Mountains one of the longest and most vibrant leaf seasons. It is a colors show you won’t want to miss and will never forget. Enjoy scenic hikes, local celebrations, pumpkin patches, festivals, live music, and warm cups of cider! This is a quintessentially Fall-themed destination you and your family will love. Make sure you pack plenty of CUTE outfits, like printed leggings and tops, boots, fluffy sweaters, shackets, jackets, and beanies - this will be a wonderful place to take family photos!
The Poconos, Pennsylvania
If you and your family or friends are outdoorsy people who love the idea of spending all day in nature, The Poconos in Northeastern Pennsylvania should be your next stop. This is a place you go to for hiking, fishing, bird watching, camping, hunting and horseback riding. You’ll find many cabins and vacation homes in these parts as the views are gorgeous! If you’re a thrill seeker, you’ll find ziplining, parasailing and white-water rafting. This is a place you go to get back in touch with nature and with yourself. Bring comfy clothes, plenty of sweaters, stretchy, easy pants like leggings and some jeans, and of course, sneakers and hiking boots.
Portland, Oregon
In Portland, you’ll normally get that perfect fall weather in mid-October. This is a great place to see the fall foliage and the leaves change. It does rain a bit, but just make sure you pack galoshes or good combat boots and a raincoat. You’ll love the local festivals that take place this time of year! This is another wonderful area in the Pacific Northwest where you’ll indulge in being outdoors doing some leaf crunching in the crisp weather. Check out the Japanese Garden or the Hoyt Arboratoreum for some amazing pictures! If you’re there during Halloween, check out St. Helens - about a 45-minute drive from Portland. This is where you’ll find the location where they shot that cult classic Disney Movie Halloweentown. This town celebrates that by decorating, throwing some great Halloween parties, Haunted tours, costume contests, festivals and more! Make sure to pack some cute Halloween outfits with fun Halloween print to take some spooky photos here!
Seattle, Washington
If you’re not necessarily craving a mountain getaway and prefer more of a city vibe, consider heading to the Pacific Northwest. Check out Seattle! Seattle is a surprisingly romantic destination. It has the famous space needle with breathtaking city views, a buzzing, walkable downtown area and a hip bar hopping and club district around Capitol Hill. Seattle’s outdoor farmers’ markets are packed with good finds, their restaurants have high-quality, local and seasonal ingredients, including local, seasonal ingredients. If you love beer, you’ll find many craft breweries here. Pick up some pumpkin beer, check out a cabaret performance and play some indoor board games at one of their many coffee spots. You’ll also find the colorful Japanese Garden or Washington Park Arboretum where you can see plenty of foliage. It has plenty of Instagram potential - no filters needed.
The Smoky Mountains
Located in parts of Tennessee and parts of North Carolina, the Smoky Mountains are that quintessential mountain town experience you daydream about in the summer. In the winter, it turns into a ski town, but during the fall, there’s so much charm and autumnal fun to be had here! Surrounding towns include Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. For decades now, this has been a hotspot for families who want to get away from the big cities to book a week or two in the mountains and enjoy the cabin life. Pick up some local hot cider or hot chocolate, visit the central area in Gatlinburg, where you’ll find charming mountain shops and attractions for kids. Head over to the Smoky Mountain National Park where you can climb to the highest point in Tennessee for some amazing views from Clingman’s Dome - an outlook that sits right between Tennessee and North Carolina. This is the perfect vantage point to enjoy the fall color display. It usually reaches its peak at mid and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. This is the park's most spectacular display - you’ll spot colorful trees like scarlet oak, red maple, sweetgum, sugar maple, and hickory.
