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Cooler climate, vibrant foliage, pumpkin every thing – fall is tough to beat. In a lot of the U.S., it’s the Goldilocks season: not too sizzling, not too chilly. You’ll additionally discover smaller crowds and higher costs, making it a great time to journey. Of course, back-to-school schedules imply lengthy holidays might be tough. That’s the place fall weekend getaways shine.
Across the nation, there are numerous spots – many only a quick drive from main cities – the place you may savor autumn with out utilizing up an excessive amount of PTO. Stretching it right into a three-day weekend solely sweetens the deal. That’s loads of time to select apples, hike below colourful canopies, snap photographs in pumpkin patches, and bask in each different fall favourite. Here are my top picks for fall weekend getaways brimming with autumn attraction.
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1. The White Mountains, New Hampshire
For a basic New England fall getaway, head north to the White Mountains of New Hampshire like I did as a child. Home to family-favorite amusement parks for kids like Story Land and Santa’s Village, this year-round trip vacation spot particularly shines in the course of the autumn months. Driving the Kancamagus Highway is a well known method to absorb the autumn foliage, however you can even view it by foot at spots like Franconia Notch State Park and White Mountain National Forest, from the sky by way of the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, or by practice with a journey aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad or the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
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Ski season’s not in swing but, however ski resorts like Cranmore Mountain Resort and Loon Mountain provide fall weekend getaway actions like bike parks and scenic chairlift or gondola rides in the course of the season. The space’s additionally nice for taking in easy-to-walk-to waterfalls like Glen Ellis Falls and Arethusa Falls, and the children will get pleasure from venturing across the Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves.
▶ Where to remain for fall weekend getaways within the White Mountains: For an expensive escape with the children, I at all times suggest the Omni Mount Washington Resort, which gives year-round household actions in a shocking setting that involves life with fall colours.
2. The Great Rivers and Routes Region, Illinois
Spanning a number of counties in southwest Illinois, the Great Rivers and Routes Region celebrates three nice U.S. rivers (the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois) and well-known roadways like Route 66 and Great River Road. So, it isn’t shocking that fall is a picture-perfect time to go to the realm. You can take within the views whereas another person does the driving on a Fall Foliage and History Tour, or simply set off by yourself household street journey alongside the historic routes.
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Go for a hike at spots like Pere Marquette and Beaver Dam state parks or go for extra high-speed thrills on the Aerie’s Resort Alpine Coaster. There’s no scarcity of U-pick farms and fall festivals within the space, and the Great Godfrey Maze might be navigated by flashlight on Friday and Saturday nights for an extra-spooky expertise. If you’ve got older youngsters, discover the eerie aspect of the Mississippi River city of Alton, Illinois, which has been named probably the most haunted small cities in America.
▶ Where to remain within the Great Rivers and Routes Region: Located inside its namesake state park, the historic Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center gives fall vibes galore, with its 700-ton stone fire, wooden beams, and scenic setting.
3. Buellton, California
Just north of Santa Barbara and about 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean within the Santa Ynez Valley, Buellton has a gentle local weather that is well-suited to producing pinot noir and chardonnay wines. And whereas that is likely to be sufficient to excite the grownups within the household, the children will love the truth that the town is dwelling to California’s longest and quickest zip line at Highline Adventures, an journey park the place you may get hen’s-eye views of the realm.
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Fall is a good time to go to locations like Ostrichland USA, the place you may observe and feed the resident emus and ostriches. For extra animal enjoyable, head to Santa Ynez Valley Horseback Rides, which has path rides alongside the Santa Ynez River for ages eight and up, plus household enjoyable rides for ages six and up and a pony encounter for households with youthful youngsters. Check out the autumn colours on the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden, then journey a brief path at Nojoqui Falls Park to admire its namesake waterfall.
▶ Where to remain for fall weekend getaways in Buellton: The well-situated Santa Ynez Valley Marriott has rooms and suites with non-public balconies or patios and facilities like a heated out of doors pool and 24-hour health heart.
4. Hershey, Pennsylvania
Enjoy the candy aspect of fall in Hershey, the place Hersheypark turns into a hotbed of Halloween enjoyable with fall occasions together with trick-or-treating alongside the Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Trail, the Creatures of the Night flashlight tour at ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, and 5 haunted homes on the Dark Nights occasion. Hershey’s Chocolate World additionally provides a layer of fall enjoyable with trick-or-treating all through the world’s largest sweet retailer, character meet-and-greets, and new treats to attempt.
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But there’s extra to get pleasure from within the space than simply chocolate. Fall foliage is on full show at locations like Hershey Gardens and Wildwood Park, and the Hershey Harrisburg Adventure Trail is a go-to spot for climbing, biking, and hen watching. Head to Patchwork Pumpkin Farm for hayrides and different fall actions, or cease by the Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square to seek out regionally grown produce, baked items, and different choices from greater than 40 distributors and retailers.
▶ Where to remain for a fall weekend in Hershey: Perched on a hillside, The Hotel Hershey has family-friendly visitor rooms, suites, and villas; facilities and actions like climbing trails and household s’mores roasts; a particular youngsters check-in course of; and varied perks and advantages for visiting the native points of interest.
5. Hamilton County, Indiana
Just north of Indianapolis, Hamilton County has every thing you want for a family-friendly fall getaway: good meals, a lot of issues to do, and easy accessibility from plenty of close by metro areas. Base your self in Carmel for proximity to the Monon Trail, a 20-mile rails-to-trails paved path excellent for biking or strolling. (Bike share leases can be found alongside the path.) In the Carmel space, the path passes a cool play house and Midtown Plaza, the place the household can play a bit ping-pong or corn gap, seize a chunk to eat, or simply chill out on the bench swings.
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Browse the retailers within the Carmel Arts & Design District, the place the children can undertake a DIY scavenger hunt to seek out the J. Seward Johnson Jr. sculptures dotting the realm. Nickel Plate Express gives fall foliage train rides aboard historic Nineteen Fifties-era practice vehicles, whereas Flat Fork Creek Park is a good place to bike or hike amid the autumn leaves. At residing historical past website Conner Prairie, particular fall experiences embody the spooky Headless Horseman Festival. After a protracted day of exercise, reward the children with a deal with from The Cake Bake Shop or Graeter’s Ice Cream.
▶ Where to remain in Hamilton County in the course of the fall: If you are touring with teenagers, ebook your fall weekend getaway keep at Hotel Carmichael, the place you may step proper out onto the Monon Trail. For households with youthful youngsters, Holiday Inn Indianapolis Carmel is an effective possibility.
6. Delaware County, New York
Fall is a favourite time of 12 months in Delaware County, New York, also referred to as the Great Western Catskills. The mountains are awash with vibrant autumnal hues, which might be admired by driving the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway, biking the Catskill Scenic Trail, or climbing the various trails with sweeping views of the realm. If you have received older youngsters, attempt a horseback experience at Skyhold Ranch or ebook a fly fishing guide to expertise what’s thought of the birthplace of American fly fishing.
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Pick-your-own-produce alternatives and fall farm experiences abound all through this upstate New York vacation destination at locations like Maplewood Farm & Orchard and Echo Orchard & Farm. There are farmers’ markets all around the county providing every thing from fruits and veggies to jams and maple syrup, and picturesque cities and villages like Fleischmanns, Walton, and Hobart present scenic locales for strolling, procuring, and eating. (Hobart has seven bookstores!)
▶ Where to remain in Delaware County for a fall weekend: Kids of all ages will flip for the over-the-top vibe at The Roxbury, an elaborately themed family resort the place cottages function a fantastical design scheme impressed by fairies, superheroes, and even Dracula.
7. Virginia Beach, Virginia
If you don’t assume the autumn is an effective time to move to the seaside, assume once more. While it may not be swimming climate, lighter crowds and cooler temperatures at the perfect fall beach destinations allow you to get pleasure from your seaside time with out ever breaking a sweat. And Virginia Beach is certainly on the prime of the checklist for fall weekend getaways. There’s heaps to discover on this East Coast vacation playground, together with miles of bikeways and trails alongside a slew of parks and pure areas.
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Go leaf peeping and wildlife watching at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge or First Landing State Park (the place you may spot bioluminescent waters in the course of the fall), or try the brand new Owl Creek Landing, dwelling to the primary Nautilus Lookout Tower and longest stainless-steel spiral slide within the United States. Spots like Hunt Club Farm and Flanagan Farm amp up the autumn enjoyable with pumpkin patches, hay rides, and different kid-friendly actions. And autumn is a good time of 12 months to climb to the highest of the Cape Henry Lighthouse (youngsters have to be not less than 42 inches tall to take action) or tackle the ropes programs at The Adventure Park on the Virginia Aquarium.
▶ Where to remain for fall weekend getaways in Virginia Beach: With three accommodations to select from, The Cavalier Resort can go well with nearly anybody’s distinctive journey wants. Stay at The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club for a extra refined keep, Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort for proximity to the sand and nice views, or Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort for a bit further house for the entire household.
8. Portland, Maine
From its working waterfront to its Nineteenth-century structure, Portland cannot be beat for three-day fall weekend getaways. Cobblestone streets add further attraction to the Old Port district, stuffed with retailers, eating places, and galleries. Visit the Portland Head Light for excellent picture ops the place fall foliage meets the ocean, then discover the Children’s Garden, arboretum, and trails at Fort Williams Park.
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At the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the Alfond Children’s Garden options two acres of woods and theme gardens impressed by well-known youngsters’s books by Maine authors like Blueberries for Sal (by Robert McCloskey) and Charlotte’s Web (by E.B. White). Fuel up with an apple cinnamon potato donut from The Holy Donut or a spread pack of 25 bite-sized donuts from Eighty8 Donuts, then head to the procuring shops in close by Freeport to replenish on fall and winter necessities on the L.L.Bean flagship retailer.
▶ Where to remain in Portland in the course of the fall: The Cambria Hotel Portland Downtown Old Port places you inside strolling distance of downtown Portland’s waterfront, eating places, and points of interest. Stylish rooms and suites are perfect for a household weekend escape.
9. Branson, Missouri
The fall foliage places on simply as a lot of a present as any of the performers in Branson, a perennial favourite amongst Midwest family vacation destinations. And you may get pleasure from it in every kind of the way, whether or not that’s a scenic drive alongside Highway 165, a hike via spots just like the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area, driving the rails on the Branson Scenic Railway, or a mountain coaster experience or zip line tour amid the autumn leaves.
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The in style Harvest Festival at theme park Silver Dollar City and Shepherd’s PumpkinFest are only a few of the autumn festivals within the space. There’s additionally 10,000 acres to wander at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, and Top of the Rock gives sweeping scenic views and a spread of enjoyable actions.
▶ Where to remain in Branson in the course of the fall: Just a couple of minutes from the entire motion in Branson, Big Cedar Lodge is good for an outdoorsy fall weekend getaway with a spread of lodging choices and an nearly overwhelming (in a great way) vary of eating spots and actions.
10. Salt Lake City, Utah
Combining the vibrancy of a metropolis with views of the Wasatch Mountains and easy accessibility to out of doors enjoyable, Salt Lake City is a perfect match for lengthy weekend getaway within the fall. Spots like Memory Grove Park and City Creek Canyon are filled with strolling, climbing, and biking trails awash with fall colours. Liberty Park is one other good possibility for not solely fall foliage but additionally playgrounds, paddle boats, and Tracy Aviary, dwelling to greater than 300 birds from world wide.
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The Salt Lake Explorer Pass offers you admission to the aviary and 13 different Northern Utah points of interest for a single value, together with perfect-for-fall websites like Red Butte Garden and This Is the Place Heritage Park. Hogle Zoo at all times gives a spread of special October events for spooky season, and Snowbird’s annual Oktoberfest options reside music, family-friendly actions, conventional Bavarian meals, and greater than 50 forms of beer for the grownups. Plus there’s a lot of spooky enjoyable available right here, like the favored Fear Factory and the town’s Grimm Ghost Tours.
▶ Where to remain for fall weekend getaways in Salt Lake City: The Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City has 700 visitor rooms with floor-to-ceiling home windows framing views of the Wasatch Mountains, together with facilities like fireplace pits and a number of eating choices.
10 enjoyable and straightforward fall getaways you may get pleasure from in a weekend initially appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed on this column are the writer’s and don’t essentially mirror these of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we evaluate and choose family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you purchase an merchandise via a hyperlink in our content material, we might earn a fee.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you may go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/2025/10/04/fall-weekend-trips/86437995007/
and if you wish to take away this text from our website please contact us
