With the air colder and the days shortening, there’s no denying that autumn is just around the corner. While saying goodbye to summer isn’t easy, as the seasons change, it brings colorful foliage, opportunities for reunion, and the joy of autumn travel.
One of the many benefits of autumn is that it is considered the low season for many popular tourist destinations, which means your vacation is less expensive and less crowded. This season, enjoy all the adventures that autumn brings – whatever it means to you. Venture out and enjoy America’s great outdoors, whether it’s heading to a cabin in the mountains to admire the ever-changing foliage or rocking for the last music festival before winter sets in.
So, where is the right place to visit this autumn? We’ve put together the top destinations recognized by Vacasa to meet travelers’ most popular fall activities. It’s time to open up your sweater, hone your apple-picking skills, and get ready to explore during one of the most comfortable times of the year.
While many destinations appeal to families of every generation, Kissimmee’s world-famous theme parks and small-town charm offer endless options for reunions of all sizes and styles. Choose from lakeside homes with plenty of space for family activities, or Mickey Mouse-themed apartments close to theme parks. If you’re looking for a holiday celebration, Disney World comes to life in the fall with its epic Halloween makeover. Get a costume set for everyone in the family and play trick-or-treating in the Magic Kingdom, with autumn decorations and less scary parades, shows, and rides. Central Florida’s sunny fall weather is perfect for families who want to get outdoors, whether you’re planning an airboat ride through the Everglades or testing your grandpa’s zipline skills on zipline. Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park.
Ah – drinking hot cocoa over a warm fire on a cool evening will feel different in autumn. If you’re looking for colorful mountain trails and an abundance of apple-picking adventures, strap on your boots and head to Asheville. The changing colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains make autumn hiking magical, and with an average daytime temperature of 68 degrees, you don’t need to worry about bringing any heavy winter clothing. So if your definition of “camping” is a cabin with a fireplace (we won’t blame you), there’s definitely plenty of wilderness to explore right outside Asheville’s front door.
There’s nothing quite like fresh cool air and vivid autumn colors to enjoy a live show under an open sky. While there are plenty of music festivals across the United States, none host outdoor concerts like Austin. From the famous music scene to the vibrant food culture, Austin has it all for festival lovers. Music lovers of all genres should plan their next trip around the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which takes place every October and features some of the biggest headliners in the world. Booking vacation rentals near downtown ensures that your staff can walk (and hear) all the action.
Autumn is one of the best times to visit the country’s most popular national parks, and with the arrival of “shoulder season” and the crowds often tapering out, you’ll have more room for adventure. The laid-back Estes Park is the perfect base for exploring Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. This high-altitude park boasts hundreds of miles of trails, stunning mountain scenery and the famous trail Trail Ridge Road, a 48-mile scenic trail with jaw-dropping alpine views around every corner and elk spots in the fall.
Foliage season is coming, and we need to drive through the fiery red, orange and gold of New England to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Also known as the “Heart of Vermont,” Killington is known for its colorful maple leaves, hike the area’s waterfall trails, kayak among the many picturesque lakes, or ride the K-1 cable car to the summit of Mount Killington (the second Vermont tallest). Falling leaves provide the perfect backdrop for other cozy seasonal events in Vermont, from hay carts and haunted houses to roadside pumpkin stands and cider, and more. Schedule your trip between late September and mid-October to see the most vibrant color changes.