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- 11 places to visit in the fall
- New York City
- Los Angeles, California
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Orlando, Florida
- Grand Canyon, Arizona
- Stowe, Vermont
- Acadia National Park, Maine
- Charleston, South Carolina
- The Berkshires, Massachusetts
- Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Chicago, Illinois
- Book Fall Vacations in the USA with RateHawk
Best fall foliage in the USA
Although the USA is famous for its theme parks and major cities, many visitors want to explore rural towns just like the locals. It’s impossible to scroll through social media in the autumn months, especially October, without seeing pictures of the autumn leaves changing color in the mountain states. Many domestic and international visitors are now searching for hiking vacations, wanting to escape to the rural countryside for an outdoor getaway.
While bucket list destinations like Orlando, NYC, and LA still top the list for fall vacations, these states offer a more low-key alternative for clients who want to disconnect and plan an off-peak vacation in October or throughout the autumn.
Point your clients towards vacation ideas like Tennessee, Vermont, and Arizona for their national parks, apple picking, colorful green leaves, and comfort food.
11 places to visit in the fall
The USA offers unlimited potential for fall vacations to suit every type of traveler and client. While fall travel often focuses on outdoor experiences, the diversity of fall vacations includes theme parks, bucket list locations, and major cities. The fall months, including October, are an ideal time to visit popular tourist spots without paying the premium prices of the summer season.
We’re sharing 11 of the best fall break vacation ideas to recommend to your clients searching for a USA vacation.
Photo: Oomka/ Shutterstock.com
1. New York City
Where to stay: Moxy NYC Times Square
Hello, New York! If you’re looking for a weekend break that offers a chance to explore the autumn foliage, New York City in October ticks all the boxes. The autumn foliage kicks in during the final days of October as the Halloween celebrations get underway. Central Park offers a fall foliage map for locals and tourists, tracking the changing trees and leaves.
October is when the autumn season starts on Broadway with Hollywood stars taking the stage, alongside established and long-term productions. Popular tourist spots like Times Square take on a new life during golden hour in the fall. It’s the perfect time to head to one of the city’s rooftop bars or observation decks.
Photo: Sean Pavone/ Shutterstock.com
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head to Prospect Park in Brooklyn to get up close to the changing leaves as they take their autumn color. The Bronx also plays home to the New York Botanical Garden, a living museum on a 250-acre site.
2. Los Angeles, California
Where to stay: The Hoxton Downtown LA
California dreaming happens all-year round. If your clients are in search of sunshine, send them to California. It’s an ideal option for a luxury vacation and a must-visit for movie fans. Enjoy the warmer evenings by experiencing an outdoor cinema or tourist spots like the Griffith Observatory and The Getty Museum.
Photo: Cameron Venti/ Shutterstock.com
Clients coming to LA in October should visit the Hollywood Forever Cemetery at the heart of Hollywood. This cultural monument hosts an annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration, this year on the 26th of October. Other festival events include movie screenings and musical performances.
3. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Where to stay: The Dwell Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels
Known as the “Scenic City,” Chattanooga is one of the best places to visit in October in the USA. The Tennessee River runs through Chattanooga with Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains nearby. October and November is peak season in Chattanooga, when you can expect the crowds to be higher on popular hiking trail routes along Tennessee Valley.
Photo: Angel Chun/ Shutterstock.com
If you’re planning a vacation for a couple or group, you can suggest a trip up the Tennessee River as part of their itinerary. Chattanooga offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to traditional houses and boutique apartments. This city can be added onto a trip to Nashville or as a quiet alternative to visiting Memphis.
4. Orlando, Florida
Where to stay: Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando
If you’re a UK or European travel agent, you’ll know Orlando is a bucket list destination for most international visitors. Fall is a win-win for clients who can visit the Sunshine State outside of the summer holidays. Temperatures are more moderate with crowd sizes significantly reduced from their summer peak.
Photo: Italo Paulino / Shutterstock.com
Theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios offer Halloween parties as an additional add-on to admission tickets. This destination is a great option for kids at heart, family reunions, and group vacations. Guests visiting in November can get an early dose of holiday magic as they transition from Halloween to Christmas almost overnight.
5. Grand Canyon, Arizona
Where to stay: Squire Resort at the Grand Canyon
Everyone has a dream of visiting the Grand Canyon. September, October, and November are some of the best months to visit Arizona’s famous Grand Canyon National Park as daily temperatures are cooler with smaller crowds and more affordable accommodation options. It is home to millions of years of geological history and is a must-visit for those who love to explore the outdoors.
There are several viewpoints dotted throughout the Grand Canyon to take in its iconic views, including Mary Colter’s Desert View Watchtower and Yavapai Observation Station. Play to hike to one of these viewpoints at sunrise or sunset for an immersive experience.
Photo: Bill45/ Shutterstock.com
The Grand Canyon National Park welcomes almost 5 million visitors annually with something for guests of all ages. The Grand Canyon’s chasm is 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide, taking 3 to 6 million years to form. It even has its own IMAX Theatre to showcase its history.
6. Stowe, Vermont
Where to stay: Field Guide Lodge
New England is famous for its picturesque towns and villages. Stowe is located near Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont. It’s one of the best spots for an early fall vacation with the leaves and trees starting to change color from early September through to October. You’ll find maple trees throughout the state with Smugglers Notch being one of Vermont’s most popular scenic routes, clocking in at under 30 minutes. It’s a whistle-stop tour of Stowe’s fall foliage that takes you through Vermont’s highest mountain.
Stowe is ideal for a family vacation or a weekend break as the town offers local breweries, colorful hiking trails, and independent stores. Although famous as the “Ski Capital of the East,” September and October offer vibrant autumn colors with outdoor harvest festivals and guided tours.
Photo: Don Donelson/ Shutterstock.com
The village was named the top foliage destination in the U.S. by TripAdvisor and offers photogenic views with a range of accommodation available. Choose a cabin or boutique hotel for an authentic experience or check in to a luxury hotel for extra comfort after a day of mountain biking or hiking. You can use Stowe’s dedicated foliage finder to plan the best time to visit the town.
7. Acadia National Park, Maine
Where to stay: Main Street Motel
Maine is another state famous for its fall foliage. Acadia National Park stretches over almost 50,000 acres, showing the beauty of the state’s Atlantic shoreline and mountains. October is when the foliage is out in full bloom with colorful red, green, and yellow leaves. This destination is ideal for clients who want to hire a rental car as there are several scenic drives, including the Acadia All-American Road.
Photo: Randall Vermillion/ Shutterstock.com
Explore Maine’s famous seafood scene, from its lobster roll to clam chowder and fried clams. Bar Harbor is an ideal choice for visitors who want to explore this historic region and hiking trails. This idyllic village feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of Portland for wildlife lovers who want to experience lakes, mountains, and marine life within the same vacation.
8. Charleston, South Carolina
Where to stay: The Spectator Hotel
Charleston may be famous with South Carolina locals, but it’s becoming a must-visit for worldwide visitors. This South Carolina city is famous for its glamorous architecture, colonial homes, and extensive parks and gardens.
Photo: Chinnasut Nhurod/ Shutterstock.com
Although a year-round option, Charleston’s southern hospitality is the perfect choice for a fall vacation with its cultural festivals, such as the MOJA Arts Festival, and experiences like pumpkin patches. Halloween is a unique time to visit Charleston, with its picturesque French Quarter and ghost stories.
9. The Berkshires, Massachusetts
Where to stay: Berkshire Mountain Lodge
Get an authentic autumnal experience in October in The Berkshires. This picturesque town sits between New York and Boston as part of Massachusetts’ rural region. Many locals will head to the Berkshires throughout the year for weekend breaks. It’s a favorite amongst outdoor enthusiasts for its hiking routes, mountain sports, and farmland. The Berkshires has a variety of lakes, ideal for kayaking, fishing, or paddleboarding.
You can expect the fall foliage to set in from late September, reaching its peak in October. The highest peak can be found on Mount Greylock, at almost 3,500 feet above sea level for some of the best views of the foliage and the nearby towns. This region isn’t just for outdoor enthusiasts. The Berkshires is famous for its farm-to-table restaurants with plenty of farms open to visitors, whether you want to pick berries or explore apple orchards. There are beaches within a short drive, offering something for every weather condition.
Photo: YouraPechkin/ Shutterstock.com
It’s best to advise your clients to hire a rental car to venture around The Berkshires and take advantage of the area’s hiking trails and villages. However, the local transit authority offers bus routes between 12 nearby towns and cities at a reasonable price point. Tourists can reach The Berkshires from New York and Boston on the Greyhound and Peter Pan bus routes.
10. Cheyenne, Wyoming
Where to stay: Staybridge Suites Cheyenne, an IHG Hotel
Cheyenne is the capital city of Wyoming and offers a chance to experience the Wild West and the American frontier. Fans of cowboy movies will feel right at home amongst the frontier museums with 19th-century architecture, station wagons, and artifacts. Cheyenne is synonymous with all things cowboy, offering the chance to take a front-row seat at a rodeo, explore the great outdoors, or sample diverse global cuisine.
The city is known for its live music scene, focusing on country and Western music, with restaurants that serve classic Southern hospitality. The Frontier Days Old West Museum offers rotating exhibits throughout the year. Curt Gowdy State Park is 25 miles from the center of Cheyenne, offering hilltop cabins, bike excursions, and boating experiences. The Hell on Wheels Rodeo & Chuck Wagon Dinner finishes in early September for guests planning an early autumn vacation to Cheyenne.
Photo by Gene Gallin on Unsplash
Cheyenne isn’t just cowboy hats and rodeos, it has a chicer side with farm-to-table restaurants, farmers markets, and nightlife.
11. Chicago, Illinois
Where to stay: Eurostars Magnificent Mile
Chicago is known as the “Windy City” with early autumn offering an ideal time to visit with an extensive calendar of festivals. The fall months include the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, North Coast Music Festival, Riot Fest, and World Music Festival for those looking for a diverse music scene. Although one of the USA’s top cities, you’ll find pumpkin patches and apple orchards all within easy access to Chicago.
Photo: PalSand/ Shutterstock.com
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-up is the city’s largest fall festival with over 10,000 pumpkins, seasonal activities, and food trucks. Take in the sights of Chicago on board the Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise, which runs until late October, depending on weather conditions.
Book Fall Vacations in the USA with RateHawk
As a travel agent, you want to be able to offer your clients tailored recommendations based on their budget, itinerary preferences, and personality. These 11 options are some of the best places to travel off-peak for U.S. and international visitors. At RateHawk, we’re here to elevate the experience you offer your clients.
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Our user-friendly interface offers access to over 2.6 million hotels globally from over 260 international suppliers. We’re committed to delivering the best customer service with exclusive rates and 24/7 multi-lingual support to assist you and your clients.
Get started with RateHawk today to expand the packages you can offer your customers, from fall trips in the U.S. to tropical vacations.
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