Colorful leaves on the trees or crunching underfoot. Apple picking and cider sipping. Cozy sweaters and fireplaces and a certain crispness in the air. There’s just something uniquely special about a fall getaway. The weather’s ideal for spending lots of time outdoors, and it’s “shoulder season” in a lot of places, which means fewer crowds and lower prices.
Of course the kids have also gone back to school, so as a family you might have more limited time for autumn vacations. But I’ve rounded up good ideas for both quick weekend getaways and longer trips if you have more flexibility or some days off from school on the fall calendar. Here are my top recommendations for fall family vacation spots this year.
1. Asheville, North Carolina
A longtime favorite fall vacation spot, Asheville is ready for visitors after last year’s devastating Hurricane Helene. Scientists expect a long and colorful fall foliage season after a warm summer, and nearly 60% of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina is now open, including the Cold Mountain Overlook and Folk Art Center. (Check here for the latest information on the parkway before you go.) Chimney Rock State Park has also reopened after an extensive rebuilding effort, and you can reserve tickets for the elevator ride to the top here.
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More than half of the artists and makers have returned to the hard-hit River Arts District, with new spaces like RAD Rendezvous and returning spots like The Marquee art market (scheduled to reopen September 25). Fall events include the Eliada Annual Fall Festival and Corn Maze, and a new ticket lobby, TSA check point, and North Concourse at Asheville Regional Airport make flying in and out of the destination even easier.
Where to stay: Village Hotel at the Biltmore Estate is a great choice for families, and you’ll never go wrong with a stay at the much-loved Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa.
2. Bastrop, Texas
An easy drive from Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, Bastrop boasts an enviable spot along the Colorado River. Head to the charming downtown for shopping and dining, or follow the Bastrop County, Texas Film Trail to see filming locations for movies like the seasonally appropriate horror classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
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For leaf peeping, hike or drive through 7,400-acre Bastrop State Park, which sits at the edge of the Lost Pines, a unique 13-mile stretch of loblolly forest. Community Gardens nursery hosts an annual pumpkin patch on weekends in October with bounce houses, train rides, and other activities, and McKinney Roughs Nature Park is home to the longest dual zip line in Texas.
Where to stay: Bunk in a 1930s-era cabin at Bastrop State Park for total cottage-core vibes. Or stay amid the woods at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa, where amenities and activities include yard games, complimentary bikes, a disc golf course, crafts workshops, and s’mores as well as special seasonal fun.
3. St. Croix River Valley, Minnesota
Designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1968, the St. Croix River is considered one of the best rivers for canoeing in the country. Minnesota’s St. Croix River Valley surrounds this notable waterway and is an easy trip from Minneapolis-St. Paul and other Midwestern locales. Families can enjoy the tributary and take in the fall foliage at spots like peaceful Wild River State Park and Interstate State Park, which offers clifftop views of the river.
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Shop for books and Scandinavian home decor in the river town of Stillwater or admire antiques and historic homes in Hastings. Taylors Falls and Stillwater are good departure points for scenic boat tours, and you can find apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and other fall fun throughout the area during the autumn months.
Where to stay: Reserve a campsite at Afton State Park or William O’Brien State Park for an outdoorsy adventure. Hotel Crosby and Lora are good options in Stillwater, and The Confluence Hotel makes it easy to explore Hastings.
4. Shenandoah County, Virginia
Every fall, leaf peepers flock to Skyline Drive to admire Shenandoah National Park’s colorful foliage. But even if you don’t want to join the crowds on the scenic byway, Virginia’s Shenandoah County still holds plenty of appeal for a fall family vacation. There are lots of other ways to admire the region’s autumnal splendor, from crossing the swinging bridge at Seven Bends State Park to riding the chairlift at Bryce Resort.
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Climb the 1930s-era Woodstock Tower for views of the Shenandoah River, or drive to the Meems Bottom Covered Bridge for a classic fall family photo op. A guided horseback ride through George Washington National Forest or a fly-fishing class with Murray’s Fly Shop are also good ways to spend an autumn morning or afternoon.
Where to stay: Vacation rental homes are popular here, and you can stay in everything from an old grist mill to an oh-so-cute cottage. The town of Woodstock is the place for reliable chain hotel options like Hampton Inn & Suites Woodstock.
5. Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit is a beach town that’s just as much fun in the fall as during the summer. There are more than three miles of beach at the ready for running, sandcastle building, and enjoying fall breezes, plus the mile-long Marginal Way cliff walk for taking in scenic Atlantic Ocean views. Or see everything from the water on a lighthouse cruise with Finestkind Scenic Cruises, offered through mid-October.
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The company also offers a family-friendly first-hand lobstering experience, an informative precursor to a waterside meal at Ogunquit Beach Lobster House. The town has a vibrant arts scene, and the Ogunquit Museum of American Art’s free digital guide includes self-guided tours for young visitors led and narrated by kids. Time your visit to the annual OgunquitFest held in October and you can take part in children’s trick-or-treating activities, a dog costume parade, spooky stories at the Ogunquit Heritage Museum, and other fall fun.
Where to stay: Four-season resort Anchorage by the Sea offers easy access to Marginal Way and amenities like fire pits, bicycle rentals, and a heated indoor pool. The Dunes on the Waterfront features a collection of seaside cottages that look right out of the pages of a design magazine.
6. Moab, Utah
Home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab sees a lot of visitors during the summer months. But fall is also a great time to visit this desert destination in southeastern Utah, where autumn-hued cottonwood trees and late-blooming wildflowers adorn the banks of the Colorado River.
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Temperatures are milder during the fall, making it ideal weather for hiking, biking, birdwatching, and other outdoor pursuits. Young paleontologists will love learning about local discoveries at the Moab Museum and Moab Giants museum and dinosaur park, while photographers will find plenty of scenic vistas to capture. When it’s time to eat, the Moab Food Truck Park should satisfy everyone in the family, serving up everything from pizza and tacos to gelato.
Where to stay: Red Cliffs Lodge Moab offers suites and cabins with river views and easy access to outdoor adventure. Under Canvas Moab is a much-lauded option for glamping and one of the world’s first DarkSky resorts.
7. Ellijay, Georgia
The North Georgia mountain town of Ellijay is known as the state’s Apple Capital, with more than 22 varieties of apples harvested during the fall. Get in on the seasonal fun at spots like B.J. Reece Orchards, home to U-pick orchards, a petting farm, pony rides, and famous fried apple pies, and R&A Orchards, which offers behind-the-scenes tractor rides and farm tours during apple season.
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Fall also means events like the Ellijay Bacon Festival, Georgia Apple Festival, and Apple Arts Festival where visitors can find crafts and all kinds of good eats. Hike the trails at Carters Lake, Fort Mountain State Park, and Amicalola Falls State Park to take in fall foliage on foot. And if you want to lean into the spookiness of the season visit Expedition: Bigfoot, the largest Bigfoot museum in the South.
Where to stay: Reliable chain options include SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ellijay and Best Western Mountain View Inn. Cabin rentals are popular here, which you can find through companies like Mountain Resort Cabin Rentals and Blue Sky Cabin Rentals or on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo.
8. Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland may not be the first place you think about for a fall family getaway, but here’s why you should. Cleveland Metroparks has 23,000 tree-filled acres awash with fall colors to explore, and picturesque Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Holden Arboretum are both around 30 minutes from downtown. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad provides another way to take in the autumn scenery with plenty of family-friendly excursions on the calendar.
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The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is better than ever after a transformational $150-million renovation, and new sensory spaces have been unrolled across the city at spots like Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Great Lakes Science Center, making visits more enjoyable for all travelers. Older kids and teens will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a tour of spooky Franklin Castle, and The Cleveland Museum of Art offers a variety of ways for younger visitors to engage with its collections.
Where to stay: The historic and recently renovated Hotel Cleveland, Autograph Collection offers a prime downtown location for exploring the city. New boutique hotel Fidelity Hotel would be a fun and stylish choice for families with teenagers.
9. Oahu, Hawaii
You won’t see a lot of fall foliage in Oahu, one of the most family-friendly Hawaiian islands to visit. But you will enjoy smaller crowds, more affordable prices, and lots of fun things to do during the autumn months. That includes September’s Aloha Festivals celebrating Hawaiian traditions and the annual Kāhuli Festival at the Bishop Museum in October, a unique family-friendly event spotlighting the vital role of Hawaiian land snails in preserving biodiversity.
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There’s also a new gift shop at the Bishop Museum stocking Hawaii-made products, and the Battleship Missouri Memorial recently unveiled a new interactive exhibit experience commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The kids will love the new AquaPeakz obstacle course and slide tower at water sports recreation park Wai Kai and the Honolulu Zoo’s new guided evening Twilight Tours.
Where to stay: The Twin Fin Hotel offers an enviable Waikiki Beach location, on-site surf school, and all kinds of arts and cultural activities for the whole family. The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay gives families the chance to choose their own adventures on the island’s North Shore.
10. Grand County, Colorado
The western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand County doesn’t disappoint during the fall months. You can take to the trails at the park and Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests to see colorful foliage and maybe even wildlife like elk, mule deer, and moose. Biking’s also a great way to take in the autumn scenery; try the Fraser West Trail or the family-friendly St. Louis Creek Trail.
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A drive along the Colorado River Headwaters Scenic & Historic Byway will keep you reaching for your camera, and a guided horseback ride or fishing trip offer a different perspective on the area. Fun seasonal events include Oktoberfest in downtown Fraser, the Town Square Scare in Kremmling, and the annual scarecrow contest in Granby.
Where to stay: Book a cabin, lodge room, or yurt at YMCA of the Rockies – Snow Mountain Ranch for easy access to outdoor family fun. C Lazy U Ranch is one of the best all-inclusive resorts and best dude ranches in the U.S. and makes for a special family getaway.
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