85 Fall Getaways: One Is Guaranteed To Get You Out Of The House

Fall, our favorite season, is here, easing the chaos of summer fun, nonstop kids, and constant spending. Whether you’re raising toddlers, teens, or savoring an empty nest, the back-to-school season brings routines we secretly welcome.

But fall is also prime getaway time. With airlines and hotels dropping rates, you can book long weekends, Halloween thrills, or even a bucket-list trip more affordably. Mild weather and thinner crowds make everything from apple picking to beach escapes in Cape Cod or San Diego more enjoyable.

Here are 85 fabulous fall getaway ideas we’ve compiled with our partners at Taking the Kids.

12 All-American Harvest Festivals

Fall festivals are the easiest fall escape — most activities are free, and you’ll find live music, crafts, and local treats. Local, non-chain hotels are usually a bargain too. Our picks:

• Dallas Arboretum, Texas – Admire 100,000 pumpkins plus a corn maze in these beautiful gardens (Sept. 20–Nov. 2).
• World Chicken Festival, Kentucky – Celebrate Colonel Sanders’ fried chicken with thousands of other families (Sept. 26–28).
• Elk Fest, Colorado – Go for the Native American traditions, food, music, and bugling contests in Estes Park (Sept. 28–29) and stick around for Elktober.
• Cranberry Festival, Wisconsin – Shop the 1,300 craftspeople, and don’t miss the tours and parade (Sept. 26–28).
• Sever’s Fall Festival, Minnesota – Cob lovers celebrate with corn mazes, straw sculpture, and corny culinary (Weekends Sept. 13-Oct. 2)
• Trailing of the Sheep, Idaho – A memorable five days of rancher talks, sheepdog trials, and delicious, locally sourced food (Oct. 8–12).
• Apple Harvest Festival, Pennsylvania – A bounty of apple treats, crafts, and classic cars (Oct. 4–12).
• Sonoma Harvest Fair, California – Milk cows and warm up for grape stomping (Oct. 11).
• Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, California – The world’s largest gourd carving and pie-eating contests (Oct. 18–19).
• Giant Pumpkin Regatta, Oregon – Watch as kayakers paddle pumpkins (Oct. 19).

3 Big Halloween Thrills

Is your Elphaba look ready? Will your kids be Beyonce cowgirls or wear a Totoro mask? Whatever the theme in your house, Halloween’s tricks and treats start earlier than ever.

• Snoopy Train, Pennsylvania. It’s all aboard for the Pumpkin Patch Express on the historic East Broad Top Railroad. The century-old steam engine powers three hours of games, pumpkin picking, beautiful fall scenery, vintage trains, and more (Oct. 11/12, 18/19 and 25/26).  Prices begin at $28 for adults and $22 for children under 12 years of age. Reservations are strongly recommended.
• Sleepy Hollow. New York. Head to the Hudson Valley for fall foliage, frights and great storytelling. Live through live readings of Washington Irving’s classic “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and experience The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. This pumpkin theme park features more than 7,000 illuminated, hand-carved pumpkins (Sept. 12-Nov. 16).  
• Salem, Massachusetts. Witch City, celebrates its haunted happenings with costume parties, magic shows, movie nights, and a Zombie Walk Oct. 5 for all ages. Visit any time in fall and freak out over the History and Hauntings of Salem walking tour.

Europe the Easy Way: 2 River Cruise Fall Getaways

As autumn paints the world in vibrant hues, CroisiEurope invites you to experience the season’s splendor through its specially curated European fall river cruises. Special autumn and early winter offers make exploring Europe’s rivers even more enticing. Take advantage of discounted rates, complimentary excursions, no solo supplements on certain sailings and onboard perks. CroisiEurope’s Early Booking discounts are in effect through September 30, 2025. 

Our Top Fall Cruise Itinerary Picks

• The Rhine River: Cruise through the heart of Europe on the Rhine, past the stunning scenery of medieval castles, vineyard-covered hills, and charming towns such as Strasbourg and Cologne.
• The Danube River: Experience Central Europe at significant savings.  From Vienna’s grand architecture to Budapest’s stunning nightscape, fall is a magical time to explore these cultural hubs.

3 Living History Towns at Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Triangle

Get a jump on the crowds celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Colonial Williamsburg itself turns 100 this year. Along with nearby museums and battlegrounds at Jamestown and Yorktown, it’s the perfect trio for an American History majors escape. Explore Colonial Williamsburg’s 89 original buildings, trades from blacksmithing to harpsichord-making, heritage animals, and reenactments.

Williamsburg, the most populous and most influential of the American colonies, was home to a broad mix of economic status, genders and ages. Take your pick of Colonial Williamsburg accommodation, from modern hotels to historic colonial houses with easy access to visit sites for a full history tour.

San Diego: Kids Free October for a Fall Getaway

More than 100 offers mean kids stay, play, and eat free all month. The San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park museums, the top-ranked Birch Aquarium, SeaWorld, and Legoland join tours and transportation companies to provide free or discounted rates to kids 12 and under.

Don’t miss the Navy SEAL Museum opening Oct. 4. It’s just across the bay from where every Navy SEAL begins their journey. San Diego is also the home to the USS Midway, a decommissioned WWII era aircraft carrier.

5 Perfectly Short and Traffic Free Leaf Peeping Road Trips

Peak foliage sweeps the U.S. from September to November. Some of the best bets to catch the leaves in their autumnal color (and our tips on how to do it) are:

• Breckenridge, Colorado – Breck is known for its golden aspen groves seen from every mountain bend. In town, families love the fun Western ambiance.
• Adirondacks, New York – Take the more remote hiking trails adjacent to cozy lodges, such as the posh High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid. Mirror Lake provides walking access to family-friendly nature trails like Cobble Hill and Peninsula where colors peak in early October.
• Stowe, Vermont – Enjoy the leaves without the crowds in “Fall’s Color Capital.” Start at Topnotch, a luxe resort near town. Behind it is the flat, paved 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation Path for unobstructed mountain views without traffic.
• Sandia Mountains, New Mexico –Yellow aspen dominate the mountain views from big open cruising roads.
• Columbia River Gorge, Washington – Catch late-season color from shoreline drives where the Columbia River meets the Pacific.

Jackson Hole, Your Base for Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks

Whether you’re leaf peepers, serious hikers, whitewater rafters or mountain bikers make your baseJackson Hole, Wyoming, the super-chic and affluent cowboy town near the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Tour galleries, the fantastic National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Silver Dollar Bar in the classic Wort Hotel

Jackson Hotel lodging rates are lower than the mid-summer and mid-ski season peaks. Taking the Kids loved the affordable Virginian Lodge, a short walk from Jackson’s elkhorn-bedecked town square. Closer to the parks, get a 3rd night free at the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa plus other perks.

Plan a Spring Getaway this Fall in Cape Town, South Africa

From Table Mountain to Stellenbosch vineyards, Cape Town dazzles. Africa’s southernmost region is a honeymoon favorite where celebs like Matt Damon and Oprah have settled. Ride the tram to the top of 3,500-foot Table Mountain for outstanding views of the city and coastline – weather permitting. Don’t miss the free walking tour of the protected fynbos, a unique vegetation, and the fuzzy hyrax. Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, just reopened after a comprehensive restoration.

Shop the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, dine on local seafood and walk or bike with Juna Art Tours to murals, graffiti and points of local history. Plan a half-day tour to the sustainable !Khwa ttu San conservation area. Expert guides interpret the region’s ancient San culture, click talk language, and hunter/gatherer lifestyle.

Discover Savings Season at National Parks

Take advantage of cooling temperatures and light crowds for an outdoors fall getaway. Enjoy national park services despite limited personnel and resources.

• Timed Permits not needed now for hiking and parking.
• Free Park Entry Days – Sept. 27 (National Public Lands Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) and Jan. 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day).
• Senior and Annual Passes. The $80 lifetime Senior Pass (ages 62+) covers your entire group.
• Junior Ranger Workbooks are available free at the park’s gift shop, visitor center, or online.
• Educators’ Section with teacher tools for every national park offers free worksheets to print in advance.
• Recreate responsibly, leave no trace, and follow the guidelines in place at all parks when you visit.

2 Reasons to Escape to Scottsdale, Arizona: Golf and Wellness

Golfers everywhere are plotting an escape to warmer weather – and few places can outshine Scottsdale’s 200 courses. Getting there (and getting your clubs there) is now easier than ever. ShipSticks offers convenient, affordable, door-to-door shipping for golf clubs and luggage, backed by an on-time guarantee – allowing you to skip the airport stress. Check out these expert tips for shipping golf clubs.

Golfers flock here, but families love the family-welcoming resorts such as the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Go for its renowned spa while the kids enjoy the Pumpkin Fest (Sept. 13–Oct. 31). Alternatively, make your AESCAPE with robotic massage therapy powered by AI at the W Scottsdale Hotel.

Music Along The Crooked Road, Appalachia

Travel Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway to hear old-time, bluegrass, gospel and folk music performed live and in multimedia museums. The colorful foliage makes this drive a stunner. Head for mile marker 231, Galax, just a 2-hour drive from Roanoke. Allow a half day or more to explore the Blue Ridge Music Center. Savor the sounds of its exhibits and the Midday Mountain Music performances daily from 12-3pm.

Other highlights like the Floyd Friday Night Jamboree and the Carter Family Fold are must-do stops on Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.

2 Gorgeous French Towns Beyond Paris: Lyon & Beaujolais

Wine tours, vineyard picnics, and Michelin-starred dining await. If you’re traveling as empty nesters or treating older children on a school break, it’s time to go beyond Paris to the heart of France. Enjoy the harvest in the vineyards of Beaujolais. Local agencies such as MyTravelAngel arrange winery tours, tastings, and picnics in the fields among golden leaves.

Visit Lyon in September for European Heritage Days or dive into the legendary food halls and bouchons. Our partners at Taking the Kids were just there, staying at the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour overlooking the Rhone River. Their pro tip: If you have one meal, try a bouchon at the famous Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.

Back to School Time in Boston

In Boston, the back-to-school season ushers in changing fall colors throughout Boston Common and at the Public Garden, Arnold Arboretum and Blue Hills Reservation.

Teens will enjoy the campus tours at Boston’s many famous universities. Use this guide to plan ahead and book tour times. After dark, catch the Ghosts and Gravestones Boston Walking Tour or, if the Red Sox are lucky and you are too, a game at Fenway Park extending the season. Look for the New England Patriots, who won six Super Bowls between 2002 and 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

12 Places to Fall in Love with Camping & the Great Outdoors

Many families know we are big fans of the Appalachian Mountain Club, a non-profit that has been making nature accessible for 149 years. AMC now runs 12 chapters located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington, DC. Their goal: promote the outdoors while protecting mountains, forests, waters, and trails.

All ages can experience life-changing moments on one of the bargain AMC themed weekends. Most AMCs are stocked with loaner tents, sleeping bags, hiking gear, backpacks, walking sticks and more to help newcomers get comfortable. Try it once and you’ll be supporting stewardship of the world around you and equity in the outdoors!

5 Hispanic & Indigenous Fall Getaways Make Travel More Inclusive

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15 with cultural events in Phoenix and Miami. Mark Native American Heritage Month with powwows in Oklahoma and New Mexico. For inclusive travel, autism-certified destinations like Traverse City, Michigan and Visalia, California offer supportive experiences.

• Indigena takes over Tempe Center for the Arts with dance, traditional foods.
• Mexican Baseball Fiesta in Phoenix and Mesa attracts professional teams such as Hermosillo, Obregon, Mexicali and Guasave. Sept. 26-28.
• Honolulu Intertribal Powwow in Hawai’I at Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum  Sept. 21-22.
• Oklahoma Native Days – 67 tribes celebrate the weeks around Indigenous People’s Day (the former Columbus Day) Oct. 14, 2024).
• Indigenous People’s Day at Alacatraz off San Francisco. Oct. 13 and Nov. 27.

Last Chance: Northern Lights in Alaska During Solar Maximum

The space cycle known as solar maximum recently completed its 11-year run. Experts say fall and winter may be your last opportunities to see the Northern Lights at their peak.

Autumn’s long nights and mild weather make prime viewing as you tackle our top 10 things to do between Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Arctic Circle. Northern Alaska Tour Company and Gondwana Ecotours will help you experience the Aurora Borealis.

22 Major Theme Parks Boast Halloween Days & Nights Through Fall

Halloween events are great value for theme park season pass holders. Although a splurge for day trippers, we must say, they’re impressive. Topping the list:

• Disneyland and Disney World boast major décor and theming along with several fall premium events. 
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg, Virginia theme parks boast Howl-O-Scream.
• Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood: Sample Halloween Horror Nights, one of the scariest events we know. 
• Kings Island, a USA Today Top10 pick, has kiddie Tricks & Treats days.
• Kids Boo Fest is a “G-rated” adventure at Six Flags with trick or treat trails and a Monster Mash dance party. At night, it’s terrifying FrightFest.
• LEGOLAND New York, LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California parks devote weekend days to Brick or Treat Trails.
• Count’s Halloween Spooktacular takes over Sesame Place in Pennsylvania.
• Knott’s Berry Farm opens with gentle days and runs a truly wild Knott’s Scary Farm night.

Amsterdam (Museums) Love Kids 

We can’t get enough of Amsterdam’s canals, museums, and bikes as the city celebrates its 750th anniversary Oct. 27. Our tips to fall in love with the city:

• Use an IAMsterdam card for discounted admission to more than 70 museums and sites.
• The celebrated Rijksmuseum welcomes kids with tours. The Rembrandt House Museum’s interactive tour is led by a dog who narrates life in 17th-century Amsterdam.
• If you missed the replica Anne Frank House at New York’s Center for Jewish History, prepare the kids for the real Anne Frank House Museum. The ‘Anne’s Story’ audio tour (ages 10 to 15) brings her back to life in each room.

New York, New York: Fall for an Empire State of Mind

New York is the city that never sleeps. Fall is especially busy because of the UN sessions, Broadway Week and Central Park’s vivid foliage. Plan ahead for:

• United Nations – Take guided tours of the UN with ages 5+.
• Climate Action Week peaks with the Global Citizens Festival Sept. 27.
• Hudson Yards is one of the newest neighborhoods. Drop into the outdoor dance parties at Manhattan West, a great food court at Moynihan Station, and shops.
• New York CityPASS  saves 41% at five of the Big Apple’s top attractions.

3 Ways to Cruise into Christmas Magic & a New Family Tradition

If you’ve got visions of sugar plums dancing in your head, there’s still time to book a CroisiEurope’s Christmas Market cruise.  All ages appreciate the comfort of a river cruise to exciting new destinations without hassling over hotels and luggage. Enjoy cultural exploration on a memorable and joyous holiday experience. CroisiEurope’s Early Booking discounts are in effect through September 30, 2025. 

Our Top Christmas Cruise Itinerary Picks

• The Rhine River: Glide through some of Europe’s most picturesque cities and enchanting holiday markets. Wander through the dazzling lights of Strasbourg’s legendary Christkindelsmärik  while enjoying soothing mulled wine and zesty gingerbread delights.
• The Danube River: Vienna’s beautifully adorned stalls encourage shopping for unique gifts and seasonal delicacies. Onboard, the festive spirit continues with holiday-themed décor, seasonal meals, and entertainment that brings warmth to the winter nights.
• Multigenerational Cruising Discount applies to all European river cruises year-round  with 20% for the second generation and a free European river cruise for kids up to 16 as well as a waived single supplement and special excursions for kids! 

Plan Your Perfect Fall Getaway

From spooky Halloween adventures to cozy wine country escapes, fall 2025 offers endless opportunities to travel. Take advantage of cooler weather, lower prices, and vibrant festivals to make this season unforgettable.

This special FamilyTravelConsulting travel section includes some advertising and custom content that has been brought to you by our sponsors. All other content and opinions are based upon the authors’ actual travel experience and knowledge.