10 Best Destinations for a Fall Break
Where to Enjoy Crisp Air and Autumn Foliage in the US and Europe
The best destinations for a fall break vary wildly according to the kind of getaway you’re looking for. This is an attractive time of year, and also a period of holidays and festivals. Many traditional and modern events take place in major cities across the US and the world, providing even more reasons to travel.
As fall arrives, are you looking for a last blast of summer sun before the winter, or do you enjoy seeing the bright colors of the changing leaves? Well, there’s plenty of both in the US and Europe in our list. Check out some of the best places to take a fall vacation below.
1. Boston
Halloween celebrations amid New England’s changing leaves
Good for: Families, History, Photo, Adventure
Boston is a fascinating place at any time of the year, but the leafy city really shines as summer fades into fall. With the leaves changing to fiery new colors, the city’s parks become fantastic places to enjoy the outdoors. Among the many beautiful spots to explore at this time of year are the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston Common, and the Charles River Esplanade.
Naturally, there’s more to Boston in fall than just colorful leaves. You can expect fun festivals like Oktoberfest and the Charles Regatta, not forgetting Halloween celebrated in nearby Salem, which is a month-long celebration thanks to the town’s notorious history with the supernatural.
Boston
2. Miami
Tropical vibes and lively parties
Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife
If you’re not quite ready for summer to end, Miami is a fantastic place to go for a fall break. Florida’s tropical climate ensures that you can still enjoy sunny beach days. Indeed, fall marks the point at which the weather drops down into the more comfortable, sub-90°F range.
The city takes full advantage of these more pleasant conditions, with fall bringing extra music concerts, the Miami Carnival, the South Beach Seafood Festival, and the HalloWYN Wynwood Halloween Block Party. You probably won’t see many changing leaves here, so your break might not feel especially autumnal. However, it’ll certainly make for an entertaining vacation with lots of outdoor fun.
Miami
3. Washington, DC
Leaf peeping and festivals galore
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
Leafy Washington, DC, has plenty of great places to see vibrant displays of red, orange, and brown fall foliage, as well as there being many exciting events and festivals at this time of year. The National Mall, National Arboretum, and the Tidal Basin, are just 3 of the many iconic spots in the capital that are decorated with nature’s autumnal colors.
Once you’ve checked leaf peeping off your list, there are Washington’s various fall festivals to check out. Oktoberfest, the Georgetown French Market, music concerts, and sports events await. This is also a great time to visit the most popular of DC’s attractions, too, as the summer crowds start to ebb away.
Washington, DC
4. Chicago
For your culinary and cultural sides
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
Chicago is famous for its food, and the fall season marks a high point in the culinary calendar. You can expect pies aplenty, with pumpkin, pecan, and sweet potato pies being prepared for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. There’s also Oktoberfest’s beer and bratwursts and Halloween’s candy to look forward to. Look out for food festivals like Chicago Gourmet and the Harvest Wine & Cheese Festa, too.
Being in the northern, temperate part of the US, Chicago is naturally a fantastic place to see the changing fall foliage, with Lincoln Park, Jackson Park, and Morton Arboretum all excellent spots to do so. Fall also brings special art events, including museum and gallery exhibitions, as well as premieres of new theater shows.
Chicago
5. Key West
Come for the sun, stay for the wildlife
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
Key West, way down on the southern tip of Florida, doesn’t experience fall in the same way as the rest of the US. The weather gets slightly less hot and sunny, and the seas get a little cooler, but that’s it. If you’re looking for a one more dose of summer warmth before winter sets in, this delightful little island will serve you well.
Leaf peepers won’t have much luck in Key West as the tropical plants don’t change color. By contrast, wildlife spotters have plenty to see. Migrating bird species can be seen passing through, especially in the Key West Wildlife Refuge and Florida Keys National Maritime Sanctuary. There are also plenty of fishing and dolphin-spotting tours to enjoy.
Key West
6. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
One of the best places in the US for fall foliage
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families, Photo
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge provide a double-whammy of entertainment during fall, offering the opportunity to enjoy very different types of vacation in a relatively small space. Gatlinburg is particularly popular as it’s the gateway to one of the nation’s most popular national parks: the Great Smoky Mountains. Taking a scenic drive or hike through the beautifully colorful scenery is a must.
Head a little way north to Pigeon Forge and there are many family-friendly attractions that you can access throughout the year. Some, like Dollywood, dress up in fantastical seasonal decor. Sample the delightful flavors of the harvest, like wines, candy apples, ciders, and moonshine. There are plenty of fun festivals in the area at this time of year, too.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
7. St Petersburg and Clearwater
Fall festivals under blue skies and bright sunshine
Good for: Couples, Families, Unusual
The area of St Petersburg and Clearwater provides the fantastic weather and beaches of many great Florida destinations, with the added advantage of being a large and cosmopolitan city. Even in fall, with temperatures dropping only slightly, this remains a great destination for a beach break.
Fall presents wonderful festivals in St Petersburg and Clearwater. The main one is simply called the Fall Festival, a fun and festival community event that includes entertainment for all ages. There’s also the Sanding Ovations Master’s Cup showcasing the work of expert sandcastle builders, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, and various iconic seasonal events like Oktoberfest and Halloween. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the lovely weather.
St Petersburg and Clearwater
8. San Francisco
A diverse array of famous festivals
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Fall is arguably the best time of year to visit San Francisco. Unusually, it offers some of the best, warmest temperatures, combined with fewer crowds around the top attractions. The city’s famous fog starts to recede after August, too, so you can even enjoy the views properly and get some great photos.
Of course, there’s more to San Francisco in fall than just warm weather and fewer people. Fleet Week is well worth seeing, as is the Castro Street Fair and Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival. And that’s barely scraping the surface of the many outstanding events to enjoy at this time of year.
San Francisco
9. Paris
Color and cuisine in the City of Lights
Good for: Couples, Food, Photo
Paris is well worth a visit at any time of the year, but fall is a fantastic time for photographing the City of Lights. The leafy city becomes an explosion of autumnal colors, giving the famously romantic destination a last big show before winter, especially in the beautiful parks and along the River Seine.
It’s not just the leaves putting on a show, either. Fall is culinary season in Paris, so expect some tasty treats to come out of the wine harvest and food markets. There’s even a wine harvest festival in Montmartre and many more in nearby wine regions. The city’s main attractions also see smaller crowds, so it’s a great time to see the most popular sights, too.
Paris
10. London
Long walks through royal parks in England’s capital
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
A surprisingly green city, London really cranks up the festive atmosphere in fall. The most iconic date is the famous Bonfire Night on November 5th, when many public parks host spectacular fireworks shows. Other events this season include London Cocktail Week, the BFI London Film Festival, EFG London Jazz Festival and, of course, Halloween.
With its large royal parks, commons, and other green spaces, London is transformed by vibrant color during fall. Be sure to check out Richmond Park to see the free-roaming deer, the wild Hampstead Heath and, for something more calming, Kyoto Garden in Holland Park.
London
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