Fall Wanderlust: Seven Destinations Perfect for Fall Travel
Photo Courtesy of Otesaga Resort Hotel
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I have been having way too much fun this summer. It started with being invited to the Mohonk Mountain House for a magical mountain getaway with my mom, followed by a solo trip to Indianapolis and a family getaway to Rocky Gap State Park and Casino Resort in Mountain Maryland. Last month, my partner and I took a massive road trip that included a camping trip in the Dark Skies region of Pennsylvania, followed by a few days in Toronto and a weekend of camping in the Niagara region. And most recently, we kicked off September with a week in South Florida.
But surprisingly, I am more excited about fall than I usually am. I think it has something to do with those mountain campfires a few weeks ago. The sunny days and brisk nights around the campfire were reminiscent of fall. This year, I am lucky enough to have several perfect fall destinations on my calendar but still, there are many more enticing fall destinations I have been hearing about that I won't get to this year.
If you’re still looking for a place to go this fall, check out these 7 destinations perfect for fall exploration.
Photo Courtesy of Lisa-Boulton / Go Calaveras
Calaveras County, located just south of Lake Tahoe, is a great place to visit in the fall. The fall colors in the Sierra Nevada mountains are simply stunning, and there is plenty to do in the area. Take a drive along the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, hike or bike the Arnold Rim Trail, visit Calaveras Big Trees State Park, stroll through one of Calaveras' charming historic downtowns, visit Posterity Ciderworks, or go hiking or biking at Spicer Reservoir or the Sourgrass Day Use Recreation Area.
Photo Courtesy of Boyne Mountain Resort
Boyne Mountain Resort, Michigan
Boyne Mountain Resort promotes itself as "Michigan's weatherproof resort," but if you're looking for stunning views of the changing leaves, a fall visit may be the perfect destination for your plans. Skybridge Michigan, the "world's longest timber-towered suspension bridge," offers panoramic views of the changing colors within Boyne Valley. At the same time, the not-faint of heart will enjoy the glass walkway portion of the bridge. In addition to visiting the Skybridge, there are many other things to do at Boyne Mountain Resort in the fall. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, golfing, fishing, and swimming. There are also several restaurants and bars on the property, a spa and various shops.
Photo Courtesy of Explore Branson
Branson is a great place to go leaf-peeping. Explore Branson offers driving tours that allow visitors to independently explore the area and take in the fall foliage (walking/jogging tours are also available), but if you want something a little more off-the-beaten-path, go off-roading with PINK Adventure Tours in their custom pink Jeep Wranglers.
Prefer to get up in the trees? Canopy Adventure at Wolfe Mountain and Vigilante Extreme ZipRider at Shepherd of the Hills offer participants the opportunity to get up close and personal with the foliage. And don't miss the Harvest Festival at Silver Dollar City! The Harvest Festival features thousands of illuminated pumpkins, unique entertainment, rides operating into the night and incredible food.
Photo Credit: Bill Lang
St. Tammany Parish, known as The Northshore of Louisiana, is an excellent destination for its beautiful fall foliage. Popular fall activities include hiking in Fontainebleau State Park, biking the Tammany Trace, a 31-mile rail trail that winds through several towns in the region, taking a leisurely drive along the Northshore Loop or even boating the Tchefuncte River to take in the fall colors from the water. Other things to do include sampling craft beers at the Abita Springs Brewery, wine tasting in the Northshore wine region or, if you have the little ones with you, playing at the Louisiana Children's Museum.
Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Griffin // Visit VBR
Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Roanoke
Visitors to Downtown Roanoke can experience rich arts, culture and food while surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, tube or kayak on the Roanoke River, take a hike along the Appalachian Trail or attend one of the area's many fall festivals, such as the Go Outside Festival, the Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival or the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival. This year, the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Visitors can observe moonshine demonstrations and enjoy traditional mountain music, food and more.
Live in the D.C. area? Amtrak services Roanoke twice a day!
Photo by the Bialons / Unsplash
Right after coming home from Toronto, I received an email about autumn adventures in Quebec that informed me fall in Quebec offers stunning fall foliage and mountainous landscapes. Visitors can explore Gaspésie National Park, take a boat ride along the St. Lawrence River or enjoy whale watching along the Whale Route. For those who appreciate cultural experiences, camping at Domaine Notcimik provides an opportunity to discover the “history of the Aboriginal culture, with a special focus on the vibrant heritage of the Atikamekw nation,” while those looking for a unique lodging experience, should book a hobbit house or treehouse at Les Toits du monde.
Photo by Lance Anderson / Unsplash
So, I have actually been to Hocking Hills before but it’s still on my list of places I am wanderlusting over this fall. It's a fantastic spot to take in the season's beauty. Outside of hiking and exploring the caves and trails in the Hocking Hills State Park (which is free, by the way), the Hocking Hill Scenic Air Tour is a must! The pilot is hysterical and knowledgeable, but the unique vantage point of the fall foliage and waterfalls is what you really don’t want to miss. Other ways to get up close and personal with nature while visiting include off-road Segway tours and zipping through the trees with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. High Rock Adventures takes visitors on guided eco-tours and heart-pounding rappelling trips, while Touch the Earth Adventures leads guided kayaking trips to help travelers reconnect with the earth. I am told this year's wet spring and sunny summer have resulted in strong foliage, and the region is expecting lots of "fiery red Maples, blazes of orange Sassafras and yellow Hickory, brushstrokes of brown Oak and pops of green Hemlock and Pine" this season.
Now that you know all the fall destinations I am wanderlusting over, do you want to guess where I am headed this fall?
Clue for Destination #1: While this destination is the mecca of baseball, there is plenty to do for non-baseball fans. Popular attractions include a relaxing boat tour on Lake Ostego, touring the Farm Museum, and visiting Cider Mills. Can you guess where I am headed?
Clue for Destination #2: Up next is a visit to a historic coastal city where I spent my freshman year of college. Whether you’re into shopping, good food, ghost tours, forts, African-American history, or some combination, this city is a great spot for a visit. Can you guess where I am headed?
Clue for Destination #3: After departing Destination #2, I will be driving four hours northeast for a tasty food festival in “America’s Friendliest City”. This city in Upstate South Carolina offers access to plenty of outdoor recreation, is home to a number of wineries and breweries, and is known for having a pretty great music scene. Can you guess where I am headed?
Drop your guesses in the comments below!