Fall is a great time to get away, whether you want to take a drive through the beautiful fall foliage, go hiking in national parks when it’s not as crowded, or take a beach trip after the summer. Kids go back to school and adults go back to work during this time, so many famous vacation spots will have lower prices, fewer people, and cooler weather.
With the help of travel experts and reader suggestions, U.S. News put together a list of great fall trip ideas that took into account things like weather, crowds, and holiday celebrations. Please choose your favourite places below to help us make the list of the best autumn holidays for next year.
1. Grand Canyon National Park
Just calling this tunnel “grand” isn’t enough to describe it. This huge canyon in northern Arizona is a natural wonder. It is about 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep. The Great Canyon has grown over 6 million years with the help of the powerful Colorado River.
For hundreds of years, people from all over the world have come to see its red and orange beauty. The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is run by the National Park Service. Each year, about 4 million people are amazed by it.
But if you want to get away to nature in peace, you should be ready: There are a lot of people in the Grand Canyon at times. Tourists and tourists love the South Rim because it has the Grand Canyon Village and the well-worn Bright Angel Trail. The best facilities are on this side.
Going to the North Rim will give you a break from all the other people. You can camp here in the woods and go on tough hikes. A helicopter trip is a great way to get a view of the canyon that you will never forget.
2. Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a great place to go on vacation in the fall because the weather is always cool, with afternoon highs in the mid-40s and low 70s. The red sand beaches of the Canadian island may be too cold to enjoy, but there are lots of things to do, like the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival in September and the PEI Fall Flavours Food & Drink Festival in the first half of October.
Eat some tasty local food, and then take a walk on one of the island’s trails to see the beautiful autumn leaves. In October, the trees on the island are usually at their most colourful.
3. Telluride
Telluride, Colorado is known for its winter activities, but there is still a lot to do and see in the autumn. There are trails in town for hikers of all skill levels, and the weather is great for hikes well into October. Bridal Veil Falls and Hope Lake are great places to see fall colours.
Also, movie fans can see the Telluride Horror Show, a gathering of scary films, every October. You should ride one of Telluride’s famous gondolas at least once while you’re there. It’s also a great way to take pictures of the beautiful autumn leaves. Just make sure you know ahead of time when the gondola is open and closed for repairs from the middle of October to the middle of November.
4. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is a great place for people who love being outside because it has beautiful lakes and steep mountains. There are hot springs with pools of different colours, lush woods that go around large meadows, and unstable geysers that shoot streams of steaming water into the air.
With so much untouched nature, it’s easy to see why everyone thought John Colter, who was a scout for Lewis and Clark, was lying when he first wrote about Yellowstone’s geothermal oddities in 1807. These days, there’s no question that the park is truly amazing. As you hike through its more than 3,000 square miles of mountains, valleys, geysers, and waterfalls, you may come across buffalo, elk, and even grizzlies that live there year-round.
More than 4 million people visit Yellowstone every year, but you probably won’t see many of them unless you spend your whole trip at Old Faithful. Yellowstone covers 2.2 million acres, which stretch from the northwest area of Wyoming to the edges of Idaho and Montana. There is a lot of unspoiled land to discover.
Set aside one or two days to enjoy the view at Mammoth Hot Springs and Yellowstone Lake. But save some time for the trails that go through less well-known areas. For example, the West Thumb Geyser Basin has hot springs, and the Lewis River Channel and Dogshead Loop are full of wild animals. At first, the huge number of trails and chances to see wildlife may seem overwhelming. But remember that you can always come back.
5. Big Sur
Big Sur is more than just a place to visit; it’s a way of life. Big Sur is 90 miles long and lies on the west coast of central California, halfway between Monterey Bay and San Simeon. Its remote location, peaceful nature, and unparalleled beauty make people want to shift gears, both literally and metaphorically. The main road in the area is the Pacific Coast Highway, which was built less than 100 years ago and is the most beautiful in Big Sur.
The highway clings to the edge of the area’s cliffs, high above the waves. As it winds in and out of what seems like an endless shoreline, it offers stunning views. No matter how bad the roads are, Big Sur’s peaceful culture is infectious and has been known to draw people from all walks of life who are looking for inspiration, refuge, or change.
In search of inner peace, Jack Kerouac went to Big Sur, as told in his book “Big Sur.” Another writer, Henry Miller, said that Big Sur was the first place in America where he felt truly at home. Miller later wrote a biography called “Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch.” Many singers, artists, writers, and photographers have written about Big Sur’s powerful presence since then, but travellers still say words can’t describe how beautiful it is.
Even though Big Sur gets a lot of people every year, it hasn’t lost its unique feel. Along the highway, there are many small art shops that share space with wellness retreats and restaurants on the edge of cliffs. But the area’s varied scenery is much more interesting than any of its amenities. State parks and beaches are the best places to visit.
There are beaches, mountains, rivers, hills, creeks, coves, wildflowers, and animals everywhere you look. If you can actually find them. Some of Big Sur’s natural draws aren’t marked on purpose so that the area keeps its famous sense of privacy. You won’t believe some places still don’t have power. Big Sur, on the other hand, is not just a holiday spot; it’s meant to be an experience. Take it easy, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Big Sur.
6. Hawaii – The Big Island
Hawaii (or “the Big Island” as it’s more generally known) is a unique place in terms of geography. It has everything from black sand beaches to snow-covered peaks, from hardened lava deserts to lush, steamy rainforests. It’s still getting bigger. Hawaii’s best feature, the busy Kilauea volcano, which spews fire, has been making the island’s land area bigger since 1983. The most recent eruption happened in May 2018, and it was caused by volcanic activity.
The Halemaumau crater collapsed. It’s true that if you came here expecting a normal Hawaiian vacation with luaus and a honeymoon-like vibe, you probably didn’t find it. But this island’s hiking tracks and state parks have views that no other Hawaiian island can match. The beaches have colours you may not have seen before. Sign up for one of the best Hawaii tours if you only have a short time to see the island. You’ll get insider tips from someone who lives there.
7. Montreal
One word really describes Montréal: complex. This city is a mix of the Old and New Worlds, with buildings from the 18th century and a skyline from the 21st century. There are now cool hybrid restaurants in old-fashioned homes, and the sound of English is mixed with the rolled “r”s of French.
There are rainbow flags flying along with cloth symbols from India, Portugal, and France, and traditional French treats are sold next to the sweet sesame seed bagel that is popular in Montreal. As soon as you think you’ve seen everything, a short lift ride takes you to a different city that’s several stories below.
World-class museums and busy markets are two of this city’s best draws. Start your tour by walking along Vieux-Montréal’s old streets made of cobblestones. Along Boulevard Saint-Laurent, you can visit old churches or get a cappuccino at a traditional French café.
If history doesn’t interest you, you can go shopping in downtown or go hiking in Parc du Mont-Royal later. Save some energy for when the sun goes down. Montréal, especially Rue St-Denis, is known for having a lively nighttime scene that goes on until the wee hours of the morning.
FAQ’s
Q1: What are the best fall vacation destinations for 2024?
The top 7 places to go on an autumn vacation in 2024 are Kyoto, Japan; Banff National Park, Canada; Queenstown, New Zealand; Patagonia, Argentina; New England, USA; and Santorini, Greece.
Q2: Why is Kyoto, Japan, recommended for a fall vacation?
Kyoto is well-known for its breathtaking "koyo," or autumn foliage, which turns the city into a vivid autumn color scheme of red, orange, and yellow. The charming ambiance is enhanced by the city's ancient temples and gardens.
Q3: What makes New England, USA, a top fall vacation spot?
Autumn is the perfect time to see the stunning scenery that New England has to offer. Fall foliage viewing, hiking, and soaking in the character of tiny communities are all made possible by the region's hardwood forests, which put on a breathtaking show of colours.
