My Fall Travel Ideas
October 8th, 2011Fall travel is something that I am always looking forward to. I love the Fall! In my part of the country, the summer is always punishing, but when the cool creeps into the air, and the breeze begins to blow, there is nothing like it. It’s such a relief to finally be able to spend some time outside and enjoy being out and about!
Fall is a great time to travel, and of course, it’s the best time to take a little vacation up north and witness the glorious turning of the leaves; however, even if you can’t get away for more than a day or two, Fall is a great time to get out in the cool crisp air and enjoy the bright, glorious colors of the season close to home.
Fall travel suggestions
Image by carriejeberhardt via Flickr
There are lots of ways to enjoy your Fall travel. You could partake of a little bike travel through the countryside or on bike trails, take your dog for a walk in the woods, or just go out to your local park and sit a spell. If you have the money, you could take a little balloon trip to see the changing colors from a different perspective. Travel on foot to a local park with your little one to pick up colored leaves to press and make a Fall leaf album.
Another very fine way to enjoy the turning of the leaves is to go wine-tasting! This is a romantic getaway for a couple or a fun activity for a group of friends. Traveling through the wine country on a brisk Fall day is festive and gorgeous. The turning of the leaves in the vineyards of California and other states is every bit as spectacular as that found in the northeast. If you have the time, you might want to take a weekend to stay at a Bed & Breakfast and explore quaint local shops for craft items and holiday gift ideas.
If you can get away for a day or two, Fall is a great time to take the family on a hiking and fishing trip. If you happen to live in a state that has beautiful national parks, this is the very best time to get away. Camping in state parks is affordable, safe and fun! This is especially true for families with pre-school children because all the bigger kids will be back to school, so there will be fewer crowds and you and your family can enjoy off-season rates.
End ‘those lazy-hazy-crazy days of Summer’ with your Fall travel plans
Another fabulous little trip to include in your Fall travel list is an apple-picking jaunt. In the northwest, it’s apple time, and, no matter who you are: a family, a couple, a single or a gang of unruly teenagers, you can pile in the car and drive out to the countryside. Spend a few hours in an apple orchard picking to your heart’s content and then go out for a picnic.
The same is true of pumpkin patches! A trip to the country in early October can yield the pick of the crop for Fall decorating, Jack-O-Lantern carving and Thanksgiving baked goods. A day in the fresh cool air will do you good, and maybe you’ll have a few stories to tell at holiday gatherings – thanks to your intrepid spirit!
Fall travel out to the countryside can bring you more adventure than just picking pumpkins and apples, though! Lots of apple orchards and pumpkin patches add to the excitement and fun by offering activities like country meals, hay rides, corn mazes, square dances, and in October, haunted houses! Evening fun around a blazing bonfire makes a grand destination for Fall travel!
In the Fall, many schools districts, cities and counties hold big Fall Festivals. These are lots of fun and often worth traveling to another city or town for. They give you a good opportunity to get out for the day and sample the bounty of the season. Kids are usually welcomed or encouraged to wear costumes. You will find games and activities and crafts on display and for sale. Live local music and entertainment are often highlighted.
Really, there are lots of places in almost every community that offer great Fall travel opportunities like zoos and museums, theme parks and even malls. Fall is such a festive time with everyone feeling the relief of having survived the summer and eagerly anticipating the fun of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Remember that all of these Fall Travel ideas are great opportunities to get good pictures of yourself, your family, your kids and your dog. You could always do a little Fall traveling for the purpose of getting your photo for your Christmas card!
Fall travel is definitely a way to lighten any stress that accompanies the holidays. In mid-November, you can really start gearing your Fall travel toward seeking out the perfect gourmet items to include in your Thanksgiving feast finding just the right Christmas gifts. There are so many opportunities to visit farmer’s markets, craft fairs, and festivals of all kinds that you can easily combine the enjoyment of taking little trips throughout the Fall with taking care of all the responsibilities that come with the holiday season.
Remember that the official first day of winter is right before Christmas, so Fall travel can extend well into the month of December. Long after the leaves have turned, apples have been eaten, the Jack-O-Lantern has been carved, enjoyed and smashed, and the pie pumpkins have been cut up, baked in a pie and consumed, you can still enjoy Fall travel!
Your final Fall travel adventure should be to sally forth in search of the perfect Christmas tree. Of course, if you have a tree farm within driving distance, that’s the perfect way to get your perfect tree. A day at a tree farm is, ideally, filled with snow and crisp fresh scents and perhaps a little time around a pot-bellied stove. But even a late Fall trip to a Christmas tree lot in the midst of a busy city can be festive! Stop off for a mug of hot cocoa at a diner. Take a walk in the snowy park. Partake of the season! And don’t forget to share your Fall travel experiences here.
