With the turn into October, the fall season is officially here. Brisk winds, changing leaves and campfire smells have many of us craving a fun fall getaway to celebrate the new season.
Vacationing in the fall can be a wonderful experience for the solo traveler, for families and for friend groups alike. And with the buzzing popularity of vacation rental properties, travelers are sure to have many options available when booking their autumnal trips. While we’re into October, there’s still time for a quick getaway – so make sure to plan your trip now to find the best possible rental for your fall vacation.
In this post, we’re highlighting four popular vacation spots to visit this fall. So gather your friends and book your time off at work, because these areas are truly amazing to visit this time of year.
Denver, Colorado
Not many people can complain about Denver in the fall. One of the most amazing scenes in the autumn around this city is the changing color of leaves, and primarily, the golden yellow aspen tree. There are hundreds of trails to walk and hike along this month to view some awesome foliage. Whether you stay in town and visit one of the city’s many urban parks, or take a drive west of the city to Estes Park or Rocky Mountain National Park, the views of foliage are sure not to disappoint.
Make sure to go higher in elevation earlier in the fall (late September to mid-October) and keep more toward the city later in the season (mid-October through November) for the best time to see the changing leaves.
There are plenty of festivals and activities to attend this fall in the “mile-high city”. Harvest Week, October 15-19, introduces local produce prepared nightly by the city’s best chefs. In November, treat yourself to wine tastings at Denver’s Wine Festival (November 1-3).
You’ll be sure to find a great mix of the outdoors and incredible eats when visiting Denver this fall.
Bend, Oregon
If your travels take you to the Pacific Northwest, try visiting Bend, Oregon this year. Bend is a small city located about a 3.5 hour drive southeast of Portland, Oregon on the Deschutes River, and offers loads of activities for the outdoor enthusiast.
When visiting Bend, there’s no question to the amount of hiking available to choose from. Try taking a stroll along the Deschutes River Trail – a prime hiking spot all year and especially in the autumn months. If you’d like to instead take a scenic drive, try the Mt. Hood Loop, or the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway. This loop takes you through beautiful views surrounding one of Oregon’s most popular (and highest!) peak. Covered by glaciers and surrounded by changing leaves, this 3-4 hour drive will be sure to have you feeling fully encompassed in the season.
Toronto, Ontario
Feeling like a quick trip up north? Toronto, Ontario is a bustling city filled with plenty of options for enjoying the fall season. With temperatures in the 50s and 60s, this time of year in Canada’s largest city makes for a beautiful autumn retreat.
Though the city is massive, there are plenty of beautiful green spaces to stroll through to enjoy nature in an urban setting. Try out High Park – the largest park in town, offering trails for walking and biking, playgrounds, a dog park, and even a zoo.
Try taking a walk along the shore of Lake Ontario, or take a short 1.5 hour drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake, where you can rent bicycles and tour wineries – a wonderful fall activity for couples or groups.
If you’re a hockey fan, don’t be shy to catch a Maple Leafs game! Or perhaps basketball is your sport – catch a Raptors game while in town.
Another great activity to do this fall in Toronto is to go apple picking. There’s nothing like fresh-picked apples, and the Greater Toronto Area offers many orchards where visitors can pick baskets of apples this season. If you’re visiting for a weekend and looking for a more cozy, “homey” vacation vibe, bring apples back to your vacation rental and bake a fresh pie!
Moab, Utah
While the desert may not be everyone’s first thought when it comes to enjoying the fall season, it’s definitely a breathtaking part of the country to explore away from the sweltering heat of summer.
Moab, Utah is not to miss this season. With highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 40s and 50s, it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the outdoors. Moab offers amazing views of colors, and not just in the foliage. While many trees and shrubs change from green to gold, the rocks themselves seem to take on autumnal hues as well due to the changing angle of the sunlight.
From your hub in the town of Moab, you can visit two of our country’s national parks – Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Each park offers many trails on top of buttes and through winding canyons. Be sure to pack for both a warm afternoon and a cold overnight (if venturing past dark), as temperatures in the desert can change dramatically from day to night.
In Moab this season, there are art exhibits and folk festivals to attend while in town, including a Gourd Festival on October 21 (fun for the whole family) and a 3-day music festival from November 3-5.
If you’re a biking enthusiast, it’s the town for you this fall. Plenty of mountain biking trails surround the town – and if you’re visiting and didn’t bring your own bike, you can always rent one from one of Moab’s bicycle shops. Around from October 26-29? Make sure you don’t miss the Moab Ho Down Mountain Bike Festival! This party includes group mountain bike rides, a movie night, and even a costume party.
Wherever you end up this autumn, you’ll be sure to find an activity for everyone. Make sure when booking your trip that your vacation rental property is in proximity to what you’ll be doing most, such as hiking or catching a food festival. Whether you stay in downtown Toronto for an urban experience or in the small town of Bend to be closer to the mountains, take a walk outside and enjoy the cooler air and colorful leaves.