13 Best Fall Family Vacations: Packing Now!

The best part about traveling in the fall is that the weather is still quite pleasant, there are fewer people at popular attractions, and you can get great deals on hotels and airfare. These family vacation suggestions will inspire you to pack and enjoy this wonderful season. Please read the article before choosing where your family should vacation in the fall.

Niagara Falls, New York

From the hiking trails that make up the Niagara Gorge Trail System or from the cockpit of a helicopter hovering in the air, take in the breathtaking fall foliage of the Niagara Falls area.

Children will enjoy riding the fabled Maid of the Mist into Horseshoe Falls (as long as there are no huge summer crowds), then going apple picking at nearby Becker Farms.

To see the falls from different perspectives, ride the Niagara Scenic Trolley around Niagara Falls State Park. Don’t forget your passport because the Niagara SkyWheel is on the Canadian side and you must ride it.

Black Hills, South Dakota

With so many activities for families, the western South Dakotan Black Hills are the perfect place to spend a fall vacation. Fall is the best time to visit with your family. The weather is ideal for hiking the picturesque trails in Custer State Park or even renting a paddleboat on Sylvan Lake throughout September and frequently well into October.

If it gets too chilly, go for a scenic drive along the fabled Needles Highway to see the remarkably unusual rock formations, or take the Wildlife Loop to see wild burros, bison, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and elk.

Mount Rushmore, a sculpture honoring four presidents, is located just outside the park, and Deadwood offers a wide variety of Old West entertainment.

The Mammoth Site, an active paleontological dig site with the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world, cave tours, wildlife safaris, and the historic 1880 train in Hill City are just a few of the additional options.

San Francisco, California

Fall is the best season to travel to San Francisco if you’ve always wanted to. When the hordes of tourists have left, the city typically experiences its Indian Summer, with weather that is frequently better than the actual summer season.

There are many fun things to do with the family, like riding the well-known cable cars or going to the incredible Exploratorium. The San Francisco Zoo, Golden Gate Park, and beaches are all nearby, and you can take the ferry over to Alcatraz for an interesting tour.

Boone, North Carolina

Going to Boone, North Carolina, with your family during the fall is one of the most incredible (and economical) vacations you can take. Visit Doc’s Rocks if you or your kids are rock and gem aficionados.

Here, you can buy buckets of various sizes that are filled with dirt, which you can then sift through to find gems like topaz, moonstone, and sapphires. Each bucket costs between $8 and $30.

You and your family can travel down the yellow brick road and interact with well-known movie characters for just $55 per ticket. This is a private park that is only accessible during specific occasions and seasons of the year, and the Autumn at Oz event is a great reason to visit Boone with your family.

Beautiful parks, horseback riding, gardens, and more are available in Boone. Plan your trip between early September and November 18 to find more affordable rates.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is the perfect destination for a fall getaway because it is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

You can almost always find some local street performers as you stroll around the charming downtown area, which is full of interesting shops, galleries, breweries, and restaurants.

Visit the nearby Pisgah National Forest for a hike with your family to spot stunning waterfalls among the changing leaves, or take a leisurely drive through part of the park to admire the scenery without getting too active.

Another well-known attraction in Asheville worth checking out is the Biltmore Estate, the biggest privately owned home in the country and a Gilded Age mansion., complete with gardens and a winery. 

Sonoma, California

Visits to California’s wine country are best made in the fall. Fall is the best time to visit it with your family. Tours of the region’s vineyards and wineries, which are covered in stunning red, orange, and yellow foliage at this best time of year, are highly recommended for wine enthusiasts.

They can also board the open-air Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley. Take a break from visiting wineries with your family and enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and bay by going for a short hike on the Bodega Head Trail.

Don’t forget to pack some fresh seafood for lunch. Nearby Farmhouse Inn offers visitors with families a opulent stay in the wine region, complete with sommelier-led wine tours and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

One of the most picturesque places is the Shenandoah Valley, especially in the fall, it is the best time to visit with your family. Start by taking a leisurely drive along Skyline Drive to take in the magnificent trees bursting with vibrant foliage against the infamous Blue Ridge skyline.

There are hiking trails, waterfalls, and wilderness to explore along the drive. You can enter as many times as you like for a $30 per vehicle fee, and the pass is valid for seven straight days.

If you go on Veterans Day or National Public Lands Day, you can enter for free.

Many beautiful underground caverns can be found in the Valley. For instance, Grand Caverns is the oldest show cave in the United States.

Be sure to bring a sweater, as the caverns are a chilly 56 degrees all year round. These caverns are decorated with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.

Children under five are admitted free, and adult admission prices range from $11 to $20. Military, AAA, and AARP members are also eligible for discounts.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jackson Hole is a fantastic place to visit with your family all year round because it is close to some of the best national parks and most well-liked ski areas in the nation, but fall is the best time to go if you want to avoid some of the crowds and see the vibrant mountain foliage.

Plan your trip for early fall to take advantage of milder weather and avoid the crowds of summer, when the ski season typically begins at the end of November.

Jackson Hole is undoubtedly a gateway to autumnal outdoor adventure because it is only a short drive to both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.

Visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art with your family, go on a hike, or take a scenic drive (while keeping an eye out for moose and bears). Fall is the best time to visit.

Berkshires, Massachusetts

Go to the Berkshires in western Massachusetts to find rolling hills covered in breathtaking fall foliage. Lenox, Stockbridge, and Pittsfield are just a few of the charming towns you can choose from.

At this time of year, you can drive between them and take in the sights of the vibrantly changing leaves. 

The 1902 construction of Blantyre, a Relais & Chateaux resort in Lenox, Massachusetts, as a Tudor-style mansion and estate resulted in the creation of luxurious lodgings for visitors seeking the ideal autumn getaway with family.

Burlington, Vermont

One of the best places to go on fall vacation in the United States is Burlington, Vermont, which is covered in red, orange, and yellow hues as the leaves change color every autumn. Visit a pumpkin patch with your family, pick your own apples at one of the many nearby orchards, or go for a scenic drive to see the stunning foliage.

In one of the town’s craft breweries, unwind with a few local beers after a day of exploring. The Hotel Vermont offers charming lodgings close to the Lake Champlain waterfront in the center of the city.

Telluride, Colorado

Telluride, Colorado, may come to mind as a winter ski resort, but this town is lovely all year round. Early fall is the best time to visit with your family if you want to see vibrant foliage in a breathtaking mountain setting.

Take advantage of the season’s offerings by traveling in early September or late September. Explore the mountains and valley on foot, by bike, or from the gondola, which is open until the end of the summer season in October. 17, before pausing until the winter season begins.

You might decide to travel in early December to take advantage of the ski season’s opening days, which usually begin around Thanksgiving. The Madeline Hotel & Residences, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, is the ideal starting point for all of your outdoor pursuits thanks to its ski-in, ski-out access and proximity to hiking trails.

Maui, Hawaii

Yes, the vibrant fall foliage is lovely, but fall is also the ideal season to visit tropical beaches with your family. Maui was voted the top island in Hawaii by Travel + Leisure readers in the 2020

Once you go, you’ll understand why it won the World’s Best Awards. Here, you can unwind on gorgeous beaches, go hiking in a rain forest, or simply unwind at one of the many breathtaking resorts on this island.

The adult-only Hotel Wailea is ideal for a romantic getaway, while the Montage Kapalua Bay offers Paintbox, a program for children between the ages of five and twelve. The current policy does not require quarantine or COVID-19 testing for fully immunized travelers from the United States.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is a thrilling place to start your journey. This park features a variety of attractions, like cave tours. You can experience the exhilarating Eagle Zip ride, which takes you 600 feet in the air, or the extreme Cliffhanger Roller Coaster.

Visit the living caverns with your family to see the Colorado cave room with the most decorations. For $61 per person, you can buy admission to all the attractions.

Visit Iron Mountain and relax in the hot springs. These pools have 98 to 108 degree temperatures and are completely filled with pure mineral water. For about $30 per person, you can book a 2.5-hour soak session.

Additionally wonderful activities in Glenwood Springs include biking, hiking, and fishing. September through November are the ideal months to visit Glenwood with your family. This is the perfect time to book if you want to find lower-cost flights and lodging.