Author: Isabel Eva Bohrer

30 Excellent Ideas for Things to Do This Fall

Taking a vacation in August is standard. But because of the popularity of taking a week off in summer, prices sometimes skyrocket in those peak months.

The fall season, in turn, is an ideal time for a short break, whether it is just a day trip within the North America, or a full week to a far-away city. Weather conditions may vary; in the Northern hemisphere, you can see the leaves fall in golden colors and take advantage of bright sunlight that won’t get you burnt. Destinations nearer the Equator, in contrast, might still boasts temperatures warm enough for you to take a dive in the ocean. Further south, it might get a bit cooler, but if you bundle up, you shouldn’t have any issues either. On the contrary, the shoulder season will be a perfect time to escape the crowds before the summer hits in those southern destinations.

[social]

Here are 30 ideas for things to do and places to go this autumn, no matter which continent you are interested in. Both specific destinations and more general ideas are included, so that you can be inspired on all fronts.

Find fall foliage in Rangeley Lakes, Maine: Boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, birding…passive and active travelers will find delight in this mountainous area with sparkling lakes and miles and miles of scenic drives perfect for those in search of fall color.  >> Learn about fall foliage travel in New England

Hike the Voyageur Trail, British Colombia: There are more than 500 kilometers of true wilderness trails to choose from – a paradise for any hiker. >> Discover the best hiking trails in the world

Enjoy the sun on Gold Beach, Oregon: Situated in Oregon’s Banana Belt, this distant little sea town offers both ocean and river fun, with more sun hours than any other town on the Oregon or Washington coasts, so you can stretch your vacation days longer.

Pack your pretzels for the Great American Beer Festival: Over 450 brewers showcase their best beers at this three-day Denver festival, where attendees often wear costumes and adorn themselves with necklaces made of pretzels so they can cleanse their palate – and soak up the alcohol – between tastes. >> Find the best beer and wine events  all year long

Wind down wine season in Calistoga, California: The peak wine-tasting season may be coming to an end but Napa Valley, covered in golden leaves, is still an attraction. In October, you can attend harvest festivals; by November you’ll have the once-crowded tasting rooms nearly to yourself. >> Read about other North American wine regions

Follow the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky: In the rolling hills near Lexington, tour and taste at six Bourbon distilleries as you pass miles of farmland dotted with the brilliant colors or fall. Runners can work off the Bourbon in the Bourbon Chase, a 200-mile, 12-person relay held the second week of October. >> Find other famous drinks to taste on your travels

See the lights of Trinidad’s Divali: Fall is hurricane season in the Caribbean and the best time for deals. Fall is also a popular time for festivals, like Divali, or Festival of  Lights, when the entire island of Trinidad is lit by candlelight. >> Find flights to Trinidad

View the ruins of Tulúm: Escape the crowds standing in line at Chichen Itza and see a smaller version of the Mayan ruins at Tulúm. You can camp directly on one of the pristine beaches or stay more comfortably at a cabin nearby. >> Plan a weekend trip to Mexico

Dance the tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Fall means spring in the Paris of South America. Enjoy a tango show, take a graffiti tour, or visit Eva Perón’s grave – this city is a haven for culture aficionados and visiting in spring means fewer crowds and pleasant weather. >> Discover the many reasons to visit Argentina

See the ancient city of Choquequirao, Peru: The Inca trail and Macchu Picchu are overflowing and have limited access. Alternative trekking routes in Peru, on the other hand, are ideal for those who want to escape the crowds. Rainy season won’t start until December (lasting until March) so go now before the rain comes. >> Book an adventure trip to Peru

Celebrate Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany: Dates for this year are September 17th until October 3rd. If you miss the Munich version, check out other Oktoberfest celebrations around the world, in places like Japan, Australia and Brazil. >> Check out the best-selling beers around the world

See the Parthenon in Athens: Dedicated to the Goddess Athena, the Parthenon was built in 447 BC by Pericles, Ictinus and Callicrates. Not only is the weather ideal in the fall, but there are also a ton of autumn festivals going on. >> Learn about some great Greek food festivals

Harvest wine and olives in Italy: October in Italy is harvest season, and  WWOOF Italy offers a variety of options for those interested in harvesting grapes and olives, such as at a family-run farm near Riparbella. >> Learn more about vineyards in Italy

Explore the thousand islands of Croatia: From Krk to Cres to Lošinj, weather conditions in the fall are still warm enough for a swim in the Adriatic. >> Read our Croatia travel guide

Sip the fleeting Beaujolais Nouveau in Paris: Convention business  to Paris decreases in November so take advantage of lower prices (about half the cost of visiting in April) to explore the city of love. On the third Thursday or November, Paris, along with the rest of France celebrates the release of Beaujolais Nouveau, a young wine that traditionally must be gone by Christmas time. >> Learn more about visiting France in fall

Tour European history in Prague, Czech Republic: The historic centre of Prague has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992 and in fall you can see it without the throngs of tourists that pack its streets in summer. Why not combine your trip with a ticket to the Prague International Jazz Festival, held in early October? >> Get tips on visiting Prague

Discover the castles of Ireland: From Bunratty Castle to Ashford Castle to Dromoland Castle, there are plenty of options to choose from, and as temperatures drop so do the prices, with great deals on airfare and hotels. >> Discover incredible places to visit in Ireland

View the Northern Lights in Iceland: Fares to Iceland (along with hotel and car rental prices) decrease greatly after September 1st. Visit now and you may also spot the Northern Lights twinkling above; they’re visible on clear nights from September to March. >> Find out more reasons to visit Iceland

Visit the Great Wall in Beijing, China: By November, international visitors to China decrease by about 20 %. Hike the Great Wall, visit the Palace Museum, or head to the Forbidden City, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stick to the southern part of the country and temperatures will still be between 60 and 70 F. >> Discover lesser-known places to visit in China

Find fall festivals in India: The last showers of the monsoon mark the beginning of the Raksha Bandhan, the start of northern India’s festival season. In New Delhi, you can see the festival of lights, also known as Deepavali. >> Search airfare to India

Tour the botanic gardens of Singapore: The Asian capital might be known for urban life, but nature remains, too. The gardens are open until midnight. >> Book flights to Singapore

Stay warm in Marrakech, Morocco: Europeans flock to Morocco in December, but in September, you can expect discounts of up to 50%. And as the temperatures are dropping in the northern hemisphere, Morocco stays sunny with temperatures of about 90F. >> Read our Morocco travel guide

Snorkel off Magaruque Island, Mozambique While the other islands are overflowing with tourists, you can snorkel in peace off this tiny island of less than 2 square kilometers. September and October are dry, with pleasantly cool temperatures at night. >> Learn about unusual dive spots around the world

Visit soccer stadiums in South Africa: The crowds of the 2010 World Cup are gone, but the beautiful new stadiums remain. This is late spring in South Africa, and it’s also one of the best times for game viewing in Kruger and spotting southern right whales off the coast. >> Read about more things to do in South Africa

Explore nature in Madagascar: In addition to unique wildlife like lemurs (found no where else on earth), you can view one-of-a-kind rock formations. September marks the beginning of spring here, and is an ideal time to visit as you avoid both the rainy season and the summer heat. >> Discover some affordable safari spots

Celebrate the flower festival in Canberra: Starting in September, Canberra is showcasing its most beautiful flowers at Floriade, the country’s biggest flower festival. By night, the festival offers movies under the stars, food, wine and live entertainment. >> Find other things to do in Canberra 

Head to the Melbourne Cup for some horse racing: On November 1st, Australia’s richest race (the country’s answer to the Kentucky Derby) takes place . The day is public holiday in Melbourne and around the country, eyes are glued to the high-stakes race. >> Check out other great destinations for horse lovers

Celebrate Remembrance Day in Australia on November 11.: Remembrance Day commemorates the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. Commemorations occur each year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month at war shrines throughout the country. >> Plan your trip with our Australia travel guide

Stay at the only certified completely carbon neutral resort in Australia: The Wolgan Valley Resort is more than ecologically friendly. The weather conditions in September, October and November are ideal because this time marks the beginning of spring. Outdoor pursuits include horse riding, nature walks, mountain biking and more. >> Learn more about traveling responsibly

Cruise the South Pole: Visits to Antarctica are open during the Antarctic summer, which begins in November. Count on 20+ hours of sunlight, but still bring your warmest gear. >> Choose the right Antarctic cruise for you

Learn more about fall travel and get ideas for where to go next:

Photos:Just Us 3, deege@fermentarium.com, Chile con Karine, 13HOCcuellar, Kirk Siang, jackhynes, Friar’s Balsam