September starts the Fall-Halloween season: many Halloween events -- at theme parks, for instance-- now begin before October does. And of course fall also offers its traditional benefits of beautiful foliage in many places, and lower airfares and less crowds at popular destinations. Later in the fall, Thanksgiving in the U.S. is a peak time for getaways and also starts the Holiday Season.
1. Ten Top Destinations with Kids in October
Photo © Teresa Plowright.
October can be a fun month for travel, for families not tied to the school schedule; meanwhile those with schoolkids can take advantage of the Columbus Day long weekend. Check out the Kids Euro Festival in Washington DC, with hundreds of free performances (dance, storytellers, acrobats), Asheville NC, Cooperstown NY, San Francisco CA and more.
2. Columbus Day Weekend Getaway Ideas
Columbus Day Weekend, in Montreal's Old Port area. Photo © Teresa Plowright.
Columbus Day in the U.S. is celebrated on the second Monday in October, and many families plan a long-weekend getaway. Meanwhile, across the border, Canadians are having a long weekend too, for Thanksgiving. See getaway suggestions that include New York City, Montreal, Chocolate Week in London England, Whistler BC...
3. Fall Foliage Vacations: Great Places to Go
Photo © Teresa Plowright.
Autumn is a fine time to get out of the city and "leaf-peeping" getaways can be fun and affordable. Parents can ooh and aahh over the color show, while kids enjoy some good times in The Great Outdoors. Check destinations in New England, the Great Smokies, The Rockies, and more.
4. Fall Weekend Getaways in New England
Hay bale photo © 2008 Kim Knox Beckius.
Head to the New England states for fall traditions such as apple-picking, leaf-peeping, and visiting corn mazes and pumpkin patches -- and how about a tour of hay bale art?
5. More Fall Vacation Ideas for Families
Photo credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Tor Johnson.
Ideas include New England family resorts, fall travel to Europe, Aloha Festivals in Hawaii, Day of the Dead festivities in the Mayan Riviera, and more.
6. Ten Top Halloween Destinations
Photo courtesy of LEGOLAND FLorida.
Just about every city, town, theme park, kids museum, and zoo has themed Halloween events throughout October, or even starting in September. See suggestions for ten top spots.
7. Many More Halloween Events
Photo © Teresa Plowright.
Halloween train rides, more events at theme parks, Disney Halloween, events by area... You'll find plenty of suggestions here for Halloween getaways.
8. Thanksgiving Events
Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, in NYC. Photo courtesy of NYC & Co.
Thanksgiving in the US falls on the fourth Thursday in November, and is a big occasion for families to get together over Turkey dinner: airports are packed as families fly home to Grandma's house or to a vacation getaway with family members. New York is a popular destination, famous for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
9. Thanksgiving Weekend Packages
Photo of giant gingerbread house, courtesy of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa.
Thanksgiving also marks the start of the "Holiday Season" that continues to New Year's: Christmas decorations go up on Thanksgiving weekend, and many places stage an appearance by Santa as part of their Thanksgiving weekend festivities. Check out 19 ideas for long weekend packages at family resorts.