Unique Domestic Fall Getaway Ideas for 2024

While you may be inclined to plan a getaway every month of the year, there’s something special about traveling during fall months. For starters, you’ll find incredible fall foliage and leaf-peeping opportunities in many parts of the United States. Beyond that, fall is also a good time to head to sunny Florida since it’s the off-peak travel season. 

If you are looking for unique travel ideas for fall this year, consider the trip ideas and possibilities we list below.

Butler County, Ohio is popular for fall getaways due to the plethora of activities taking place over September, October and November. Things to do include visits to Barn-N-Bunk Fall Festival Weekends, which includes fall activities like hayrides, duck races, face painting and corn mazes, and excursions to the Land of Illusion Haunted Scream Park. The Garver Farm Annual Harvest Fest that takes place in Butler County each year features five acres of space to pick your own pumpkin, food trucks, live music and crafts from more than 30 local vendors. 
Other festivals taking place in Butler County each fall include the Apple Butter Festival, the Trenton Fall Fest and Oktoberfest, to name a few.

Elkhart, Indiana might seem like an unexpected place to enjoy a fall getaway, but this eclectic town in the Midwest offers more than meets the eye. Visitors can stay at the historic Hotel Elkhart, which has been around since 1923 and has been meticulously restored. This can serve as a home base for exploring the local farms, festivals and wineries in the area. Festivals taking place in the Elkhart region in fall include the Middlebury Fall Festival, the Nappanee Apple Festival and the Elkhart ArtWalk, to name a few.
Travelers can also check out the Heritage Trail — a map of trails that help individuals learn about local Amish life and history. This trail is frequently referred to as one of America’s most scenic drives, and you can even pick up an audio guide for the tour from the Elkhart County Visitors Center.

The Lake Tahoe area is utterly stunning any time of the year, but the autumn months are more beautiful than many people realize due to the changing of the seasons, moderate temperatures and smaller crowds. While known for its popularity during ski season, the Edgewood Tahoe Resort is the ideal escape for fall if you love enjoying the changing of the leaves, pumpkin carving, tree planting courses and wine tastings.
You can also get outside with activities like archery, and the resort offers classes that teach how to make customized candied apples. The Edgewood Tahoe Resort is also the only waterfront resort in the Lake Tahoe area, which only adds to its allure.

Historic Banning Mills, Georgia is an adventure resort that’s located 45 minutes west of Atlanta. This property sits on 300 acres of pristine natural beauty with a range of activities automatically built in. For example, visitors can take part in any number of zip line courses throughout the property, or they can climb through aerial adventure courses or bike across suspension bridges.
The property also offers “glamping” options like rustic lodges and cabins, plus 14 unique treehouse rooms that let travelers snooze the night away in the treetops with gorge views below. Other activities available at the property include horseback riding and the resort’s incredibly popular Eco-Spider ATV tours.

Georgia’s Barnsley Resort provides a relaxing getaway for couples and families who want to enjoy the outdoors in a beautiful natural setting. The property sits on 3,000 breathtaking acres and features historic Manor House ruins, gardens, rolling hills and plenty of open space. Plus, travelers can take part in a range of activities like golf, horseback riding, archery, hiking, biking and more.

Barnsley also offers unique lodging options for families who want more than a cookie cutter hotel room. There are basic rooms to book, but visitors will also find manor rooms, cottage estates and cabins. Dining options on the property abound and include delectable options like pan fried whole trout and chef-curated Southern-inspired dishes.

Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado is a western ghost town that has been revitalized enough to welcome tourists for a vacation they won’t forget. The ghost town is located in the San Juan Mountains, which means it’s surrounded by huge mountain peaks, rivers and lush forest in every direction. 

The resort is geared to luxury though, thus it is actually a Relais & Chateaux property with 14 elegant log cabins and a glamping tent option to choose from. Fall months bring incredible leaf peeping opportunities to this property, as well as crisp fall breezes and seasonal activities like fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, mountain trail rides and more.

Memphis, Tennessee is definitely worth a visit this fall, and for more reasons than one. Not only is Memphis home to Elvis Presley’s Graceland, which you can visit and tour, but it boasts an incredible foodie scene and some of the nation’s best live music on the world famous Beale Street.

The Hyatt Centric Beale Street is an excellent place to stay due to its rooftop bar and location within walking distance of the city’s most famous attractions.The property also features a range of rooms and suites to choose from, including its enormous Premier Suite with 1,125 square feet of space, a separate living space and panoramic views of the Mississippi River and Hernando DeSoto Bridge.

Las Vegas, Nevada is an excellent vacation spot for a fall getaway, especially since the steaming summer temperatures in Sin City are mostly in the past. There’s also so much to see and do in Las Vegas, whether you want to gamble, nosh on excellent eats, check out the latest shows or simply walk around and people watch all day.
Once you’re in town, you can dine at Martha Stewart’s only restaurant, The Bedford, which serves homemade breads, hand-stuffed pierogies, delicious desserts like upside-down lemon meringue pie and Martha’s signature cocktail — the Martha-Rita. You can also swing by the iconic Glass Bar at Planet Hollywood, and you can check out shows like the Blue Man Group or Donny Osmond at Harrah’s Las Vegas.

If you want to get away somewhere warm this fall but you don’t want to leave the United States, consider a stay at the W Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This stunning Fort Lauderdale hotel sits right on the beach, making it ideal for relaxation, playing in the sand or reading a good book with the sounds of the ocean as background noise. The property also has its own luxury spa, where you can book massages, facials, pedicures and more. Travelers will also love the on-site dining options, including the STEAK 954 steakhouse, El Vez for elevated Mexican cuisine and a poolside bar and grill. There are myriad room and suite options to choose from at the W Fort Lauderdale as well, including penthouse suites with a living area, kitchen and two bedrooms.

Destin, Florida is an incredible place to visit during fall. The water is crystal clear and amazingly warm after the summer months end, yet the weather is milder and much more comfortable than in June, July or August. Crowds are also smaller too, which means more space at the beach and no waits at some of Destin’s most popular eateries.
There are a ton of things to do in Destin if you want to get out and explore. You can rent a boat from Boogies Watersports and head out to Crab Island — a fun sand bar with a party atmosphere. You can play a round of golf, or you can play miniature golf or ride go-karts with your kids. You can also catch an incredible sunset, head out for a dolphin watching excursion or take part in a sunset champagne cruise.

Fall is an excellent time to visit Mohonk Mountain House, New York, which is located just 90 miles north of New York City. This nature-themed property offers rooms and suites in a Victorian castle (built in 1869) that’s surrounded by 40,000 acres of forest and wilderness. The luxury resort also overlooks a glacial lake and boasts 85 miles of hiking and biking trails for travelers of all levels of fitness. 
Mohonk Mountain House is an all-inclusive property with most vacation “musts” included in the nightly rate. For example, staying here automatically grants you included dining, sports activities, wellness classes, an indoor pool, internet access and use of the kid’s club. Some items do cost extra though, including spa treatments and excursions like horseback riding.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.