Where to Travel in October 2024

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire – Photo credit: Patrick Clarke

Fall is officially here and October provides travelers an excellent combination of ideal weather and great rates ahead of the busy holiday travel period.

Whether taking in spectacular foliage or celebrating the spooky season, the coming month is perfect for getting away and exploring new places without the crowds.

Here are some of the best places you can visit this October.

Where to Travel for Fall Colors

Gorgeous fall colors are already starting to appear in popular travel destinations around the world but many parts of the U.S. will see peak autumn foliage in the days and weeks to come.

A new interactive map from Washington Post Climate Change and By The Way can help you plan your visit to your favorite fall hues but some regions are poised to stand out from the rest, including the Midwest and Northeast.

“The better spots for colorful fall foliage are forecast to be in parts of upstate New York, western New York, and central and northern Pennsylvania,” said AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok.

“Another big area from the Great Lakes, Midwest, and down to the lower Mississippi Valley looks pretty good as well. They’ve had decent amounts of precipitation this summer. Going into the early fall season, it looks drier and the nights look cooler, especially in the north.”

Franconia Notch State Park – Photo credit: Patrick Clarke

Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire’s White Mountains is a bucket-list spot for leaf peepers who can also explore neighboring Vermont’s breathtaking Quechee Gorge, covered bridges and maple syrup stops along the way. 

Where to Travel for Autumn Adventure

Head out west to the invigorating Sierra Madre mountain range to discover Wyoming’s all-inclusive Brush Creek Ranch.

In addition to remarkable fall colors, guests can engage in thrilling activities such as horseback riding, fly fishing, wing shooting, paintball and more as well as more calming moments like scenic picnics and meditation.

Photo credit: Bush Creek Ranch

Indoor experiences include distillery and wine tastings alongside cheese pairings, sound healing sessions and even cooking classes at The Farm at Brush Creek.

Where to Travel for Spooky Season

New Orleans, Louisiana is an easy choice for fear fanatics this October. After all, the Big Easy is practically overflowing with indelible sites and attractions boasting haunted history, including St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which dates back to the late-18th century.

Other can’t-miss sites include the LaLaurie Mansion on Royal Street and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, which has been serving up spooky suds and cocktails on iconic Bourbon Street since the 1700s.

New Orleans cemetery – Photo credit: Adobe/christie

For a luxe stay right in the middle of all the action, consider The Eliza Jane. This historic and charming hotel also offers a Saints’ Season package for football fans attending the home team’s October matchups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (October 13) and Denver Broncos (October 17) inside the Caesars Superdome just a short two miles away.

Travelers hoping to celebrate Day of the Dead south of the border can do so at the Thompson Zihuatanejo, a hidden gem in Mexico that will offer unique activities in honor of Dia de los Muertos from October 31 through November 2, 2024.

Special experiences will include an altar (ofrenda) building program, skeleton makeup sessions, specially curated dinners and parties.

Where to Travel for Major Sporting Events

College football fans will want to set their sights on Dallas, Texas for the return of the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners on October 12. Texas leads the all-time series heading into the 120th meeting but Oklahoma pulled off a stunner in 2023.

For the best NFL action, fans can head to Santa Clara, California to experience a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers on October 20.

The new NBA season will tip off with a championship celebration of the Celtics in Boston on October 22. The reigning champs will host the New York Knicks while the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves in the City of Angels on the other side of the country to conclude the league’s opening night festivities.

Photo credit: Visit OKC

Where to Travel for Other Exciting Events

Oklahoma City will come to life all month long with exciting events like Pumpkinville at Myriad Botanical Gardens featuring pumpkin-themed games and rides from October 4-20 and Frontier City’s Fright Fest offering haunted attractions from now until October 27.

Visitors can also partake in Haunt the Zoo at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Travelers can also venture just outside of the nation’s capital to experience the very best of the season in Alexandria, Virginia. Art on the Avenue kicks off on October 5, featuring more than 350 artists, dozens of food vendors and live music.

The same weekend will feature Mount Vernon’s Fall Wine Festival from October 4-6. There’s also the Fall Harvest Festival on October 19-20, which will entice visitors with 18th-century activities and demonstrations at the Farm at Mount Vernon. 

Where to Travel for a Second Summer

If you opt for a getaway to the U.S. Virgin Islands this fall, your summer doesn’t have to be over.

The sun-kissed islands offer not only sensational weather but fewer crowds this time of year and, what’s more, Americans don’t require a passport to visit.

Trunk Bay in St. John, US Virgin Islands – Photo credit: Adobe Stock / SeanPavonePhoto

Visitors can look forward to snorkeling adventures in idyllic Trunk Bay and even experience rich history and culture in places like St. Croix.

Domestically, travelers may consider La Quinta in the Southern California desert. This time of year, the crowds have thinned but the sensational weather has remained, making this part of the Coachella Valley ideal for golfing at renowned courses and taking scenic hikes.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.