Editors' Picks: Favorite Fall Getaways

Get your last-minute traveling in before the holidays and the chill of winter strikes. We share our favorite fall destinations to inspire you to plan your next autumn vacation.

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Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

Cabot Trail is a scenic highway located around the rugged, northern coastline of Cape Breton Island. Locally referred to as "Trunk 30," it passes through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, the Margaree River Valley and along Bras d'Or Lake. Highlights of the drive include the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck, whale watching in Pleasant Bay, quaint fishing villages such as Belle Cote and Dingwall, and the North Highlands Community Museum in Cape North. — Kwin, Managing Producer

Maryland's Eastern Shore

While the Delmarva Peninsula is a regular summer getaway for residents of the mid-Atlantic, I personally love it best in the fall. Filled with farmers markets, local festivals and regional parks, the area always has plenty to do this time of year. Entertain the whole family by picking pumpkins at a roadside stand, or get lost in the Breckenridge corn maze. For a more adult venture, tease your taste buds at the Good Beer Festival or Autumn Wine Festival on your way through Salisbury. Then, make the short drive down to Assateague Island to see the wild ponies gallop along pristine coastline. And of course, no fall trip to the Eastern Shore would be complete without one last crab feast along the Wicomico River. — Matt, Interactive Producer

Minneapolis-St.Paul

You haven't lived until you've seen the Twin Cities in the fall. Take a scenic leaf-peeping drive along Minnehaha Parkway in Minneapolis or Summit Avenue in St. Paul, or head down River Road to see the leaves on both sides of the Mississippi River. Go hiking and biking in nearby Fort Snelling State Park and Afton State Park. Sports venues are popular spots in the fall, too. Watch the season wind down for the Minnesota Twins at Target Field; catch a Minnesota Vikings or University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football game at TCF Bank Stadium; and cheer on runners in the annual Twin Cities Marathon. For shoppers looking for a new fall wardrobe, take advantage of the tax-free shopping on all apparel. — Kwin, Managing Producer

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

The crowds on Cape Cod, like the summer heat, begin to fade in the fall. It's a great time to explore the cape and enjoy the crisp weather by the sea. I recommend checking out the sites by foot or bike and soaking in the weather on walks along the dunes. While the beach may not be the top priority to visit during the fall, you can enjoy everything from a Cranberry Harvest Celebration to the OysterFest to a Haunted History Tour. While you're there, check out the Wellfleet OysterFest, a two-day, family-friendly festival that celebrates the oysters, clams and shell-fishing traditions that the town is famous for. — Kristen, Photo Editor

Fontainebleau, France

This forested region south of Paris is a magical bouldering area that everyone should visit at least once. It has enough rock climbing to last a lifetime, and you can spend hours wandering through the forests playing on the amazing sandstone boulders. During this season, you can see the beauty of the fall foliage, which could rival the best locations in the U.S. I recommend starting each day at a local bakery to enjoy a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant), and be sure to grab a baguette, some foie gras and a bottle of Bordeaux to snack on at the boulder fields. On rest days, visit the town of Fontainebleau or take the train into Paris for some sightseeing. — Arthur, Video Project Manager

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

For me, the ideal vacation day ends with sore muscles, dirty hiking shoes and a warm drink while watching the sun set over an alpine lake. That's why my fall getaway is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Combine stunning vistas of the Tetons with exciting outdoor activities, take out the tourists, and you have a perfect place to forget that you have to be back at work the next week. — Josh, Digital Operations Manager

Lewes, Delaware

This quaint coastal town quiets down a lot after Labor Day, making fall the perfect time to stroll the scenic trails and beaches at Cape Henlopen State Park without the crowds. Enjoy the cooler weather, a canal view and some seafood and pub fare with an outdoor table at Irish Eyes, followed by some window-shopping in the local boutiques downtown. My husband always likes to get in a round of golf at nearby Baywood Greens, after which we settle in for a few cocktails on the clubhouse deck overlooking the lush landscape of the 18th hole. If beer is more your style, take the 20-minute drive to Milton, Delaware, where you can tour the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and visit its tasting room. — Hannah, Digital Copy Editor

New Orleans

Spend one weekend in New Orleans during the fall, and you will quickly understand why visiting the Big Easy in autumn is a must. This city keeps locals and visitors busy with countless of events from late September through November, including Oktoberfest, the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, the Louisiana Seafood Festival and the Voodoo Music and Arts Experience, a three-day Halloween weekend concert series. New Orleans also hosts costume events, such as Boo at the Zoo at Audubon Zoo, and fun street events on Bourbon and St. Ann Streets in the heart of the French Quarter. — Rani, Director

Austin, Texas

Seems as though everyone knows someone who's moved to Austin these days, and Austin City Limits is the perfect excuse to crash at their place. The two-weekend music festival inspired by the PBS concert series has become increasingly popular in its own right, featuring 100-plus impressive acts, an art market and some of the best Austin eats, with vegetarian and gluten-free options, of course. If you're looking to detox after thre days of nonstop bands and BBQ, pick up a Green Light smoothie from JuiceLand before Zenning out in BFree Yoga's beautiful studio space. — Sara, Senior Interactive Producer

New York

My favorite time to visit New York is early autumn, when the air is crisp and you can spend all day outside without melting. People-watch at High Line Park, stroll along the Brooklyn Bridge, or take the East River Ferry to Brooklyn with spectacular views of Lower Manhattan and the wind in your hair. End the day at Frying Pan, a multilevel, historic floating bar at Chelsea Piers, for prime sunset viewing with a backdrop of the Hudson River.— Kathleen, Interactive Producer

Chicago

It's understandable why it's called the Windy City, because once winter rolls around, Chicago turns cold, unpleasant (temperature-wise) and very — you guessed it — windy. But if you're lucky enough to book a flight for the fall, you're in for a real treat. Take in a Bears game at Chicago's famed Soldier Field, or join in the family fun picking pumpkins at nearby Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm, a 30-acre pumpkin patch where you can cut your favorite straight off the vine yourself. And if you happen to find yourself in town in mid- to late October, take in a few of the upcoming year's best new movies during the Chicago International Film Festival. — Ben, Interactive Producer

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Editors' Picks: Favorite Fall Getaways

Related To:

Shop This Look

Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

Maryland's Eastern Shore

Minneapolis-St.Paul

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Fontainebleau, France

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Lewes, Delaware

New Orleans

Austin, Texas

New York

Chicago

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