Foliage, Family Fun, And Food

From leaf-peeping to pumpkin harvesting, fall is a feast for the senses. Whether you’re keen on one major fall activity or want to take in the full fall experience, these getaways will appeal to every sense and remind you why autumn is the perfect time to travel.

See the Colors in Michigan

Between the peaks of McLouth and Disciples Ridge and just north of Traverse City, you’ll gaze up at SkyBridge Michigan at Boyne Mountain Resort. Believed to be the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, it stretches 1200 feet and hangs 118 feet in the air. Venture across the heart-pounding bridge, and when you get to the middle, stop and exhale – you now have a 360-degree view of Boyne Valley and the hills of northern Michigan, all bathed in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.

You’ll want to shake off the shakes and take a seat when you get to the other side. Fortunately, you’ll find a food truck, outdoor fire pits, and live music at Boyd Mountain Resort. If your travels allow you to stay awhile, the resort hosts seasonal events, including the Boyne Bavarian Cup soccer tournament and the Heights and Frights event where Hollywood villains come to life. For the quintessential Michigan fall experience, the 14th Annual Skitober won’t disappoint, with keg bowling, stein hoisting, pond pedaling, and the great Bier Hall filled with craft brews and live music. Skitober culminates in the Pray for Snow Bonfire, when the locals toss skis into the fire as fuel for a good winter season.

Smell the Flowers in Dallas

If you want to immerse yourself in beauty and inhale the aromas of fall, there’s no better place than the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Autumn at the Arboretum continues through November 5, and its 66 acres will keep you busy for an entire day. Discover 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash and 150,000 fall-blooming plants as you wind and wend your way through the garden. This year’s theme, It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, is evident in the Peanuts crew interspersed with themed pumpkin houses and the classic maze filled with delighted kids.

This arboretum is unique in that as immersed as you’ll be in the gardens, you’ll find yourself drawn to the views of the Dallas skyline over White Rock Lake. The blend of cityscape and greenspace is striking, and after a day of nature, you can relax with a great meal in the Big D.

Listen to Nature in the North Georgia Mountains

Atlanta may be bustling with city life, the sounds of cars, the MARTA train, and the Hip Hop for which it’s known pulsing in the background, but just an hour north, the sounds change considerably. From hiking Amicalola Falls (pronounced Am-ah-cuh-lo’la) to wandering the small treasure of a town, Dahlonega (pronounced Duh-lon’-uh-guh), you’ll hear babbling brooks, gushing water, and plucking banjos in the Dahlonega square. All are nestled in mountains draped in fall colors, providing a stunning backdrop to your time in nature.

Further north in Alpine Helen-White County, grab a tube and ride the natural rapids of the Chattahoochee River. Visit Smithgall Woods State Park, an anglers paradise where you can fish for trout then retire to your mountain cottage retreat, your creek-side porch the coziest of perches for hearing birdsong and chirping frogs. If you’re looking for the ideal hike to take in every kind of terrain and every bit of fall, trek on over to Anna Ruby Falls, arguably the most popular trail in the area.

Taste Fall Flavors in Houston

Houston isn’t a traditional fall getaway, but if you find yourself in this city for business or pleasure, check in at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston for all the fall feels. If your preferences run more toward indoor activities and romantic retreats, this is the place to find that, plus a whole lot of pampering.

Start your day at the hotel’s coffee shop Bayou & Bean, with – of course – a pumpkin spice latte or a cinnamon roll coffee. Order up an apple pie Danish or spiced maple oat scone and feel free to take it back to your room for breakfast in bed.

Then head to the Sugar & Spice Spa, where you can indulge in luxurious fall-themed body and nail treatments. Think a slow, 80-minute experience with a scrub, body butter, oils, and massage. The Sugar and Spice Body Scrub & Massage and Sugar and Spice Nail Treatment both bring in the tastes of fall, like cinnamon sugar, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice.

For dinner, what else would you choose but a traditional Octoberfest celebration? At Houston’s newest whiskey bourbon bar Bayou & Bottle, sip on German beer and dive into soft pretzels with cheese dip, Bavarian bratwurst, Muenster cheese, and whole grain mustard, all from the special Octoberfest menu. This chic lobby bar serves a full dinner menu, so make yourself comfortable and settle in for the evening.

Polish off your day at the hotel’s swanky speakeasy. Hidden behind a bookcase and only accessible with a special code, this hidden gem known as Bandista is always a delight. And their All Hallows-themed experience kicks it up a notch. From October 25 to 28^th, you can ride fall right into Halloween, dress up, and be served spooky cocktails by vampire bartenders.

Touch Fall’s Bounty in Southwest Illinois

Dubbed the Great Rivers and Routes region, Southwest Illinois takes you back to the farm for a hands-on fall experience. The region is situated among three of the nation’s great rivers – the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois – and boasts famous roads, history, and small town charm. It also offers a wide range of U-Pick farms where you can get down and dirty and emerge with fresh apples and pumpkins.

Take the whole family to DeMange Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch and capture those fall Instagram photos at the 15 acre corn maze, the pumpkin patch, cuddled next to bonfires, and on tractor-pulled hay rides.

At Mills Apple Farm, just a short drive from St. Louis, farm animals, country peace and quiet, and of course apples are the plan for the day. If you don’t want to trouble yourself turning your pick into a baked good, you can buy made-from-scratch pies, preserves, and local honey ready to take home.

For the more rambunctious crowd, race over to Boonie’s Farm. While you can enjoy all the traditional activities like a corn maze and the search for the Great Pumpkin, additional, wilder offerings may catch your interest. Take aim with the pumpkin and gourd cannon, a lesson in aerodynamics the kids will never forget. Ride the zip line, jump on a giant pillow, and careen down the hillside on a slippery slide. Giant Jenga, jumbo Legos, and photo opps with the animals will round out this fun fall day.

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