Crisp temperatures, scary movies, pumpkin spice lattes, fresh-picked apples, soups and stews, comfy sweaters … what’s that I see on the horizon? That’s right, friends, fall is creeping in. And, whether you’re ready to bid adieu to summer or are desperately clinging to the last few weeks of sizzling, sunny days, there’s no fighting autumn’s fast approach. Regardless of your excitement levels, one thing’s for certain, fall is an excellent, and beautiful, season for travel. Need some inspiration for your clients’ autumnal getaways? We’ve got you covered.

Leaf Peeping

According to 2024 search data collected by online travel company Priceline, Bucks County, Pennsylvania is this season’s most popular destination for chasing fall foliage. Situated less than an hour from Philadelphia and only a 90-minute drive from NYC, vacationers will love soaking in the region’s natural beauty as they hike the region’s 12 historic covered bridges, soar above the colorful treetops from the comfort of a hot air balloon or cruise along the area’s historic railroad aboard a 1920s vintage train.

Of course, Pennsylvania isn’t the only place visitors can experience the change of the seasons. According to Priceline, North Lake Tahoe in both California and Nevada; Bretton Woods, New Hampshire; Albany, New York; Idaho’s Payette River Scenic Byway; and Oregon’s McKenzie River Scenic Byway are all hot contenders among leaf peepers.

Spooky Sights and Stays

Whether they’re looking to stay close to home or travel across the pond, it’s no secret the world is filled with plenty of scary attractions ready to cast vacationers under their enchanting spells. Real-life haunts and frightening festivities present a scary good time in U.S. cities like New Orleans, LA; Salem, MA; Savannah, GA; and Gettysburg, PA while haunting escapes like Sighisoara,Romania; Glasgow, Scotland; Poveglia Island, Venice, Italy; and Dublin, Ireland have historic haunts hiding around every corner abroad.

Regarding haunted accommodations, there are plenty. Those brave enough to spend the night with a ghost — or two, or three … — will find no shortage of ghoulishly good hotels with a few permanent residents when they book a stay at one of the U.S’ most infamous haunted hotels including The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, The Don CeSar in Florida or Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.

Eerie Events

Theme parks have really stepped up their game when it comes to celebrating holidays, especially Halloween. For the bravest of guests there’s Universal Parks & Resort Vacations’ Halloween Horror Nights, a terrifying affair where visitors endure movie-quality haunts, sinister scare zones and wild entertainment. Similarly spooky are other adult-oriented festivities including Six Flags’ Fright Fest with its over-the-top characters and haunted attractions and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream, with its fiendishly delicious eats and heart-racing horrors.

However, while the above parks push their scares to the extreme, that doesn’t mean kiddos aren’t invited to get in on the fun. Instead, several parks offer family-friendly options including Knott’s Berry Farm with Knott’s Scary Farm, Disneyland Parks’ Oogie Boogie Bash and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and finally, SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular.

Noteworthy Destinations

With the grueling heat of summer in the rearview, some destinations really shine once fall rolls around. Places like Bavaria, Montreal and Buenos Aires come alive with annual celebrations including art, film and food festivals and, of course, Germany’s famous Oktoberfest. While stateside, America’s national parks boast less crowds and shorter wait times when school is back in session, making fan-favorites like Yellowstone, Zion, Great Smoky Mountains and Acadia more accessible. For vacationers who don’t mind dressing in a few extra layers, popular cold-weather destinations like Iceland, Alaska, Finland and Denmark reenter their low seasons in the fall, making it a great time to visit for the same great experience with fewer crowds.