1. Chase the Harvest in Wine Country
Fall is the heartbeat of wine regions around the world, the moment when grapes are picked, crushed, and transformed into the year’s most exciting vintages. Head to Napa Valley or Sonoma to witness “crush season,” when wineries host special tastings, barrel tours, and vineyard dinners that aren’t offered any other time of year. If you’re after a European escape, Tuscany, Bordeaux, and the Douro Valley in Portugal combine incredible wine with stunning scenery.
Pro tip: Book vineyard tours in advance, as many boutique wineries limit visitors during harvest. And don’t rush from tasting room to tasting room; the best experiences happen when you slow down and chat with winemakers, many of whom are more accessible in the fall. If you’re road-tripping, plan scenic drives between vineyards: the golden vines and early morning mist are a photographer’s dream.
2. Go Full Cozy-Core with a Foliage Hike
There’s no travel experience quite like hiking through a forest at peak color. Whether it’s Vermont’s Green Mountains, Japan’s Nikko National Park, or Germany’s Harz Mountains, fall foliage hikes are all about immersive nature. Cooler temps also make long treks far more enjoyable than in summer’s heat, and trails tend to be quieter once the high season ends.
To make the most of leaf-peeping, plan your trip based on local foliage forecasts — peak color shifts slightly every year. Bring layers: crisp mornings can quickly warm into sunny afternoons. And don’t forget to stop along the way for seasonal snacks from trail towns — nothing beats a hot apple cider after a brisk climb. Bonus tip: sunrise and sunset hikes are especially magical, as the golden light makes the colors glow even brighter.
3. Glamp Under the Stars
Fall is the ultimate season for glamping, cool enough for cozy fires but still mild enough to sleep under the stars. Think Scandinavian-style cabins with panoramic windows, luxury tents in national parks, or treehouses tucked into fiery forests. Glamping allows you to immerse yourself in nature without sacrificing comfort, ideal for travelers who want the wilderness without the roughing-it part.
The idea of sitting out in a tent as the weather gets cooler might not sound too exciting, but if you’re able to enjoy the comfort and warmth of your own shelter, it can make a big difference. To that end, you can enjoy the crisp air and changing colors of nature much more easily by finding an RV park to stop at. With your own kitchen, beds, and heated interiors, it’s much easier to take in the beauty of camping without dealing with quite as much discomfort.
4. Take a Wildlife Safari Close to Home
Autumn is prime wildlife season: animals are on the move, preparing for winter. In Yellowstone, elk are bugling across misty valleys, while in Scotland’s Cairngorms, red deer are in full rut. Even closer to home, regional parks and wetlands offer amazing bird migration spectacles as flocks head south. These seasonal rhythms make fall an ideal time for safaris and nature-focused trips.
Expert tip: Bring binoculars and plan your outings early or late in the day when animals are most active. Many parks also offer guided fall wildlife tours, which are worth joining if you want deeper insights into animal behavior and ecosystems. Remember to keep a respectful distance, especially during mating or migration seasons — and let patience be your guide. Sometimes the best encounters happen when you simply stay still and watch.
5. Bike Through the Countryside
Fall’s cooler weather and vibrant landscapes make cycling one of the best ways to explore a destination. Pedal through apple orchards in New England, follow vineyard trails in France’s Loire Valley, or glide past canal-lined streets in the Netherlands. With harvest season in full swing, many routes feature farm shops, cider houses, and cozy cafés where you can pause and refuel.
If you’re new to cycling trips, consider joining a guided tour, as many companies offer fall-specific itineraries that include luggage transfers, picnic lunches, and wine tastings. Or rent e-bikes for a less strenuous ride and cover more ground. Pack layers and a lightweight rain shell, as weather can change quickly. And most importantly, give yourself time to stop often: the joy of fall cycling is less about speed and more about soaking in the scenery.
6. Get Spooky on a Haunted History Tour
With Halloween in the air, fall is the perfect time to embrace a destination’s eerie side. Explore Salem’s witch trial legacy, descend into the haunted catacombs beneath Paris, or join a lantern-lit ghost tour through Edinburgh’s cobbled closes. These experiences aren’t just about scares: they’re a fascinating window into the folklore, superstitions, and real histories that shaped a place.
For a deeper dive, seek out tours led by historians or storytellers rather than purely theatrical “haunted house” experiences. Many historic hotels and mansions also offer overnight stays with spooky reputations, a must for fans of atmospheric travel. Even if you’re skeptical about the supernatural, these tours often reveal forgotten corners of a city you’d never discover otherwise.
7. Explore a National Park in Its Off-Season Glow
Visiting a national park in the fall is like having a world wonder all to yourself. Yosemite’s waterfalls are framed by fiery maples, Banff’s lakes glow even bluer under golden larches, and Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes sparkle with autumn reflections. With fewer visitors around, it’s easier to snag prime campsites, photograph iconic viewpoints without crowds, and spot wildlife.
Shoulder season also means you can often score discounts on park lodges or guided excursions. Just remember to check seasonal closures — some roads and facilities begin shutting down by mid-fall. Layer up for chilly mornings, and pack a thermos of something warm to enjoy at a scenic overlook. The payoff? A more peaceful, more personal connection with nature.
8. Go All-In on a Harvest Road Trip
There’s something deeply nostalgic about a fall road trip: winding through country roads, stopping at pumpkin patches, and sampling hot cider straight from the press. The Hudson Valley in New York, Ontario’s Prince Edward County, and Germany’s Black Forest are all classic routes, but almost every region has its own autumn charms if you look for them.
For the best experience, plan flexible stops and build in time for spontaneous detours. A small-town harvest fair or a roadside farm shop can often become the highlight of your trip. Book a stay at a farmhouse inn or boutique B&B to deepen the local experience, and don’t leave without picking up seasonal treats like local honey, fresh jam, or a bottle of cider to bring home.
9. Soak in Hot Springs with a View
As temperatures dip, there’s nothing quite like slipping into a natural hot spring surrounded by autumn color. Iceland’s lesser-known geothermal pools, Japan’s traditional onsens, and the hidden mountain springs of Colorado or British Columbia all offer soul-soothing escapes that blend nature and relaxation.
To elevate the experience, visit at sunrise or twilight when the light is soft and steam curls into the cool air. Many hot spring resorts also offer spa treatments, forest bathing walks, or wellness rituals inspired by local traditions — ideal for travelers seeking rest and renewal. Just be sure to check access rules: some springs require advance booking, and others are only reachable by short hikes, which can be part of the adventure itself.
10. Make It a Mini City Break
It might not be the best time of year to go sunbathing at the beach or spend a ton of time outdoors, but it is a time when cities can be more vibrant with activity and culture. Fall is a popular time for festivals and markets, which can make it the perfect time to hit up one of your bucket list cities. Enjoy getting pampered at your hotel, shopping among the seasonal offerings, enjoying cozy days in local cafes, and the exciting nightlife scene of your chosen city. Some cities really do thrive in the fall and winter.
If you prefer cobblestones to campfires, fall is a golden time for urban escapes. With peak tourist season behind them, cities like Prague, Kyoto, and Montreal feel more local and laid-back. Parks blaze with color, cafés switch to seasonal menus, and cultural calendars fill with film festivals, design fairs, and autumn markets.
