The summer crowds have thinned, and the weather is gorgeous. If you still have vacation days calling your name, Fall is the perfect time to getaway! But where should you go for a fall vacation?
Here are our top three destinations for fall vacations.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is great for so many things. Sweater weather, scarves, and coffee. Need we say more? If the cool weather hasn’t already sold you, consider that Seattle has great landmarks, attractions, and more than enough quirks to keep you interested and active.
Pike Place Market and the Museum of Pop Culture are excellent places to start your vacation. At these locations, you can see everything from fish throwing to a visual history of Hip-Hop. Pike Place Market is known as the “Soul of Seattle.” Starting in 1907, this nine-acre destination in downtown is one of the oldest and longest-running farmer’s markets in the United States. Not far away, you’ll find blobular architecture which is the Museum of Pop Culture. MoPOP is like no other museum on Earth. Hands-on experiences, iconic artifacts, and ever-changing exhibitions all add up to an experience unlike any other.
Adventurous travelers will enjoy Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. A short hike will take you into some of the most magnificent scenery in all of Washington state. To see as much of the fall foliage as possible, a driving tour of the park would be ideal.
If you like quirky and off the beaten path locations, you’re in the right spot. Visit the “Troll Under the Bridge” found in the Freemont neighborhood. The hands of this giant sculpture hold a VW bug, as if it had just plucked it from the street above. If you find yourself near Pike Place Market and you enjoy the smell of mint, stop by The Gum Wall. This unexpected and colorful display will either have you giggling or standing in complete disgust. Either way, it definitely ranks high on the “quirk” factor.
We recommend planning your trip for September or early October as the weather is perfect and the rains haven’t yet started.
Munich, Germany
Visiting Munich in the fall allows you to catch the golden glow of the city, highlighted by the changing colors of the trees, which makes this destination perfect for fall vacations.
Determined to get your daily steps in? Climb St. Peter’s Bell Tower. Your 299-step climb will be rewarded with the best view of Munich’s Old Town. If you’re going on the weekend, plan to get there early as it can become crowded.
Munich’s palaces invite exploration on crisp Autumn days. Visit the Nymphenburg Palace which was a summer getaway residence for monarchs. Neuschwanstein Castle is another good option. You will be in awe of its splendor and will immediately understand why it was the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.
Oktoberfest! Munich is home to the largest Volksfest in the world. The beer-fueled festival is over 200 years old and features regional delicacies. There are also traditional dancing and musical performances throughout the two-week-long celebration. The main areas can get a little rowdy at times. Check out the Oide Wiesn area for a more sedate and traditional experience.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is located in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and is a picture perfect destination for fall vacations. It is known to have one of the most dramatic displays of fall foliage in the U.S. Spend time in the quaint downtown area enjoying its unique shops, restaurants and breweries. Go on an urban tour that encompasses ziplines, sky bridges and soaring adventure towers that offer sweeping views of downtown Asheville. Attend one of the many fall festivals during your visit or take a trip to an Apple Orchard and pick your own apples.
Drive through the beautiful Pisgah National Forest as the trees show off there multi-colored leaves. Here you can soak up the fall foliage as you hike trails through the colorful leaves to find the beautiful waterfalls.
One of our favorite trails to hike while visiting the Asheville area is Graveyard Fields Loop Trail. This family-friendly hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway has something for everyone and several hiking options.
While in the Asheville area, drive over for a day at the Biltmore Estate. It is a Gilded Age mansion and is the largest privately owned house in the U.S. While there, have a glass of wine at the winery or take a stroll through the gardens. Want to extend your stay at the Biltmore Estate? Consider staying at one of the three options on the Biltmore Estate or just outside the entrance gate in the historic Biltmore Village. There are several places to stay in Biltmore Village, from luxury accommodations to family-friendly hotels.
You can definitely get a full dose of the fall season when you visit Asheville.
If all of this has you dreaming of dusting off your traveling shoes, let us know. We would love to help you “fall” in love with these beautiful destinations for fall vacations. Schedule your Complimentary Consultation today and let’s start planning your fall getaway.
Interested in a romantic couples getaway? Click the link below to discover a few of our favorite destinations for a romantic getaway.
