Favorite Fall Destinations
- carleerduncan
- Aug 30, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 10, 2021
With summer quickly fleeting I find myself thinking about a fall getaway. Over the last few years we've made it a tradition to take a mid-fall trip lining up with our anniversary (October 9th!). While I love the a good spur of the moment vacation, I also think it can make a trip even more meaningful to plan around a special occasion. Here's a few of my favorite fall destinations, from low season beaches to leaf peeping forests, there's sure to be a place to fit your fancy.
Folly Beach, South Carolina
Just a short 20 minute drive from Charleston, South Carolina you'll find the easygoing beach town of Folly Beach. Check out my full post on our short stay on this laid-back island.
Fall Weather:
We visited the island during early November and had a mixture of high 60 degree days and mid 70 degree days. Not necessarily sunbathing weather but warm enough strolling the streets and beach were comfortable.
The Highlights:
November is definitely a shoulder season, the island was not overly crowded and rates were reasonable. We stayed in an AirBnB just a short stroll from the beach and Center Street.
Beautiful, large east coast beach with a pier.
Walkable island life. Rent bikes/bring bikes and cruise around the Island looking at all the beach houses & hippie homes!
Dog friendly (be sure to check seasonal restrictions). We didn’t bring our Max with us but we did met Folly (pictured above left) on our first day!
Morris Island Lighthouse sunset excursions (pictured above middle and right). Check out the link below for SUP and kayak rentals as well for back water fun.
Places We Loved:
Taco Boy - loved this place, great margs! https://www.tacoboy.net/folly
Lost Dog Cafe - best breakfast, outdoor dog friendly seating & has pictures of dogs all over the walls! https://lostdogfollybeach.com/
Bert's Market - Open 24/7 and has complimentary coffee! https://www.facebook.com/bertsmarket/
Lake Placid, New York
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks is an autumn lovers dream come true. Upstate New York has so much to offer year round but after being there during peak leaf season I can't imagine it any other way. I have a full post on our time in Lake Placid that you should definitely check out if you're a proud member of the leaf peeper's club too.
Fall Weather:
October weather in the Northeast can be tricky to predict. We had a mixture of sun and rain; highs in the low 70s and lows in the 60s. My advice, bring warm clothes and comfy shoes for walking around town and definitely add a rain jacket to the list!
The Highlights:
Hiking, hiking, and more hiking. I have full details on the hikes we choose here.
Upscale and cabin casual. Lake Placid has a great mix of food and entertainment for everyone.
We stayed in the most magical AirBnB with the best hosts! Our cottage was a 1 mile walk around Mirror Lake to the city center.
Places We Loved:
The Cottage- delicious drinks & yummy apps with a view!
The Black Bear - amazing authentic Italian food, burgers and more. Definitely plan ahead and make reservations. Check out their menu below.
Purple Saige - enjoy a bottle of wine and 3 delicious courses.
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is Red Rock country and a desert trip in the fall was the perfect location for our mother-daughter getaway. With such a mild climate, Sedona is a great year round destination. Get all of our mother-daughter trip details from our time in Arizona here.
Fall Weather:
Weather was as expected in the desert, cooler mornings lead to warm days. We visited Sedona in November and found mornings to be on the chilly side (50s-60s) but as mid-day hit the desert sun was warm (hot by some standards). The dry heat was a welcomed break from the muggy mid-west!
The Highlights:
Bring on the outdoor activities. Enjoy everything from hiking and outdoor yoga, Sedona is an outdoor enthusiasts dream. You could spend ALL DAY outside.
Pool time in November was a delight
Energy vortex exploration will leave you feeling inspired
Unique spa services like a Prickly Pear Cactus body wrap
Places We Loved:
Mii Amo Spa - this is where we stayed and loved every minute of our time at this spectacular location. The spa is currently under construction until Spring 2022.
Devil's Bridge Hike - Moderate hike with stunning views!
Kachina Woman Rock Vortex - A manageable hike with inspiration at the top.
Honorable Mention Locations:
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Siesta Key, Florida
Charlotte, North Carolina
Black Mountain, North Carolina
Roanoke, West Virginia (Stonewall Jackson State Park)
Davis, West Virginia (Blackwater Falls State Park)
Bucket List Fall Destinations:
Maine / Acadia National Park
New England
Austin, Texas
Destin, Florida
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