It’s everyone’s new favorite season to travel: fall. With it comes cooler temps, less crowds, and lower prices—what’s not to love?
If you’re planning a trip this fall, here’s what to know to make the most of it:
1. Where to go leaf peeping in the U.S.
Leaf peeping is all about timing. And—*checks calendar*—some destinations are already experiencing peak colors. Fortunately, you can be in the know about where and when to go with this fall foliage prediction map. It shares a week-by-week forecast of when the leaves will change and peak colors will be on show.
Simply toggle the slider to the dates you have in mind for a leaf-peeing trip, and reference the color-coded guide to gauge when you can experience foliage at its most colorful.
2. Where everyone’s traveling in October
Maybe you love the hustle and bustle of a popular tourist destination. Or, maybe you prefer to avoid crowds. Either way, you can make an informed decision by knowing where American travelers are headed in October. Check out the list of top flight destinations, below.
| Rank | Domestic destinations | International destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Las Vegas | London |
| 2. | Orlando | Tokyo |
| 3. | Chicago | Rome |
| 4. | New York | Paris |
| 5. | Boston | Cancún |
| 6. | Phoenix | Barcelona |
| 7. | Los Angeles | Athens |
| 8. | Denver | San José del Cabo |
| 9. | San Francisco | Amsterdam |
| 10. | Dallas | Madrid |
Methodology: The top destinations for TripIt travelers in October are based on reservations in TripIt as of Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
3. Where to get in the spooky spirit
Love Halloween? Want to plan a fall trip with a spooky twist? Here are a few destinations to consider:
Hudson Valley, New York
Hudson Valley—an easy Amtrak or Metro North train ride from NYC—is ripe with fall activities that range from festive to downright frightening.
On the festive end, opt for a jaunt through Van Cortlandt Manor when it’s dressed up for The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. That is, covered in thousands of hand-carved jack o’lantern displays, including life-sized dinosaurs and a Pumpkin Planetarium.
As for frightening? You’ve heard of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, right? You can visit the real village of Sleepy Hollow, New York. Or, head to nearby Tarrytown where author Washington Irving lived. His historic home will be decorated for the season.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is one of America’s spookiest cities thanks to its historic cemeteries, reported ghost sightings, and famed voodoo-practicing residents. Take a ghost tour—via trolley, hearse, or on foot (there’s even a haunted pub crawl)—to learn about the city’s dark past and access some of its most haunted locations.
Stowe, Vermont
While you might think of Vermont as the quintessential leaf-peeping destination (and it is!), you can also experience the supernatural side of the Green State. In particular, head to Emily’s Bridge in Stowe—its namesake is said to haunt the bridge and all those who dare to pass.
New Orleans, Louisiana
If you love parades, New Orleans should be on your fall destinations list. Enter: the Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade. This annual Halloween parade features floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and walking krewes—all marching through NOLA’s historic French Quarter. This year, the parade takes place on Saturday, October 19th.
4. How to get ahead of travel disruptions
Never mind haunted houses—there’s nothing more frightening than travel plans gone awry.
Recent TripIt data showed that, of survey respondents who had flown in the past three months, one-third (33%) experienced some sort of flight disruption. The most common disruption was a delay of an hour or more.
As you plan your fall trip, ensure that you have the right tools to help you anticipate travel disruptions—and get your trip back on track. TripIt Pro Risk Alerts notifies you when a potential disruption may impact your trip—even before they result in a flight delay or cancellation. These proactive alerts keep you in the know, so you can make informed decisions and stay agile as unexpected situations arise.
5. Where to partake in pop culture
If the preceding months of the year have taught us anything, it’s that Americans love a pop-culture trip. In fact, 40% of American travelers said they were planning one in 2024.
So, what’s on tap for the ‘ber months?
This fall is your last chance to catch the Eras Tour; Taylor closes out her record-breaking tour with stops in Miami, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Sports-inspired trips are popular this time of year, too. Many Americans travel to see their favorite sports team play. Meanwhile, mountain towns are readying for the return of their season—with some resorts projected to open late October or early November.
