Best Places to Travel in October and Why its the Best Month

In October I enjoyed some of my best vacations ever. We recently traveled to France and Germany! In looking back over my many years of travel and adding this latest experience, it reinforces, once again to me that OCTOBER is the best month to travel. Here are some of the best places to travel in October and why you should go at that wonderful time of the year.

Why Travel in October?

Let’s begin with all the amazing seasonal treats, like fresh hot apple cider, caramel apples, pumpkin spice everything, maple syrup, cinnamon and cider donuts, apple pie, and so many other autumn tastes and aromas.

The summer crowds are gone – I don’t know how many times on our fall vacations that I said, “I’m so glad we’re not here in the summer.” We’ve never had problems with lines or oppressive crowds even at the most popular destinations.

Perfect Weather for Scarves and Sweaters

Temperatures are perfect for walking in most climates. I’ve found that, for me, mid-sixty degree temps (F or 18C) are most comfortable for walking. A heavy coat isn’t needed. Generally, layers are best and a sweater and scarf are perfect for most times of the day and those aren’t bulky to carry around if the afternoon temps are a little warmer. I have a wonderful scarf collection with neckwear from around the world. Since I live in a warmer climate I love it when I have a chance to wear my scarves. And they’re so easy to pack to provide an easy way to switch up your wardrobe with a change of color or additional layer.

Bugs and humidity are gone – it can ruin a great walk or any outdoor activity if you’re constantly swatting at flies or mosquitoes or dripping in sweat. Besides the discomfort (and possible odor), it’s just exhausting. And let’s not even talk about what humidity can do to your hair. Also, who wants to go out in the dead of winter? Wind, snow, frost, cold. Not very conducive to being outside.

Alfresco Dining Weather

Alfresco (fresh air/outdoor) dining is on every corner in October – eating outdoors is one of my favorite treats when the weather allows. When you consider the cooler temps, lack of humidity, and absence of bugs in October, the prospect is even more attractive. During our last European vacation, we were able to have at least one meal at a cafe with outdoor seating nearly every day, enjoying the scenery and people-watching. It was so relaxing and refreshing!

• Here’s a sampling of some cool restaurants with a view from around the world.
• And some ocean-view restaurants with alfresco dining in Podstrana, Croatia that we enjoyed on the Dalmatian Coast.

More awesome destinations for alfresco dining

These articles will help you find dozens of the best places to travel in October to find alfresco dining.

• 20 Top Outdoor Dining Destinations
• Best Outdoor Dining in New York
• Best Cities for Alfresco Dining
• America’s 100 Best Outdoor Restaurants

October is the Perfect Picnic Weather

Of course, you can plan a picnic anywhere when the weather’s nice, but the Grand Canyon is one of the best places to travel in October. This yummy pizza and wine were one of my absolute favorite impromptu picnic meals. We shared this meal with dear friends while watching the sunset over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

We had late reservations at the Grand Canyon Lodge dining room and came to the lodge early to enjoy the sunset from the rocking chairs on the veranda with a glass of wine. When we smelled the mouthwatering blend of garlic with savory, spicy, and smoky aromas of pizza from the nearby deli we changed our plans and ordered one for the four of us to share. The meal, camaraderie, and ambiance were spectacular! Pizza and wine never tasted so good with such an amazing view. 

Tourist Areas are Cheaper and Quieter in October

October prices are often lower for accommodations, airfare, and rental cars because less people are traveling. We were able to get round-trip flights from Washington DC, flying into Paris and out of Munich for under $700 per person! I’m sure you know that France, Germany, Belgium are some of the best places to travel in October. CheapOAir has some excellent deals in October. Check on airfare prices below.

Prices for hotels of all kinds as well as private homes and vacation rentals at VRBO are also much more reasonable than during peak summer or close to winter holiday seasons.

Many kids start back to school in August or September, so families squeeze most of their vacation time into the summer months. That gives you an advantage to explore some of the best places to travel in October or the shoulder season. It’s the perfect lull between summer busyness and the holiday rush. Looking for something to do before ramping up for the holidays? What could be more fun than a new adventure in October?

In October venues and attractions are still open for reasonable hours and are not yet closed for the winter off-season. Some venues may close an hour or so earlier in October than in the summer, due to shorter daylight hours, but it’s still possible to enjoy a full day of activities within the available time, especially because there aren’t so many crowds and lines to navigate.

Autumn Leaf-Peeping in October

Click the link above to find this helpful interactive Fall Foliage Prediction Map of the Continental U.S. You can choose a date at the bottom of the map to see where fall colors are expected from September, October, and into November.

Some of the best places to travel in October in the U.S. for fall foliage are New England, Shenandoah National Park, and the mountains of Colorado. Brilliant red Maple trees in the Northeast, golden Aspens in Colorado, and a rainbow of autumn leaves across the country are on display for prime fall foliage viewing.

In fact, every state along our northern border with Canada is going to start showing its fall colors by early October. Temperatures can change quickly and a big storm can blow all the leaves down, so plan to visit late September to mid-October at the latest so you don’t get there when all the leaves are off the trees.

TIP: If you’re heading to the northeastern U.S. and the Hudson River Valley, in New York here’s a gorgeous Airbnb that we stayed in a few years ago.

Best National Parks For Fall Foliage

The benefits of the smaller crowds in the fall months, especially at the most popular national parks make a visit much more relaxing and enjoyable. First, you don’t have to fight as much to get reservations or seating for meals at the restaurants. You also have a better chance at lower rates and openings for lodging or camping reservations. The popular spots are also quieter and less crowded.

Experience the stunning fall colors in national parks perfect for USA travelers. Hike through the colorful landscapes of Denali, the National Mall, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. These parks are top choices for autumn leaf-peeping and the best national parks for fall leaves.

Check out my full post here for “10 Unexpected National Parks with Gorgeous Fall Colors“.

Fall Festivals

October also brings festival season because of such great weather! Some of the best places to travel in October are aptly named Oktoberfests in Germany and elsewhere, Fall Festivals, Wine Festivals, and Harvest Festivals are celebrated around the world. Or perhaps you have the colorful Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on your bucket list.

Are you a lover of mushrooms and truffles? Then check out these 20 events around the world celebrating these edible fungi. Some of them are in October. This perfect month also brings many food festivals to the Normandy Region of France in celebration of the 4 Cs of Normandy Cuisine. Foodies have a myriad of options. So many adventures, so little time…these are just a few.

• Alba International White Truffle Fair – Italy
• Best October Wine Tasting Destinations
• 12 of the Best Food Festivals Happening This Fall
• Top 10 Harvest Festivals Around the World
• 20 of America’s Best Fall Festivals
• 15 Fun Events Around the World in October

Ghosts and Scary Stuff

If you’re a fan of Halloween and all things scary, you’ll find special spookiness this month. The best places to travel in October offer spooky ghost tours and haunting celebrations. Even Disney and other amusement parks are filled with ghostly experiences. Some are more family-friendly than others. Here are a few lists of haunted destinations in all shapes and sizes. Or start researching now with “A Ghost Hunter’s Guide to the Most Haunted Historic Sites in America“.

• Find Halloween activities in your location
• 25 Ghost Tours Across America
• 10 North Carolina Ghost Tours
• Best Haunted Destinations in the U.S. for the Halloween Lover
• The South’s Best Ghost Tours
• Ghost Hunting Tours Around the World
• Halloween Trip to Sleepy Hollow, New York

Haunted Hay Rides

Did you know that many family-friendly hayrides have now turned to the Dark Side? Haunted hay rides are all the rage. Here’s a list of some of the most scary hay rides across the country for the best places to travel in October to enjoy a good scream.

Pumpkin Patches in October

Did you know that the leading pumpkin-producing states in America are Illinois, Indiana, California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania? If you’ve never been in a farming region in autumn, you may not be familiar with pumpkin patches. These family-friendly farms include activities that are quintessential fun in October and the fall months in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere. In addition to pumpkins, you may also find a farmer’s market, apple cider, fresh baked goods and so much more.

What can be better than wandering through a pumpkin patch to pick out your perfect gourd to carve for Halloween or simply leave naturally perfect for the fall season? Will you choose a tall one, a fat one, a tiny one, or maybe one of those strange ones that looks like it has warts all over it? Here are some lists of the best places to travel in October for pumpkin patch destinations in the U.S. and U.K. You can always do a quick search online and enter “pumpkin patches near me” to find the best ones in your area.

• Arizona Pumpkin Patches and Other Fall Fun from “Raising Arizona Kids”
• Virginia Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
• Travel Channel’s Top 15 Pumpkin Patches in the USA
• House Beautiful’s Best Pumpkin Patches in the U.S.
• Conde Nast Traveller Best Pumpkin Patches in the United Kingdom

October Corn Mazes

Corn mazes have come a long way in the last few decades. They’ve gone from simple fields planted with a basic maze inside to walk through, to intricate corn maze designs in the outline of people’s faces or complicated images with props, spooky characters, and bridges, etc. A corn maze can provide fun for the whole family and some are even set up to be spooky and haunted for nighttime thrills. There are even companies that farmers can hire to design and create a corn maze. Here are some FAQs about how they’re created.

• Best California Corn Mazes
• Travel Channel’s Top 10 Corn Mazes

What do you think are the Best Places to Travel in October?

The next time you have the chance to travel in October, I hope you’ll take advantage of this magical season. You won’t regret it. Where have you traveled in October? Which destination gets your vote as one of the best places to travel in October?