Fall is such a great time to get away for a little rest and relaxation with your family. The temperatures are cooler, gas prices are usually down, and the autumn leaves paint the hills and mountains gorgeous shades of red, yellow, and orange. If you’re looking for a long-weekend getaway spot to recharge and reconnect with your family, look no further than these fabulous destinations. They’ve got gorgeous fall scenery to enthrall you, plus plenty of fall attractions to keep kids and adults happy.
Dawn at Maroon Bells With Autumn Aspen Trees and Maroon Lake in the Rocky Mountains near Aspen Colorado. Ron Thomas
Aspen, Colorado
This luxurious little town in the mountains of Colorado isn’t just for celebrities and billionaires. With it’s snow-capped peaks, posh ski resorts, and incredible hiking trails, Aspen is an outdoor-lover’s dream. It’s also very child and dog-friendly all through the year. Fall is particularly beautiful thanks to the yellow aspen trees against the bright blue sky — a gorgeous backdrop for all of your family fun. Hop on the Silver Queen gondola and ride to the top of Aspen Mountain (11,212 feet) for stunning views of the Elk Mountain Range. There’s a full-service restaurant up top, and plenty of easy trails to explore. More kid-friendly activities include horseback riding, mini golf, rock climbing, and tours of the famous Smuggler’s Silver Mine.
Fall foliage landscape with Mt. Mansfield in the background, Stowe, Vermont, USA. Don Land
Stowe, Vermont
Another mountain town worth visiting is Stowe, which is nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont. In many ways Stowe is the quintessential New England village, with a small-town vibe, cute shops, and friendly people. In October, the mountains turn from green to vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the town rolls out the welcome mat for visitors from all over the world. Drive your car to the top of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest mountain, and hike through the rare alpine tundra. Kids will also love touring the Ben & Jerry’s factory in nearby Waterbury, and filling up on cider and donuts at Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Two fabulous state parks, Waterbury Center and Smuggler’s Notch are both open through Columbus day.
Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA autumn landscape at Newfound Gap. Sean Pavone
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, with more than enough attractions to keep even the pickiest of travelers happy. The whole downtown provides sweeping views of the mountains, and the autumn colors in late October and early November will take your breath away! There are just too many awesome sites, hikes, and attractions to list them all, but for starters, be sure to check out the Gatlinburg Space Needle, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, Zip Gatlinburg, and Westgate Wild Bear Falls, which is an indoor water park — perfect for those rainy days.
Asheville, North Carolina
Located in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a vibrant city that embraces the outdoors in a big way. Fall brings crisp, cool air to go with the vibrant colors, and it’s the perfect time to get outside. Kids (and parents) will love hiking in Chimney Rock State Park or Pisgah National Forest, and the Broad French River is the perfect lazy river for a paddling adventure. In-town attractions include the Asheville Pinball Museum, the Botanical Gardens of Asheville, and the climbing wall at Fun Depot. Bonus — Asheville has a thriving food scene, and incredible architecture too.
Vivid yellow-golden sunset over the Santa Fe Ski Basin in Northern New Mexico. Dean Fikar
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Looking for a unique and swoon-worthy fall destination? Santa Fe was settled way back in 1610, and is known for its Pueblo-style architecture and thriving arts scene. October is a great time to see the high peaks surrounding the town shine with golden colors. Santa Fe adventures include fly fishing, hiking along pink volcanic cliffs, white-water rafting on the Rio Grande, and checking out the Santa Fe Children’s Museum. The downtown area is a destination in itself, with lots of cool shops, galleries, and restaurants to explore.