Xplorie’s Top 3 Destinations for Autumn Adventures
October 26, 2021
Fall is a fantastic time of year and one of the most beautiful seasons to take a getaway, before the rush of the holiday season sets in. The leaves are already beginning to turn on the higher alpine peaks, the days are shorter but crisp and sunny, and destinations are less crowded.
The changing of the seasons brings a time of harvest, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and hillsides glowing with a canvas of rich autumn colors. Our top destinations for a fall getaway promise front row seats to Mother Nature’s finest artwork and endless leaf-peeping opportunities in the great outdoors.
Bend & Sunriver, Oregon
The fall colors in Central Oregon peak first in the mountain towns in the Cascade Mountains. The scenic town of Bend and nearby resort community of Sunriver are perfectly placed to experience the brilliant fall foliage in Central Oregon, mixed with a whole lot of adventure.
Bend is known as the “Outdoor Playground of the West” with the Cascade Mountains, Deschutes National Forest, and two of Oregon’s Seven Wonders providing the ultimate mountain playground. The trails are quieter and cooler for world-class mountain biking, sports climbing, and hiking, sapphire lakes dot the landscapes, and waterfalls cascade at every turn … all backdropped by the vibrant hues of fall.
The ultimate outdoor playground
Explore the Deschutes River Trail
Hike to the summit of Pilot Butte for panoramic views of Bend or through the Deschutes National Forest to the dramatic Tumalo Falls. Rent some cruisers and take a family bike ride along the Deschutes River Trail, go apple picking in the local orchards, or take a scenic drive on the Cascade Lake Scenic Byway, or to Smith Rock and the Painted Hills of Oregon.
The Deschutes River runs through the heart of town offering a scenic, in-town setting for fly fishing, picnics in Drake Park, and brewery tastings with a view. The Old Mill District, Historic District, and downtown Bend are all located along the banks of the river with shopping, award-winning restaurants, breweries, laid-back coffee shops, and activities for the whole family.
Our Xplorie partners offer the best selection of vacation rentals in Bend and Sunriver. Stay in an epic riverfront estate on the Deschutes River, in a secluded cabin surrounded by fall colors, or in a gorgeous pet-friendly family home on the fairways of the Sunriver River Golf Course, all with free activities to enjoy the best of Bend and Sunriver each day of your stay.
Enjoy a warm beverage at a cozy coffee shop in Bend!
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is one of the most popular summer vacation destinations on the East Coast with an influx of visitors crossing the Sagamore Bridge each year to enjoy the simple pleasures of summer in Cape Cod. The fall shoulder season in Cape Cod is fondly known as “Cape Cod’s Second Summer” with mild weather and warm water temperatures, and without the Cape Cod summer crowds.
The fall season in New England begins late September, peaking in mid to late October when the vibrant colors of the red maples, oaks, and beech trees contrast with the pristine Cape Cod coastline. The best way to experience the fall foliage in Cape Cod is to take a scenic drive or step outside and immerse yourself in the endless outdoor activities to be found in Cape Cod’s diverse habitats
Explore Cape Cod
Two-wheel adventures!
As you cross the Sagamore Bridge, take a diversion along Route 6A, The Old King’s Highway, for an introduction to the old-world charm and beautiful fall colors of Cape Cod. This scenic byway runs along the shoreline of Cape Cod Bay passing through quaint seaside villages with historic homes, churches and lighthouses, eclectic shops and art galleries, cranberry bogs, and enticing eateries for a lunch stop. If you prefer to explore on two wheels, Route 6A is also a popular Cape Cod road biking route or the Cape Cod Rail Trail runs along the old railroad through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet for a spectacular fall foliage bike ride.
Cape Cod boasts unspoiled beaches for long walks, beautiful waters for fishing charters, salt marshes and tidal creeks for kayaking, over 40 golf courses, scenic state parks, and miles of bike paths and nature trails for leaf-peeping on Cape Cod. Hike the Great Island Trail along the wild Cape Cod National Seashore, the historic Dune Shakes Trail in Provincetown, or through the woodlands and swamps at the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail. The Heritage Museum & Gardens in Sandwich is a favorite Cape Cod fall attraction with paved paths, nature trails, picnic sites, and gardens aglow with fall brilliance.
The Grist Mill in Sandwich, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world and fall is the peak season to encounter these magnificent creatures as they begin their migration south. Book your Cape Cod fall getaway with Kinlin Grover and Cape Cod’s finest whale watching experience is one of the many complimentary activities you can choose to enhance your stay.
Be sure to set time aside to attend a fall festival, shop for produce at a farmers market, sample fresh seafood at a boat-to-table restaurant, sip wine at a vineyard, or splurge on a sundae at a traditional ice cream parlor. A tranquil pace of life and the beauty of New England in fall.
Blue Ridge, Georgia
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a prime destination for leaf-peepers with one of the longest-running fall leaf seasons in the US. The vibrant leaves begin to pop in the higher elevations of the Parkway in early to mid-October and cascade down into the canyons and Blue Ridge foothills for a grand and vibrant finale in the lower elevation mountain towns around mid-November.
Incredible views of Blue Ridge Mountain foliage
Endless outdoor activities!
There are endless ways to experience the beauty of fall in Blue Ridge. Rent a bike and explore the trails or take a scenic tour along the Shallowford Bridge River on a Pedego Bike Tour, go apple picking in an orchard, take a trail ride through the Appalachian Mountains, cruise the shoreline of Lake Blue Ridge or embark on a fall foliage excursion along the scenic Toccoa River on the historic Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad.
Blue Ridge marks the start of the Appalachian Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail so be sure to pack your hiking boots to explore some of the best trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Chase waterfalls or take a family-friendly stroll to the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge on the Benton MacKaye Trail (there are over 16 waterfalls near Blue Ridge!), climb Springer Mountain, the start of the Appalachian Trail, or explore the trails at the Aska Adventure Center, a local favorite for hiking and mountain biking.
You can’t beat the views in the mountains
A scenic drive in Blue Ridge is a must! Pack a picnic and head out of the Blue Ridge Parkway or take a slow, scenic cruise on the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway to Brasstown Bald in nearby Blairsville, Georgia’s highest mountain surrounded by the vibrant fall foliage of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on a clear day you can see 4 states!
For an authentic autumn experience with wooly sweaters, firepits and late-night smores, pumpkin pie, hot apple cider, and free activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains, look no further! From romantic cabins tucked in the woods to riverfront lodges with private hot tubs, our Xplorie partners offer the top selection of Blue Ridge mountain cabins with leaf-peeping from your front porch and free activities for the whole family.
