Topic Guide

Fall & Halloween Fun

My favorite time of the year is September-November. I love fall leaf peeping, everything pumpkin, Halloween festivals and movie marathons, spooky attractions & haunted houses, and most of all, just hiking and enjoying nature outside with beautiful 60-70 degree temps. I will continue adding more to this guide as this is my favorite season to travel!

Leaf Peeping

I love hiking anytime of the year, but there is something so relaxing about hiking during the peak of fall. I am not sure if it is the perfect temperatures, the drier air, the lack of crowds, the crunching of the leaves under my feet, or the beautiful colorful leaves everywhere. Fortunately, I've lived in many of the best leaf peeping regions of the country including New England, the Blue Ridge mountains region, and beautiful Northern Arizona, the most underrated of them all.

Leaf Peeping at McConnells Mill State Park

McConnells Mill State Park, located 40 min from Pittsburgh, is a great fall daytrip with brilliant fall color, waterfalls, & miles of hiking.

5 min read

12 great leaf peeping destinations in the Carolinas

The best leaf peeping destinations in the Carolinas, including the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

11 min read

9 Places to See Fall Color in Arizona

The top places to see fall color in Arizona including the magnificent high altitude trails at Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff.

11 min read

10 Fantastic Fall Foliage Destinations

10 amazing fall foliage destinations including the high altitude trails at Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff and the Minuteman Bikeway in Boston.

14 min read

A Beautiful Autumn Walk Along the Inner Basin Trail in Flagstaff

My experience hiking the Inner Basin trail, a majestic leaf peeping adventure into the heart of the San Francisco Peaks.

9 min read

Allegheny Commons: Pittsburgh’s Oldest Park

To escape the city hustle, I recommend a stroll through Allegheny Commons, Pittsburgh's oldest park. This historical gem dates back to 1867.

5 min read

Minuteman Bikeway: The Perfect New England Fall Ride

My favorite bike trail in Boston, the Minuteman, runs a scenic 11 mile course from Bedford to Cambridge. Leaf peeping season is amazing!

6 min read

A Beautiful Fall Hike through Blue Hills Reservation

I love hiking & leaf peeping at Blue Hills, a massive reservation with 100+ trails located just 10 miles outside of Boston.

5 min read

A Relaxing, Colorful Fall Stroll Along the Aspen Nature Loop

The Aspen Nature Loop at Snowbowl is my favorite fall hike in Flagstaff. This trail is loaded with brilliant aspens this time of year.

8 min read

Attraction of the Week: Rough Ridge Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The hike to the 4773 summit of Rough Ridge is one of the most dazzling leaf peeping hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina.

5 min read

Fall is in the Air at Connecticut’s Devil’s Hopyard State Park

My favorite Connecticut park for leaf peeping features a beautiful 60 foot waterfall, a covered bridge, and beautiful hiking trails.

5 min read

Where to See Fall Foliage Near Asheville

The best fall foliage near Asheville including the North Carolina Arboretum, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Pisgah National Forest.

12 min read

Hiking Hotspot: Flat Rock Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Flat Rock is a great easy adventure up to a 4000+ foot summit in Western North Carolina. Views are especially dazzling at the peak of fall.

2 min read

Attraction of the Week: Graveyard Fields

60 foot Graveyard Fields is one of the most popular sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful fall foliage surrounds the waterfall in autumn.

7 min read

Autumn at the North Carolina Arboretum

Fall is the best time to take in the beauty of the North Carolina Arboretum, one of the best leaf peeping destinations in Asheville.

5 min read

5 Spectacular Fall Color Hikes near Pittsburgh

Gorgeous fall color hikes around the Pittsburgh metro. Enjoy colorful foliage, a great workout, and crisp weather.

6 min read

15 Amazing Fall Color Hikes

Amazing fall color hikes throughout the US. From the high altitude trails of Northern Arizona to the best of New England.

12 min read

5 Historic Covered Bridges to Check Out this Fall

Less than 800 covered bridges remain. Take a step back in time and view a few of the most beautiful remaining bridges.

6 min read

An Autumn Stroll to the Spectacular Lower Catawba Falls

Catawba Falls is a mesmerizing leaf peeping hike where you will get to see a 100 foot waterfall. One of my favorite hikes near Asheville!

6 min read

Hiking Hotspot: Raven Cliff Falls at Caesars Head State Park

At 411 feet, Raven Cliff Falls is the tallest waterfall in South Carolina. It's located within Caesars Head, a prime leaf peeping park.

7 min read

Bear Jaw: A High Altitude Adventure on the San Francisco Peaks

Bear Jaw is an amazing high altitude, leaf peeping trail on the north slope of the San Francisco Peaks, just outside of Flagstaff.

9 min read

New England in Arizona: A Fall Hike Along the Colorful West Fork Trail

Looking for a traditional fall hike in Arizona? Leaf peeping along Oak Creek's West Fork Trail is similar to a gorgeous trek in New England.

9 min read

Arizona Snowbowl in the Fall: Shimmering Golden Aspens Everywhere

Arizona Snowbowl is the best place to leaf peep during the wonderful autumn season in Flagstaff. The aspen-lined trails are incredible.

11 min read

Leaf Peeping Near Tucson: Fall Color on Mt. Lemmon

Leaf peeping at Mt Lemmon, a cool, high altitude fall escape just an hour outside of Tucson. I recommend the Aspen Draw trail.

6 min read

Attraction of the Week: Enders Falls in Northern Connecticut

Enders Falls is a small, yet attractive waterfall located in beautiful Enders State Park in the leaf peeping hotspot of East Haddam, CT.

5 min read

Snowshoe: Leaf Peeping in the Mountains of West Virginia

A weekend leaf peeping getaway to Snowshoe Ski Resort, located in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia.

7 min read

Cleveland Autumn Bucket List: Hiking, Leaf Peeping, & More

Cleveland fall must-dos including the most colorful fall color hikes, local pumpkin patches, and special autumn treats.

11 min read

5 Leaf Peeping Hikes to Check out Near Cleveland

My top picks for leaf peeing trails in the Cleveland metro including the incredible Brandywine Falls loop at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

7 min read

Halloween events & Haunted Places

I am big on celebrating all of the holidays and I love incorporating Halloween travel into my fall travel plans. Whether taking a haunted ghost tour, staying in a haunted hotel, or attending a spooky attraction like a Jack O'Lantern display, there are so many fun events this time of year. My favorite place I've lived thus far has been New England where it was not hard to find real life haunted locales!

Halloween in Cleveland: What to do Besides Haunted Houses

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. Check out all the spooky fun you can have in Cleveland this fall!

8 min read

Lizzie Borden: The Fall River Tragedy

I loved touring the Lizzie Borden house in Fall River, MA. This house is the site of the infamous, unsolved double murder case of 1892.

7 min read

Trick or Treat Disney Style: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

My guide to attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a special event held after hours at the Magic Kingdom. Enjoy festive decor, treats, & shows!

16 min read

Rhode Island’s Jack O’Lantern Halloween Spectacular: Over 5000 Unique Artistic Creations!

Thousands of artistic Jack O'Lanterns light up the night skies at this Halloween extravaganza at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence.

9 min read

Exploring Lowell: A Ghost Town Near Bisbee, AZ

Lowell is a historic Arizona ghost town located near Bisbee. Today, you can walk abandoned Erie Street and imagine life back in the 1950's.

4 min read

Halloween in Salem: Exploring Real Life Hocus Pocus Filming Locations

As a longtime fan, I toured Hocus Pocus film sites in Salem including Max & Dani's house, Allison's house, and Old Town Hall.

8 min read

Spooky Eats at The Haunted House Restaurant in Cleveland

The Haunted House restaurant in Cleveland is a unique horror themed concept where you can enjoy American comfort food and a spooky vibe.

8 min read

The Most Interesting Arizona Ghost Towns to Explore

The most intriguing Arizona ghost towns to visit including several former mining towns, 2 of which have been revitalized.

9 min read

The Monte Vista: My Stay in the Most Haunted Hotel in Arizona

I spent the night in one of the most haunted hotels in America, the Monte Vista just off Rt. 66 in downtown Flagstaff.

13 min read

10 Festive Halloween Attractions & Activities

10 festive Halloween attractions including the Hocus Pocus filming locations in Salem and a Jack O'Lantern Spectacular in Providence.

15 min read

6 Not-So-Scary Halloween Attractions

Amazing family-friendly Halloween attractions including Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyworld and Haunted Happenings in Salem.

9 min read

Halloween in Jerome: The Largest Ghost Town in America

As "the largest ghost town in America, Jerome, is the perfect place to spend Halloween. This mining town goes all out with spooky decor.

10 min read

A Fall bike ride through New England’s Myles Standish State Forest

I took a gorgeous fall bike ride through Myles Standish State Forest. Legend says an abandoned mental hospital is buried in the woods.

4 min read

Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland

My experience attending the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland. Halloween is the best time of the year with special treats, shows, & candy!

13 min read

Ghost Hunting in Plymouth, Massachusetts

My experience taking a ghost hunting tour in Plymouth. I loved using the EMF meters as we walked through creepy Burial Hill.

9 min read

8 Festive things to do for Halloween in Tampa

The best things to do this fall/Halloween season in the Tampa Bay area, from pumpkin treats to pumpkin patches!

10 min read

Plymouth’s Historic Burial Hill: History & Beauty Rolled into One

I love touring historic Burial HIll which is home to gravestones dating back to the 1600's. Many Mayflower passengers are buried here.

6 min read

Halloween in the ‘Burgh: My Favorite Festive Activities

My favorite Halloween events in Pittsburgh including the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular at the zoo, haunted mini golf at the Windmill, and more.

6 min read

A Spooky Halloween Spectacular at the Pittsburgh Zoo

The Jack O'Lantern Spectacular is back at the Pittsburgh zoo for its' second year, this time with over 2000 festive & artistic creations.

7 min read

Haunted Massachusetts: Ghostly Sites to Visit this Halloween!

The most haunted places I've explored in Massachusetts including Burial Hill in Plymouth and the Lizzie Borden house in Fall River.

18 min read

Fall Halloween Fun in Salem, Massachusetts

My favorite things to do over the Halloween season in Salem. Spooky cruises, a haunted wax museum, Hocus Pocus filming locations, and more.

10 min read

Attraction of the Week: Savannah’s Haunted East Bay Inn

The historic East Bay Inn, established in 1852, is one of Savannah's most haunted properties. A ghost named Charlie haunts Room 325.

8 min read

Fall Festivals & Pumpkin Treats

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to see if any local coffeeshops and restaurants are offering any pumpkin treats. From pumpkin ravioli, to pumpkin spice latte, I can never get enough. I also love picking out a fresh pumpkin at a local farm, strolling around farmer's markets, and seeing if there are any special fall festivals in the area.

10 Things to do this Autumn in Upstate South Carolina

The best things to do in autumn in Upstate South Carolina including fall foliage hikes, bike trails, and apple picking.

15 min read

Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum is ranked one of the best pumpkin festivals. With over 90,000 pumpkins, it's the top fall event in Texas!

9 min read

A Pumpkin Patch Like No Other: Bengtson’s Pumpkin Farm

I've been attending the fall festival at Bengston's Pumpkin Farm in Homer Glen Illinois for over 30 years. It's still pretty much the same!

7 min read

12 Things to do this Halloween/Fall Season in Flagstaff

My favorite ways to spend the fall and Halloween season in Flagstaff, an autumn lover's dream destination in northern Arizona.

17 min read

Where to get your pumpkin fix in Tampa

The best seasonal pumpkin treats in Tampa including Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Pumpkin Bread, and Pumpkin Poptarts.

6 min read

Ashtabula: A Beautiful Fall Day Trip near Cleveland

What I did on a fall daytrip to Ashtabula from Cleveland. The city is home to 19 covered bridges and a wonderful apple orchard.

10 min read

Fall Fun in Asheville, NC: 10 Things to See & Do

My favorite fall activities in Asheville. The city is a quick drive from leaf peeping hikes and waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

13 min read

5 Things to do this fall in Providence, Rhode Island

The best things to do during the autumn months in Providence including leaf peeping and a fantastic Jack O'Lantern Spectacular at the zoo.

5 min read

The best fall activities in Pittsburgh

What to do this fall in Pittsburgh, from leaf peeping at local parks, to apple picking at orchards, to spooky boat rides.

11 min read

Fall Treats: Where to Find the Best in Cleveland

Where to get your pumpkin fix in Cleveland: the best seasonal fall treats throughout the metro at both local businesses and chains.

7 min read

Attraction of the Week: Sky Top Orchard

At Sky Top Orchard in Western North Carolina, you can pick your own apples, take a scenic hayride, and enjoy fall treats.

6 min read

Search for more travel guides

You can search by state, city, category, activity or season.

Top Ten Travel Magazine Season Background