Seven Fall Family Vacation Ideas

With my kids (finally) back in school this week, I feel freed to start thinking about fall travel. Autumn's pleasant weather makes it my favorite time of year to travel, but there are some other benefits too: destinations are less crowded and prices are usually lower than they are during Summer and Winter holidays. I'm already starting to see some terrific airfares to destinations like Europe and Japan.

We are starting to make our own plans, four days in Orange County with the kids, and Thanksgiving in Bellingham, WA. I'm dreaming of a short jaunt to the East Coast or a longer trip to Europe or Japan, and I thought I would share some of my favorite fall travel ideas:

1. Middle East
   If you have children young enough to take out of school for a few weeks, this is a wonderful time of year to visit the Middle East. Weather is pleasant without the heat of summer or the dust-storm potential that accompanies late spring. You might not find many traditional kids activities in this region of the world, but it would be easy to draw a young child into a fantasy world set in any of the major monuments you'll see here.
2. Fall Colors
   A trip to see the fall leaves in Vermont is the classic fall road trip, but you don't necessarily need to fly across the country to see the fall colors. Here in Washington, we head to the Cascade mountains when it starts to get cold. Almost any of California's mountain towns have beautiful fall leaves too. For ideas in your state Google the state name followed by "fall leaves." For example, "New Mexico fall leaves" you might be surprised at what you find!
3. Big Cities
   Hotels in major cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco offer great fall deals. By waiting until fall to visit the major cities, you will not only miss the summer heat and crowds, but the arts season will be back in full swing.
4. National Parks
   When I was a child, my family visited Yosemite National Park the week after Labor Day every year. The park was pleasantly quiet (especially when compared with the summer rush), but the weather was still warm during the day. Yosemite isn't alone. Any National Park makes a great post-Labor day retreat. Best of all, the competition for camping spots and hotel rooms is lower than in the summer months, and you might even be able to find a last minute spot.
5. Repositioning Cruises
   Now is the best time to book an inexpensive cruise. In the Fall, the cruise lines move their big ships from summer destinations to winter ones. (They move them back in the Spring). The itineraries are unusual, filled with island visits along the route from the boat's summer home to its winter home, and costs can be surprisingly low. A repositioning cruise is a good choice if your main goal is to book a ship with lots of kids activities and you don't have your heart set on a classic itinerary. Be sure to double-check whether the regular kids activities will be running during the repositioning cruise.
6. Europe
   Airfares to Europe usually drop in the fall, and I am already seeing RT airfares for under $400 from some cities. Fall and early winter are also great times to get discounted rates on furnished vacation rentals. Thanksgiving dinner in Paris probably won't feature a turkey, but it will certainly be memorable and delicious.
7. Skip Fall. Plan a Winter Holiday
   One favorite strategy for our non-Christmas-celebrating family is to get away during Christmas week. Airfares and resort rates are both reduced during this time (with the resorts beginning to fill up again on the 26th). For those who do celebrate Christmas, consider celebrating in a country like Mexico, Spain or Italy where festivities take over entire cities. Masses are generally open to travelers, and a Christmas Mass in a beautiful old church would be an especially beautiful memory for parents and children alike.

Where Not To Go? I'll add one word of caution. Many resort destinations have great deals this time of year, but be sure to check your guidebook for seasonal weather information. Fall is hurricane season in many areas (for example Hawaii and the Bahamas). While you are unlikely to experience a hurricane, you might want to consider a different choice if heavy rain would "ruin" your vacation.

If you are planning to visit an all inclusive resort, call ahead to make sure that the kids activities you are counting on will be available during the quiet fall season.

Filed Under: vacation-ideas

4 comments | Posted on September 16, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

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