You’ll Fall in Love with These Autumn Destinations
September and October can be an especially rewarding time to travel. Summer crowds have begun to disappear, temperatures are generally more comfortable and destinations that feel hectic during peak season become considerably easier to enjoy.
If you’re looking for someplace new and beyond the obvious, the travel team at WallyPark suggests these six gems. Each offers enough attractions for a two- or three-day trip, works for individuals, couples or families — and is within about 30 minutes of a major airport.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville has plenty of recognizable names — including Churchill Downs, Muhammad Ali and about a dozen bourbon companies. But that barely scratches the surface. Fall is an excellent time to explore the city’s historic neighborhoods, waterfront and parks. The Muhammad Ali Center and Louisville Slugger Museum are good anchor attractions, and The NuLu District offers a variety of galleries, shops and restaurants. In fact, the whole city’s culinary scene is good reason to stay an extra day. Bourbon fans can enjoy popular distillery tours, and families also have a variety of alternatives like the Kentucky Science Center and Louisville Zoo.
Nearest airport: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
Marquette, Michigan
On the southern shore of Lake Superior, Marquette delivers big scenery without the big crowds of better-known autumn locales. Fall is a prime time for hiking, biking and scenic drives as the forests begin turning color. Sugarloaf Mountain provides a panoramic view, while Presque Isle Park puts you right on the lake. But the city also has an appealing downtown with independent restaurants, breweries and shops. For something completely different, explore Marquette’s iron-mining heritage or make the drive to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Whether you love city living or communing with nature, Marquette offers the best of both worlds.
Nearest airport: Sawyer International Airport
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is an unexpectedly good fall destination because it packs history, culture, food and outdoor recreation into a single, manageable city. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and nearby 16th Street Baptist Church provide important context for understanding the city’s role in the Civil Rights Movement. Then there’s Railroad Park, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum — whose rare collection of motorcycles and race cars is a must for any motorsport fan. Finally, the food around Burmingham is unlike that of any other city, ranging from traditional barbecue to more ambitious contemporary fare.
Nearest airport: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola provides an attractive alternative for those who fear fall travel just means heavy sweaters and changing leaves. By late September, the Gulf Coast is less crowded and more comfortable, but beaches remain a major attraction. Spend a day on Pensacola Beach or Gulf Islands National Seashore, then explore Fort Pickens or the Pensacola Lighthouse. The city’s 450-plus-year history gives it more depth than the typical seaside getaway. The National Naval Aviation Museum is an outstanding indoor option for families and aviation enthusiasts. Downtown Pensacola also brings historic architecture, great restaurants and entertaining nightlife into the mix.
Nearest airport: Pensacola International Airport
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi offers an unusual blend of Gulf Coast relaxation, history, seafood and entertainment. September and October provide a welcome break from the summer rush, making it easier to enjoy the beach, fishing and outdoor activities. Indoors, the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum traces more than three centuries of coastal history, while the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art showcases the eccentric ceramics of George Ohr in a Frank Gehry-designed complex. The 1848 Biloxi Lighthouse is another distinctive landmark, and families also enjoy the Mississippi Aquarium. For adults, Biloxi’s casinos, restaurants and live entertainment provide a very different kind of weekend getaway.
Nearest airport: Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is one of the more intriguing choices for travelers who like cities with personality. Its collection of Art Deco architecture gives downtown an unmistakable character, while the Philbrook Museum of Art, Bob Dylan Center and Greenwood Rising offer very different windows into art, music and history. Families should make time for Gathering Place, an expansive riverfront park with trails, gardens, playgrounds and other activities. Tulsa’s connection to Route 66 also adds another layer of Americana — and its thriving restaurant and music scenes make the city surprisingly lively after dark.
Nearest airport: Tulsa International Airport
The appeal of these destinations isn’t that they’re undiscovered. They’re not. They just tend to sit outside the standard rotation of American weekend-trip recommendations. Sometimes the smartest getaway is simply choosing somewhere a little less obvious.
Of course, if traveling smart is important to you, don’t forget to begin and end your trip at WallyPark. Our hassle-free services include comfortable shuttles and friendly staff who’ll even help you load your luggage. But we fill up fast for weekend travel, so we recommend you book now.
