what’s the best fall family travel destination?

What's the best fall family travel destination?

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Fall is one of my favorite times to travel together as a family. Crowds are usually lower and weather is often ideal. Now that we no longer homeschool and I have a child in high school (how?!), traveling when school is in session is a little trickier. We have a couple little overnights planned, but I’m definitely missing the days of week-long adventures while everyone else is sitting in a classroom. Today I’m living vicariously through some of my best blogging friends. I asked some fellow travel bloggers and influencers their favorite fall family travel destinations. Here’s what they had to say!

6 fall family travel itineraries you’ll love

I love that when I reached out asking some travel bloggers about their favorite family travel spots, they all picked different ones! There are so many beautiful spots to visit in the United States in the fall. From clear desert landscapes to crisp fall colors, everyone has a different idea of what the perfect fall spot is. Make sure you read about each spot. And stick around to the end when I share one of my favorite fall family travel destinations!

Jessica Lynn Writes in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque

Fall in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of my favorite times to visit—especially in early October. The weather cools to perfect sweater and leggings temps, a refreshing break from the usual desert heat. And then there’s the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: over 600 colorful hot air balloons fill the sky for nine days, from fun shapes to classic designs. It’s a bucket list event everyone should experience at least once!

After the balloons touch down, dive into some delicious New Mexican cuisine—think Tex-Mex with a twist that’ll have you craving more. Then, explore the city: hike extinct volcanoes, see famous filming locations, ride to the top of the Sandia Mountains, or just soak up the unique vibe. There’s something for everyone at any age in Albuquerque!

~Jessica at Jessica Lynn Writes

Fall travel in Arizona.

Arizona

Arizona is a great place to visit in the fall when the temperatures are cooler in the mountains and warm (but not blazing hot) in the desert. The Grand Canyon State is actually home to three beautiful and diverse national parks: Saguaro, Petrified Forest and of course Grand Canyon. Autumn days in Arizona are extremely pleasant which makes this season ideal for outdoor adventures like desert hikes. Sedona and Scottsdale in particular are great fall destinations which we would highly recommend!

~Nikol from Beach Seakers

| Read: Visiting Saguaro National Park in Arizona with Kids |

Glamping in Vermont in the fall.

Vermont

As a family travel blogger and content creator, I absolutely adore Vermont in the fall—it’s like stepping into a postcard. The vibrant colors and crisp air make every scenic drive feel magical, especially along the Crossroad of Vermont Byway. It’s a perfect way to soak in the beauty while passing through charming towns with that classic New England architecture I love.

While Sleepy Hollow Farm in Pomfret gets a lot of attention, I recommend visiting Sugarbush Farm instead. With welcoming trails, a farm store, and plenty of parking, it offers that same gorgeous dirt road experience without the hassle. It’s a wonderful spot for families to explore and enjoy Vermont’s fall magic.

~ Giselle from Weekend Fam Goals

Watkins Glen State Park in New York.

Watkins Glen State Park

Who doesn’t love fall foliage and hiking along 19 waterfalls carved by glaciers? That is what you experience when you visit Watkins Glen State Park in the fall. Watkins Glen State Park is located in New York State about 60 miles from Rochester, NY. It involves climbing many stairs up the winding paths lined by waterfalls. It is gorgeous any season but in the fall it is really something special. 

~Leah at Five for the Road

Fall Travel in the High Sierras.

Yosemite & the Eastern Sierras

Nothing is quite as magical as Yosemite NP and the Eastern Sierra when the colors start changing in the fall. The air is crisp, the crowds are gone and the Sierras tower above you. If you’re looking for the road less traveled, head down 395 from Bridgeport to June and Mono Lakes and down to Mammoth and the Alabama Hills. Chase the fall colors, hike the mountains, soak in the springs and take in the night stars.  

~Michelle at Hapaly Adventuring

| Read: Where to Stay near Yosemite National Park with Kids |

my personal choice for fall family travel: the Utah Mighty 5

This might be cheating a little bit because for my fall family travel pick I chose the five national parks in Utah. We visited three of the five Utah Mighty 5 a year ago in the fall and it was a great experience. The weather was ideal and crowds were much lower than they would have been in the summer. Click on the links below to find out more about each national park!

Zion National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Arches National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Which spot would you want to visit this fall with your family?

Be sure to head to some of these wonderful accounts and check them out!

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