From football-filled weekends to the resurgence of the Pumpkin Spice Latte, there’s plenty to love about fall. As temperatures cool down, it’s the perfect excuse to spend extra time outdoors — without melting away in the sizzling summer sun. So as much as we love our flip-flops, we’re ready to pack them away, pull out some cozy sweaters, grab a few friends and hit up the season’s best festivals.
Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, an art aficionado, or just looking for a reason to travel, we’ve rounded up our five picks for the best places to find your kind of fun this fall:
New York City
Have an appetite for culinary mastery? NYC has you covered in October with not one, but two opportunities to savor the most delicious part of life — food! The Food Film Festival satisfies both food and film lovers, combining the two into a multisensory experience that gives you the chance to taste what you see. No popcorn here, instead feast on creative masterpieces expertly paired with beer, wine and cocktails. For cuisine with a celebrity twist, head to the NYC Wine & Food Festival, a delicious event that brings together the world’s greatest chefs, winemakers, spirits producers and personalities. Plan wisely and you could hit both in one trip. Bon appétit!
Pennsylvania
For a tradition more than 50 years in the making, book at stay in historic Gettysburg — just a short drive away from the area’s infamous National Apple Harvest Festival. Set in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Apple country, this family-friendly event offers a taste of a simpler time, complete with arts and crafts from local vendors, live music, orchard tours, craftsman demonstrations, and of course, every apple-inspired delight you could imagine.
Austin
True music fans know the Live Music Capital of the World is the place to be each October. Why? Each year, Austin serves as the host city for the ultimate concert experience: Austin City Limits Music Festival. The two-weekend event draws artists from a diverse range of genres on multiple stages, making sure there’s a little something for every musical taste. Top that off with handpicked food from nearby restaurants and an Art Market featuring the talents of local artisans, and you’ve got an unforgettable getaway.
Albuquerque
Watch vibrant beauty take flight, as New Mexico’s skies become a colorful canvas during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. As the world’s largest hot air ballooning event, this festival stops at nothing to wow spectators — from the evening launching of glowing balloons for a breathtaking contrast against the dark sky to the morning ascension of hundreds of balloons over the Sandia Mountains. Recently featured as one of our favorite “Under the Radar Destinations”, a stay in this unique city has so much to offer … and you may even get the chance to take a ride in a balloon of your own!
New Orleans
If you can’t make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, the experience during the Halloween season plays a close second. Think outrageous costumes, haunted tours, street parties, parades and plenty of Voodoo shops … and in that same spirit, the Voodoo Music and Arts Experience. This so-called “musical gumbo” unites a huge lineup of music, art, local cuisine (we’re talking the best in Cajun cooking here) and even carnival rides.
Which fall festivals will you be checking out this season? We hope to see you there!
Gina Tagliarino, Travelocity Sr. Creative Copywriter
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