Autumn is the perfect time to break out your favorite sweater and plan an escape to cool climate destinations with Instagram-worthy views. Whether you’re craving a foodie getaway, seeking out locales where you can embrace the Halloween spirit, looking to hike alongside colorful foliage, or hoping to make treasured family memories, there’s something for every type of traveler to enjoy this autumn in the American Northeast.
For Nature Lovers: Climb Every Mountain at Acadia National Park
A hiker’s dream, Acadia National Park in Maine is home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, as well as 25 other significant mountaintops, each offering a variety of idyllic trails. Atop these many summits, adventurers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the fall scenery below. Offering some of the last pristine, star-filled night skies in the eastern United States, Acadia makes for the perfect setting for the annual Night Sky Festival. This autumn event offers workshops, internationally-recognized speakers and hands-on experiences that are sure to delight aspiring astronomers of all ages.
Where to stay: Situated less than a mile away from Acadia National Park is Hampton Inn By Hilton Bar Harbor, which provides sweeping views of the mountains and charming Bar Harbor.
For Halloween Buffs: Enjoy Spooky Fun in Sleepy Hollow
Among the most iconic Halloween legends is that of Sleepy Hollow, and this enduring tale compels curious travelers to make the pilgrimage to the eerie New York countryside that serves as the book’s setting. The fall season offers even more reason to visit, as the town hosts a series of seasonal activities, including haunted hayrides, cemetery and ghost tours, an International Film Festival and, of course, a visit from the Headless Horseman! You’ll also want to make a stop at nearby Croton-on-Hudson to check out the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, featuring more than 7,000 glowing, hand-carved pumpkins on display from mid-September through select dates in November.
Where to stay: The award-winning Hilton Pearl River, situated on 17 picturesque acres overlooking the Blue Hill Golf Course, is perfectly positioned just a short drive from the fall festivities.
Credit: Taylor Foss
For Families: Take an Epic Autumn Road Trip Through Vermont
Load up the Family Truckster and head for the ultimate autumn wonderland: Vermont. Bike along scenic Lake Champlain in Montpelier before heading to Stowe to tour charming covered bridges. Then head south to marvel at the magnificent fall colors in the Green Mountains. Plan to visit in late September to check out the enchanting Fairy House Festival at The Nature Museum in Grafton, then make a short detour into Massachusetts for a stop at Mike’s Maze in Sunderland to explore a larger-than-life eight-acre corn maze, making for a whimsical conclusion to this unforgettable family getaway.
Where to stay: Begin your trip at Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Manchester, a family-friendly option in southern Vermont.
For Foodies: Savor Autumn Flavors at a Harvest Festival
Portland, Maine is known for its amazing seafood in any season, but the flavors of this coastal town come alive at Harvest on the Harbor in the fall. Here adults can sample spirits from local distillers and brewers, along with carefully curated food pairings sure to please the palate. While in town, let your other senses have some fun too as you admire fall colors on the Casco Bay, explore the Old Port, delight in apple picking at a local orchard, and peruse the rotating exhibitions at the Portland Museum of Art.
Where to stay: The chic Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront offers sweeping waterfront views and is a short walk (or bike ride) from everything happening downtown.
