30 Fall Weekend Trips To Start Planning Now

Fall can be a polarizing season. In one camp, you have the people who refuse to accept that summer is over. In a different corner, you have those who start eating and drinking every pumpkin spice product available as soon as Labor Day passes. No matter what position you take on fall, everyone can agree on one thing: Weekend getaways are great any time of year.  

If you wait until the leaves start turning, the air feels crisp and Halloween candy is on the shelves to book your autumnal adventures, it could be too late. From fun festivals to still-warm beaches and, of course, foliage, here are some fall weekend trips that you should start booking as soon as possible.

If Albuquerque is an underrated America city that has been on your bucket list, fall is the perfect time to finally make the trip. That's because for nine days in October, the city is home to the world's largest balloon festival. If you're sick of hay bales and leaf talk, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta features balloon rodeos, twilight balloon glows, chainsaw carving and much more for a non-traditional fall experience.

Get a different perspective and experience your weekend getaway from 75 feet above a Kentucky forest floor. One of the great features of Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is the Canopy Tree Walk that will leave visitors flying high. If heights aren't your thing, there's plenty to do on the ground too.

Who would guess Brown County State Park in Indiana would be a great place to see color? The "Little Smokies" boast almost 16,000 acres to explore a spectrum of fall colors via tree-lined roads and scenic viewpoints throughout Indiana's largest park, making it one of the state's most popular autumn attractions.

Drop those buckeyes and head for the hills — err, valley. Cuyahoga Valley National Park deserves a shoutout for its fall attractions just as much as the larger, more popular national parks. Booming with bright colors, trails, a covered bridge and a 65-foot waterfall, Cuyahoga Valley National Park makes for a relaxing weekend escape. After a hike, nearby Szalay's Sweet Corn Farm and Market is home to fall favorites like a corn maze, pumpkins, gourds and fresh apple cider. You're also just a short trip away from a scenic tour of Stan Hywett in Akron, Ohio, which just so happens to be one of the biggest mansions in America.

Forget hiking or driving, in Dubuque, Iowa, should go see your fall color on the world's shortest, steepest scenic railway or by river boat cruise. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Fenelon Place Elevator will lift you up to look down onto historic homes, the Mississippi River and three states. The next day, get a different perspective by sailing the river.

There will be so much you want to do on your weekend escape to Door County, Wisconsin, that you may need a rest day after your vacation. Hiking, camping, driving or riding a bike or motorcycle are all ways to explore the exploding colors of this must-see heartland destination. The fall months also offer festivals, farmers markets, fishing, birding, apple picking and more classic fall activities.

White-sand beaches, seafood and temperatures in the high 70s aren't just for the summer — at least if you're talking about exploring Gulf Shores, Alabama, in the fall. The only thing missing during the fall will be the hoards of sweaty tourists. Plan a getaway around the annual National Shrimp Festival that takes place each October for a shellfishly fun good time.

Imagine the lifelong memories the family will make at the Fall Kite Festival held in Lincoln City, Oregon, in October. These aren't just your average store-bought kites, either. Giant whales wiggle through the sky and jellyfish jiggle by during the two-day event.

Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state may be a great destination for winter chasers as it could snow in the park as early as October. But that's thinking too far ahead because October also presents some stunning fall colors, particularly along Chinook Pass, Reflection Lakes and Grove of the Patriarchs. Bench and Snow Lakes, about 2.5 miles roundtrip, offer a great autumn alpine adventure. 

Fall colors begin to pop in Arkansas' Ozark National Forest a few weeks into October, with peak foliage appearing around the mid-to-late part of the month. The pop of color and comfortable temps set the perfect scene for exploring the tallest mountain in Arkansas, Mount Magazine or Blanchard Springs Caverns.

You'll probably need your entire weekend to find your way out of the corn maze at Richardson Farm in Spring Grove, Illinois. Almost 10 miles of trails wind through 28 acres of live corn pose quite the challenge. But don't worry, there's cider at the end. Rest up because your trip could also include pumpkin picking, a 50-foot observation tower, wagon rides, animals and even campfire rentals to keep the fun going into the night. 

A hot summer day in Sedona, Arizona, could hit over 100 degrees, but in October, the desert town could sit at a cool 80, the perfect opportunity to experience Red Rock Country. Dare to cross Devil's Bridge or conquer Cathedral Rock over your weekend excursion.Keep a lookout for wildlife like elk and deer as well. 

In the northern part of Idaho, just an hour outside of Spokane, Washington, sits the intriguing city of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, where you don't have to choose between water views and fall colors. Get active on the lake and in the forest, or check out an art walks and indulge in fine dining — it's all on the docket in this city of 50,000. This isn't just one of the best fall weekend trips, it's one of the absolute best weekend getaways in America.

Colorado differs from many other fall destinations because at an altitude of more than 6,000 feet above sea level, it's all about the Aspens. Yellow, yellow and more bright yellow trees tower over mountain bikers soaring down Buffalo Pass or revelers cheersing during Oktoberwest in September. No matter what the chosen activity, it should all wrap with a soak in Strawberry Park Hot Springs.

Shoulder season could quite possibly be the best time to visit a national park because you get to avoid the crowds (if you're prepared to fend for yourself without some in-park lodging and concessions). At Glacier National Park in the fall, the trees turn vibrant hues and the animals will be roaming free from too many tourists. Optional activities include wildlife watching, cruising Going-to-the-Sun Road and enjoying quiet campgrounds. Those are just a few of the reasons why Glacier is one of the 50 most underrated parks in America.