8 Perfect Destinations for a Last-Minute Fall Getaway

This year seems to be really flying by, and fall is no exception. Whether you’re still looking to get your foliage fix, a quick jaunt over to Europe, or an island retreat before the winter settles in, there’s still time to plan a last-minute fall getaway. Here are 8 destinations to consider when booking that eleventh-hour autumn escape.

While many assume Cape Cod is a beachy summer getaway, those who are in on the secret know it’s every bit as delightful in the fall. Enjoy seasonal activities like cranberry bog tours, heading to Tony Andrews Farm’s pumpkin patch, and sipping a Wobbly Jack (pumpkin beer) from Barnstable Brewing. In Cape Cod, you can really get the best of both worlds: take in the dazzling fall foliage, and still get a last taste of summer by walking along the sandy beach and dipping your toes in the Atlantic.

Where to Stay: If you’re not quite ready to let go of summer just yet, head to Sea Crest Beach Resort, the only beachfront property on the Upper Cape. For a fall-forward feel, try Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, with lower prices for the resort’s shoulder season, and prime access to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, where you can bike through the foliage and cranberry bogs.

Enjoy the spooky history of NOLA by paying visits to some of the city’s most haunted spots, including Le Petit Theatre, the Old French Opera House, and the Old Absinthe House. Witches Brew Tours also hits some creepy French Quarter highlights with its nighttime Ghost, Voodoo, and Vampire Walking Tour.

If you’re looking for a supernatural dining experience, Muriel’s Jackson Square is said to have several “harmless” resident ghosts. The restaurant also hosts a tasty, toe tapping jazz brunch each Sunday.

Where to stay: Hyatt Centric French Quarter is centrally located, with some balcony rooms overlooking bustling Bourbon Street. Courtyard rooms may be better for night owls, but even if you’re more of a history buff than a party animal, this convenient location just can’t be beat. 

If your only fall vacay goals are to get outside and experience the great outdoors, look no further than Cheyenne, Wyoming. The state capital is naturally scenic, with a nice mesh of prairies and the dramatic Laramie Mountains in full view. Head out to Curt Gowdy State Park and Lion’s Park for some of the best hiking near the city, with the best views to match. With its wide-open spaces and vast blue skies, Wyoming’s flaming autumn foliage makes it a peaceful and picturesque destination for a fall getaway. 

Where to stay: Little America Hotel & Resort Cheyenne is a 188-room oasis across 80 acres of land. Get the most out of your naturally stunning surroundings with endless views of the sprawling Wyoming prairie.

It might sound wild to go to Europe for just a few days, but if you’re up for the adventure, fewer cities are as easy on a time-crunch as Vienna. With direct flights from several US cities (New York, Boston, Chicago, and Washington) via Austrian Airlines, getting to Vienna is easier than you think. 

The Austrian capital is also a stellar destination for spook-seekers. Vienna Central Cemetery, the second largest cemetery in the world by burials, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. To further get your fall fix, make sure to check out the foliage at Schönbrunn Palace Gardens. Don’t forget to check out the local food scene, with schnitzel, knödel, and apfelstrudel, all naturally best washed down with a glass of Austrian Grüner Vetliner or a pint of Stiegl.

Where to stay: Hotel Motto is a centrally located, Parisian-influenced hotel with chic decor. Its rooftop eatery, Chez Bernard, serves some of the best wiener schnitzel in town.

Riga just might be Europe’s best-kept secret. Fall is an ideal time to visit the Baltic city, with moderate temperatures and smaller crowds than the summertime. The city is fairly small, and is a vastly underrated wellness destination. Head to ESPA, a five-star spa, to enjoy the outdoor hot tub and several saunas. Afterward, take a stroll through nearby Esplanade, one of Riga’s many beautiful parks. To get a good feel for the city, take a walking tour to check out the Art Nouveau buildings, which give the Latvian capital even more picturesque charm and appeal. End your days with a libation; try the infamous Riga Black Balsam from Bar “Riga Black Magic” or head to Gimlet Nordic Cocktail Bar for a well-curated drink.

Where to stay: Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah makes exploring Riga’s charms an easy feat. It’s closely situated to Bastejkalna Park, where you can catch a boat ride tour of the city. It’s also home to Hedonic Spa, one of the best in town.

While many flock to small towns in the fall, the season also happens to be an ideal time to visit The Big Apple. With its golden leaves, mild temperatures, and stunning sunsets over the Hudson, New York is as picturesque as it gets in autumn.It’s also nowhere near as busy as peak holiday or summer seasons, making one of the most populated cities in the country a little more bearable. The annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade is a show in itself, with some of the most creative costumes imaginable. Sleepy Hollow: Autumn’s Harvest, a new 13,000-square feet Halloween-themed immersive experience in Rockefeller Center, allows visitors to experience autumn harvest via multisensory effects. You can even get your foliage fix here by going all aboard City Cruises’ New York City Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise. 

Of course, there’s always the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but locals know you can get a closer look at the balloons near the Natural History Museum the day before. Should you plan a Thanksgiving venture to New York, book a table at Luana’s Tavern in Brooklyn or Tucci in Noho for some of the best holiday meals in town.

Where to stay: Kimpton Hotel Theta is closely situated to Times Square, and is home to the newly-opened Bar Sprezzatura, allowing you to travel to Italy without the need to whip out your passport (pro-tip: get the tiramisu and thank me later).

If you’re ready to rewind (or fast-forward) to summer, Bonaire is uniquely located outside of the Carribean’s hurricane belt, making it a safe destination to visit in the fall. Plus, on November 5, JetBlue will debut its first-ever nonstop flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Bonaire’s Flamingo International Airport (BON) on its Airbus A320 aircraft, giving travelers more direct options than ever before. 

Once you arrive in Bonaire’s paradise, enjoy unique delicacies like iguana soup and drinking a cactus from The Cadushy Distillery. Bonaire is the epitome of laid-back life and escapism, with no traffic lights on the island and just about as many flamingoes as people.

Where to stay: For an intimate boutique resort, few do it better than Bamboo Bonaire. The resort is a relaxing paradise with adventure just in arm’s reach, thanks to their 24/7 access to on-site dive tanks.

For those quintessential log cabin, immersed-in-the-woods vibes, it’s tough to argue anywhere in the USA does it better than upstate New York. Tannersville, located just two hours north of New York City in the Catskills, is a small village that’s part of the town of Hunter. With a motto of “the painted village in the sky,” Tannersville might be small, but boy, is she colorful. 

Main Street cuts through the village center, and has a plethora of cute boutique shops, like Sundry and Camp Catskill, and local eats like Pancho Villa’s Mexican restaurant and Mama’s Boy Burgers for  chopped cheese, a New York staple. Main Street isn’t the only colorful part of Tannersville; Kaaterskill Falls, a three-tier waterfall, is a great hike to take in the copper and golden foliage, and a pint of Buck Fever from West Kill Brewing has the amber hue to match.

Where to stay: Hotel Lilien, an 18-room boutique hotel set within a restored 1890s mansion, provides just the rustic aesthetic one would want to experience on a fall retreat. One of Hotel Lilien’s greatest assets is Its wood-paneled library, fully stocked with vintage design books and contemporary best-sellers.