Best US Destination in Autumn
Jul 7th, 2008, 09:31 AM
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Best US Destination in Autumn
Hi!
My husband and I are itching for a vacation...just like everyone else! We have a week free in either SEPTEMBER or OCTOBER and can't decide where to go. Maybe you can help us...
We want something easy-going. So far our top locations are:
1. Jackson Hole/Tetons
2. North Carolina -- we read that Wilmington Beach was fantastic
3. Somewhere in New England -- fall beauty
We are from Colorado and we do a weekend trip every chance we get. So that's out. Everything else is game!
Unfortunately, our options our unlimited...making it more difficult to decide. We could road trip, fly to a resort, sight-see...really anything.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!! Thanks!
My husband and I are itching for a vacation...just like everyone else! We have a week free in either SEPTEMBER or OCTOBER and can't decide where to go. Maybe you can help us...
We want something easy-going. So far our top locations are:
1. Jackson Hole/Tetons
2. North Carolina -- we read that Wilmington Beach was fantastic
3. Somewhere in New England -- fall beauty
We are from Colorado and we do a weekend trip every chance we get. So that's out. Everything else is game!
Unfortunately, our options our unlimited...making it more difficult to decide. We could road trip, fly to a resort, sight-see...really anything.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!! Thanks!
Jul 7th, 2008, 10:08 AM
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Last year (spring, not fall) I spent several days in Wilmington, NC and visited the nearby beaches (Wrightsville, Carolina). We flew into Charlotte (as my hubby is a Nascar fan) but there is an airport in Wilmington.
I've been to Maine as well (also spring) but I've heard it's absolutely gorgeous in the fall and if you go before October, there is a good chance most of the stops along the way for lobster will still be open.
I've been to Maine as well (also spring) but I've heard it's absolutely gorgeous in the fall and if you go before October, there is a good chance most of the stops along the way for lobster will still be open.
Jul 7th, 2008, 10:11 AM
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Easy - Northern Michigan.
You can fly into Chicago and drive up, or you can fly into Traverse City. September is beautiful with changing leaves and the wineries will be harvesting. The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island has specials that time of year. It is an amazing time to be there.
You can fly into Chicago and drive up, or you can fly into Traverse City. September is beautiful with changing leaves and the wineries will be harvesting. The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island has specials that time of year. It is an amazing time to be there.
Jul 7th, 2008, 10:26 AM
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hi Buffy9297 --
Did you love Wilmington? Would you recommend renting a car?
And kelliebellie,
Northern Michagan, eh? I've been to Mackinac Island -- is there any other great places in the area? The trees start changing in September?
Did you love Wilmington? Would you recommend renting a car?
And kelliebellie,
Northern Michagan, eh? I've been to Mackinac Island -- is there any other great places in the area? The trees start changing in September?
Jul 7th, 2008, 10:29 AM
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That is true, September is a bit early for leaves. I forgot. Here is a report from last year:
http://www.foliagenetwork.com
The problem with Michigan is if you wait for the leaves to change, you don't really want to be outside because chances are it is rainy and cold. If you come in September you will find glorious weather.
Here's a cool looking b&b with activities in Traverse City:
http://www.greyhareinn.com/packages.php
Old Mission Peninsula Wineries:
http://www.oldmission.com/
Here's the Grand Hotel:
http://www.grandhotel.com/
And Mackinac:
http://www.mackinac.com/
Petoskey and Harbor Springs are great too.
http://www.foliagenetwork.com
The problem with Michigan is if you wait for the leaves to change, you don't really want to be outside because chances are it is rainy and cold. If you come in September you will find glorious weather.
Here's a cool looking b&b with activities in Traverse City:
http://www.greyhareinn.com/packages.php
Old Mission Peninsula Wineries:
http://www.oldmission.com/
Here's the Grand Hotel:
http://www.grandhotel.com/
And Mackinac:
http://www.mackinac.com/
Petoskey and Harbor Springs are great too.
Jul 7th, 2008, 10:31 AM
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We were typing at the same time!
If you like wine, Old Mission Peninsula feels just like California. There is a lot to do in Traverse City. There was just a really good trip report about it. I will have to find it.
The drive up the Michigan coast from Chicago is really neat. A lot of little coastal towns and Sleeping Bear Dunes. If you like b&b's, it is a paradise.
If you like wine, Old Mission Peninsula feels just like California. There is a lot to do in Traverse City. There was just a really good trip report about it. I will have to find it.
The drive up the Michigan coast from Chicago is really neat. A lot of little coastal towns and Sleeping Bear Dunes. If you like b&b's, it is a paradise.
Jul 7th, 2008, 10:34 AM
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Here's the trip report. It is around number 21.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads..._dweller&fid=1
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads..._dweller&fid=1
Jul 7th, 2008, 10:39 AM
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Natural Bridge State Park and the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, but it would need to be October. You could drive on into the mountains; but as you are from CO, they might seem more like hills to you!
The Smokies are beautiful in the fall, but Gatlinburg will be wall-to-wall people during leaf peeping season. We sometimes go to Chattanooga.
The Smokies are beautiful in the fall, but Gatlinburg will be wall-to-wall people during leaf peeping season. We sometimes go to Chattanooga.
Jul 7th, 2008, 10:47 AM
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The Carolina beaches are great in October. Yes, you will need a car. I'd steer clear of the Mt. regions as though beautiful, that beauty is somewhat tainted by the immigration of the 'leaf-peepers'. A nasty lot of people driving too slowly while gawking out their car windows @ (you guessed it) leaves. Key West is also great that time of year (actually even later is better). Any wine areas would also be good, be it California, Oregon, Virginia or NC.
Jul 7th, 2008, 11:58 AM
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Yes, ditto on what Wannabe said about the rental car. Even if I wasn't coming from Charlotte, you'd still want the rental car to drive south to all the beaches. We also took a car ferry to Southport, which is a great little town to explore. The purpose of the trip - besides fulfilling my Nascar hubby's wishes - were for me to see Wilmington, as one of my favorite shows, Dawson's Creek, was filmed there. Also, currently filming there is One Tree Hill.
Jul 7th, 2008, 12:08 PM
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So it sounds like North Carolina would be fantastic! What about South...like Hilton Head? Is it more packed in the Northeast for "leaf-gazing" or in North Carolina? I have to admit -- I've been to 42 states, but never to the South! What's to expect? What's the BEST town to visit?
Michagan sounds great with all of the wine country and the coast. Enough to do in a whole week?
Michagan sounds great with all of the wine country and the coast. Enough to do in a whole week?
Jul 7th, 2008, 01:49 PM
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SEC Country. See if you can catch an SEC football game and get a true cultural experience. I'm not kidding.
If you are just looking for scenery and beauty, then I'm not sure you can beat Oregon, any time of year. Head to Portland and drive south to wine country.
Early September is too early for foliage in New England. Late September or Early October should be nice in Vermont an New Hampshire, and would be a nice trip as well.
If you are just looking for scenery and beauty, then I'm not sure you can beat Oregon, any time of year. Head to Portland and drive south to wine country.
Early September is too early for foliage in New England. Late September or Early October should be nice in Vermont an New Hampshire, and would be a nice trip as well.
Jul 7th, 2008, 05:44 PM
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What great options. Maybe you can work around the least outrageous airfare options. Yellowstone/Jackson Hole is great in the first few weeks of Sept. To me, ME is great just after Labor Day also, but the leaf season is too crowded for me. BUT, if you wait until October, places like Hilton Head are perfect because the hurricane season is generally past. As empty-nesters we have done all 3 in recent years and it's hard to pack a favorite.
Jul 8th, 2008, 04:08 AM
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There is definitely enough to do in Michigan for a week. Especially if you are driving up the coast from Chicago. First of all there is Chicago. Baseball season will still be going.
Saugatuck in Michigan will take a day to do. Lots of nice art galleries, stores, and restaurants. Here is a great b&b:
http://www.kingsleyhouse.com/
Grand Haven is another great harbor town.
If you like amusement parks, there is a good one in Muskegon.
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a must. It is a towering mountain of sand.
They do dune buggy rides at silver lake:
http://www.silverlakebuggys.com/
http://www.macwoodsdunerides.com/
Traverse City is great. As is the Old Mission Peninsula for wines. That trip report I mentioned has all the info for that and a place to stay.
Sutton's Bay is supposedly very cute.
Petoskey and Harbor Springs are also cute towns. There is a nice resort in Petoskey. If you ask at night they build a campfire by the lake and put out a free smore basket:
http://www.innatbayharbor.com/
There is tons of wonderful golf if either of you are into it. There are lighthouse tours, tall ships, beaches.
It is the reason we Michiganders live here the rest of the year.
Oh, and you could also fly home from Detroit and take in a Michigan or Michigan State football game or a Lions or Tigers game. Those are fun days to spend.
Saugatuck in Michigan will take a day to do. Lots of nice art galleries, stores, and restaurants. Here is a great b&b:
http://www.kingsleyhouse.com/
Grand Haven is another great harbor town.
If you like amusement parks, there is a good one in Muskegon.
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a must. It is a towering mountain of sand.
They do dune buggy rides at silver lake:
http://www.silverlakebuggys.com/
http://www.macwoodsdunerides.com/
Traverse City is great. As is the Old Mission Peninsula for wines. That trip report I mentioned has all the info for that and a place to stay.
Sutton's Bay is supposedly very cute.
Petoskey and Harbor Springs are also cute towns. There is a nice resort in Petoskey. If you ask at night they build a campfire by the lake and put out a free smore basket:
http://www.innatbayharbor.com/
There is tons of wonderful golf if either of you are into it. There are lighthouse tours, tall ships, beaches.
It is the reason we Michiganders live here the rest of the year.
Oh, and you could also fly home from Detroit and take in a Michigan or Michigan State football game or a Lions or Tigers game. Those are fun days to spend.
Jul 8th, 2008, 11:11 AM
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New England is about as beautiful as it can get in the Fall.
Foliage colors start getting strong around Oct. 5th onward. The colors start changing in the far north of NH and VT and work their way down as the month progresses. Plan your travel within NH and/or VT based on which days in Oct. you would be here.
Sept. is too early. No colors yet.
Plus there's a distinct fall harvest atmosphere here. The days are gorgeous and warm with blue skies and the evenings cool. It's the stuff poets have written about forever.
Reply with any questions.
Foliage colors start getting strong around Oct. 5th onward. The colors start changing in the far north of NH and VT and work their way down as the month progresses. Plan your travel within NH and/or VT based on which days in Oct. you would be here.
Sept. is too early. No colors yet.
Plus there's a distinct fall harvest atmosphere here. The days are gorgeous and warm with blue skies and the evenings cool. It's the stuff poets have written about forever.
Reply with any questions.
