Where to go in October?
 

So I've convince my DH to plan a trip for October 17-23 (a week). For the first time, I'm stumped as to where to go. Any ideas? We've been to NYC and Fla. alot so they are off the list. We'd like to have decent weather but beach weather isn't necessary (we're not big beach goers). Thanks in advance for your ideas...

New Orleans in Oct is nice.
Ditto San Antonio and Phoenix. ((Y))

I love NO and my husband's never been there...is there enough to keep us busy for a week there or in San Antonio? I don't see us as big Phoenix people since we don't like dragging golf clubs on vacation. Am I missing something else to do there?

There is definitely enough to keep you busy in NO for a week. When my husband and I went, we spend a week and were already thinking of returning for another trip on our journey home. In addition to the things in NO itself, there are interesting side trips you can take. We took 2 organized tours - one swamp tour and one plantation tour. Next time we will likely rent a car and take a couple days to explore the countryside.

Another good option would be the California coast. Generally we have really nice weather in October and it is past the main tourist season so you don't have the crowds. You probably wont have swimming weather, but it should be really nice for sightseeing, beach combing, and hanging out.

The pacific northwest would probably be great too.

There is more to do in NOLA than drinkin' and eatin'....or so I've been told! :-"

We did Big Cedar Lodge just south of Branson MO a few years back and I'd go back there in a heartbeat. Leaves just beginning to turn when I left.

As J Corr sez, the Calif Coast in Oct, esp SF area is usually VERY nice.

We went to New Orleans late September last year, not for a full week, but I'm sure we could have kept busy for a week. We visited the D-Day Museum (highly recommend), went on a swamp tour, visited the flea market, had the requisite visit to Cafe du Monde for cafe au lait and beignets, as well as the fabulous muffuletta at the Central Grocery. Made our deposit at Harrah's. Went to a Sunday Gospel Brunch at House of Blues. Went to Mulate's for dinner and enjoyed the cajun music and dancing. Pat O'Brien's, which I enjoyed on previous visits, was too full of smoke and I had to leave. Loved our night at Snug Harbor for jazz. Didn't visit any antebellum mansions this trip, but enjoyed doing that on previous visits. Shopped, ate and enjoyed!!

We haven't been to San Antonio for a long time, but we had a great visit there. Loved the Riverwalk, rode in a barge, ate al fresco and went to The Landing for jazz. Visited the Alamo (formerly a mission) and the four other missions. Had lunch at Market Square, walked through La Villita and stopped in at the Little Church. It was a very good trip.

October is said to be the best month to visit Mendocino, California, a wonderful town in its own right, with terrific food, the ocean, wineries, fabulous scenery there and nearby.

Any flowers or gardens to see left in New Orleans in October? Here in New England about all that's left are the mums. Also, how is New Oleans for an individual woman tourist? - safe? willing to seat you in a restaurant? etc?

A road trip through New England to see the foliage, fairs, etc.

I second the suggestion for a trip to New England. There is nothing like a drive down a country road with trees ablaze with fall color..the air smells like woodsmoke, walks through leaves , good food in a nice restaurant then coming out to a brisk fall night.
Sigh, can you tell I miss that sort of thing ?:)

How about the Charleston SC to Savannah GA area? There is so much to see and do in either location; or stay in between somewhere and see both!!

one thing to keep in mind, october is hurricane season and sometimes new orleans gets affected. chances are not but, it is a consideration.
if you think you'd find a week too long and like to gamble, you could do 3 nights there, go to biloxi for 2 nights and return to new orleans for the final days.

Ahhhhhhhhh...California Gold (and Wine) Country!!!

Fly to Sacto drive up to Grass Valley/Nevada City then all the way down Hwy 49 to Coloma, Hangtown (Placerville), Sutter Creek, Jackson, Angels Camp, Sonora, Mariposa then cut over to Hwy 99 and scoot on back to Sactown.

Stops along the way, besides the trees turning, will be some up and coming wineries in Placer, ElDo, Amador, Calaveras Counties....If you're into "antiqueing" a LOT of little shops.

Such great suggestions. We did the Ca. Coast, Wine Country and Pac.NW a few years back -- they were great trips but DH wants to do something new before we go back. I'd love to do Savannah and Charleston but it doesn't appeal to my husband. (I've been to Savannah and loved it!) How soon would we need reservations for a New England trip?

How about Montreal/ Quebec City and
eastern Canada - different country and culture/ beautiful scenery - Oct may be too late for fall foliage- not sure-
have some relatives who did the Canadian fall foliage last year and raved about the trip - and way less traffic than the American version

You guys are the best with all these suggestions! Montreal/QC sounds great too! I've gone from no good ideas to too many! Keep 'em coming please!

October is my most favorite time to visit Santa Fe, NM. And I also agree that it is a beatuiful time to visit New England.

Swalt: if you enjoy country music how about Nashville? Then just south of the city is the Jack Daniels whiskey tour. Lots of shopping.

Santa Fe and the area around like Taos has enough to do as well as Arizona (Scottsdale, Sedona, Phoenix). October is pretty nice in both places

New England! How far ahead you will need to reserve, depends completely upon which towns you choose and what type of lodging you desire. For the romantic bed and breakfasts with fireplaces and jacuzzis, in towns that are popular in New Hampshire, Vermont, some parts of Maine, etc., it's not too early now. For less luxury lodging, or less popular towns, you've got plenty of time.

Ottawa, Ontario Canada...

I was there last year the week of October 14... what a lovely small city! Breathtaking architecture and the fall foliage was in PEAK color. Brilliant oranges and reds... just breathtaking. We drove over the bridge to Quebec and scoured Gatineau Park. You can tour the Parliment building, the art gallery, enjoy jazz at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier... or better yet stay there! ((L)) Just a beautiful romantic city!

I would vote w/the Santa Fe, Taos people--altho I should disclose that I am not familiar w/NO or San Ant, but DH loves them both. Northern New England will be past peak for color at that time, altho areas closer to Boston should still be pretty close to peak, which in the Boston area usually coincides--more or less--w/Columbus Day. Now that does not mean that VT, NH and ME are not nice at those dates, just past peak for foliage.

PS to Scarlett--you sound very familiar w/these New England environs!! Did you ever live up here or just fond memories of visits??

Go to New England (I was going to suggest New York as Central Park in October is lovely, but that is out), the foliage is lovely and the air is crisp. Get a warm coat and drive to Maine and stand on the rocks and watch the sea crash onto the shore against a deep blue sky with a riot of autumn color in the background, makes you feel alive in a way little else can .... sigh ... what the hell am I doing in Chicago?

Also agree with New England, but point out that the peak leaf color north of Cape Cod (i.e. Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire) has (usually) come and gone by late October. So if the fall leaf colors are going to be a prime reason for your visit, concentrate in southern New England, there's plenty to see and do there that a week won't be enough to cover it all:Boston, Cape Cod, Newport, Mystic, etc.

Vittrad, you're right, Central Park is gorgeous when the leaves turn-we were there a few years back and I was pleasantly surprised. We'll I think it's NE, with Boston, if we stay stateside. All the options are so tempting though but the timing seems perfect for the fall foliage (at least it should be.) I'm definately keeping this post for future trips though. Now I just have to get my husband to decide whether we're staying in the US or going abroad. (Ever the negotiator, I have to let him know his options and then he gets to pick -- ah the joys of marriage ;)

I know that everyone has pointed out that mid October is past peak season for New England, but it is an absolutely stunning place during that time of year. It has been more than 10 years since I have visited Boston and New Hampshire but I would love to go back. The colors are not as vibrant but the Blue Ridge Mountains are also a good place during that time of year. I like Blowing Rock North Carolina and Asheville NC. They are very quaint areas with beautiful mountains and charm. Asheville is like a small city or with many cultural things to do as well as the Biltmore House and Gardens. Blowing Rock is a small town in the mountains with parks nearby including Grandfather Mountain. It is a stunning area to visit.

HI swalter518--well if you decide to go to Europe, then a whole new array of choices present themselves!!

depends on where you are from. october - the south west is great. crowds gone from national parks, are you active meaning hiking, biking, etc.? moab, utah laid back? san diego, new england also nice. also southern utah, springville, st. george area. southern az, tucson, tombstone bisbee the outbanks of north carolina, just watch out for hurricanes. cape cod, quiet that time of year. possibilities are endless.

October is prime tourist time in NO so don't expect to find any bargains on lodging. Just an observation in case budget is a factor.

"Peak" foliage season in New England can fluctuate by a week or so, depending on weather and moisture. Obviously, the farther north, the earlier the color starts. Even if things aren't quite peak, it's still lovely. However, after the colors are gone and the leaves drop, it gets drab. For your timeframe, I would suggest southern New England if you're going for foliage and it shouldn't be as busy as earlier in the month. Rt. 2 from Boston to the western part of MA could be lovely then and you could hit all the historic sites along the way - Lexington, Concord, Minuteman Natl Park - and then out through the Mohawk Trail (foliage may be a bit past in the higher elevations) and then down through the Stockbridge area into NW CT. Have fun wherever you wind up.

a week in october - phoenix, sedona, grand canyon - sounds perfect to me.