Fall holidays and Family Vacations for 2024 are ideal for a brief family trip, especially because many places offer outdoor activities among changing foliage.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly autumn vacation that includes U-pick farms and corn mazes, visiting a theme park for Halloween festivities, seeing a new city, or simply getting away for a few days, you’re sure to find something on our list of fall break ideas for families.
Hamilton County, Indiana
Before the leaves turn, go sunflower spotting in Hamilton County, Indiana. The Stuckey Farm Orchard and Cider Mill near Sheridan offers a Sunflower Festival in early September, which is a great place to observe the big golden blossoms.
Historic Connor Prairie is another must-see in the fall, with a famous corn maze and the famed Headless Horseman event, which includes spooky hayrides, a barrel train ride for children, food, music, and more. Connor Prairie is located near Fishers, which is recognized for its busy downtown area with wonderful restaurants and a diverse range of festivals and events. Nearby Carmel, Indiana, is also worth visiting for its arts and eating culture, as well as its extensive network of hiking and bike trails.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
With over 20 water parks, Wisconsin Dells screams for a family weekend away. Because many of the water parks are inside, fall is an ideal season to visit the “Waterpark Capital of the World.” Choose from well-known brands like Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari, or discover other local favorites like Mt. Olympus, which boasts the first “slidewheel” – half Ferris wheel, part waterslide – in the United States. When or if you need a break from the water, there are lots of other enjoyable activities in Wisconsin Dells.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The iconic Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held in mid-October, making fall a popular time to visit this Southwestern city. While the yearly event attracts almost a million visitors, you may dodge the throng and have a one-of-a-kind experience at a midnight “balloon glow.” Other activities to do in Albuquerque include taking the Sandia Peak Tramway, touring Old Town, and visiting Petroglyph National Monument.
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park, particularly Skyline Drive, gets over a million visitors each year. The 105-mile public road travels next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it one of the most gorgeous drives in the United States, particularly in the fall. There are additional reasons to visit this region besides Shenandoah National Park, such as visiting Luray Caverns or having hands-on fun at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Winchester.
Boone, North Carolina
Many areas in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains are worth seeing, including renowned Asheville. For something different, put your family in Boone, which has local attractions such as the Tweetsie Railroad theme park and the Daniel Boone Native Gardens. Of course, there are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from, like fly fishing, zip lining, canoeing, and more. While you’re in town, take a short trip to The Blowing Rock, a notoriously mysterious rock where the wind is powerful enough to return light things flung into the air.
Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
The Pocono Mountains remain one of the greatest destinations for a family vacation, especially in the fall when the trees turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Take a trek to Bushkill Falls, paddle around one of the region’s numerous lakes, or ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe to enjoy the vistas. Horseback riding, whitewater rafting, water parks, adventure parks (think zip line and rock climbing), and family fun centers (featuring go-karts, mini-golf, and other activities) all make for a wonderful day in the Poconos.
North Conway, New Hampshire
The Kancamagus Highway is one of the greatest sites to enjoy fall in New England, leading to North Conway, a popular tourist spot in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Ride the famed Mount Washington Cog train to the Northeast’s highest peak for even more spectacular vistas and a history lesson; this is the world’s first mountain-climbing cog train. Take the youngsters to one of the area’s beautiful amusement parks, such as Story Land and Santa’s Village.
Sleepy Hollow, New York
The Hudson Valley village that inspired “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a must-see during the Halloween season. Take a tour of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and Sunnyside, Washington Irving’s former home, where a theatrical reading and production of the iconic tale is held on various weekends throughout the autumn. Don’t miss the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at adjacent Croton-on-Hudson. This annual fall festival features over 7,000 lit pumpkins on an 18th-century manor.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Because of its height, Breckenridge is one of the earliest sites in the United States to watch the leaves turn each year, often around mid-September. There are several methods to experience the transformation: Try the family-friendly Upper Colorado Float (suitable for children aged 3 and up) with Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting, bike down the Blue River Rec Path, drive along Boreas Pass for up-close views of the aspens, or make a short trip to the Isak Heartstone troll sculpture (also known as the Breckenridge Troll). You may also attend a local festival or take a stroll down historic Main Street, which is lined with restaurants and shops.