(photo: Williamsburg Destination Marketing Committee)
With the arrival of autumn, many destinations enter the sweet shoulder season of lower prices and tamer temperatures. Here are five places that make for an outstanding October escape.
Williamsburg, Virginia
After Williamsburg's long, sweltering summer comes an absolutely gorgeous fall, with ideal sightseeing temperatures, thinner crowds, and foliage that explodes in a riot of gold, orange, and scarlet. Hotels are less pricey now, too.
Aspen, Colorado
(photo: Flickr: USDAgov)
Every autumn the aspens put on a stunning show for Coloradans, splattering Rocky mountainsides with dollops of vibrant ocher. One of the state's most beautiful drives is Maroon Creek Road, just southwest of Aspen, which rewards in early October with glorious views of the 14,000-foot Maroon Bells.
Kansas City, Missouri
(photo: American Royal)
Those looking for a true taste of the Midwest will find it right now in Kansas City, where the two-and-a-half-month American Royal extravaganza is already underway, celebrating heartland heritage with pageants, rodeos, parades and the wildly popular World Series of BBQ (Oct. 3-6, 2013).
San Diego, California
(photo: San Diego Tourism Authority)
While many would argue that San Diego's near-perfect climate makes it a good bet any time of year, families have an added reason to visit during this month's city-wide Kidvasion promotion. Throughout October, kids eat, stay and play for free at over 100 participating partners in San Diego, with many offers for free admission for kids to top museums and theme parks such as Legoland and SeaWorld.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
(photo: Outer Banks Visitors Bureau)
Locals are adamant that fall is the optimal time to visit the OBX. After all, the weather on these barrier islands stays mild until the end of December, summer crowds are long gone, and the winds have picked up for superb windsurfing and kiteboarding.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.