Bold statement: Fall is the most romantic season.
We've all felt the cool breezes. Fall is rolling in. Hot and steamy summer nights make way for colorful days and cozy evenings. It doesn't come with the high-flying hormones of summer; absent are the stresses of the gift-giving season; and who really likes to get caught in spring showers? You can ruin a perfectly good hair day that way.
Fall follows summer, meaning beach memories and tan lines remain fresh, but you're ready for vineyard tours, bonfires, and foliage drives with your special someone. Now's the perfect time to plan a long weekend or week -- you deserve it! -- exploring a gay-friendly city and its surrounding Technicolor countryside towns.
Here are some of our top picks to see one of Mother Nature's best shows. Of course, I'm focusing more on the autumns of the Northeast corridor, which rival any season in any part of the world for pure beauty.
Option No. 1: Providence, Scituate, Newport, Wickford, Portsmouth
The famous New England foliage change explodes across Providence as the air becomes crisp. Walk around the city to take in the architecture and green spaces, and eat and shop your way down Wickenden Street. (For more on Providence, click here.)
Rhode Island Statehouse, Providence Photo by Nicholas Millard
To truly dive into autumn beauty, take it to the 'burbs.
The three-day Scituate Art Festival takes over Columbus Day weekend, and it's the perfect time to get a jump start on your holiday shopping -- or to add some new pieces to your own walls. The dramatic fall backdrop looks almost fake.
Foodies can get in on the biggest culinary trend since using utensils. The Newport Food Truck Festival includes 20 roving eateries and takes place on October 20. It's a great reason to build a long-weekend autumn getaway. Follow New England Food Festivals on Twitter (@foodtruckfestNE) for the most up-to-date information.
In November, adventurous types can hop in a tandem kayak for a seal-watching excursion from The Kayak Centre.
If you find more satisfaction in the bottom of a glass than in the middle of the sea, make plans to sip the day away at one of the region's picturesque, quality wineries. Greenvale Vineyards hosts live jazz every Saturday through November.
Option No. 2: Philadelphia, Bucks County, New Hope, Kennett Square
Even if you venture a little farther south, you can still take in a kaleidoscope of autumn colors and activities. Philadelphia hosts fall festivals practically every weekend in the season.
Philadelphia throws the biggest National Coming Out Day with OutFest (October 7), a block party in the heart of the Gayborhood featuring drag shows, games, bar crawls and shopping. The Midtown Village Fall Festival (October 6) also drives lots of gaiety, mostly because the daylong celebration takes place in the Gayborhood. (For more on Philadelphia, click here.)
Outside the city, couples find plenty of inspiration for hand-holding.
Drama types can put on their own version of Bridges of Bucks County by discovering the 12 historic covered bridges in the bucolic towns in this part of the Keystone State. The athletically inclined can rent bikes and ride along the peaceful Delaware River Canal to take in the reds, oranges, and yellows.
While in Bucks County, make your way to the artist colony of New Hope. Pop in and out of the funky shops, galleries restaurants, bars and cafes along the town's lively Main Street.
Topeo Gallery, New Hope, Pa. Photo by B.Krist for GPTMC
To really delve into this suburban oasis, book a night or two at a quaint B&B. (For more on New Hope, click here.)
Also near Philadelphia, Chester County's Longwood Gardens is the Madonna of gardens. You could spend an entire day strolling through the gardens, exploring the conservatory and admiring the dancing fountains.
No matter where you take your trip, remember to pack your camera and your most comfortable pajamas. Fall provides the perfect backdrop for a new Facebook profile pic and lots of cuddling.
And you can always get more travel info on fagabond.com.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
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.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
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.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.