According to a survey by AAA, some 88 million Americans said they planned to take a family vacation within a year. The lazy days of summer are the perfect time to soak up some rays on the beach. The cold winter months draw many to the mountains for skiing trips. In the fall, however, the crisp, cool weather and brightly colored foliage also afford perfect opportunities for a quick escape. Fall is usually the time when school starts back and adults return to work from vacations. Fall is one of the best times to travel for lower prices, fewer crowds, and cooler temperatures at many popular vacation destinations. Whether you head to the mountains to spot the changing leaves or take to the shores to soak up some remaining days on the beach before winter sets in, we’ve created a list of some of the best fall vacations for every type of traveler.

Take an awesome road trip.

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With all that is going on right now, driving is one of the safest ways to get around this fall. You can drive your car, rent a car, or go all out and rent an RV. You can make a day of your road trip and be a tourist in your own state, or you could consider camping. You could even go all out and embark on a good old-fashioned Griswold family road trip across the country. If you’re going to be on the road for a few days you could opt for a cabin, bungalow, bed and breakfast, or boutique hotels for more intimate accommodations. Out on the open road, you can find all kinds of neat areas to pull off and explore. Whether you are going for the day or a few days, with a little research, you can plan your epic road trip adventure and enjoy your fall getaway.

Explore the beauty of a national park.

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During this time, an adventure into a US National Park or National Forest is likely to yield a ton of safe fun. Fall can be an awesome time to explore a park. While some national park service operations might be limited or operating differently right now, there will still be a multitude of opportunities to get outside and explore the beauty of places such as Zion National Park. You can browse through publications like the Zion National Park map to plan your trip and design your outdoor fall adventure. You can take a hike on some of the popular trails that might be crowded at other times. Be sure to browse through the offerings of the national parks and choose activities that may be right for your family.

Hit up an apple or pumpkin patch.

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Apple picking and pumpkin patches are both well-known fall activities, and fortunately, these activities can be done safely. Nothing says fall more than grabbing a basket, picking a bushel of delicious apples followed by some apple donuts and hot apple cider. This could easily fill up a great fall afternoon and scratch your itch for a quick getaway. The pumpkin patch is also a great activity to explore a local farm and soak in the crisp fall air. You might even be able to take your adventure into one of those awesome corn mazes.

Plan a leaf-peeping tour.

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Not even a pandemic can take the awesomeness out of beautiful autumn foliage. This can be a great activity for those who love and appreciate nature and the fall season. While doing some leaf-peeping in the high country you may be able to combine some of the hobbies that you most enjoy such as road tripping, photography, and adventure. Do a little research to find the best leaf-peeping spots exactly when the foliage will be at peak color. You could make a full day or weekend of it.

Whatever adventure you choose this fall, be sure to include some of your best fall travel clothes. Pack a suitcase with your favorite lightweight fall outfits and set out for a travel adventure that will highlight the beauty of the season. Whether you are heading out for a day or a few days, you can greet the autumn weather by embarking on the perfect getaway.