Best destinations to visit in October in North America
Best destinations to visit in October in North America
October is peak season for one specific reason across much of North America, as fall foliage draws travelers from around the world.
New England and eastern Canada see some of their most famous displays of the year, with color spreading steadily as the month goes on and drawing dedicated leaf peeping crowds. Halloween festivities build through the month too, adding pumpkin patches, corn mazes and seasonal events to countryside trips. Hurricane season continues to ease, though it remains a factor for Caribbean and Gulf Coast destinations into the first half of the month. The Caribbean and coastal Mexico stay warm and increasingly popular as travelers look to escape the cooling weather further north. National parks also see a second wave of visitors chasing the season's colors.
The destinations on our list for North America reflect that same range, from peak fall color to warm coastal escapes.
Lists by region
Country
Mexico
Land of diverse wonders
Families build ofrendas in the last days of October for Day of the Dead. These are altars with marigolds, candles and photos. Oaxaca and Mexico City hold parades and markets. The rains ease. Sugar skulls and sweet pan de muerto fill the bakeries. Evenings glow with candles.
City in United States
Austin
Live music, lakes and local flavor
Live music, tacos and a relaxed mood define this Texas capital. Austin City Limits Music Festival fills Zilker Park over two weekends in early October. The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix is held at the Circuit of the Americas. Days are mild at about 27 degrees Celsius. Barton Springs Pool stays cool.
City in United States
San Francisco
Iconic bridges, rolling hills and vibrant culture
Hilly, creative and full of cable cars, this bay city has its warmest and clearest weather in autumn. Days in October are about 22 degrees Celsius with less fog. The Blue Angels fly over the bay during Fleet Week. Walkers cross the Golden Gate Bridge. The Ferry Building has stalls with cheese and oysters.
State/Prefecture in United States
Massachusetts
Historic Charm Meets Cultural Vibrancy
Salem holds a month long Halloween party in October. Costumed parades and haunted tours trace back to the 1692 witch trials. Farther west, the Berkshires blaze orange and red. Drive the Mohawk Trail past barns and orchards. Apple cider doughnuts are a must at every farm stand.
City in United States
New Orleans
Jazz, Creole Flavors and Mardi Gras Vibes
Above ground tombs at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 add chill to Halloween tours. October heat has faded, with highs near 80 degrees. Costumed parties fill the French Quarter on 31 October. Jazz spills from Frenchmen Street doors. Beignets and chicory coffee start the day.
City in United States
Savannah
Southern Charm, Moss-Draped Squares
Founded in 1733, this Georgia port near the mouth of the Savannah River was laid out around leafy squares. Twenty two squares remain today. Spanish moss hangs from live oaks. Ghost tours are popular around Halloween. Days are mild at about 24 degrees Celsius. Forsyth Park has a white fountain.
City in United States
Asheville
Blue Ridge arts, brews and views
The Blue Ridge Parkway curls through the mountains outside town. Its leaves usually peak in mid to late October. Biltmore Estate has a 250 room house on 8,000 acres of colourful woods. Back downtown, craft breweries fill with hikers. Evenings turn crisp and smell of woodsmoke.
State/Prefecture in United States
Vermont
Green Mountains, Maple Syrup, Pure Charm
Maples turn bright red along Route 100, which runs the length of the state. Colour usually peaks in early to mid October. Stop at a farm stand for cider doughnuts and maple syrup. Covered bridges frame the hills. Stowe and Woodstock stay busy at weekends.
City in Canada
Montreal
A city of festivals, food and culture
On an island in the St. Lawrence River beneath Mount Royal, this French speaking city turns red and gold in autumn. Leaves are bright on the mountain paths in early October. Old Montreal has cobbled lanes and the Notre Dame Basilica. Jean Talon Market sells apples and pumpkins. Bagels come hot from wood fired ovens.
City in United States
Charleston (South Carolina)
Southern Charm, History and Coastline
In October the air in this South Carolina port is warm but less humid, with days near 24 degrees Celsius. Walkers pass pastel row houses on Rainbow Row. Spanish moss hangs from live oak trees. Restaurants serve shrimp and grits and she crab soup. Horse drawn carriages roll over old cobblestones.
State/Prefecture in United States
New Hampshire
Mountains, lakes and coastal charm
Small, wooded and proud of its motto Live Free or Die, this New England state is known for autumn colour. The colour peaks in early and mid October. The Kancamagus Highway runs 34 miles through the White Mountains. Covered bridges cross quiet rivers. Farm stands sell cider doughnuts. Mount Washington reaches 1,917 metres.
National Park in United States
Zion National Park
Red rocks, epic hikes and nature's beauty
Southern Paiute people lived in this canyon for centuries. Settlers named it Zion and the area became a national park in 1919. Cottonwood trees turn gold along the Virgin River in October. Days are warm at about 24 degrees Celsius. The Narrows hike is easier in low water. Angels Landing needs a permit.
City in Canada
Quebec City
Old World Charm in North America
Maple trees along the St. Lawrence River turn red and orange in early October. Days are cool at about 11 degrees Celsius. Orchards on the Ile d'Orleans sell apples and cider. Montmorency Falls drops 83 metres. Chateau Frontenac looks over the river. Cafes in Petit Champlain serve hot chocolate.
National Park in United States
Rocky Mountain National Park
Majestic Peaks and Untamed Wilderness
Each autumn Estes Park celebrates the elk rut with Elk Fest. Bull elk bugle in the meadows of Moraine Park. Golden aspens glow along the trails. Trail Ridge Road climbs to 3,713 metres but usually closes to traffic after heavy snow falls. Days are cool and clear at about 14 degrees Celsius.
National Park in United States
Acadia National Park
Rugged Shores, Sunrise Peaks, Wild Beauty
Rising from the Gulf of Maine on Mount Desert Island, this park joins granite peaks, forest and rocky shore. Autumn leaves are usually at their brightest in mid October. Hikers climb Cadillac Mountain at 466 metres for views of the islands. Carriage roads wind past ponds. Days are cool at about 14 degrees Celsius.
Region in United States
Napa Valley
Wine country's elegant culinary paradise
Vines were planted here in the 1800s. A 1976 tasting in Paris made Napa wines famous. Harvest is often wrapping up in October. Vineyard leaves turn gold and red along the valley, which is about 30 miles long. Winery tours show how grapes are crushed. Tasting rooms are less crowded than in summer.
Island in Canada
Vancouver Island
Untamed Beauty and Coastal Charm
Chum salmon swim up Goldstream Provincial Park rivers in late October. Bald eagles gather in the trees to feed. Victoria is just down the road, with Butchart Gardens still blooming in autumn colour. Rain starts to return. Forests glow green and misty in the damp air.
National Park in United States
Olympic National Park
Untamed Wilderness, All in One
Covering nearly one million acres, this park has glacier topped peaks, rainforest and wild beaches. Bull elk bugle in the Hoh Rain Forest during the autumn rut. Salmon swim up the rivers to spawn. Moss hangs from maples and spruces. Rain is more frequent so pack a waterproof jacket.
City in United States
Sedona
Red Rocks, Vortexes and Starry Skies
Red sandstone buttes glow at sunrise. October highs stay near 78 degrees. Hike Cathedral Rock before the heat of the day. Oak Creek Canyon turns gold and orange. The West Fork trail crosses the stream many times. Crowds ease after summer. Evenings are cool and clear.
City in United States
Santa Fe (New Mexico)
Ancient adobe charm meets artistic soul
Founded in 1610, this New Mexico capital is older than Plymouth Colony. Adobe buildings line the plaza and Canyon Road has art galleries. Roadside stands roast green chile and the smell fills the air. Aspens turn gold on the slopes above the city. Balloons fill the sky over nearby Albuquerque in early October.
Island in Canada
Cape Breton Island
Coastal charm meets rugged Atlantic scenery
This island forms the northeast end of Nova Scotia and has green highlands and a rugged coast. Autumn colours are strongest in early and mid October. The Cabot Trail loops 298 kilometres around Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Celtic Colours International Festival fills halls with fiddle music across the island.
Country
Aruba
White Sands and Sunny Vibes
Caquetio people lived on this Caribbean island before the Dutch arrived in 1636. Rock paintings from their time are found in Arikok National Park. Aruba lies south of the usual hurricane belt so October is dry and sunny with days near 31 degrees Celsius. Eagle Beach has wide white sand and divi divi trees.
City in United States
Moab
Red rock canyons echo adventure seekers' dreams
Compared with summer highs near 38 degrees Celsius, this Utah desert town is much more comfortable in October. Days are about 22 degrees Celsius. Hikers walk three miles to Delicate Arch in nearby Arches National Park. Mountain bikers ride Slickrock Trail. Rafting trips run on the Colorado River.
Country
Curaçao
Vibrant Caribbean with Dutch flair
Locals shop at the floating market in Willemstad, where Venezuelan boats sell fruit and fish. The Dutch painted the harbour houses in bright colours. October is part of a rainy season with short showers and warm days near 31 degrees Celsius. Blue Curacao liqueur is made from local orange peel.
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