Fall-tastic family travel

September means backpacks, homework, and busy schedules. From packing lunch boxes to lacing up your child’s new soccer cleats, the fall often leaves you and your family wishing that summer vacations that took months to plan hadn’t flown by so quickly.

With the majority of long family vacations taking place between July and August, September presents quite a lull in traveling dreams. Too early to plan next summer’s big getaway, and the holidays not yet close enough to create sufficient excitement, you may find yourself wishing away the fall.

Not so fast. The opportunities for affordable, family day trips during the autumn months appear around every corner and under each orange and red shaded leaf lining the sidewalk. Make each weekend one to look forward to with these local travel ideas.

Festivals and fairs

Fall is prime time for festivals and fairs. From agricultural to craft fairs, and church festivals to Oktoberfests, the options provide the possibility for multiple weekends of day trip getaway enjoyment.

Pumpkin picking and hayrides

Traveling in hay filled wagons in search of the perfect pumpkin fills visitors of all ages with fall enthusiasm. Pumpkin patches often provide nighttime haunted hayrides that add an additional Halloween holiday flair to the tradition. Once chosen, the pumpkins provide future enjoyment from their Jack O’ Lantern prospects.

Apple picking

An orchard lined with rows of apple-filled trees describes the background of a portrait worthy family outing. Especially prevalent throughout New England, apple picking sparks weeks of family baking and meals that continue bringing everyone together despite busy schedules.

Corn mazes

If you have energetic kids looking to blow off some steam, try a trip to a fall corn maze. Growing increasingly popular, these mazes often take the shape of festive items that become visible from an aerial view. With varying themes, designs, and levels of difficulty, these attractions make for an exciting excursion for all ages.

Local theme parks

While many associate theme parks with summer time fun, the fall provides the best circumstances for these trips. With shorter lines, cooler temperatures, and often discounted weekend ticket prices, prepare to experience your local park in an entirely new fall fashion.

Foliage hikes

The fall scenery in New England transforms traditional hiking paths into brightly decorated trails worthy of new exploration. Provide young hikers with inexpensive cameras and watch them take on new roles as fall photographers.

Zoos

Local zoos often open on certain autumn weekends to provide Halloween and fall themed events for families. From face painting to trick or treating, the zoo provides unexpected fall fun.

Your new fall travel itinerary may have your kids wishing away the summer for a change as they impatiently await the arrival of fall weekends. Don’t let the end of summer blues stop you from enjoying all that the fall has to offer for family travel.

Mom Central