Traveling in the fall is my absolute favorite. For many reasons (some due to my basic-ness) fall travel fills my heart with all of my favorite travel things. Less crowds, pretty changing colors, cooler temps, pumpkins, apples and fall boots — need I say more! These are my favorite things about fall travel (dedicated to my fellow basic B’s).
1. Less Crowds
No matter the destination, the fall is likely going to be the best time to go. When the kids head back to school (normally, when we’re not in pandemic times), it’s the best time of year to travel. September often sees less crowds and lower rates on hotels and flights (depending on the destination). The beach in the fall brings gorgeous weather. There’s less crowds (in non-pandemic times) in Europe or even Disney in the fall. But for me the New England area is where all fall things live the ultimate basic fall life. If you can steal some time away when everyone else is headed back to school you can relish in all the fall travel basic-ness and enjoy your apple cider donuts in peace and quiet.
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Winter Park, Colorado; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
2. Leaf Peeping
Every season of course has its colors and each are beautiful in their own way but it’s the variety of the Autumn colors that I love the most. Added bonus, they change every day. Visiting a classic Autumn destination like Vermont, Boston, upstate New York, or really anywhere in the New England area is truly a must in the fall. It’s a must for all the basic fall B’s and for anyone who likes to witness the physical changing of the seasons.
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3. Cooler Temps
I love summer but I hate humidity and super hot temps. I don’t enjoy sweating and summer equals sweat to me. The cooler temps of the fall weather are my ideal temps. A world where it is always between 63 and 77 degrees (to be specific) is my perfect Autumn world.
4. Pumpkin Spice
Chillax, I’m not THAT basic on the pumpkin spice. I love me a Starbucks PSL of course (are you even trying to be basic if you don’t?!) and maybe a pumpkin spice muffin (baking in 2020, ’em I right!). But I’m not lighting eight pumpkin spice candles at home or smothering my body in pumpkin spice lotion. I do have my pumpkin spice limits. When it’s time for that fall road trip however, you bet your basic butt that I’ll be getting myself a delicious drink with a few pumps of pumpkin spice before hitting the road. It’s a fall travel essential, just like a good pair of fall boots.
5. Fall Boots
Speaking of fall boots! Strappy sandals and wedges of course look fantastic with your summer dress, but it’s the booties, boots and cowboy boots that are the fall winners. Boots for fall travel offer style and comfortability. Boots were made for walking and sightseeing. Whether you want to tour around the city of Boston or immerse yourself in the fall colors on a hike, boots are the answer. It makes fall travel easy to pack one versatile set that pairs well with a fall dress, your favorite jeans or shorts.
Related: The Must-Have Travel Shoe that is Perfect for Home Too
Hiking in Winter Park, Colorado; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
6. Apple Cider Donuts
Because what else should you eat with your PSL? Duh!
7. Fall Clothes
The year 2020 has made comfort the main objective for fashion (forever?) and fall clothes check that box easily. Whether you’re venturing on that fall road trip or cozying up on the couch surrounded by fall candles, wearing a lightweight sweater, flannel shirt, jeans or joggers will insure you keep your basic B cred.
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Wearing flannel in a pumpkin patch, because basic.; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
8. Pumpkins, Apple Picking and Corn Mazes
Again, basic, but all a must for fall travel. Fall travel equals pumpkin patches, apple picking and corn mazes, you have to visit these places during your fall travels for the ‘gram. If you don’t, did fall even happen?
9. Haunted Adventures
I draw the line with my basic fall-ness at haunted houses. I hate being scared and having ghostly creatures jump out and grab me. Not.my.idea.of.fun! However, for those who do enjoy having heart palpations, haunted adventures are not to be missed in Autumn. The last one I visited swore me off of haunted houses for life because I almost left my terrified soul behind I was so scared. It was the Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and it has a reputation in the fall. It’s haunted on an average day (Al Capone and other legendary criminals were jailed there). So add in creepy, out-of-your-mind scary actors who grab at you, as you slowly walk through the old, dark prison and my prayers are with you. Terror Behind the Walls is canceled for 2020 however daytime tours and fall nighttime tours of the prison are open on weekends.
Related: Eastern State Penitentiary: A Look Inside During a Pandemic
Another real-life haunted experience is in Aberdeenshire, Scotland at the Peterhead Prison Museum. I had the pleasure of touring the former prison in 2018 in board daylight with not a single soul jumping out at me and my heart was racing as I peeked around every corner. Hard labor, prison riots, and vicious criminals fill the stories of these prison walls. You listen to former prisoners and prison guards tell their stories on a self-guided audio tour that does not skimp on the details. The smell of antiseptic and ammonia still sticks in my nose from the medical wing of the prison. I did not visit in the fall but I was told they hold an incredibly terrifying Halloween event each year. It’s so terrifying that no one under 18 years old is permitted and I was told many visitors chose to bail out of the tour because it is so scary. That was all I needed to hear to know I will never be attending thank you very much. The Halloween experience is canceled for 2020 but tours of the Peterhead Prison Museum are still taking place.
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