Where to travel in October

October is an ideal time for a travel adventure. Depending on your destination, it can mean classic fall leaves or the beginning of spring. That means the best place to visit in October really depends on what you want. 

Here’s a guide to help you start your travel planning.

What you’ll learn:

• Explore New England, the East Coast and national parks for fall foliage and traditional autumnal activities like hiking and apple picking.

• Take part in one of the many festivals that take place across the U.S. in October. From hauntings to hot air balloons, there’s something outdoorsy for everyone to enjoy.

• October is also a great month to travel abroad if it means fewer crowds and cheaper travel costs. 

In the U.S., October often brings to mind vibrant leaves, crisp weather and warm apple cider. As you start to plan your fall foliage tour, here are some places to consider:

With hikes, scenic drives and historic downtowns, Vermont offers something on the other side of every covered bridge. If you’d like to cover as much ground as possible, consider a road trip along one of the state’s 10 federally designated scenic byways. Wind through the mountains at your own pace and follow the fall colors, stopping to explore trailheads, waterfalls, museums, boutiques, farmer’s markets and more.

Stowe and Burlington are two popular towns for shopping, strolling and meeting friendly locals. 

As the only national park in New England, Acadia is an ideal location for enjoying outdoor activities and viewing turning leaves at their peak. The weather is mild with plenty of sunshine-filled days, perfect for exploring.

Acadia offers hiking trails for all skill levels. You can find shorter hikes like North Bubble to longer treks like Precipice Loop, Beehive or Sargent Mountain—each offering routes to amazing vistas. Acadia also has 45 miles of old carriage roads that now serve as bike trails. And if you enjoy being on the water, you can rent a canoe or kayak to paddle Jordan Pond. 

Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains offer different ways to enjoy the season. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are DIY and guided hiking and river experiences: Find mountaintop yoga flows, discover hidden waterfalls or try your hand at nature photography. 

If you’re an early riser, book a sunrise jeep excursion. Enjoy locally brewed coffee while being driven to some of the best viewing points in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Once you’re ready to relax, Asheville is home to a wide variety of popular restaurants, breweries, and local shops and galleries. 

It’s not just the East Coast that offers stunning fall views. Zion National Park offers its own spin with its bright yellow cottonwood trees against red and white sandstone cliffs. As the October weather shifts, you might spot mule deer, bighorn sheep, ringtails and gray foxes seeking food and warmer temps at lower elevations. If animals aren’t around, the stargazing opportunities offer a nice consolation.

The park’s hiking trails range from easy to advanced. The Pa’rus Trail is a leisurely walk with amazing views that’s stroller and wheelchair accessible. You can also cycle through Zion Canyon. Rock climbing and canyoneering are also popular options.

Some of the best places to travel in October in the U.S. also host seasonal festivals. Here are some fun ideas to consider as you pack up your boots and flannels.

Pennsylvania is a major producer of apples, and at its core is what’s affectionately known as apple country. Biglerville is host to the National Apple Harvest Festival, celebrating fall with apple-based goodies, crafts, live music, antique car shows and orchard tours. The 2025 festival runs for two weekends: ​Oct. 4-5 and 11-12.

This monthlong celebration bills itself as the largest Halloween celebration in the world. And it’s not hard to believe. Every year, over half a million visitors flock to historic Salem for family-friendly magic shows, costume balls, psychic readings, haunted harbor cruises, ghost tours and more. There are also guided walking tours that teach guests about the Naumkeag people, who originally inhabited the area, and Salem’s tragic history.

Artisans take pumpkin carving to a whole new level at this event that runs from mid-September to mid-November. Stroll half a mile and take in more than 7,000 jack o’ lantern displays featuring synchronized lights and music. Each jack o’ lantern is hand carved on site by local artists.

The “largest hot air balloon festival in the world” has been going for more than 50 years. This year’s festival takes place Oct. 4-12. Hundreds of balloons are awe-inspiring on their own, but there’s plenty more to this yearly festival, including chainsaw carving competitions, skydiving shows, live music and nightly fireworks. The event takes place less than 10 miles from downtown Albuquerque, so visitors have the opportunity to eat, drink, shop and enjoy everything this high-desert city has to offer.

If you’re looking for a unique fall experience, you don’t have to stay stateside. Here are a few potential international options. 

October marks the start of the northern lights season, and Reykjavik is an ideal location. There are bus and jeep tours available that take you outside the city. There’s less light pollution, which increases your chances of aurora spotting. Or you can take a northern lights boat cruise on Faxafloi Bay, which provides complete darkness.

Glaciers and geysers. Ice caves and hot springs. Lava fields and waterfalls. Iceland’s natural beauty offers a perfect backdrop to excursions if you have an appetite for adventure. If urban life is more your thing, you can find art galleries, museums and excellent nightlife inside the city limits.

October is the perfect time to explore Kyoto or hike the nearby mountains. Towards the end of the month, the maple trees explode into the rich reds and brilliant golds. To experience the beauty of the city’s autumn leaves, consider heading to Eikan-dō, Tōfuku-ji or Kiyomizu-dera—temples that stay open late into the evening for special illumination events.

You can also celebrate the city’s history during the Jidai Matsuri (festival of ages), a parade featuring historically accurate costumes from the previous 1,110 years starting in the late eighth century when the city was the national capital. Kurama Hi Matsuri is another parade. It features men dressed as warriors, all bearing giant fire torches.

October in Sydney means springtime, sunshiny days and cool nights, and the country’s famous Blue Jacaranda trees in bloom. 

If you’re looking for sand and surf, don’t skip Coogee, Bondi or Manly beaches. If you’d rather be on the water than in it, there are multiple boat and ferry tours around Sydney Harbour offering amazing views of landmarks like the famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

The Blue Mountains are just 90 minutes outside of the city and perfect for a day trip or overnight stay. There’s plenty to explore, including mountain towns, street art, apple orchards, wine tours, wildlife safaris and walking trails. You can even explore a glowworm cave—which is exactly what it sounds like. 

The Greek islands are always a popular destination, but October brings fewer crowds, lower prices and spectacular weather. And affordable high-speed ferries make island hopping that much easier.

Santorini is famed for its whitewashed buildings and blue domes, especially in towns like Oia. If you’re looking for a vibrant nightlife and fantastic beaches, spend some time in Mykonos. And for a change of pace, consider Naxos. You can visit working olive tree farms, take cooking classes, and explore small towns for great shopping and even better coffee.

In addition to all the classic historical attractions like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Vatican City, there are other off-the-beaten-path attractions to consider as you eat your way through this bustling city. 

Via dei Coronari, located in Rome’s historic center, holds an antique market every weekend. Even if you’re not buying, it’s a fun festive way to see some beautiful pieces from Rome’s past. The Roseto Comunale Rose Garden is home to around 1,100 rose species. And it’s open in October for the flowers’ second bloom.

Italians don’t formally celebrate Halloween, but if you’re in the mood for something befitting the holiday, check out the city’s historic cemeteries, or take a guided tour of the Catacombs and Capuchin Crypts.

Many people head to warmer destinations in the winter to escape the cold, or during the summer when vacations are at their peak. But a fall escape can mean beautiful destinations that are less crowded and more affordable.

Travelers understandably hesitate to visit the Caribbean during hurricane season from June to November. But Aruba is outside the hurricane belt. The island does see a bit more rain in October, but that ensures the island is at its greenest and most lush. 

If you feel like venturing away from your beach cabana, there are plenty of natural sights on the east coast of the island to explore. You can spend an afternoon visiting caves, gold ruins, wild beaches, hiking trails and more. October also tends to have calmer water conditions, making snorkeling and diving ideal.

Hawaii is no doubt a tropical paradise. But it also plays host to loads of festivals. 

The annual Hawaii International Film Festival takes place in Honolulu during October. It focuses on cinema from Asia and the Pacific to elevate Native Hawaiian and Indigenous filmmakers.

The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is a foodie’s dream. Cofounded by two of Hawaii’s own James Beard Award-winning chefs, Hawaii’s agriculture and local culinary talent are featured in world-class experiences. This year’s event takes place on the Big Island of Hawaii Oct. 17-18 and on Maui Oct. 24-25.

October is a transitional season in Mexico from the intense heat of summer to more mild temperatures. The summer rush of tourists has died down, and it’s a great destination if you’re looking for tranquil days. 

Consider visiting Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato. Running from Oct. 10 to 26, this festival fills the city and features hundreds of events including theater, concerts, performances and exhibitions. Performers from all over the world share the unique aspects of their country’s culture. 

The Day of the Dead is a well-known Mexican tradition from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Somber, meaningful and celebratory, festivities take place throughout the country. Oaxaca in particular is strewn with marigolds and hosts parades, face painting, flower crowns and impromptu street parties honoring departed loved ones.

October in Taiwan brings plenty of cultural experiences. The annual Moon Festival (Oct. 4-6) celebrates togetherness and gratitude for Taiwanese families. Gatherings take place under a radiant full moon. Local delicacy mooncakes are shared, stories are told, and lanterns illuminate the night sky during joyful parades.

And the capital city of Taipei is a great hub for day trips:

• Jiufen is just a short drive, known for its narrow, winding streets filled with traditional teahouses, souvenirs and street food vendors. It also offers stunning views of the coastline and surrounding mountains. 

• Maokong is home to tea plantations where you can sample high-quality teas and learn about traditional cultivation and production methods.

• Beitou and its natural hot springs offer welcome respite. October’s cooler temperatures make the mineral-rich waters even more relaxing, and the surrounding lush greenery and mountains add to a peaceful atmosphere.

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With summer crowds thinning, prices dropping and temps cooling, October is an ideal time to travel. And Capital One cardholders can use Capital One Travel to earn elevated rewards and find Capital One’s best prices on thousands of booking options.