Time for the yearly debate, it is too early to roll out the fall flavors?
Starbucks doesn’t think so, as their iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte made its return a couple weeks back.
As we will be pulling out our sweaters in no time, let’s explore destinations that offer timely activities from ghost tours to harvest festivals!
Charleston, SC
Fall Activities:
- Ghost tours
- Riverfront Revival – a music festival curated by country star Darius Rucker (October 7-8)
Where to Stay:
- Mills House Hotel – a historic property that was originally constructed in 1853, billed as “the finest hotel south of New York,”. The hotel has a couple of infamous ghost stories… but guests should remember that the lines between history and legend are easily blurred! For maximum comfort, prospective visitors will be glad to know that in December 2022, The Mills House completed a multi-million-dollar transformation to an upscale lifestyle-oriented hotel, with completely renovated guest rooms and suites, public spaces, and new signature dining outlets.
New Orleans, LA
Fall Activities:
- New Orleans Saints Games and Tailgates
- Spooky Halloween Celebrations
- Bayou Bacchanal, the original Caribbean Carnival of New Orleans (November 3-4)
Where to Stay:
- The Pontchartrain Hotel Known for their four unique dining options, live music, and as the birthplace of The New Orleans Saints, The Pontchartrain Hotel offers modern and approachable luxury wrapped in the historic charm of the property’s original 1927 architecture. The hotel’s convenient location on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line makes it the perfect jumping-off point to explore the Crescent City for visitors seeking a sophisticated and authentic New Orleans experience outside of (yet easily accessible to) the iconic French Quarter. For fall enthusiasts looking to make the most of their spooky season, The Pontchartrain Hotel is also one of the most haunted hotels in New Orleans, said to host as many as 25 real ghosts.
St. Helena, CA
Fall Activities:
- Harvest Season: one of the world’s premier wine regions boasting more than 400 wineries, Napa Valley is perhaps most famous for its prized Cabernet Sauvignon and well-known for its upscale boutiques, stunning landscapes and luxe lifestyle and is a must-visit destination for any wine lover, especially heading into summer and harvest season. Centrally located within Napa Valley, St. Helena provides easy access to the best wineries and tastings rooms in the valley.
- Winemaker Dinners: meet some of Napa Valley’s top winemakers while enjoying their wines paired with Harvest Table’s fresh, seasonal cuisine over live music and the property’s lush grounds of stunning vineyard views and 320 California redwood trees.
- Knightsbridge Cellars and Knights Valley Wagyu (September 22)
- J Lohr Vineyards & Wine – in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 20)
Where to Stay:
- Harvest Inn is an idyllic resort in the heart of Napa Valley designed to celebrate the vineyard way of life with 81 recently enhanced accommodations nestled into four uniquely crafted neighborhoods. Charming wine country ambiance is paired with a wealth of amenities, including two secluded swimming pools and hot tubs, morning wellness programming and in-room wine.
Cle Elum, WA
Fall Activities:
- 17th Annual Harvest Festival (October 7-8, 14-15)
- Fall Outdoor Adventures:
- River Rafting Trips
- Guided Fly-Fishing Drift Trips; Intro to Fly Fishing
- ATV & Side-by-Side Guided Tours
- Hiking + Biking – includes guided and unguided trips through the 40+ miles of trails
Where to Stay:
- Suncadia – Situated at the base of the Cascade Mountains, Suncadia is just 80 miles from the hustle and bustle of Seattle. The all-seasons property offers 6,000 acres of forested mountain landscape for a picturesque fall getaway.
Austin, TX
Fall Activities:
- Austin City Limits Music Festival (October 6-8, 13-15)
- Formula 1 (October 20-22)
- 30th Annual Austin Film Festival (October 26–November 2)
Where to Stay:
- Upper Stories at Thompson Austin – Perched high above the city on the secluded 16th floor, the new Upper Stories suites offer a luxury experience complete with a dedicated 24-hour VIP concierge, roundtrip airport transfer, a private entrance, full-service kitchens, in-unit washer and dryers, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and more. Additional VIP offerings include in-suite wine tastings and chef experiences, in-suite massages and IV therapy, priority dining and poolside cabana reservations, complimentary tickets to the city’s top attractions and more.
Chicago, IL
Fall Activities:
- Behind the Lens Photography Masterclass with Nigel Barker – this intimate event at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago will take guests behind the lens and onto the set of a high fashion shoot, followed by a cocktail reception and opportunity to be photographed by internationally renowned fashion photographer Nigel Barker (September 22)
- Riot Fest – a punk rock music festival (September 15-17)
- Chicago Gourmet – an event foodies won’t want to miss (September 21-24)
- Chicago International Film Festival (October 12-23)
Where to Stay:
- 21c Museum Hotel Chicago is a one-of-a-kind contemporary art museum and boutique hotel, located just steps from Chicago’s famous Magnificent Mile shopping district in River North. The 297-room hotel is the ideal home base and gathering place in Chicago, with an array of unique meeting and event venues, including over 10,000 square feet of gallery space. 21c is also home to the Chicago outpost of the Soho seafood hotspot Lure Fishbar from acclaimed Mercer Street Hospitality. Images