Everyone loves a good leaf peep. But for travelers craving an alternative to the pumpkin spice latte, default flavor of fall travel, the season offers bolder and unexpected experiences. From design and glassblowing festivals to open-air culinary feasts and collectible car culture, here are a few fall events worth traveling for with hotels to match.
Collectible Car Culture: Scottsdale, AZ
More than just a collectible car auction, the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Fall Auction (October 15-18, 2025) is a lifestyle event where guests can marvel at some of the world’s most sought-after, unique and valuable vehicles, take Thrill Rides with top automakers, shop in the Exhibitor Marketplace, and indulge in a festival of food.
Where to stay: ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection
Located in a certified International Dark Sky Community, ADERO Scottsdale Resort offers a modern sanctuary after high-octane days, featuring 177 rooms each with a private balcony and elevated mountain views. The resort’s extensive amenities include a wellness studio, The Spa at ADERO, an onsite trailhead, two heated pools, lighted tennis and pickleball courts, and a partner golf course.
Heart of Glass: Seattle, WA
Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience (October 16-19, 2025) showcases why the Emerald City remains America’s hub for contemporary glass art. The 7th annual event brings together the local glass community, art enthusiasts, and newcomers for live glass blowing demonstrations, open studio tours, gallery shows, and art parties.
Where to stay: Hotel 1000, LXR Hotels & Resorts
The 120-room Hotel 1000 is a luxurious gem in the heart of Seattle with plush experiences like a Topgolf Swing Suite, an in-room bath menu, and authentic Pacific Northwest cuisine at the signature All Water Seafood & Oyster Bar. Local artistry and nature-inspired motifs adorn the MICHELIN 1 Key hotel, mixing deep maritime heritage with modern metropolitan style.
Midcentury Modernist Pilgrimage: Palm Springs, CA
Modernism Week’s fall festival (October 17-20, 2025) comprises more than 50 exclusive activities in its stylish encore to the city’s February celebration, including architecture tours, social events, talks, art shows, and film presentations.
Where to stay: Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs or Royal Sun Palm Springs
To be in the center of all downtown has to offer, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs is within steps of arts & culture, hiking trails, and entertainment. The 153-room hotel features the city’s only rooftop pool, a champagne vending machine, Michelin-worthy dining at 4 Saints, plus complimentary amenities like pickleball courts and a Bedside Reading literary amenity program.
For retro boutique style, Royal Sun Palm Springs is a 66-room hideaway with its own blend of “desert magick” inspired by the city’s mystic allure. Activity buzzes at the central pool and terrace complete with cabanas, landscaped patios, and High Moon Pool Bar. Open to hotel guests, complimentary poolside yoga and sound healing provides a Saturday morning reset for culturally conscious travelers.
A Symphony of Flavors & Sounds on the Monterey Peninsula
A trio of top-tier events with iconic scenery makes Monterey County on California’s Central Coast a must-visit destination for fall. The future of jazz comes alive at the Monterey Jazz Festival (September 26-28, 2025). Savor the best of Carmel’s vibrant food & wine scene at the Taste of Carmel (October 2, 2025), where coastal charm meets culinary excellence in an enchanting village setting. Experience live-fire cooking and rare whiskey pairings at Whiskey & Fire in Pebble Beach (November 1, 2025), a collaboration between Whiskies of the World and Heritage Fire.
Where to stay: Boutique and luxury stays pair perfectly with these immersive coastal events, such as the beachfront Monterey Plaza Hotel, Stilwell Hotel, or Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach.
