Students will often head home over fall break, but you have adventure on the mind. That’s great! Traveling to unfamiliar places can open your eyes to new ways of seeing the world.
Best of all, you don’t need a passport to enjoy a scenic getaway. There are plenty of destinations that are budget-friendly for students who don’t have a lot of cash to spare.
Check out the following nine spots as you plan out your fall break.
1. Cape May, NJ
Maybe you skip the shore during the summer months to avoid the crowds. Not everyone likes the constant hustle and bustle of strangers, the noise and lack of privacy. Fortunately, you have an alternative.
In Cape May, you can enjoy sitting oceanside, even if it’s too chilly to take a dip. The area is rich in history, and some of the city’s past residents may linger on the premises.
Take a haunted tour of the town, including destinations like the Physick Estate. Enjoy the jazz festival, or get into the spirit of the season by checking out a holiday-themed play.
2. Dearborn, MI
Do you revel in all things automotive engineering? Head to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI, where you can tour the Henry Ford museum and indulge your geek groove.
The fall color in the area will delight fellow travelers, even if they prefer the outdoors to motors. If you like photography, you can get a few lighthouse shots. Take a dinner cruise on the lake and woo that special someone.
3. Colorado Springs, CO
You don’t have to ski like an Olympian to enjoy the splendor of colorful Colorado. While hotels in the Denver metro area will set you back a pretty penny, you can find affordable lodging in Colorado Springs, located only an hour south.
Rent a 4X4 vehicle and drive up Mt. Baldy for some spectacular views. Catch an outdoor concert at Red Rocks State Park before the snow arrives.
4. Washington, DC
The nation’s capital may enjoy renown for cherry blossoms in the spring, but it erupts with equally fabulous colors in the autumn months. While there, you can tour the Smithsonian and learn about anything from natural history to aeronautic science.
The city is known for its top-notch cuisine, so save up to explore luxury dining. Who knows? You may end up seated next to the future President of the United States.
5. Grand Canyon Village, AZ
What happens when you give Mother Nature thousands of years to sculpt a masterpiece? The Grand Canyon. This giant hole in the earth was once a vast, inland sea, and visitors still find fossils.
Fall is the perfect time to visit as temperatures inside the canyon cool down. It remains inadvisable to try to hike to the river and back in one day — but you won’t melt on your trek.
6. Boca Raton, FL
By the time November rolls around, hurricane season is history. What better time of year to head down Florida way? You’ll hit the tail end of the off-season, meaning you can find lodging bargains.
The weather remains in the sunny 70s, perfect for working on your tan. If you enjoy golf, you’ll adore playing the links on one of the area’s many courses.
7. Portland, OR
If you head out west, you’ll find a veritable ton of activities going down in Portland, OR, this fall. Are you a fan of steampunk? Hit up the film festival dedicated to the genre.
Maybe you can’t get enough of the holidays? You’ll find a ton of seasonally themed events and lightings to delight your evenings.
8. San Diego, CA
Let’s face it — there’s no wrong time of year to head to San Diego. The weather stays seasonal year-round, perfect for everything from outdoor retail therapy to sunning at the beach.
If you’re a history buff, you can tour the USS Midway, a decommissioned aircraft carrier. The city also enjoys a vibrant culinary scene, and you can find some of the tastiest fish tacos right on the boardwalk.
9. Bar Harbor, ME
Once the leaf-peepers fly back south, you can enjoy this picturesque town without battling traffic. If you adore aquatic mammals, you can tour the Bar Harbor Whale Museum and learn how climate change impacts these majestic creatures.
Since you’re on the ocean, dig into some of the freshest and least pricey lobster and crab you’ll find anywhere.
Do a Little Research Before Fall Break
Whether you choose the east or west coast or somewhere in between, you can have a great fall break. Consider these destinations and book your tickets today.
Dylan Bartlett is a men’s lifestyle blogger from the City of Brotherly Love. He runs the site Just a Regular Guide, looking at other topics related to health and wellness, relationships, the outdoors and DIY. You can follow him on Twitter @a_regular_guide to get frequent updates on his work.
