School is in session and (fake) fall is in the air—which means fall break! While this is a shorter break than summer or spring, that doesn’t mean you can’t still plan a vacation. According to a survey from YouGov, 11% of Americans say they’ve never left the state they live in, and fewer than 2% have visited all 50 states. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or more outdoorsy, there’s a destination for you. Worried you can’t afford it? We’re here to help you stress less—here are five affordable fall break vacation destinations.
1. Grand Canyon National Park
There’s a reason this destination is a classic vacation spot! One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon spans over 1,900 square miles with rock walls descending more than a mile down to the bottom of the canyon. While the area is typically full of people, fall in the Grand Canyon means milder weather and minimal crowds, making it the perfect time to explore popular trails like Bright Angel and the Rim Trail. Fall is also a great time to raft the Colorado River—no need to worry about heavy rainfall.
Visit the Yavapai Museum of Geology to learn about the geologic history recorded in the rocks and the names of the different rock layers (admission is free). From there, take on the Trail of Time. This nearly three-mile paved walk displays a visceral representation of geologic time, with bronze markers tracking your location in time. Fall is a favorite time for animals, too! Many animals become more active this time of year, and lucky listeners can hear the bugle mating call of elks or even catch of glimpse of them fighting, literally, for a female’s attention.
Those coming by car can score an entry pass that covers the entire vehicle and is valid for seven consecutive days, so be sure to bring the whole crew for an adventure of a lifetime. The park also offers a few options to save money—if you’re the parent of a fourth grader, check out Every Kid Outdoors for a voucher that admits the student, plus accompanying passengers, in a non-commercial vehicle. Or, if you’re planning to visit at least two additional national parks within the next 12 months, then you’ll want to look into an America the Beautiful pass. If you’re more interested in a day trip to the canyon, consider a tour that also covers nearby cities like Flagstaff, and take advantage of the free shuttle bus service.
2. Hocking Hills State Park
Another great state park to check out this fall break is Hocking Hills State Park. Located just about 50 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, this park is known for its fantastic displays of fall foliage. Plus, mild temperatures make hiking trails like Conkles Hollow Rim and Cedar Falls a tremendous option for leaf-peeping. Get up close with nature on a ziplining tour with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours, and road trippers will love the Hocking Hills road tour, which provides stunning views as the road twists and turns through the forest.
Other options at the park include mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, and more. If you’re interested in astronomy, visit the John Glenn Astronomy Park (JGAP). Open both day and night for views of the sky, they also host guided stargazing events on clear Friday and Saturday nights, where they “tour” the constellations and other features of the sky. Admission to JGAP is free, as is parking, though you’ll need to register for a free parking pass on event days. Get more in the fall spirit at Walker Farm, where you can check out the corn maze for $6 per guest over the age of five, or $10 if you also want to go through the sunflower field.
Entrance to the park is free and also features a campground with electric and non-electric sites depending on your preference. If that’s not your style, the area is also home to cabins, glamping sites, and luxurious lodges.
3. Gulf Shores
Looking for a different kind of view this fall? Forget the foliage and visit Gulf Shores for beautiful beaches and delicious seafood. Gulf Shores is extremely popular during spring and summer, so an autumnal escape means fewer people all while taking advantage of some nearly-perfect weather. Gulf Shores in the fall is known for their gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, so pack a sweater when planning to enjoy the views.
There’s also a ton of activities for the whole family besides the beach. History buffs will enjoy Fort Morgan, exploring the fort’s storehouse, barracks, and more while learning about its role during the Civil War. Adult tickets are $8, while student tickets cost $6, and kids under 6 years old are free—you can also purchase a family of four pack for $20, which covers two adults and two kids.
Nature lovers will delight in the annual Alabama Coastal BirdFest, which highlights the fall migration of more than 300 species of birds along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Registration for the nature expo is free, with additional options like pontoon tours available for purchase. Or, check out the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo to visit more than 100 species of animals, including 22 critically endangered species like the red ruffed lemur.
And of course, you can’t go wrong with a weekend at the 51st annual Shrimp Festival. As the saying goes, you can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it, or get your shrimp and seafood any other way you like from one of 50 local and regional vendors. Plus enjoy live music, art booths, children’s activities, and so much more.
4. New Orleans
Is spooky season your favorite? Then you may want to check out New Orleans this fall break. Known for its haunted history, New Orleans is the perfect place to get ready for Halloween. Check out any of the plethora of ghost tours to hear scary stories of sightings in hotels, restaurants, and homes, or visit the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, a historic apothecary located in the French Quarter, which details the history of some creepy procedures of the past.
October is also a great time to visit since the weather has started to change. And since most people prefer to travel in the spring or summer, you’ll avoid the huge crowds and sweltering heat while strolling through the French Quarter or the Garden District. There are tons of free festivals, including the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, Gentilly Fest, and Art for Art’s Sake. Since the city is so walkable, you can skip the Ubers for some extra savings. Not up for walking? The street cars are a unique—and cheap—way to get around the city.
A visit to New Orleans wouldn’t be complete without some delicious food, and options abound. Coop’s Place is an affordable favorite, serving up rabbit and sausage jambalaya and seafood gumbo, or visit Deja Vu Restaurant and Bar for classic Cajun dishes and comfort foods.
5. Gatlinburg
Four hours north of Atlanta, the gateway to the Smoky Mountains is another great—and affordable—option for a fall break vacation. Full of family-friendly activities, like Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Gatlin’s Fun Center, this small town is perfect for kids and kids-at-heart. Gatlinburg has become so popular that in 2021, they had more visitors at Smoky Mountain National Park than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon national parks combined!
Whether you prefer to stroll through town or explore the park, options abound in Gatlinburg. Entrance to the national park is free, though you’ll need to purchase a parking permit. With the foliage hitting its peak in October, the hiking trails are even prettier or consider taking a scenic drive if you’re a little less outdoorsy. Fan of local art? Visit the galleries in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, and enjoy watching the artisans at work.
You may also want to check out the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. At only $3 to get in, the price of your ticket also goes towards a purchase in the gift shop. More of a movie lover? Then you’ll want to visit the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. Home to a plethora of famous cars from TV and movies, you’ll be able to check out classic cars like the Jeep from Jurassic Park, the Munster’s car, and even a Batmobile.
Don’t forget to budget
Now’s a great time to look into redeeming those credit card reward points, too! With Georgia’s Own Flex Rewards1, you can earn points for your purchases and redeem them for discounts at the pump, unique events, or even flights and hotels, helping you save money on your vacation. Plus, our Visa Signature®, Visa® Platinum, and Student Visa cards offer travel and emergency assistance and trip cancellation/interruption reimbursement2 when you book travel with those cards. This can be important as you’ll also want to keep the weather in mind—fall is hurricane season in the Gulf, and winter can come early in places like the Grand Canyon or Gatlinburg, so be sure to research.
Lastly, make sure you know what your priorities are for travel before you hit the road, especially if you’re planning to travel with a group.
Key takeaways:
- State and national parks like Hocking Hills and Grand Canyon are great options for outdoorsy fall break vacations.
- Check out destinations on the Gulf Coast like New Orleans and Gulf Shores for fun fall festivals and delicious food.
- Closest to Atlanta, head north to Gatlinburg for fun for the whole family.
As you can see, there are plenty of options for affordable fall-break vacations, and even more reasons to explore the States! We hope this list helps you find your perfect vacation destination. Have a favorite fall destination? Share it in the comments below!
