14 Best Places to Visit in October (USA + International)

What’s great about traveling in October is that you have a wide range of experiences and festivities to choose from, and amazing weather to go with it! That’s why I am so excited to share this list of best places to visit in October.

In a lot of places, it’s the season for layers, and (like September) you can still benefit from the off-season without holiday crowds pouring in. Read on for my recommendations!

Fall leaves are at their peak in many destinations and harvest is in full swing. That means high season in places like Vermont and California’s wine country. If you’re interested in a destination in the southern hemisphere, just be aware that it’s the start of peak summer season.

But in other places, you can enjoy the shoulder season, where crowds have thinned out and hotel rates are lower. Remember, the farther north you go, the more wintery the weather will get. And in the south, the days are starting to finally cool down a bit.

The challenge for this time of year is really just picking the best destination for you! So, scroll down for all the details of what I think are the best places to visit in October.

1. Oregon

Oregon might be one of the best places to visit in October for leaf peeping. The state is full of national forests and it’s one of the top places to see fall foliage in the USA.

There’s just something about seeing the Columbia River Gorge surrounded by the reds and golds of fall. If you stick to the coast or the southern part of this PNW state, you can enjoy amazing fall foliage up until the end of October.

Plus, there are some of the best hiking trails in the country here. Head to the Siuslaw National Forest for 26 miles of trails with ocean views from piney forests.

2. Orlando, FL

Plan a getaway from Orlando near the end of October for all kinds of festive events at EPCOT and Disney World, as well as Universal Studios. By this time, the wet season has ended and you can enjoy nice weather in the 70s for all your tourist activities.

While EPCOT doesn’t do Halloween-themed events, its annual Food and Wine Festival is still going strong. Late October is a lot of fun in Orlando theme parks: there are all kinds of Halloween-themed activities, merchandise, and treats.

3. Utah

If you prefer warm weather, head to a southwestern state like Utah, which contains 5 of the most popular desert national parks. It’s already shoulder season in the desert but there’s still time to enjoy all kinds of activities at Arches National Park.

During the summer, the heat in Utah can be overbearing. This can limit what time of day you head outdoors. By October the weather is perfect for outdoor adventures with cool nights and warm days, so you can take advantage of all the daylight hours!

4. Virginia

I think one of the best places to visit in October is the Blue Ridge Mountains. More specifically, one of my favorite leaf-peeping trips is Shenandoah National Park. The foliage peaks in mid-October making it the perfect time to leaf peep while enjoying the different fall activities around the area.

You can enjoy Shenandoah’s many outdoor activities that are still open in the fall, like hiking or horseback riding. Or take a scenic ride down Skyline Drive. You can also take advantage of cooler days and explore the little historic towns all around the national park.

5. New Jersey

In October, you can take the opportunity to hike the 75 miles of the Appalachian Trail that runs through Northern New Jersey. The trail is pretty easy because it’s flat and clearly marked, though it’s unpaved and runs through all kinds of terrain. You might catch a glimpse of migrating geese and enjoy all the colors of changing leaves as you hike.

New Jersey is also great for hayrides and all the different fall festivals you can find there. Snyder’s Farm basically hosts a fall festival the entire month of October with hayrides, activities, and a huge pumpkin patch. And Ort Farms has a pick-your-own/fall festival pass that includes hayrides and the corn maze.

6. Pennsylvania

October means great fall backpacking in rural Pennsylvania. Bushkill Falls made my list of the most scenic fall hiking destinations in the USA. You can also find a myriad of annual wine festivals across the state this month as well!

Some of the best hayrides in the country can also be found at fall festivals on farms in Pennsylvania. While some function simply as transport from the parking lot to the pumpkin patch, others are more exciting!

Try Pennsylvania farms like Harvest Valley Farm in Gibsonia or Grim’s Orchard & Family Farm in Breinigsville. Or visit Shady Brook Farms for Fall Fest: access apple and pumpkin picking, a cornfield maze, games, Halloween light shows, campfires, and more.

Couples looking to bypass family-themed fun and rent a cozy getaway instead will find the Poconos is a romantic weekend trip near Philadelphia.

7. Salem, MA

If spooky vibes and haunted houses/history are your things, you might love a trip to Salem, Massachusetts. I’ll be honest—hauntings and witch trial history are not my forte, but I do know if you want to experience one of the biggest haunted festivals in the country (or world) Salem’s the place to go!

8. Vermont

Vermont had to make my list of the best places to visit in October! It’s the furthest north I recommend going this late in the season. Even in Vermont, the fall foliage peaks by the middle of the month.

A must-do is a scenic fall foliage drive. For a nice hour-long drive, start in Bennington and head east on Route 9, also called the Molly Stark Byway. It’ll take you through the Green Mountain National Forest and small towns in the southern countryside of Vermont.

Take a breathtaking gondola ride at Stowe Mountain Resort and ride high above the fall canopy to the top of Mount Mansfield or enjoy a beer-tasting tour in Stowe, Vermont.

9. Thailand 

For shoulder season prices, plan a trip to Thailand in October. It’s the tail end of monsoon season with way less rain, so the cities are more active. It’s still pretty warm with highs in the 90s and lows in the 70s at night. You can enjoy slightly less humid mornings and get out to see the cities.

Because there are still a lot of rainy days, October is best for trips to cities like Chiang Mai or Bangkok. You can do some sightseeing when it’s nice, and when the rain comes there are lots of things to do indoors (especially Thailand massage, which I did nearly every other day!)

In Bangkok, there are historic temples and the Grand Palace, as well as amazing restaurants and shopping. You can see all of the city’s highlights on a city tour. Chiang Mai has the popular Loi Krathong and Yee Peng Festivals and a huge wellness culture.

10. Morocco

If you aren’t a fan of summer heat, but you’ve been eyeing a trip to Morocco, October is a great option. I loved visiting in October! While we still had many hot days, it was a comfortable heat in the 80’s. I suggest dressing for warm days and bringing layers for when the nights cool down.

October in Morocco is still the high season, but you can still enjoy the desert, mountains and coastal cities without overwhelming crowds. Try this Sahara Desert tour to travel between Marrakech and Fez for an adventure.

11. Italy

Summer prices and summer heat might have deterred you from visiting the Italian Riviera or wining and dining in Tuscany. With cooler weather and shoulder season prices, here’s your chance to take advantage of this beautiful country’s warm hospitality! Just keep in mind that you’ll still have a lot of company because everyone loves Italy in October.

Especially in Tuscany, you can enjoy the changing colors of the vines as the harvest ripens for gathering. In fact, October is also the best time to enjoy food and wine festivals across the country.

In Rome, crowds have relaxed a bit and you can really enjoy the historic sights with the cooler temperatures of fall. Go to the Colosseum and tour the arena floor. Or head to the Italian Riviera where there are great coastal hiking and seaside villages to explore.

12. Greece

October in Greece is a great experience! The weather is lovely, but the crowds have significantly died down. Come early in the month to enjoy the most dry days.

It’ll be a little too cool for swimming, but clear blue skies mean you can relax on the beach or enjoy a boat trip to hot springs or go island hopping. October is a great time to explore Athens on foot, camp in the Pindos mountains, or climb Mount Olympus. 

Greece in October is harvest season for not only grapes and olives, but also nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios. Visit a farm, take a cooking class, or try fresh olive oil or baklava.

13. Germany

People head to Germany in October for a variety of reasons. Ironically, Oktoberfest often takes place at the end of September! But it crosses over into the first week of October too. 

Plus, October is the festival season with different fall fairs and wine festivals varying from town to town. Mid-October brings the Festival of Lights to Berlin.

Fall is shoulder season in Germany, so soak up the lower prices and thinner crowds. It’s also pretty chilly, so make sure to bring sweaters. If you plan on spending some time in Bavaria, it can even get close to freezing! 

14. France

In my mind, it’s always a good time to visit France! I’ve been visiting since I was a teenager. Autumn in France is lovely, and a great reprieve from summer’s high season and hot weather (sans air conditioner). Visit Paris, Alsace, and the South of France for some of the country’s most prized destinations, or get a taste of Disney flair Parisienne style at Disneyland Paris!

Enjoy these Best Places to Travel in October!

When you’re looking for the best places to visit in October, think about what you want to experience. October in many places means there’s excitement in the air as everyone gets ready for the holiday season.

But it can also mean finicky weather.

For instance, if you go too far north, the weather may be too cold and you’ll miss the peak foliage. To avoid hurricane season, note the Caribbean and other tropical areas are still subject to monsoon seasons during this time. I’d avoid it.

Whatever experience you prefer, I hope you found inspiration on my list of places to travel in October!

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