19 Last-Minute Fall Vacation Ideas for Families
Last-Minute Fall Getaways
Fall is a great time to visit a large swath of the United States, as well as destinations throughout the Caribbean and Mexico. Crowds tend to be lighter since kids are still in school, which means prices for hotels, resorts and airfare can also be more reasonable than other times of the year.
But, where should you go on a last-minute fall getaway? That depends on whether you want to drive or fly, as well as how much time you want to spend relaxing away from home. You will also want to think about what you actually want to do before you start planning, whether that’s marveling at fall foliage, taking part in outdoor adventures or relaxing on a white sand beach.
Some of the top fall vacation ideas we suggest include relaxing at the beach at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, or snagging a last-minute deal on a Princess cruise somewhere warm. Read on to learn some of the top places people are vacationing this fall, and why you might also want to go.
Enjoy Paradise at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino sits directly on Palm Beach in Aruba, which is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world. The resort also boasts one of the best casinos in all of the Caribbean, as well as access to all the dining and entertainment the island of Aruba has to offer. The best part? This resort has the largest hotel balconies on the island plus a selection of suites with separate living and sleeping areas.
Head to Branson, Missouri
Branson, Missouri is perfect for families since it offers endless activities at a low price point when compared to similar destinations. Attractions located here include Silver Dollar City, the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, WonderWorks and Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, to name a few. There are also ample vacation rentals and hotels to choose from, many of which offer free breakfast and plenty of space.
Lock In a Princess Cruise
If you’re considering a last-minute luxury cruise with Princess Cruises, autumn is the perfect time to make it happen. In fact, the cruise line publishes last-minute cruise deals on their website for destinations like the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe and South America. They even have Mexico cruises over dates this fall starting at just $379 per person plus taxes and fees.
Go Glamping at Sankoty Lakes in Illinois
Sankoty Lakes is an outdoor adventure playground in Illinois that offers fishing, biking, hiking, birdwatching, kayaking and plenty of other outdoor activities. While you can book an RV spot or a vacation cabin on the property, you can also rent glamping tents with two bedrooms, a full bathroom, a private fire pit and all the comforts of home.
Explore Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida is always worth a visit, but that’s especially true during fall since weather is nicer than summer. During your visit, you can visit Walt Disney World parks, as well as the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium and the Discovery Cove dolphin retreat. Consider staying at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, which has its own water park on-site.
Book an All-Inclusive Resort Stay in Mexico
Fall is a great time to visit Mexico, and it’s easy to get a last-minute flight with any of the major airlines. For ultimate convenience and easy budgeting, consider staying at the Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts complex in Riviera Maya, Mexico. This huge collection of all-inclusive properties features a beautiful beachfront, family-friendly rooms and amenities and proximity to the fun and wonder of 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen.
Massanutten Resort, Virginia
Virginia’s Massanutten Resort is the perfect family destination for all seasons, with skiing and outdoor sports during winter and hiking, biking and swimming during summer. However, fall is ideal for visitors who want to check out the indoor water park, play golf or explore the outdoors. Special fall savings are also available for families who want to spend time at the water park, practice tricks at the bike park or take music or art classes on-site.
Let Kids Cruise Free on MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises lets kids under 18 cruise free on a broad range of itineraries, including many in the Caribbean. The current fall promotion also includes free balcony upgrades, onboard credits and steep discounts to boot.
This fall, consider sailing on the MSC Meraviglia out of Orlando. This newer MSC Cruises ship offers huge family suites, a supervised kid’s club, an onboard waterpark and a large central corridor with a lighted interactive ceiling.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Dells are an excellent choice for family fun, and there are so many family-friendly hotels and resorts to choose from. Many have their own indoor water parks as well, so you can keep the kids busy and entertained even when the weather isn’t great.
Consider staying at the Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells, which has an impressive waterpark and exceptionally large rooms and suites perfect for families.
Plan a Fall Foliage Trip in the Great Smoky Mountains
Fall is the ideal season for leaf peeping in many parts of the United States, and this couldn’t be more true than in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Consider staying in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, both of which have plenty of things to see and do when you’re not busy staring at the bright oranges, reds and yellows of the changing leaves.
Book a Virgin Voyages Adults-Only Cruise
If your kids are at least 18-years-old, taking them on an adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise could be a special treat. This new cruise line offers a ton of fun itineraries throughout the Caribbean, including the Dominican Daze itinerary and their Fire & Sunset Soirées, which visit Key West and Bimini in the Bahamas. Select cruises in November 2022 even come with a free $300 bar tab included.
Party In New Orleans, Louisiana
There’s so much to see and do in New Orleans, and no, you don’t have to take your family to Bourbon Street. Family-friendly attractions include live music, the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium, City Park, Mardi Gras World and the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Of course, you’ll find friendly people, culture and delicious food around every corner.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia is a top destination when it comes to learning about our nation’s history, but it’s also on point for family fun. For example, a Busch Gardens® theme park can be found here, along with Wagsters Magic Theatre. Other must-sees in Williamsburg include the Jamestown Settlement’s museum exhibits, Colonial Williamsburg, the Yorktown Battlefield and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is another top spot for family getaways, and even for groups of adults. The fact is, there’s so much to see in our nation’s capital, from the Washington Monument to the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. There are also an endless number of free things to do in Washington D.C. during fall, including visits to the U.S. National Arboretum, strolling through the National Mall and marveling at fall foliage.
Book Flights to the Big Apple
New York City is ideal to visit year-round, but even more so during fall when weather is mild. You can visit Times Square, take in a Broadway show, see a concert at Market Square Arena or shop the day away at any number of stores and malls. While hotels tend to be on the pricey side, you can find last-minute hotel deals on the Hotel Tonight website.
Head to Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee is perfect to visit during fall due to the excellent seasonal weather and much smaller crowds. A vacation here can also include a ton of family activities, from visits to the Grand Ole Opry to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Downtown Nashville also offers its share of family fun due to its live music venues and endless eateries.
Give Destin, Florida a Try
Destin, Florida is a short drive south for a large swath of the Midwest, and the resort destination is practically perfect for a fun fall visit. Crowds are a lot lighter in Destin during fall, yet the water and weather are warm as ever. With less demand for lodging during fall, prices are also much lower for Destin’s hotels and vacation rentals.
Jet Off to Las Vegas, Nevada
Why not jet off to Las Vegas? Whether it’s fall or not hardly matters since you’ll likely spend a lot of time inside the city’s famous hotels and resorts.
Either way, there are plenty of things to do in Vegas, from amazing shows to watching the fountain show at the Bellagio and exploring Fremont St. in downtown Las Vegas. You can also find an array of last-minute hotel deals and vacation packages in Las Vegas, including options from Caesars Entertainment.
Plan a Vacation to Texas Hill Country
Finally, consider a journey to Texas Hill Country, which is known for its natural caverns, wineries and hiking trails. Lost Maples State Natural Area in Hill Country is ideal for peeping at fall foliage, and Canyon Lake is perfect for a boat day. There are also myriad family-friendly lodging options in Texas Hill Country, from hotels and luxury resorts to vacation rentals and villas with multiple bedrooms and separate living space.