dailynewsnblog
October is one of the best months to plan a leisure trip. In many popular destinations, it’s shoulder season, bringing fewer crowds, lower hotel rates and comfortable weather.
In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s also prime time for fall foliage, while destinations south of the equator are welcoming spring with blooming flowers and warming temperatures.
From leaf-peeping in New England to wine tasting in Vienna and chasing hot air balloons in Japan, these are 10 of the best places to visit in the U.S. and beyond this October.
Related: 9 cool hotels for leaf peeping, from Central Park to the Rocky Mountains
Zürich, Switzerland
In October, Zürich comes to life with fall colors, cultural events and seasonal experiences.
A major highlight is the Zurich Film Festival, running from Sept. 24 to Oct. 4. The festival features more than 100 films and a packed lineup of talks, masterclasses and galas featuring filmmakers, actors and other international guests.
Just outside the city, Jucker Farm hosts its annual Pumpkin Exhibition through Oct. 25. The family-friendly event features elaborate pumpkin sculptures based on this year’s “Bon Voyage” theme, along with a food festival and immersive activities including fruit picking and an apple maze.
Later in the month, Expovina Weinschiffe, taking place from Oct. 29 to Nov. 12, transforms the boats at Bürkliplatz into a floating wine fair. The event brings together wine producers and visitors for tastings aboard a fleet of ships overlooking Lake Zürich.
Feeling more active? Head to Üetliberg, the mountain overlooking Zürich and just a short train ride from the city center. Its network of trails is especially appealing in autumn, when colorful foliage frames sweeping views of the city, Lake Zürich, and, on clear days, the Alps.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
TPG tip: Situated in the city’s historic Old Town and spanning nine medieval townhouses, the upscale Widder Hotel features 49 unique rooms and suites with thoughtfully preserved details, including ancient frescoes and terracotta flooring. It is also home to the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Widder, overseen by chef Stefan Heilemann.
Nightly rates in October start at $910. Book a stay of two or more nights through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts to receive daily breakfast for two guests, guaranteed late checkout and a $100 property credit to use on qualifying food and beverages.
Asheville, North Carolina
While we never need a reason to plan a vacation to Asheville, a visit is also a meaningful way to support the city as it continues to recover after Hurricane Helene. With cool events and festivals happening every day, October is one of the best times of the year to visit.
LaZoom’s Ghosted! Adult-only Haunted Comedy Tour (Oct. 1 to 31) is a humorous and educational tour aboard the company’s signature purple buses. To see Biltmore in a whole new light, check out Luminere at Biltmore (Oct. 1 to 18), an outdoor evening experience that illuminates America’s Largest Home and its famous gardens with dynamic visuals and sounds. Other October picks include the family-friendly, corn-themed Eliada Corn Maze and Festival (Oct. 1 to 31); the 369 Monologue and Short Play Festival (Oct. 1 to 18), a celebration of artists of color; and the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands (Oct. 15 to 18), one of the country’s top craft events.
Some of the most picturesque spots to take in Asheville’s majestic fall foliage include the Blue Ridge Parkway — the views are especially stunning at Black Balsam Knob and Craggy Gardens — as well as Looking Glass Falls and Biltmore Estate.
Asheville’s dining and drinking scene is unpretentious, but never short on quality. Botiwalla, by James Beard Award-winning chef Meherwan Irani, celebrates India’s vibrant street food culture, while Mother turns out hearty sandwiches and sweets, including a cookie bar made with its long-fermented sourdough. For a proper nightcap and dessert, head to Potential New Boyfriend, a colorful, retro-styled lounge serving natural wines and indulgent, ever-rotating ice cream flavors.
TPG Tip: Following a sweeping Hurricane Helene restoration, the stately Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville reopened last year, with updates to its locally curated art program and steakhouse, Red Stag Grill. Rooms are available from $215 or 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in October.
The playful and conveniently located Moxy Asheville Downtown is also a great pick; nightly October rates start at $132 or 47,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
If glamping is your style, book the recently opened AutoCamp Asheville, with charming cabins and airstreams set on 16 scenic acres along the French Broad River. In October, accommodations are available from $256 or 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Related: The ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway road trip guide
Saga, Japan
If you want to visit Japan this fall while avoiding the biggest tourist crowds, consider Saga. This prefecture in northwestern Kyushu is gaining attention for its porcelain, sake and onsen culture — and October brings several can’t-miss events.
From Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, the Saga International Balloon Fiesta, Asia’s largest sky sports event, fills the sky with colorful balloons, including some modeled after animals and cartoon characters. Cycling fans can also plan their trip around the 2026 Tour de Kyushu, an international road race that traverses six prefectures in Kyushu, including Saga on Oct. 10.
Mild autumn weather is another draw, with daytime temperatures averaging in the mid-70s. And while Japan is already beloved for its world-class fall foliage, the season also brings a lesser-known but equally spectacular sight: peak cosmos blooms in red, white and pink. One of the best places to see them is Saga’s Kinryu Park.
TPG Tip: With just 84 rooms, Fairfield by Marriott Saga Ureshino Onsen offers an intimate, comfortable home base for exploring the region’s legendary hot springs and rich culinary culture, including green tea and tofu. Rooms start at $78 per night or 17,000 Marriott Bonvoy points in October.
Burlington, Vermont
With its abundance of native trees (including sugar maples) and mountainous terrain, New England has long been one of the world’s most cherished destinations for fall foliage. The catch, naturally, is the crush of crowds.
This is where Burlington comes in. Set on the shores of Lake Champlain, Vermont’s biggest city balances a small-town feel with urban conveniences — and, of course, spectacular scenery. Plus, the weather this time of year is blissful, averaging in the 50s.
For optimal leaf-peeping, visit Centennial Woods, a 65-acre forest on the edge of the University of Vermont campus. For panoramic views of Lake Champlain, take a leisurely hike at Rock Point. Cycling enthusiasts can rent a bike from Local Motion and ride the Island Line Trail, which extends into Lake Champlain and offers spectacular views of the Adirondack Mountains.
Burlington’s culinary scene is tiny but mighty. The warm and deeply knowledgeable Kate Wise, a 2026 James Beard semifinalist, leads the lively bar at Hotel Vermont’s Juniper Bar & Restaurant. Paul Trombly, a 2026 James Beard finalist for Best Chef: Northeast, sends out lovely, mostly plant-based dishes — order the crispy rice and lentil pancakes — at the cozy Fancy’s. Fellow 2026 James Beard nominee for Outstanding Restaurateur Leslie Wells recently opened her fourth concept, Alimentari Café & Provisions.
To make flying in and out even more comfortable, Leahy Burlington International Airport recently unveiled a $68 million, fossil-fuel-free expansion, complete with a brand-new terminal, more gates and additional amenities — all designed with sustainability in mind.
TPG tip: With a prime address in downtown Burlington along Lake Champlain, The Harborvale debuted a few months ago with 161 guest rooms and suites in earthy tones, plus a namesake restaurant specializing in rustic, locally sourced fare. In October, nightly rates start at $274 or 55,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
Vienna
If you’re an art and culture lover, October is one of the best months to visit Austria’s capital.
But if you only have a weekend to spare, make it Oct. 3 to 4. This way, you can combine the final days of Vienna Design Week (Sept. 25 to Oct. 4) — one of Europe’s top design festivals, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year — with the Long Night of Museums (Oct. 3), when a single ticket gives you access to museums and cultural institutions staying open late for one evening. It’s also the opening weekend of the Vienna Drag Festival (Oct. 3 to18).
Viennale (Oct. 22 to Nov. 3), Austria’s premier international film festival, and Design District (Oct. 9 to 11), an annual showcase of interior design and furniture, are also worth checking out.
As October is harvest season in the city’s vineyards, set aside some time for wine-related experiences: sipping Wiener Gemischter Satz, Vienna’s signature wine, at Heurigen (traditional wine taverns); hiking through the vineyards of Kahlenberg and Nussberg; and hopping aboard the Heurigen Express, a miniature train that loops through the city’s wine-growing districts.
In case you didn’t know, Vienna is an under-the-radar destination for fall foliage. With approximately 1,000 parks and gardens, there are plenty of spots — local picks include the historic Schönbrunn Palace Gardens and the city parks of Stadtpark, Volksgarten and Burggarten — to immerse yourself in the seasonal scenery.
TPG Tip: Housed in a beautifully restored 20th-century Art Nouveau building, Mandarin Oriental Vienna blends a posh, residential-style design with all the hallmarks the Hong Kong–based hospitality brand is known for: personalized service, a holistic approach to wellness — including Vienna’s largest indoor pool — and elegant dining concepts that attract guests and locals alike. October rates for this American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts member start at $794 per night.
Aruba
Aruba lives up to its nickname, “One Happy Island,” thanks to its consistently sunny weather, location outside the hurricane belt, cooling trade winds and silky beaches. No wonder it’s such a popular year-round destination.
If your travel dates are flexible, consider arriving during Aruba’s low season in October. You’ll enjoy lower hotel rates and fewer crowds while experiencing one of the island’s biggest events: the Autentico Aruba Culinary Festival. Taking place Oct. 3 to 11, the festival celebrates the culinary traditions of the island’s diverse population, reflecting its more than 100 nationalities. Highlights include special prix-fixe menus during Restaurant Week, chef-hosted Bucket List Experiences and the grand finale, The Pavilion.
Other October events to mark on your calendar include the inaugural Leyenda del Dorado Aruba (Oct. 9 to 11), a three-day international mountain bike race across the island’s craggy terrain, and Interpaso (Oct. 31 to Nov. 1), an international Paso Fino horse competition.
Don’t forget to pick up some of Aruba Aloe‘s world-famous skincare — perfect for soothing your sun-kissed skin and equally great for gift-giving — before you head home.
TPG Tip: Based on the hotel-within-a-hotel concept, the new The Westerly at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort is an oceanfront tower with 161 crisp, airy rooms — the beds are especially dreamy — plus Terrace on 10, an adults-only rooftop retreat available for an additional fee. The indoor-outdoor space pairs stunning waterfront views with well-crafted drinks and all-day dining. Naturally, guests of The Westerly also have access to everything the Hilton resort has to offer, including the eforea Spa, casino and prime stretch of Palm Beach. Rooms are available from $743 or 243,000 Hilton Honors points per night in October.
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
If you’re after a scenic, culturally rich and delicious fall getaway — just a three-hour Amtrak ride from New York City — consider Lancaster County in south-central Pennsylvania.
Home to the oldest and largest Amish community in the United States, the area is known for its bucolic landscape of rolling farmland, quiet streams and historic covered bridges. You’ll likely find yourself sharing the road with Amish horse-drawn buggies, too.
To learn more about Amish culture, visit the Amish Village, where an authentic 1840 farmhouse, one-room schoolhouse and other historic structures offer a glimpse into traditional Amish life.
Opened in May in downtown Lancaster, the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center is a museum and educational center highlighting the lives and legacies of abolitionist and civil rights advocate Thaddeus Stevens and his partner, Lydia Hamilton Smith.
Since 1954, Kitchen Kettle Village has grown into a charming destination in its own right, with more than 40 shops, including the iconic Jam & Relish Kitchen, Kling House Restaurant and residential-style accommodations.
Lancaster County’s restaurant scene offers an enticing mix of old and new. For casual bites, check out Lancaster Central Market, the oldest continuously operated public market in America, and Southern Market, just a few blocks away. Nathan Flaim, a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, has grown Luca into a popular destination for exceptional housemade pastas and small plates that showcase Lancaster’s rich bounty. Passerine and Vécu are equally charming brunch options, while Front Porch Baking Co. specializes in loaves and pastries baked with Pennsylvania-grown grains. No trip to Lancaster, however, would be complete without visiting a smorgasbord, a massive buffet including Pennsylvania Dutch comfort foods like potato filling, chicken corn soup and shoofly pie.
TPG Tip: Taking up residence in the former Wilbur Chocolate Factory, the 74-key Wilbur Lititz, Tapestry Collection by Hilton retains many of the historic structure’s original details — timber beams, exposed brick and arched windows — while incorporating modern touches, from the chocolate scent that infuses the lobby to Kōle Chophouse, a relaxed steakhouse serving Japanese Wagyu fired on a Josper charcoal grill. Nightly October rates start at $216 or 63,000 Hilton Honors points.
Seychelles
Though Seychelles makes for a great warm-weather vacation any time of year, October holds even more appeal for those seeking sublime weather — hot, sunny and relatively dry, with little wind or rain.
The month is also ideal for catching big fish, such as barracuda and various tuna species. The island nation is also renowned for its diverse birdlife, and October provides an opportune time to spot migratory shorebirds like Pacific golden plovers and breeding seabirds, including sooty terns.
The Creole Festival, an annual celebration of the archipelago’s unique tapestry of African, European and Asian influences, will be hosted in the country’s lively capital of Victoria during the last week of October.
TPG tip: The all-villa Cheval Blanc Seychelles marks the sixth property in LVMH’s swanky Cheval Blanc portfolio, and the first in Africa. Receive daily breakfast for two, late checkout and more when you book via the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program. Nightly rates in October start at $2,600.
Puebla, Mexico
Puebla is the antidote for those weary of touristy Mexico City and Tulum. Despite being Mexico’s fourth-biggest city, Puebla balances everything you want from a well-rounded vacation destination — restaurants, shopping, history — with a neighborly, small-town feel.
October is one of the best times to visit, as the month marks the transition from the rainy season to the dry season, with average daytime highs in the mid- to high 70s.
Even better? It’s easy to experience the best of Puebla in one weekend. Meander through the city’s UNESCO-listed historic center, filled with colorful 16th- and 17th-century churches and other religious structures.
As Puebla is the birthplace of mole poblano, the famously complex sweet-savory sauce, try as many versions as possible while you’re in town. Some of the best can be found at the Michelin Guide-recommended Augurio, from beloved local chef Ángel Vázquez, as well as Comal and Mural de los Poblanos. It’s also worth shopping for talavera, the region’s colorful, hand-painted ceramics.
TPG tip: A member of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, Banyan Tree Puebla is a 78-room property that celebrates Pueblan culture from its design to its offerings, including the highly recommended mole cooking class. Rooms in October start at $195 per night.
Brisbane, Australia
No longer hiding in the shadows of Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane — Australia’s third-largest city and Queensland’s capital — has blossomed into a worldly yet laid-back destination. With pleasant October temperatures hovering in the mid- to high 70s, Brisbane is an urban paradise for outdoor lovers, whether you want to soak in the rays at Streets Beach (a unique human-made beach) or get up close to wildlife at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.
The city’s restaurant landscape has also been attracting attention, with the ambitious tasting-menu concept Exhibition, wood-fired Agnes and intimate August, housed in a refurbished 137-year-old heritage church, leading the charge.
TPG tip: Since 2018, the W Brisbane has been one of the city’s hippest places to hang your hat. Rooms are available from $360 or 48,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in October.
