What's Your Favorite Fall Getaway?

Officially, it's been fall for a few weeks but now the weather is finally starting to get the message. Cooler weather and off-season prices make this is a great time of year for a getaway. This is the first October since I stopped teaching school, and I feel so free! Where to go, and what to do? The great thing about about a fall getaway is that it can be anything you like. Let's look at some of the great options.

Leaf-Peeping and Quaint Towns

Scenic drives through fall foliage is one of the season's most popular activities. Depending where you want to go, it's getting very close to (or maybe past) peak leaf color, but there is still plenty to see. And who doesn't love finding quaint, little towns for shopping and taking Hallmark Channel-worthy photos? Some of the best places to view nature's fall colors include:

• Asheville, NC - Asheville is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail, so it offers both scenic drives and great hiking options. October is the best time to catch the best colors on the surrounding mountains. While you're there, you can explore their many breweries, hike and bike in one of their parks, or lose yourself in the historic and jaw-dropping Biltmore Estate.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Explore Asheville

Upper Peninsula, MI - Michigan's Upper Peninsula is beautiful in the fall. There are over 7 million acres of hardwood trees, so it's a veritable explosion of color. You can also see 3 of the Great Lakes while you're there. Whether you want to drive, hike, bike, or pick apples, there's something for everyone who loves autumn.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association

• Acadia National Park, ME - As you would expect from the New England area, autumn in Acadia National Park is beautiful. In addition to the spectacular colors of fall, you can also experience wildlife such as peregrine falcons and harbor seals. It's also a short drive to the quaint town of Bar Harbor, where you can enjoy restaurants, shopping, and apple cider (or bars, if cider isn't your thing).

PHOTO: Courtesy of National Parks Service

Haunted Tours

October is the spooky season, and many people look forward to Halloween all year the same way Hallmark Channel looks forward to Christmas. If you're one of those people, what could be a better trip than to visit a city with a haunted history?

• Savannah, GA - Savannah has long been considered one of America's most haunted cities. Thanks to its history of bloody battles, disease, murder, slavery, and deadly fires, Savannah seems to be home for many souls and spirits. There are myriad ghost tours to explore there, and one of them is bound to satisfy your curiosity or give you the creeps.

• New Orleans, LA - NOLA is also one of the most haunted cities in America. It's also known for voodoo, which was brought to Louisiana by enslaved West Africans. There are many haunted homes, graveyards, and other buildings you can tour for a spooky good time.

• The Stanley Hotel, CO - This hotel is probably best known as the inspiration for Stephen King's book, The Shining. The exterior of the hotel was also used for filming the movie. But even before his book made it famous, The Stanley Hotel already had a haunted reputation, such as the ghost of a former housekeeper who still likes to unpack visitors' suitcases, and Paul, who haunts the concert hall. People have reported hearing a voice in there shouting, "Get out!" late at night.

By Carol M. Highsmith - Library of CongressCatalog: http://lccn.loc.gov/2015633407Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/highsm/33300/33392a.tifOriginal url: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.33392, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51444170

Sunny Beaches

For many of us, fall doesn't change the fact that we prefer warm, sandy beaches and being near the ocean. Sure the leaves are pretty this time of year, but that's just something to admire on the way to a seaside retreat. Once you've experienced sunny beaches without the crowds of summer, you may never go back during the high season again. One caveat: fall is hurricane season, so you'll need to watch the weather closely. Fortunately, hurricanes don't happen suddenly, so we typically get several days/weeks of notice when they are coming. The safest bet is to buy travel insurance; some credit cards include insurance when you use them to pay for your travel expenses.

• Aruba - Fall is a great time of year to visit Aruba. The off season means smaller crowds and more affordable airline tickets and hotel prices. During the low season, hotels cut their prices by as much as 50%. And while it might be getting chilly at home, Aruba's beaches are still in the 80s during the day.

Photo: Courtesy of Aruba Convention Bureau

Clearwater Beach, FL - Located on the Gulf Coast near Tampa, Clearwater's white sandy beach is just beautiful next to the green water of the Gulf of Mexico. The area averages 361 sunny days per year, and the temps are warm year-round.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF VISIT ST. PETE/CLEARWATER

Padre Island National Seashore, TX - For a more rustic retreat, Padre Island National Seashore is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. It's located off the southern coast of Texas, and the area is known for its beaches and calm waters. You can camp on the beach or in a campground and enjoy fishing, walking, and solitude. For those who prefer more amenities, South Padre Island is nearby and offers many hotels and restaurants, plus boat tours, a Dolphin Research & Sealife Nature Center, and birding and nature center.

Photo: Courtesy of National Park Service

No matter what you like to do, Fall is a great time to get out and about. The cooler temps are a relief from the scorch of summer, and fewer crowds means less stress. Probably the best thing is that most airlines and hotels lower their prices during this time, which makes a nice destination more affordable. Try to do something fun and/or relaxing this season, because the busy holiday season will be here soon. Remember, we only get this one life so it's important to slow down and enjoy it as often as possible.