Autumn promises cooler weather, brightly colored foliage, and the harvesting of pumpkins and apples. While summer has ended, those seeking a quick break from the hustle and bustle of work, school, and other responsibilities have no shortage of options for a vacation in the Southeast. Explore with us as we round up the top four regional places to visit in the fall.
Get ghostly in Savannah, Georgia
October is known for trick-or-treating, costumes, and a celebration of everything spooky. Savannah's antebellum homes, Civil War history, and hidden cemeteries make the perfect backdrop for historical and eerie experiences. If you're seeking to dig into the spirit of Halloween, there are multiple ghost tour options available for adults and families with younger children.
On a ghost tour, you can explore the side of Savannah that’s “too dark for daylight.”
Genteel & Bard's Famous Savannah Dark History & Ghost Encounter Tour is best for adults looking for a classic ghost tour that expands on the city's dark history. During the tour, participants walk through some of the most famous locations believed to be haunted, including the Colonial Hanging Square, the Foley House Inn, and Colonial Park Cemetery. All individuals receive a set of earbuds to ensure they don't miss a word of the stories told by their guide. Each tour is approximately two hours long and costs $30 per ticket. Check out Genteel & Bard's website to learn more about the Savannah Dark History & Ghost Encounter Tour.
Families with children aged six and older can choose the family-friendly trolley-operated Ghosts & Gravestones Tour. The two main stops of the tour include the Andrew Low House and Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery. The Chandlery appears in the fashion of a haunted house, so there may be a few unexpected surprises. Children find the experience entertaining, and the stories told by tour operators are not likely to be overly frightening for the youngest participants. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, and tickets start at $34 per person. To book your tickets, visit the Trolley Tours Savannah website.
Denver Downs Farm also offers an evening adventure through a 12-acre corn maze. Using your flashlight, friends and family can attempt to find their way through and compete against other teams. On Friday and Saturday nights, Denver Downs Farm invites its visitors to experience a bonfire, listen to live music, and roast S'Mores. The cost to visit Denver Downs Farm varies depending on your activities. To learn more about Denver Downs Farm, check out their website.
Families with children aged six and older can choose the family-friendly trolley-operated Ghosts & Gravestones Tour. The two main stops of the tour include the Andrew Low House and Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery. The Chandlery appears in the fashion of a haunted house, so there may be a few unexpected surprises. Children find the experience entertaining, and the stories told by tour operators are not likely to be overly frightening for the youngest participants. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, and tickets start at $34 per person. To book your tickets, visit the Trolley Tours Savannah website.
Pick a pumpkin and wander through a corn maze in Anderson, South Carolina
You can't go wrong with a beautiful pumpkin, especially when you get a chance to pick it yourself! At Denver Downs Farm, located in Anderson, South Carolina, customers can select from a variety of beautiful pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns or a delicious, homemade pumpkin pie.Denver Downs Farm also offers an evening adventure through a 12-acre corn maze. Using your flashlight, friends and family can attempt to find their way through and compete against other teams. On Friday and Saturday nights, Denver Downs Farm invites its visitors to experience a bonfire, listen to live music, and roast S'Mores. The cost to visit Denver Downs Farm varies depending on your activities. To learn more about Denver Downs Farm, check out their website.
“While summer has ended, those seeking a quick break from the hustle and bustle of work, school, and other responsibilities have no shortage of options for a vacation in the Southeast.”
Embark on an international culinary journey at Epcot Center
Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida, is home to numerous activities for adults and children, including dozens of theme park rides and the opportunity to experience activities and adventures from countries around the globe. Epcot rolls out the International Food & Wine Festival during the autumn months, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Through mid-November, you can experience international culinary delights from six different continents.Top options include Raclette Swiss Cheese dishes from The Alps, Mongolian Beef Bao Bun from China, and Paella from Spain. A wide variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages to complement each country's dish are available.
Families with children can participate in Pluto's Pumpkin Pursuit, a scavenger hunt that involves looking for decorative pumpkins based on Disney characters throughout the park. Tickets to Epcot Center start at $109 per person. To learn more about Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival, click here.
Experience the fall foliage at Cheaha State Park, Alabama
If you are seeking an outdoor adventure, you can't go wrong with Cheaha State Park, Alabama. Cheaha State Park offers multiple hiking and biking trails at the highest point in Alabama. Trails range from easy to difficult, so there is truly something for everyone. The park boasts numerous granite boulders and waterfalls, alongside some very ancient trees whose foliage brightens the autumn sky.
Spreading over 2,700 acres, Cheaha State Park is picturesque in the autumn season.
You can choose to pack a picnic for your trip and use one of the many picnic tables and barbecue grills dotted around the park. Otherwise, various restaurants are available in the nearby historic downtown areas of Heflin, Oxford, Munford, and Talladega, Alabama.
Ticket costs to enter the park vary from $2 to $5. Discounts are available for senior citizens. Patriots, veterans, and active military may visit for free. For more information, check out the Cheaha State Park website.
Ticket costs to enter the park vary from $2 to $5. Discounts are available for senior citizens. Patriots, veterans, and active military may visit for free. For more information, check out the Cheaha State Park website.