Fall is a time for cool air, fall foliage and some things that you can only experience once a year. Many people look forward to fall for all sorts of goods, festivals and events that they just can’t experience throughout the rest of the year. Don’t miss out on these favorites that are only here for the fall.
Apple Picking
Who doesn’t love apples?! During the fall there are all sorts of fall related activities that occur in places like Georgia, the Carolinas and Vermont. A favorite activity is apple picking. There are many apple orchards that have events to promote all things apples. Not only can you pick them directly from the tree, but you can try apple cider, apple related dishes and even take part in apple bobbing contests. There are over 7,500 apple growers in the U.S. so you should certainly be able to find an apple related event that’s within driving distance of you.
Oktoberfest
Fall is synonymous with Oktoberfest. German food, activities and beer are some of the highlights of this event. You don’t even have to fly to Munich to indulge in some German fun. Many cities in the U.S. have Oktoberfest celebrations including Cincinnati and Denver.
Fall Beer
Only in the fall can you experience certain types of beer. These include pumpkin beers and dark ales. These beers are the perfect beverages to get you through a brisk fall evening. You usually don’t have to go very far to find some of these beverages as a lot of bars and restaurants do have them readily available.
Halloween Theme Park Events
You really can’t think about the fall without Halloween coming to mind. Many theme parks have Halloween events for you to enjoy. Looking to get scared? Head over to Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure for a ghoulishly fun time. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios is the place to go if you are wanting to experience vast amounts of terror. For those that have kids and want to have a calmer experience, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party combines the fun of Halloween without all of the scariness. To get in on some pre-Halloween trick or treat fun, LEGOLAND’s Brick or Treat allows children to go from stall to stall to collect candy and enjoy the specially made exhibits.
Editor’s Note (Updated 2026): Fall remains one of the most spectacular seasons for travel — whether you’re chasing autumn color in New England, exploring harvest festivals in wine country, or catching the quieter shoulder-season magic at popular destinations. The experiences highlighted in this post are as rewarding as ever. Contact Atlas Travel Center to plan your fall travel — we specialize in fall foliage tours, harvest experiences, and shoulder-season getaways that deliver maximum value and beauty. Our advisors have been planning fall travel since 1987.
