FALL FESTIVE

FUN & UNIQUE OUTDOOR AUTUMN FESTIVALS

Hello Traveler!

As temperatures begin to fall and leaves fill the trees with rich, vibrant hues, it’s clear that autumn is officially upon us, and brings with it an abundance of seasonal festivities! From food and wine events to apple harvests to unique local traditions, enjoy the fall festival inspiration I’ve curated for you below. Some events are worth planning a vacation around, while others pair perfectly with a nice weekend staycation if close to home. Keep in mind there are fun festivals all over the country — honorable mentions include the The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze in upstate New York, Arizona Taco Festival in Scottsdale, and Warrens Cranberry Festival in Wisconsin. No matter where you choose to celebrate the season, I’m here to elevate your autumn adventure. These fun and festive events are ripe for the picking — get in touch before the season passes you by!

AUSTIN FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL (NOV 5 – 7)

STAY AT: FOUR SEASONS AUSTIN

From live music to local art to outdoor adventures, Austin offers plenty of reasons to experience its own brand of cool. For the culinary-inclined, Austin’s infatuation with great food is best on display at its annual Food + Wine Festival, where guests can sip and savor their way through Texas’ top wine, spirits, and culinary offerings. It’s hard to say what you’ll love more — interacting with Texas’ most renowned chefs and barbeque pitmasters, or savoring the mouth-watering dishes that made them famous. Stay at Four Seasons Austin (a short walk to the event). Here you’ll enjoy luxe, spacious suites overlooking Lady Bird Lake, indulgent spa treatments, and miles of colorful lakeside trails to explore on foot or on bike — the perfect environment to work up your appetite.

Private Perks: $100 resort credit, complimentary daily breakfast, early check-in/late check-out, complimentary upgrade, and more.

PENNSYLVANIA’s NATIONAL APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL (OCT 2 – 3 & 9 – 10)

STAY AT: THE DUPONT CIRCLE, THE DOYLE COLLECTION

Small towns in the Northeast are charming enough already, but when they’ve dedicated an entire festival to harvesting fall’s most popular fruit, why miss this special window of opportunity? Neighboring historic Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania, the National Apple Harvest Festival is the perfect fall day trip from Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Baltimore, or D.C. Held the first two weekends of October, expect live entertainment, hay rides, pie baking contests, the tastiest apple cider, and so much more. I recommend making The Dupont Circle Hotel in D.C. your home base so you can experience peak autumn in our nation’s capital. Enjoy sophisticated rooms boasting pops of color, and stay on the ninth floor for floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies offering bird’s-eye views of the cityscape.

Private Perks: $100 dining credit, complimentary daily breakfast, early check-in/late check-out, complimentary upgrade, and more.

MAINE’S HARVEST ON THE HARBOR (NOV 4 – 7)

STAY AT: HIDDEN POND IN KENNEBUNK

In coastal New England, autumn harvest goes beyond apple orchards and pumpkin patches and stretches into the sea. For freshly shucked oysters and a variety of other culinary experiences that encompass the vibrant food scene of Portland, Maine, don’t miss the Harvest on the Harbor Festival. Enjoy epicurean presentations, live music, mingling with Maine’s top chefs, and of course savoring delicious bites from local eateries and drinks from Portland’s best brewers and distillers. For ultimate autumn vibes, retreat to a charming private cottage at Hidden Pond in Kennebunk. When you regain your appetite from the festival, dine at the farm-to-table restaurant, and end your evening with a glass of champagne by the crackling fire.

Private Perks: $100 resort credit, complimentary daily breakfast, early check-in/late check-out, complimentary upgrade, and more.

IDAHO’S TRAILING OF THE SHEEP FESTIVAL (OCT 6 – 10)

STAY AT: EAGLE LAKE ESTATE IN SUN VALLEY

I’ve saved the most adorable occasion for last! For a fall festival unlike any you’ve likely experienced before, head to Idaho’s idyllic Sun Valley for the traditional Trailing of the Sheep Festival, centered on the history and culture of sheep ranching and herding. Enjoy great food, live music and dance performances, arts and crafts — and most notably, the Big Sheep Parade where more than 1,500 sheep are herded from the mountains (where they graze in summer) down Ketchum’s Main Street as part of their annual migration to winter pastures. Bring the family and spend a week in a luxurious private mountain villa. One of my favorites is the Eagle Lake Estate — a seriously stylish mountain chalet with sweeping views, a gourmet kitchen, and the perfect base for exploring the abundance of natural beauty and activities the area has to offer. Trust me, this is a unique vacation ewe shouldn’t miss.

Private Perks: $200 destination credit and 24/7 access to dedicated staff.