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You don’t have to travel the world to experience an exceptional holiday this fall.
In fact, some American destinations are so popular that they are attracting record numbers from both domestic and international visitors.
The US is experiencing an unprecedented increase in domestic tourism this year, and 3 iconic destinations especially take advantage of this.
Orlando, Las Vegas and Chicago have now joined the chat!
Smaller visitor numbers, special events and cooler temperatures are just some of the reasons why these 3 iconic and popular destinations are best visited in the fall:
Orlando
The leading destination for domestic travel in the US is Orlando.
This year, the city should surpass an incredible 54 million visitors from across the United States.
Orlando is best known as the land of epic theme parks, where people from all over the world travel to visit Walt Disney World and Universal Studios here.
But as someone who has visited Disney World in August, I really wouldn’t recommend it unless storms and extreme humidity are your idea of a good time! Instead, visit in the fall when the weather is nice much more comfortableand the audience level is also lower.
Top tip: Visit when the children are still at school, so that the number of visitors is kept as low as possible everywhere.
Walt Disney World will be decorated for Halloween starting the first week of August (nothing beats early preparation!) and on select nights between August 9 and October 31, 2024 you can attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom- park.
Event tickets cost $119 to $199 per ticket, plus tax depending on the date you choose to attend.
If you like Halloween theme park celebrations with a bit more gore, Universal Studios hosts Halloween Horror Nights during the fall season.
This is a scary event not aimed at children as you will experience 10 terrifying haunted houses, 5 sinister scare zones and outrageous live entertainment.
Tickets range from $129.99plus tax, per person up to $239.99, plus tax, per person.
Vegas
Las Vegas is the undisputed party capital of America and the second most visited destination with 35 million visitors this year.
Just like in Orlando, the heat here can be brutal during the summer months, but in the fall the heat here can be brutal the weather is perfect.
Warm, sunny and with endless blue skies. Expect temperatures in the 80s.
If you can tear yourself away from the air-conditioned casinos, dine al fresco and head into the desert in the fall for hikes and ATV adventures in Las Vegas.
But the weather isn’t the only reason to visit Las Vegas in the fall. There’s a lot happening too! In addition to the plethora of Halloween events and fall festivities, October is PRIDE month in Las Vegas.
A great month to be in the city.
If you’re interested in motorsports, the South Point 400 is also coming to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this fall. This is a huge weekend on the motorsport calendar tickets from just $20making it a great budget day out too.
Top tip: If you want to explore Vegas but (like me) don’t like big crowds, there are plenty of places to escape the crowds. Escape the strip and explore the city’s outdoor destinations.
Great day trip options include Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area or taking a dip in the Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs.
Autumn is the perfect time to visit these springs, which are closed from May to September due to extreme desert temperatures.
Chicago
In third place is the Windy City of Chicago, with a whopping 30 million visitors this year.
And if you’re looking for an abundance of fall colors and traditional fall activities, Chicago is by far the best city on this list to visit this fall season.
Autumn is cooler hereso make sure you pack a sweater.
Head to Lincoln Park and Millennium Park and Lurie Garden to see some of the best examples of fall foliage in the city. A great activity for budget travelerswith free access to all public parks in the city.
Fall foods and brews are in the spotlight this time of year in Chicago.
You don’t have to fly all the way to Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest: you can join the festivities in Chicago!
During the Saint Alphonsus Oktoberfest, adults can taste 20 different craft beers. Admission costs $40 and includes a souvenir glass and pretzel necklace.
Fall in Chicago is traditional and cozyso I think the best thing you can do in the city this time of year is to really embrace that.
Think apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more. Embrace the seasonal fun!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.