What are the best things to do and places to visit this fall? Vote now
Grab the pumpkin spice and unpack your scarves. Fall is on the way! To make the most of this wonderful time of year, we’ve set out to find the best fall events and activities, from Oktoberfest to pumpkin patches and apple orchards, as well as destinations for fall and even the top seasonal beers to enjoy.
Expert panels have made their nominations across each of eight categories, and now it’s up to you to decide the winners by voting. You should vote for your favorite in each category once per day until voting ends on Monday, September 9 at noon ET.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Apple Orchard
Pick your own produce at these 20 orchards — Photo courtesy of Serenko Nata / iStock via Getty Image Plus
The United States’ first apple orchard was planted in 1625 near Boston’s Beacon Hill. Today, there are more than 25,000 growers producing apples across all 50 states, according to the U.S. Apple Association. That’s more than 255 million bushels of apples each year!
To help with the harvest, these 20 apple orchards — nominated by an expert panel as the best in the country — open their gates for visitors to come and pick their own fruit or shop pre-picked apples in their markets, often with added autumn entertainment.
Which apple orchard would you most like to visit?
Best Corn Maze
These mazes offer a fun and family-friendly challenge — Photo courtesy of emholk / E+
Each autumn, farms across the United States transform their cornfields into interactive mazes, perfect for a fall family outing. There are hundreds of these mazes across the nation, but these locations — nominated by an expert panel — are the most exemplary, both for the quality of the mazes themselves and for the wealth of other activities on offer.
Which corn maze would you most like to get lost in?
Best Destination for Fall Foliage
Where’s your favorite place for leaf peeping? — Photo courtesy of DenisTangneyJr / E+
With kids going back to school and the hope of cooler temperatures on the horizon, Mother Nature is gearing up for her annual spectacle of fall color. And what better way to enjoy it than leaf peeping?
These 20 destinations — nominated by an expert panel as the top spots in the U.S. — are ideal for viewing the entire spectrum of fall foliage. Which place would you like to see the most?
Vote: Best Destination for Fall Foliage »
Best Fall Festival
These festivals are the best for marking the season — Photo courtesy of kali9 / E+
Fall festivals are a great way to mark the changing of the seasons, celebrate the harvest, enjoy the outdoors, and have some fun with friends and family. And there’s something magical about being surrounded by colorful leaves and pumpkins as the sounds of live music and laughter fill the crisp air.
These 20 festivals — nominated by an expert panel — deliver all of that and more during the fall season. Which one would you most like to attend?
Best Fall Seasonal Beer
Savor the flavors of fall with these seasonal beers — Photo courtesy of arinahabich / iStock via Getty Images Plus
When the weather starts to cool, darker and richer beers that pair well with hearty meals become more appealing. Whether you prefer pumpkin spice, apple cider, or Oktoberfest, there’s a fall beer for you. And these 20 fall beers — nominated by an expert panel — capture the flavors and aromas of the season.
Which fall beer would you most like to quaff?
Vote: Best Fall Seasonal Beer »
Best Oktoberfest
Be immersed in German culture and heritage at these fun Oktoberfest events — Photo courtesy of golero / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Oktoberfest was born in 1810 when Prince Ludwig of Bavaria married Princess Therese, and they threw quite the beer-infused party to celebrate. Today, this German festival is recreated in cities across the United States each fall.
These 20 Oktoberfest events have been nominated by an expert panel for their appreciation of German culture and heritage, featured events and entertainment, and selection of German beer and food. Which U.S. Oktoberfest event would you most like to attend?
Best Place to Visit for Fall
These destinations make for great autumn getaways — Photo courtesy of Sue Hardesty / iStock via Getty Images Plus
One of the best things about fall is the opportunity to travel to gorgeous places that showcase the vibrant colors and scenery of the season. Whether you want to enjoy a cozy cabin in the woods, a scenic hike in the mountains, or be immersed in the culture of a historic city, there are plenty of ideal spots to choose from.
These 20 places have been nominated by an expert panel as the best places to visit in the U.S. during fall for their beautiful scenery, fantastic weather, and wealth of seasonal activities and events.
Which place would you most like to visit this fall?
Vote: Best Place to Visit for Fall »
Best Pumpkin Patch
Get into the autumn spirit at these pumpkin patches — Photo courtesy of Image Source / DigitalVision
At these 20 pumpkin patches — nominated as the best in the United States by an expert panel — you’re sure to find the perfect pumpkin for carving or decorating your dining table. Some even offer pie pumpkins for baking. Plus, there’s just something about visiting a pumpkin patch, many with hayrides and yummy treats, that puts you in the fall spirit.
Which pumpkin patch is your top pick?
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on Wednesday, September 18.
