Trust me, these 3 fabulous fall destinations are worth it!
Honestly, I know that traveling in the fall might not be as easy or ideal for most people with back to school, and summer coming to a close, but if you can make it work it’s a magical time to see the world. Not only will your job undoubtedly let you take the time off, seeing as there won’t be any other requests at this time of year, but airfare, hotels, and even admission prices tend to be a lot more affordable during the off-season as well. And who doesn’t love a good deal? Am I right?!
A Beautiful Autumn Haven…Foliage…Frolicking…No crowds…No line-ups…I’m in!
In my humble opinion, nothing is better than the crisp smell of fall in the air, a slight chill in the evening, and the color of the leaves changing from green to yellow. The sights can be a lot quieter at this time of year, which makes your holiday so much more enjoyable. You won’t be fighting crowds and waiting in hour-long (or more) line-ups, instead, you can get all of your sightseeing done in the morning and then be sipping cocktails at happy hour in all of the amazing local spots you will discover along the way.
3 fabulous fall destinations… that won’t break the bank.
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1. Idyllwild, California 
Just a two-hour drive (depending on traffic) or 106 miles from Los Angeles via CA-74 and then the CA-243, nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains, this idyllic little town is a perfect fall getaway. I discovered this gem when I was living and working in Palm Springs, California just a few years ago and absolutely loved taking the day to drive up, breathe in the fresh air, and clear my head.
Whether you are coming to visit this for the day or an entire weekend here is my list of must-see, eat, and shopping places in Idyllwild;
Eat at:
The Gastrognome for 46 years they have been serving this tiny town, with a constantly evolving menu. I recommend their homemade cheesecake and the Sharecropper’s Cabernet.
Shop at:
The Funky Bazaar For an eclectic mix of vintage finds, this museum-style antique store in a funky little house is a must-see! Each room is a different theme, and the owner is always readily available for a quick anecdote or history lesson. DM for more details…
See the sights:
Take the afternoon to walk the streets of downtown Idyllwild and get a true feel for the small-town ambiance. Visit the town monument, breathe in the pine-scented fresh air, and check out all of the adorable locally-owned shops.
Hiking:
If a day spent in the great outdoors is what you’re looking for, Idyllwild just so happens to be a stop along the famous PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). If I do say so myself, fall destinations are ideal for hiking because the weather is slightly cooler but still sunny! Check out these different hikes for all levels:
Deer Springs to Suicide Rock 3.3 miles one way
Deer Springs to San Jacinto Peak 9 miles one way
South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak 3.9 miles one way
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail 38 miles one way
For more information about Idyllwild, hiking trails check this out!
Places to Stay:
If you do want to stay for the night here are a couple of amazing Airbnb properties here!
There are over 300 properties listed on Airbnb in Idyllwild. If you’re new to Airbnb you can get $50 off your first night’s stay just for signing up. It’s free! If you book any of these amazing abodes, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Budget-Friendly Stay:
**If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly stay, Lake Hemet campground in Mountain Center, CA is only a short 19-minute drive away. Campsites start at $49/night. Click here for more information. It has all of the basic amenities, including a general store with firewood. Bathrooms and showers, water and sewer hook-ups, firepits, and limited cabin and boat rentals. Oh, and the sunsets are AMAZING!!
2. Butte, Montana
The drive through Montana has beautiful fall foliage as far as the eye can see. Butte is a small town in northern Montana and is a history and outdoor lovers paradise and makes it an obvious fabulous fall destination. Butte was initially established in the mid-1800s as a mining camp and eventually became the home to over 30,000 people. This town has had great success in mining and smelting operations, which has driven over $48 billion worth of revenue to the area. This rich history is the basis for many of the great things to do in Butte.
Here are a few of the main attractions:
Our Lady of the Rockies –
The construction of the Our Lady of the Rockies statue began in 1979 and was finished in 1985. The Statue itself is in the likeness of Mary, Mother of Jesus, but is said to be non-denominational and is dedicated to women everywhere. As the second tallest statue in the United States (the tallest is the Statue of Liberty), Our Lady of the Rockies deserves a visit.
World Museum of Mining –
There is a recreation of an old mining town (think re-created western town but with a focus on mining), real mines which you can go into, and there is also a mineral room where you can get an idea of the minerals that are mined in the area.
Butte Trolley Tour –
If you want a quick history lesson on the town of Butte, take a trip on the Butte Trolley tour. This tour is a really fun way to learn about the history of Butte. This trolley tour is inexpensive and only takes about two hours.
Downtown Walking Tours –
The Downtown Walking Tours in Butte are a great way to get an up-close and personal guided walking tour. These are available from late spring to early fall, however, you can make a special request for tours during the colder seasons. Due to there being over 5,000 different historic buildings plus other historic sites and mines, there are several different types of tours available, including decade-specific tours. All tours are family-friendly and equally interesting to adults and kids alike.
Copper King Mansion –
This 34-room Victorian mansion was the home of William Andrews Clark. Mr. Clark was one of the Montana “Copper Kings,” and as such, became one of the wealthiest men in the world. The mansion was built in 1888 at a cost of $500k, which was a massive amount of money at the time (roughly $13m today). The mansion is available to tour late spring through early fall, and it is also a bed and breakfast during the summer months.
And if you’re in the mood for an epic day trip Glacier National Park is only 4 hours away by car!
Where to Eat :
The Pekin Noodle Parlor, which was founded by immigrants in 1911, is the oldest Chinese restaurant in the country!
It is tucked inside a brick building on Uptown Butte’s historic Main Street. Suspended over the restaurant’s storefront is a neon sign that reads “CHOP SUEY,” and inside, a steep set of stairs leads visitors to a narrow, second-floor room lined with cozy curtained dining booths divided by orange wooden partitions.
As for food, patrons can order chop suey and Szechuan, Cantonese, and Burmese-style dishes off a menu that’s remained largely unchanged for more than a century. Danny Wong, an 82-year-old immigrant, has owned and operated the restaurant since the early 1950s, and his son, Jerry Tam, assists him in its day-to-day operations. Wong—whose Chinese name is Ding Tam—purchased the business from its founder, his great-uncle Hum Yow.
Where to Stay:
Check out Airbnb for some truly unique places to stay including an idyllic victorian home complete with antiques. There are also renovated studio lofts right in the heart of downtown.
3. Chemainus, British Columbia, Canada
Chemainus is a community located in the Chemainus River Valley on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1858, it is now famous for its 39 outdoor murals. The outdoor murals have given birth to many businesses, including a theatre, antique dealers, and eateries. This is truly one of the most beautiful fall destinations.
What to see:
This quaint little town has a ton of arts and culture. As mentioned previously there are 39 outdoor murals around downtown, so a walking tour is a must. Stop by the Chemainus visitors center for a map! If you don’t want to walk you can also take a horse-drawn carriage, usually waiting right on the main street for its next passengers.
Chemainus Theatre is a year-round fully professional playhouse that features some of the finest performers in Canada for over 28 seasons. Make sure to book tickets in advance as seating is limited. The Chemainus Theatre Festival is always a must-see! This theatre also maintains its own restaurant: The Playbill Dining Room with live piano music and an art gallery gift shop with over 100 artisans to choose from.
Waterwheel Park, if there is an event or festival in Chemainus, chances are it will be held in this park. It also has a great bandstand, the famous water wheel, and lots of beautiful planting beds and majestic trees, with beautiful fall foliage that is worth the trip. There is a labyrinth and lots of space for kids to play. The visitor center and museum is next door and there’s tons of free parking as well.
If you like antiquing… I recommend the Highway Antique Emporium and Willow Street Antiques.
Where to eat:
Pho Triple 7: I highly recommend the seafood sate soup at this tiny gem of a restaurant. It is right on the main street downtown and only has a handful of tables but the staff is quick and friendly. My favorite option is to get take-out to eat by the ocean. Just call ahead.
Thai Pinto Cuisine: Excellent fresh food and customer service! Big portions you can easily share or have leftovers for the next day. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available.
Riot Brewing: This wicked little brewery boasts an outdoor patio, it’s dog-friendly and kid-friendly! Order sleeves or sample flights, and even bring a growler from home to fill. Hungry? It gets better! Simply order take-out from anywhere in town and it gets delivered directly to Riot. As an alternative bring your own picnic! They even have a fire pit for weenie roasting or smore scorching. To read more about their beers and artwork click the link above.
The Book Nook Coffee House: This is some of the best coffee I’ve had and the treats are amazing too. The owner told me a very talented Irish lady does all of the baking. Yum!! Throughout this adorable shop, there are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves ready to search through and you will find a plethora of books that you can both enjoy in house and purchase.
Where to Stay:
Once again check out my Airbnb link, properties here are adorable and mostly a 5-minute walk from the beach!!
The End…What more could you want in these 3 fabulous fall destinations!
That’s it that’s all folks! If you know of any more great places to see, stay or eat in these locations please comment below.
