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You don’t have to travel around the world to have an exceptional break this fall.
In fact, some U.S. destinations are so popular that they are attracting record numbers of both domestic and international visitors.
The U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented increase in domestic tourism this year, and 3 iconic destinations in particular are benefiting from this.
Orlando, Las Vegas, and Chicago have now entered the chat!
Smaller crowd levels, 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 U.S. is Orlando.
This year the city should exceed an incredible 54 million visitors from across the states.
Orlando is best known as the land of epic theme parks, with people traveling from around the world to visit Walt Disney World and Universal Studios here.
But as someone who’s 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 much more comfortable, and the crowd levels are lower too.
Top tip: Visit when kids are still in school for the lowest possible crowd levels everywhere you go.
Walt Disney World is decorated for Halloween from the first week of August (nothing like being prepared early!) and on select nights between August 9 and October 31, 2024 you can attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom park.
Event tickets are $119 to $199 per ticket, plus tax, depending on the date you choose to attend.
If you like your Halloween theme park celebrations with a bit more gore, then Universal Studios will host Halloween Horror Nights in the fall season.
This is a scary event not aimed at kids as you’ll face 10 terrifying haunted houses, 5 sinister scare zones, outrageous live entertainment.
Tickets range from $129.99, plus tax, per person to $239.99, plus tax, per person.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is America’s undisputed party capital and its second most visited destination with 35 million visitors forecast this year.
Like Orlando, the heat here can be relentless during the summer months, but by fall, the weather is perfect.
Warm, sunny, and with endless blue skies. Expect temperatures in the 80s.
When you can tear yourself away from the airconditioned casinos, you can dine outdoors and head out into the desert for hikes and ATV adventures in Las Vegas in the fall.
But the weather isn’t the only reason to visit Las Vegas in the fall. There’s also a lot going on! In addition to the abundance of Halloween events and fall festivities, October is Las Vegas’s PRIDE month.
A great month to be in the city.
If you’re interested in motorsports the South Point 400 is coming to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this fall too. This is a huge weekend in the motorsports calendar with tickets starting from just $20, making it a great budget day out too.
Top tip: If you want to explore Vegas but (like me) don’t love big crowds, then there are plenty of places to escape the masses. Escape the strip and explore the city’s outdoor destinations.
Great day trip options include the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area or taking a dip in the Gold Strike Canyon Hot Springs.
Fall is the perfect time to visit these Springs, which are closed from May through September due to extreme desert temperatures.
Chicago
In third position is the Windy City of Chicago, with a whopping 30 million visitors this year.
And if you’re looking for a riot of fall colors and traditional fall activities then Chicago is by far the best city on this list to visit this fall season.
Fall is cooler here, so be sure to pack a sweater.
Head to Lincoln Park and the Millennium Park and Lurie Garden to see some of the best examples of fall foliage in the city. A great activity for budget travelers, with entry to all public parks in the city free of charge.
Fall foods and brews hog the spotlight in Chicago at this time of year.
There’s no need to fly all the way to Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest: You can join in the celebrations in Chicago!
At the Saint Alphonsus Oktoberfest celebration, adults can sample 20 different craft beers. Entrance costs $40 and includes a souvenir glass and pretzel necklace.
Fall in Chicago is traditional and cozy, so I think the best thing to do in the city at 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
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, 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 within the post.