When it comes to the best places to visit in October, it’s only natural that you may think of experiencing fall in New York or witnessing New England autumn leaves changing color. Which are valid trips to plan, for sure. (I personally recommend a road trip through Vermont.) But October is prime shoulder season in many parts of the world as well, a moment when the September stragglers have begrudgingly returned to the office and the Thanksgiving escapees have yet to descend on, say, Paris for Mercigiving. And don’t forget: Though it’s fall in the Northern Hemisphere, a trip to the Southern Hemisphere is a good opportunity to flip your season to spring, if the spirit so moves you—hello, Cape Town. Plus, fewer tourists means lower prices at hotels and airlines, making it a high-value time to travel. Below, we share some of the best places to visit in October, from the arts and culture in the green countryside of France’s Loire Valley, to the culinary virtues of beautiful Charleston in South Carolina.
This gallery has been updated since its original publish date.
