18 Fun and Frugal Fall Getaway Ideas

Fall break will be here before we know it, which means it's time to plan an exciting fall getaway if you haven't already. If you want to travel this fall without breaking the bank, however, you'll need to get creative when it comes to finding affordable options that are also loads of fun.

The good news? There are quite a few reasonably-priced ways to spend your autumn vacation, and that's true no matter which type of vacation you like the most. For example, there are still plenty of theme parks open during fall months in warm weather locations, and you can always book a vacation rental on the beach. There are also all-inclusive resorts and cruise lines offering deals on last-minute getaways this fall, including deals from travel brands like Carnival and Virgin Voyages.

Where should you travel this fall break? The sky's the limit when it comes to planning a fun, yet frugal vacation, but here are 18 ideas that can serve as travel inspiration.

Hershey’s Chocolate World: Hershey, Pennsylvania

If you're looking for a fun road trip idea this fall and you want to try something new, consider a getaway to Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This park offers year-round fun and all the sweet treats you can imagine, with activities you can book like a "Create Your Own Candy" bar and Hershey's Great Candy Expedition. You can also stay at several nearby hotels and resorts with great rates throughout the year, including the Tru by Hilton Hershey Chocolate Avenue or the Courtyard by Marriott Hershey Chocolate Avenue.

Virgin Voyages Cruise

Virgin Voyages is a newer cruise line that's made for adults-only, so it's great for a fall break getaway with a friends group or as a couple. There are incredible sales going on for fall break cruises right now as well, including fares with on-board credit and discounts worth hundreds of dollars. While there are a range of unique itineraries available, several can work well for an affordable fall break trip. For example, the line's five-night Dominican Daze itinerary out of Miami, Florida starts at $1,628 per cabin and includes stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Virgin Voyages' Bimini Beach Club in the Bahamas.

Rent a Timeshare

If you're looking for a frugal way to spend a week at the beach or in a resort destination like Las Vegas or Orlando, consider booking a timeshare through Redweek.com. This timeshare rental site lets you rent a weeklong stay at a range of resorts around the world, including both budget properties and luxury condominiums. Not only can you save money by booking someone's unused timeshare, but you can score even more savings by booking a rental with a kitchen since it lets you prepare some of your meals at "home."

Visit Bardstown, Kentucky

Bardstown, Kentucky may seem like an unlikely destination for a fall getaway, but it has a lot to offer if you're interested in fun, fall foliage and spirits. For example, there are 11 different Kentucky bourbon distilleries in the area, and a range of fall concerts are offered at Dant Crossing's Amphitheatre. Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest also provides 16,140 acres of woodlands with 40 miles of trails for exercise or leaf-peeping.

Plan a Theme Park Vacation

When autumn arrives and kids are back in school, theme parks still open are often less crowded and less expensive to visit. You may also be able to drive to a theme park destination instead of flying, which can yield even more savings — especially for families. Which theme parks are still open during fall? Pretty much all of them in warmer weather climates stay open throughout the year. For example, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas and Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California are open all year long.

Knott's Berry Farm (Photo via Knott's Berry Farm) (Photo Credit: Knott's Berry Farm)

Explore Albuquerque, New Mexico

Fall is also an excellent time for a frugal road trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and for more reasons than one. Not only is the fall foliage gorgeous during autumn months, but the hot daytime temperatures cool down and pave the way for "sweater weather" during evenings starting in October and November. Old Town Albuquerque offers shopping, galleries and restaurants to keep you busy during the trip, and visitors can even book Old Town Tours to learn some of the local history from an expert guide. The historic and revitalized El Vado Motel also offers a cheap place to stay that offers the comforts of home with plenty of historic character and charm.

Book a Cheap Last-Minute Cruise

If you're within driving distance of a cruise port and you're looking for a vacation that includes your lodging and meals, why not consider a cheap cruise? A range of options are still available for this fall, and you'll get the best deal if you're flexible with your destination and exact dates. A website called VacationstoGo.com offers last-minute cruise deals within 90 days with discounts of as much as 82% off. If you need help finding availability, you can also reach out to a travel agent for help.

Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta: Puerto Vallarta, México

Maybe an inexpensive all-inclusive getaway is what you're after. In that case, you should look into visiting Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta in stunning Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This all-inclusive resort offers a range of room options and suites that work well for families, including suites with up to two bedrooms. Located directly in Puerto Vallarta's hotel zone, Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta also boasts several outdoor swimming pools and its own beautiful beachfront. Nightly rates for dates over this fall start at just $350 per night with double occupancy if you want the all-inclusive plan.

Motto by Hilton Tulum: Tulum, Mexico

If you're looking for a destination that may be cheap to visit this fall but offers plenty of culture and activities, Tulum, Mexico should be on your radar. You can plan a stay at Motto by Hilton Tulum in order to be close to the city center of Tulum, as well as pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, shopping and nightlife. Motto by Hilton Tulum is not all-inclusive, but it does have a restaurant, a bar and a cafe on-site. Nightly rates start at less than $100 per night this fall as well, which should leave plenty of room in your travel budget to enjoy fresh, local Mexican cuisine.

A fall road trip through the Great Smoky Mountains (Photo by Eric Bowman)

Plan a Fall Road Trip

If you're flexible on where you go and you have reliable transportation, fall is a great time to hop in the car and drive almost anywhere. You can plan a road trip to nearly any destination this fall, or you can get behind the wheel with a full tank of gas and no real plan at all. Either way, fall road trips are great for seeing fall foliage or getting out to explore the great outdoors. While you can travel by car to a major city or resort destination, you can also plan a trip to check out state and national parks or to head somewhere new.

Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa: Cabo San Lucas, México

Cabo's Corazón Cabo Resort & Spa is not all-inclusive, and rates at this luxury resort start at just over $400 per night this fall. That said, the property is located next to the best swimmable white sand beach in all of Cabo San Lucas, and it also boasts the largest beach club around. A rooftop infinity pool offers panoramic views of the area, and the resort also boasts a world class spa. All 305 rooms and suites at the property also feature incredible views of the ocean and mountains nearby.

Go Glamping

"Glamping" is a term to describe luxury camping, or any type of camping adventure where you get to enjoy more of the comforts of home. For example, glamping can take place in a yurt, a cabin, a luxury tent or a teepee, yet you'll want to make sure you have luxury amenities like comfortable bedding, lights for decor and ambience, heat or air conditioning and real bathrooms you can use. While you can set up your own glamping spot nearly anywhere, you can also rent glamping sites through a website called GlampingHub.

Glamping (Photo via Jan Sztemon / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Visit a Local Oktoberfest Celebration

Oktoberfest celebrations are offered throughout the United States, and you may even have a few within driving distance of your home. These family-friendly events usually offer a range of games and activities for people of all ages, including contests, concerts and even rides. All Oktoberfest celebrations also have beer gardens and plenty of fun foods to try. Some of the most popular Oktoberfest get-togethers in the U.S. are located in Frankenmuth, Michigan, La Crosse, Wisconsin and Helen, Georgia each year.

Visit the Great Smoky Mountains

Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains are great to visit during fall due to lower prices overall and the incredible fall foliage you can find during September through December. There are also a nearly endless supply of hotels and vacation rentals available in destinations like Gatliburg and Pigeon Forge, as well as museums, theme parks and shopping centers galore. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also an exceptional spot for bird watching, hiking, horseback riding and camping.

Plan a Staycation Close to Home

If you really want to save money but you want to get out and do something fun over fall break, your budget will thank you if you skip the hotel room and look for things to do that are closer to home. For example, you could spend your staycation checking out local museums and restaurants you have never had the time to try, or you could take a day trip or several to visit nearby towns or attractions. You could even take a cooking class or an art class, or buy tickets to a local performance.

Head to Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville, Tennessee has a nearly endless number of things to do and see, including visiting the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or the Johnny Cash Museum. Nashville's Honky Tonk Highway, which is located on Lower Broadway, is also a fun place to visit if you want to bar hop and listen to all kinds of live music from country to jazz and hard rock. Nashville is also becoming well known for its incredible culinary scene, making it a great spot to visit if you want to try southern favorites like hot chicken or grilled pimento mac-n-cheese.

Rent an RV

Renting an RV isn't necessarily "cheap," but this type of vacation can help you save money in other ways. For example, your rental RV also serves as your hotel, and having a kitchen gives you the chance to make your own meals instead of dining out. Camping itself can also be inherently frugal if you skip the fancy campgrounds and use the opportunity to camp in a more natural setting. Where can you rent an RV? Check out sites like Outdoorsy and RVShare.com.

Visit the Fall for Greenville Festival

If you're looking for something fun and free to do this fall and you live in the Midwest or the southeastern United States, the Fall for Greenville Festival in Greenville, South Carolina is worth checking out. This event lets you sample food from more than 50 restaurants over eight blocks of Main Street, and there are more than 70 free concerts over the weekend. There are also more than 50 craft beers available for you to try out. Dates for the Fall for Greenville Festival are from October 13th to 15th in 2023. 

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