Mild mornings, the vibrant colors of the fall foliage, and lighter foot traffic thanks to the kids being back in school; October in North America might just be perfect timing for an adventure.
As the rush of tourists disappears, the pace of things in North America starts to wind down; the noise of the crowds in the national parks fades, and airlines are doing everything in their power to lure people onto their planes for fares that are non-existent at any other time of year. I mean, if you had the free time to travel here in October, you’d be crazy not to snap up the opportunity when you consider how expensive the region has gotten in recent years.
North America in October just works; it’s the right moment to go, and we’re excited to list some unmissable places on the continent that are sure to fuel your travel itch.
Book a Hiking Getaway to See the Foilage in Acadia National Park, Maine, USA
Ask any American, and they’ll tell you that New England has always been the best region to catch a glimpse of the autumn leaves. It’s hard to disagree that Acadia National Park in Maine may just have the finest of all. If the thoughts of multicolored leaves drenching over 50,000 acres of open land, paired with the sound of the waves of the roaring Atlantic, doesn’t seem to excite you, I’d have to question your appreciation for beauty.
Visiting Acadia National Park in October gives you just enough time to get your foot in the door before the snow starts coming. The temperatures are mild throughout most of the month, so hikes like the Beehive Trail and the South Bubble Trail are slightly more bearable. Be aware, though, that on weekends, the park gets busy, so if you’d prefer to have the place to yourself, mid-week may be a better option for you.
First-timers coming to Acadia National Park can get confused; it’s split up into three main sections: Mount Desert Island (where most people visit), Isle au Haut, and Schoodic Peninsula. To get the most out of your time here, I recommend you spend at least a day in each; there’s no point trying to rush between them because you won’t enjoy yourself. Plus, Isle au Haut is a bit of a trek to get to, so you’ll need some extra time for that.
Most likely, your first stop in Acadia National Park will be Cadillac Mountain; it’s the one climb everyone wants to do. However, if you have your own vehicle, you don’t even need to hike up there as there’s a car park nearby, but a reservation is required. Although it can be hit or miss in October due to the clouds swooping in from the Atlantic, Cadillac Mountain is a wonderful place to catch a sunset; just be sure to pack a jacket, as it can be breezy up there.
There are a few airports you can fly into to reach Acadia National Park, but Bangor International Airport will make the most sense in terms of price and proximity. The bus company Downeast Transportation provides a bus five times a week from Bangor Airport to Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, which costs $9 (€8.15) for the 1 hour and 25-minute ride. Don’t forget to purchase your entrance pass for the park in advance for $20 (€18.11); it will cover you for 7 days of access.
Organize a Break With Your Other Half to Vancouver, Canada
When you look at a map of Canada and point out Vancouver, you’ll say to yourself, ‘That’s quite a long way to go for a trip,’ but British Colombia’s best-loved city delivers on all fronts. You can do pretty much anything here; those who enjoy the outdoors will love Quarry Rock, there’s a thriving arts scene on the lovely Granville Island, and Yaletown never fails to tease the tastebuds of foodies. After you spend a couple of days here, it will be easy to understand why Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the most livable cities on the planet.
Getting lost in Vancouver’s abundance of neighborhoods is one of the city’s main things to do. Coal Harbor is right by the waterfront; the vibe here is quite upmarket, with plenty of fancy restaurants and bars looking out over the water, but it’s not totally in your face. If you’re a fan of the trendy kinds of districts, check out Gastown and Yaletown, which will pique your interest. Be sure to pop by Canada’s largest Chinatown before you leave; it won’t be long before you’re getting stuck into a bowl of dumplings at Kam Wai Dim Sum (CAD 4.75 (€3.17).
In a city like Vancouver, you can get by without spending much money on tourist attractions. The main public parks like Stanley Park and David Lam Park don’t have any entry fees, and popular landmarks such as the stunning Christchurch Cathedral are always open for visitors once there’s no worship planned. If there’s a day when the heavens start to open up, take shelter in the fabulous building of the Vancouver Public Library; in my opinion, it looks like a modern version of the Colosseum, but I’ll let you judge for yourself.
After you land at Vancouver International Airport, you can jump on the train into the city center. The ride only takes around 25 minutes, and tickets cost CAD 4 (€2.67) for a one-way ride, but be aware that there’s an additional fee of CAD 5 (€3.34) charged to customers taking the train from Vancouver Airport.
Get Your Dose of Vitamin D in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Most people who come to Florida usually only make it to Orlando or Miami, but there’s a new rising star on the block: Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale might be best known for its 24 miles of sun-drenched coastline, but there’s more to the Venice of America than sunbathing on Las Olas Beach. Gone are the days when Fort Lauderdale was seen as a city for retirees; there’s an energetic cultural scene that’s evolving here, with areas like Las Olas Boulevard and the Riverwalk taking center stage. Here, you can let your creative spirit run wild, from amazing street murals to interesting museums such as NSU Art Museum (tickets cost $16 (€14.53) + free on the first Thursday of every month).
You haven’t truly experienced Florida until you’ve seen the Everglades, which are easily accessible around a 30-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale at Sawgrass Recreation Park. For only $26.95 (€24.48), you’ll be able to take an airboat ride around the park and hit speeds of up to 20 mph while learning about the area with your expert guide and spotting some unique forms of wildlife. Additionally, you’ll also get access to a reptile sanctuary that houses up to 50 types of animals, including baby alligators.
While it’s easy to beat on the USA for its lack of public transportation when you consider it to Europe, Fort Lauderdale is the exception. Although it may not be cheap ($40 (€36.33) for a one-day pass), there are water taxis that can take you to most of the main areas around the city’s waterways. A more affordable option is to ride on the Fort Lauderdale Sun Trolley; a one-way ticket only costs $1, or day passes are available for $3 (€2.72). If you want to take a day trip to Miami, the Brightline Train takes less than 40 minutes, and return tickets are priced at $19 (€17.26).
Fort Lauderdale has its own international airport with bus connections to the city. Broward County Transit operates the bus, and it’s $2 (€1.82) for the 10-minute one-way fare, but you need to pay in cash, so try to exchange some before you leave the airport terminal.
See the Mayan Ruins and Cenotes in Valladolid, Mexico
Seen as the gateway to one of the seven wonders of the world, Chichén Itzá, the city of Valladolid, is unknown to many who swing by Yucatán. Usually, people stick to Cancún and make some day trips from there, but you’re missing out if you don’t spend a few nights in Valladolid. I don’t know if it’s the colorful streets lined with colonial buildings or the incredibly unique churches like the Templo de San Servacio, but I know you’ll be asking yourself how you hadn’t heard of this place sooner.
Of course, Chichén Itzá will be at the top of your list of things to do in Valladolid. The site where the ancient Mayan ruins are located is about 40 minutes outside of the city; the options are to either organize a private tour with a local company or take a collectivo (local bus) from Valladolid and pay yourself, which I did. The collectivos depart daily from 7 am every 30 minutes from this point on Google Maps – Transporte Colectivo (Chichen Itza Y Piste) – The drivers have a rule where they only depart as long as the bus is filled, so beware. Tickets cost MXN 40 (€1.82) one-way or MXN 80 (€3.65) return. As you arrive at Chichén Itzá, you’ll be able to buy your tickets for MXN 614 (€28.01).
Across Yucatán, there are around 6000 cenotes; these natural wells develop due to limestone layers breaking down, so access opens up to the water underneath. One of these cenotes is situated in the center of Valladolid; it’s called Cenote Zaci. For MXN 60 (€2.74), visitors are allowed to swim inside of it, and you get a free lifejacket included; it must be worn at all times in the water.
The closest airport to Valladolid is Cancún; the drive between the two takes roughly two hours. After you land and exit the arrivals hall, there are a bunch of company bus stands outside selling tickets to take you there. Ado Bus is the most popular company; they charge around MXN 263.03 (€12) for the tickets, although demand may impact the price.
Tick Moraine Lake off Your Bucket List in Banff National Park, Canada
Moraine Lake in Banff National Park is almost like the cover photo for tourism in Canada. Set in the heart of the Valley of the Ten Peaks, these glistening waters attract thousands of people from all over the world every day; it’s half the reason why people come to Banff. October marks your final chance to get up close to Moraine Lake as the trail closes due to the risk of avalanches, so it’s perfect timing for a trip here.
Parks Canada Shuttle offers routes directly to Moraine Lake from Lake Louise Park, as the trail is quite long, 14 km one-way, and quite rural without much infrastructure, so it’s not worth the risk. The shuttle is priced at CAD 8 (€5.34) for a return journey, and then you’ll have to pay CAD 11 (€7.34) for the entrance fee to the national park. There’s also an additional CAD 3 (€2) fee to book your tickets online. I wouldn’t risk leaving your reservation on the shuttle until the last minute because the tickets sell up fast.
Calgary International Airport is the closest airport to Banff National Park. Unless you hire a car, the only way to reach the park is by taking a bus with one of the shuttle companies like Banff Airporter, which costs CAD 82.90 (€55.30) for a single ticket. If there are a few of you traveling, renting a car is probably a better option, as rentals usually cost around €40 for each day, and then you only have to pay for your fuel and insurance.
You’ve Got to See How Beautiful North America Is in October!
That’s our rundown on the best locations to fly to in October, and isn’t that one heck of a list? You’ve got the peaks of Canada, the sunny beaches of Florida, and the colonial cities of Mexico; it’s up to you now to decide where your North American holiday will take you.