Fall Travel: Affordable Getaways, New Activities

Coverage highlights affordable fall getaways and retiree-friendly destinations across the U.S. and abroad, including options in Panama, Georgia and Portugal. Hidden gems include New York’s Whetstone Gulf State Park, centered on a dramatic 350-foot shale gorge with low day and campground fees. Upstate New York’s Adirondacks are promoting rail biking—two- and four-person pedal-powered vehicles on disused tracks—as a family-friendly way to enjoy foliage. Northern Michigan shoreline spots (Sturgeon Point, Negwegon State Park, Leland and the U.S. 2 drive) and budget-friendly Mackinaw City are singled out for brilliant colors and accessible sightseeing. Other recommended outings include Granite Mountain near Seattle, Keystone State Park in Pennsylvania with an ADA-accessible lake loop, and Stone Mountain as an easy Atlanta-area road trip. Collectively, the coverage suggests fall is an ideal, often affordable time to get outdoors, whether you prefer quiet campgrounds, active tours, easy lakeside walks or short city-adjacent escapes.