I don’t care what the Romans, Mayans, or any other calendar experts say: Fall begins when Labor Day ends. That means you can officially start thinking about fall vacation destinations. You’re welcome.

A fall vacation can be a good excuse for empty-nesters and never-nesteds to get out and peep at the changing leaves. The autumn is also a good (read: cheaper) time to take a family vacation. Take advantage of a three-day weekend or just yank the kids out of school and call it exercising your parental rights. Whatever justification you’re using, here’s a few cool destinations for a fall vacation.

Orlando, Florida

Palm trees all year long!

The very best time to visit Orlando is in the fall. The massive crowds have gone home, the extreme heat and humidity have given way to tolerable temperatures, and the hospitality industry is playing fast and loose with the discounts and deals.

Niagara Falls, New York

A Niagara Falls sunset

I’ve never actually been to Niagara Falls during the autumn months, but I can imagine the photo opportunities are out of this world. Get your minivan up there this fall and tell me how it went, deal?

New York City

Lady Liberty is everywhere.

This may be one of the best times to visit the Big Apple. The average tourists are back home and the city’s fashionistas are out in full force with their boots and jackets and scarves, oh my! There’s also a fresh influx of college students at the city’s numerous universities. Add all that together and you get phenomenal people watching without the soul-sucking heat of the summer or the occasional blizzard of winter.

What are your favorite places to go for a fall getaway?

Photos: Britt Reints

Disneyland is incredible no matter what time of year you visit, but the holidays are really something special. It starts with Halloween, which, at the Disneyland Resort kicks off September 16, 2011 (and runs through Halloween night). Halloween is too much fun to celebrate it on just one night. Disney gets it.

In addition to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure (DCA) being decked out for the fall holiday (including a Nightmare Before Christmas update to The Haunted Mansion) you can also attend the after-hours fun of Mickey’s Halloween Party. Mickey’s party is a separate-ticket event ($49 – $64 per person, priced by date). It’s a great opportunity for kids of all ages to dress up and trick or treat with their favorite Disney characters (they dress up, too!). Read More »

Royal Oak Farm

The Midwest offers much more than just chilly weather and friendly faces, picturesque apple orchards and pumpkin patches abound, even in the Chicago area.  Apple picking and pumpkin gathering season is at it’s peak now.  Take advantage of  the breezy temps and golden foliage and check out some of the areas best orchards and pumpkin patches. Read More »

Ghosts from the haunted segway tour

October in Chicago doesn’t just bring on chilly winds, the month ushers in a host of scary season events, including scream-inducing haunted houses and spooky tours.  With a gory history of gangsters, guns and ghosts, the Windy City boasts a ready collection of frightening tidbits to draw from. Check out these haunted houses and tours and remember to scope out a quick escape route beforehand: Read More »