I love traveling in the fall as it’s one of the prettiest and most temperate times to see historical sites. Here are some of my favorites destinations that are great to visit this time of year paired with books that will enhance your visit!
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Most Picturesque
To visit quintessential autumn splendor, try these sites!
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Early-to-mid fall is a wonderful time of year to visit Montgomery’s beloved Prince Edward Island. You can avoid all of the summer crowds and really get in Montgomery’s brain as she wrote about this beautiful, wind-swept island. Note that many of the restaurants and some of the Avonlea Village sites close in early September so be sure to research before going.
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The Mount, Wharton’s home in Lenox is a wonderful place to tour during any trip to the Berkshires. I visited the area a couple of years ago and fell in love with the quaint charm, beautiful scenery, and delicious food! It’s the perfect fall destination!
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Just a short trip away from the hustle and bustle of New York City is the Hudson River Valley with its gorgeous views of fall foliage on the banks of the Hudson River. The history is truly spectacular here too. Read The Traitor’s Wife to be immersed in Revolutionary-era New York and add in a classic like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for a spooky element.
Fun Fall Activities
These sites have fun activities for all ages amidst the beautiful fall foliage.
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Visiting the beautiful region around Charlottesville is a great way to spend a fall weekend. One of my family’s favorite things to do is to pick apples at the popular Carter Mountain Orchard (don’t miss the apple cider doughnuts!) and then visit next-door Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. It makes for a whole day of family fun! Read America’s First Daughter to learn all about the Jefferson family’s life on their mountaintop. For other Jefferson sites, check out my post about the Jefferson ladies.
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There are so many outdoors activities in Asheville from floating down the river to hiking in the nearby mountains. Even just driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is stunning! Stay at the Gove Park Inn and read What the Mountains Remember to learn about its construction. Visit the Biltmore Estate and learn about its history from These Tangled Threads. Don’t forget to check out Read Far and Wide’s 2027 Asheville Readers Retreat featuring these two authors. I’ll be there!
Spooky Fun
With Halloween coming up soon, adding in a spooky element to your travels is fun!
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Salem is the place to learn about the sad history of this area during the 17th century witch trials. I visited once during Halloween season and it’s crazy! Visit earlier in the day and month to avoid the spectacle and stick to the real history, not the made-up stories. The house that inspired Hawthrone’s novel is here and can be visited.
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In the picturesque town of Concord, you can visit several historical sites important in the book world. Places like Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House and Walden Pond. A spooky addition is visiting the aptly named Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where many of these literary greats are buried. Check out this great literary itinerary.
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Poe Museum and Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond, Virginia
The Poe Museum is housed in Richmond’s oldest home and is where you can find artifacts from this doomed author who once called Richmond home. His mother died here and is buried in the graveyard at Historic St. John’s Church just up the hill from the museum. They have a fantastic spooky program in late October that is perfect for chills and thrills!
What’s your favorite fall destination and book pairing?
This was such a fun post! Thanks for sharing. Salem and the Hudson River Valley are on my bucket list.