What’s fall travel without a little autumn charm?
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Even if you aren’t visiting your destination specifically for its pumpkin patches or spiced lattes, that doesn’t mean you can’t add on seasonal activities. If you play your cards right, you might not even need to plan ahead to experience the autumnal fare.
Instead, look for a hotel with fall activities scheduled. Whether you’re heading to a classic destination like Mackinac Island, heading into the forest in Virginia, or zipping off to the Big Apple, you can find hotels that make it easy to experience the season. Take a shortcut with the hotels listed below—each comes with a sweet fall promise.
6 US hotels with fall activities
The Inn at Stonecliffe (Mackinac Island, Michigan)
The Inn at Stonecliffe, a Mackinac mainstay with a legacy as a historic mansion, has rounded up a whopping 12,000 pounds of pumpkins to create a sprawling patch. Its 15-acre grounds are bursting with autumn colors and themes. To maximize the charm, The Inn at Stonecliffe also offers hands-on cider pressing at its on-site Orchard, a restored apple orchard. To top it all off, the hotel is set on the car-free Mackinac Island, whose historic architecture is appealing any time of year.
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Arizona isn’t the country’s favorite fall destination—but you can still find hotels with fall programs around the state. The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort will soon launch its annual Harvest Celebration, which runs throughout the month of November. Expect a wide range of activities, from craft events like tote painting and flower pot painting to fall-themed movie nights and even a Halloween party. The on-site bar, Grand Vista Lounge, is also serving up themed cocktails throughout the month.
Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa (Whitefield, New Hampshire)
With the fall-famous White Mountains as a backdrop, it doesn’t get more quintessentially autumn than at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, New Hampshire. The scenery sets the perfect stage for an autumn escape, offering 1,700 acres of fall foliage. There’s plenty to do to get into the seasonal mood, from hands-on cider pressing to fresh apple cider donuts. There’s an on-site movie theatre that plays Halloween and autumn hits, and there’s always a campfire going with s’mores supplies. If the weather allows, the greens are also open for golfers.
Postcard Cabins Shenandoah, Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy (Stanardsville, Virginia)
If you haven’t heard of Marriott’s Postcard Cabins, they’re converted campgrounds that are designed for nature-filled escapes that encourage guests to drop off the map for a while in a glamping-style setup. Any of Marriott’s Postcard Cabins are sure to be a treat when the crisp autumn breeze rolls in, but its Shenandoah property is hard to beat thanks to its proximity to the wonderfully colorful Shenandoah National Park. Plus, it’s close enough to walk to the nearby Octonia Stone Brew Works, which often has live music.
JW Marriott Essex House New York (New York City, New York)
The JW Marriott Essex House New York offers an excellent Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade hotel room package—but if you’re in town before the holiday, you can take advantage of its autumn offers. The hotel runs a private Central Park Fall Foliage Experience tour led by an officially licensed NYC guide. That’s a pretty cool offer when you consider how large Central Park is. It’s a place many visitors know to visit but have trouble really exploring due to its size, complex layout, and long history.
The Alida, Savannah, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (Savannah, Georgia)
Savannah, Georgia is hosting a three-day true crime event in which attendees will be lured across the city as they work to solve a simulated crime. The event, titled Hamptons Whodunit, runs from November 6-8, bringing on major authors who host panels, events, workshops, and more. That’s not exactly traditional autumn fare, but it pairs well with spooky Halloween events—and it absolutely builds on Savannah’s ghost-ridden reputation.
Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio is a major sponsor of the event. The Alida, Savannah, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is offering a Whodunit group rate, which you can access on the Hamptons Whodunit site.