5 Fall Trips to Take with Kids

You may or may not be aware, but fall is THE BEST time to travel, especially if you're traveling with kids! Sure, summer gets a lot of attention as the kids are out of school and the pressure to skip town and get your toes in the sand is palpable. However, fall offers beautiful weather, changing seasons, and destinations that are far less crowded by September than they were in July. 

Looking to plan a trip with the kids this fall? Here are 5 of our favorite destinations!

1. Colonial Williamsburg 

Colonial Williamsburg is a fantastic way to teach your kids about the history of the United States in a fun way as it’s living history. All of the “actors” are in period costumes and many have dedicated their lives and careers to retelling the tales of Colonial Williamsburg.

What to do:

Make sure you pack sneakers - with your comfy house dress of course!- as there is a ton of walking; the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg stretches over 301 acres, and includes 88 original 18th-century structures. Helpful tip - when you are visiting the historic buildings, if there is a flag out front, it means it is open for touring. My kids loved the milliner, the apothecary and the blacksmith.

Across the street from Colonial Williamsburg is Merchants Square with tons of shops and restaurants for lunch or a snack. Wythe candy shopis a must-do for the kids.

Where to stay:

Kingsmill resort is a great family resort that is just minutes away from Colonial Williamsburg. Kingsmill has something for everyone: two outdoor pools - including a lazy river, two renowned 18-hole golf courses and even a spa for mamas! There are multiple dining options and may of the spacious rooms feature kitchenettes if you choose to bring snacks for the kids. After a day of touring in your matching mommy & me dresses (link), I can attest that you, and your little ones, will be thrilled to unwind poolside.

Where to eat:

The precarious beer project– just hear us out. Although you may not think a beer hall to be kid-friendly, this picnic table style restaurant is completely. Throughout the “hall” are numerous video and arcade games to keep your little ones occupied while you relax and enjoy a craft beer or two. Food is ordered from a window and includes a variety of tacos and Mexican specialties – so even the pickiest eaters will find something they will enjoy.

For something more upscale, check out King Arms Tavern, a fancier place to dine that is quintessential Colonial Williamsburg. Located in the Colonial Williamsburg Inn, everything is true to the time period , from the fashion sported by servers to the pewter candlesticks—all adding to an air of colonial elegance at this refined chophouse. Bonus, they do offer a “young patriots” menu that includes the typical choices for the kids. Advance reservations are a must.

2. NYC

The Big Apple, and we don’t mean OUR apple, is teeming with things to do with your little ones. The sheer energy of the city is enough to excite children of all ages. Regardless of how many trips one might make to NYC.

Where to stay:

Grab your pajamas and book a suite at The Roxy. Always bustling with live music, the retro-decorated rooms of this downtown hotel feature vinyl records and functioning record players, both of which will give you ample opportunities to school your kids on classic music and explain to them how we survived without YouTube and Spotify. Bonus: there is a movie theatre in the basement that shows family movies on weekends. 

What to do:

The truth is kids never tire of slime so taking them to a “museum” dedicated to hands-on sensory play with yes SLIME, will make this a destination they will not soon forget. At SlooMoo Institute kids will have plenty of opportunities to play and make slime that they get to bring home. For an extra charge you can pay for them to don a quasi-hazmat suit and have slime dumped all over them. Advance tickets are required.

Acadia Earth is one of the coolest 3-D experiences we have ever taken our children to see. You actually need an iPhone or iPad to be fully immersed into this “augmented reality journey through the planet earth.” (They have extras to lend there.) You truly need to see it to understand just how unique this “multi-sensory” museum is. Advance tickets are required.

Where to eat:

Eataly Flatiron is a vibrant Italian marketplace that features an array of cafes, food counters, and restaurants. Whether you choose to grab a slice of pizza and gelato from the “food court” area or dine in the more sophisticated rooftop garden restaurant, you will be able to spend hours in just this multilevel culinary mecca. BONUS: For the chocolate lovers in your family, Eataly Flatiron boasts the only Nutella bar in NYC.

North River Lobster is the City’s only floating lobster shack. For only $10 per person, children under 5 are free, your family will enjoy a casual hour lunch/dinner cruise along the Hudson River. With frequent sailing times throughout the day, this is a great way to see Lady Liberty without the long lines. Although the specialty are their lobster rolls, there are plenty of non-seafood choices and a full bar including froze for you mamas! Suggested attire: our cotton gauze house dresses! 

3. Burlington, VT

Burlington is the largest city in Vermont and located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, just south of the Canadian border. With it's quaint downtown and proximity to beautiful fall foliage and charming apple orchards, Burlington is such a great spot to spend a long fall weekend. 

Where to stay:

For plenty of room to explore, book one of 24 guest rooms at the Shelburne Inn, a country home that dates back to the 19th century and is located on a 1400 acre working farm by the same name. 

For lake views and more walkability to downtown, check out the Hilton Garden Inn. 

What to do:

You can enjoy a variety of fun, interactive, and educational experiences for the entire family at Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory. Learn all about chocolate by watching a factory tour video, entertain the kids with a FREE chocolate adventure kit, and then head outside and explore the interactive StoryWalk. Make sure to take your passport with you to earn a special treat upon completing the story!

At Shelburne Farms you’ll find hay rides, fresh apple cider, sugar dipped cider donuts, and an apple brandy tasting room for the adults.

Where to eat:

Honey Road: This James Beard nominated restaurant is women-owned and operated and while it might not boast an official kids menu, most will be perfectly content with their homemade hummus, pita and more! For grown-ups, don't miss the halloumi with fried green strawberries and preserved lemon or the duck shish kabobs. 

Farmers and Foragers Food Truck: Open May through October, this locally-sourced food truck and bar is parked dockside making it the perfect place to catch the sunset while enjoying fresh, seasonal dishes like Maine lobster in brown butter on brioche rolls and Boyden Farm cheesesteaks. Dishes rotate weekly.

4. Asheville

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Asheville is known for its vibrant art scene, historic architecture and the Biltmore, the sprawling estate of the late Edith and George Vanderbilt.

Where to stay:

When in Asheville with kids, it's hard to imagine a more beautiful home away from home than the Biltmore. Stay at the beautiful Village Hotel on property that is convenient to the Pisgah playground and Antler Hill Farm where kids can interact with farm animals. 

Once the foundry that supplied the steel for Vanderbilt railroads, The Foundry Hotel in downtown Asheville is now a nod to the city's industrial roots. It's also just a five minute walk to many of Asheville's shops and restaurants. 

What to do:

For some outdoorsy fun, check out the easy .6 mile hike at Hooker Falls in the Dupont State Forest. For those wanting a little bit more, the 1 mile loop at Triple Falls is a great option!

Dig for dinosaur fossils or climb the indoor jungle themed playground at the Asheville Museum of Science. 

Where to eat:

Vortex Doughnuts: From classic old-fashioned to peanut butter blackberry, these donuts are anything but basic. Brewing 1000 faces coffee from Athens Georgia, Vortex offers a classic menu of espresso drinks alongside a signature drink menu as well as great drip and pour over style coffees. 

You can take the girl out of Texas, but she's still going to want a burger on vacation. The burgers from Farm Burger bring the farm-to-table movement to America's favorite sandwich with grass-fed beef and organic ingredients sourced from local farms. There's also a vegan burger. 

5. Big Sur

Located along a rugged stretch of California’s central coast just south of Carmel, Big Sur sits between the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. A single road, Route 1, known for its winding turns, seaside cliffs and views of the often-misty coastline cuts through the sleepy city where visitors come for hiking, camping and beach combing. 

Where to stay:

In our humble opinion, there's only one place to stay in Big Sur with kids and it's Glen Oaks Big Sur. You can stay in the motor lodge, but I would recommend opting for the cabins in The Redwood Grove, complete with fire pits and privacy and surrounded by, you guessed it, towering Redwoods. 

What to do:

There's nothing quite like Pfeiffer Beach at sunset. With 3 coves, purple-hued sand and giant rock formations it's nothing short of majestic.

Venture north to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for an experience like no other. From sea otters and penguins to a viewing deck of the Pacific where you might catch whales and other sea life in their natural habitat there's no shortage of creatures to observe here. 

Where to eat:

Sourcing the freshest local and seasonal ingredients, the menu at Big Sur Bakery is subject to change, but one thing always stays the same: the food is fresh and delicious. Thing breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast served on house made sourdough and oysters and ribeye for dinner. 

It's hard to imagine anything beating the views at Nepenthe but the dishes served are a close second. There's a simple kid's menu for even the pickiest of eaters, but foodies will love the divers scallops on polenta and steak frites or the shrimp BLT if you happen to be dining at lunch!

Need some new pieces for your fall travel plans? Check out our new arrivals!