The leaves aren't the only thing to look at this fall; across the country, towns are celebrating local art and artisans with unique festivals and events. From scarecrow decor to fine art photography, there's something for everyone. Get in the fall spirit with a trip to one of these fun art showcases. See the craftiest scarecrows around (Granville, Tennessee) During the month of October in The Scarecrow & Artisans Festival takes place in historic Granville, Tennessee. It features unique fall creations lining the streets, colorful displays for photos, artisan demonstrations and a scarecrow decorating contest. From October 4th to 28th, the scarecrows may actually outnumber the residents. In addition to a scarecrow decorating contest, there will also be a hay bale decorating contest, with both featuring entries from individuals, clubs, and businesses. A perfect family-friendly getaway, the festival will be sure to have lots of great photo ops. A $7.00 Daily Town Tour Ticket will include admission to all Granville museums, historic sites, scarecrow displays, as well as access to artisans in Pioneer Village. Catch a beachside art show (Daytona Beach, Florida) Seaside wind chimes in Daytona Beach, Florida by Sean Nufer - Unsplash Why visit a stuffy museum for art when you can just go to the beach? Set in historic downtown Daytona Beach on the scenic Halifax River, the 61st Annual Halifax Art Festival on November 5th and 6th is a two-day professionally juried and judged art show that attracts more than 200 artists from throughout the United States. It also features music, food, entertainment and special activities for children. Best of all, admission is free to the public with plenty of free parking for artful shoppers and artists. Glimpse photos of American icons (Scottsdale, Arizona) The artist becomes the subject in a new exhibit in the Southwest. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West gives a glimpse of some never-before-seen photographs of Frank Lloyd Wright and Georgia O’Keeffe, in its “American Icons: Wright and O’Keeffe” exhibition, opening October 20th. The photos were taken by Michael A. “Tony” Vaccaro while on assignment for LOOK Magazine from 1957 to 1960 and are displayed in pairs to show its visual symmetry and provide insight on the relationship between the two legends. Both Wright and O'Keefe were born in Wisconsin, and found their way to the American Southwest; they admired each other's art and the two also exchanged letters and ideas for years. Attend the most elaborate costume party (Columbus, Ohio) A frightening Halloween costume by LexScope - Unsplash Highball Halloween is the nation's most elaborate costume party, happening this year on October 28th. This annual event bridges runway style with the culture of the North Arts district. In addition to a public costume contest, talented designers compete for to win the couture fashion show and events are scheduled through the evening.

As the days begin to mellow in late summer and early fall, and the pace of life takes on a serene rhythm, harvest season is the time to immerse yourself in the tranquility and beauty of Sonoma County, California. Embrace the art of slowing down and find solace in the breathtaking landscapes that surround you. Explore sun-soaked vineyards, where the grapevines are heavy with promise. Engage in mindful moments as you savor farm-to-table delights and award-winning wines, all while basking in the warm glow of the summer season's twilight. Here are five ways to enjoy the harvest season this year in California wine country. Tour studios along the Sonoma County Art Trails More than 120 artists from all over Sonoma County will be selected by an anonymous jury to open their studios to the public September 30th through October 1st and October 7th through 8th for Sonoma County Art Trails, a signature program of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Utilizing the free collector's guide (available both in print and online), visitors may curate their own art tour as they roam Sonoma County, a place where the thriving artists community, superb cuisine and world renowned wineries intertwine. Blue signage leads the way to individual studios where visitors may view a wide range of art mediums including paintings, collage, drawing, printmaking, glass art, fiber arts, sculpture, jewelry and assemblages. Sip pinot noir in Santa Rosa The countryside on Santa Rosa, California by Donghun Shin - Unsplash The 20th Annual Pinot On the River takes place on Old Courthouse Square in Downtown Santa Rosa on October 7th from 11am to 3pm. Enjoy some of the best Pinot Noirs that Sonoma County has to offer as more than 40 small-production artisanal wineries join with guest artisan food vendors. Pinot on the River is a benefit for Sonoma County LGBT Pride, which is dedicated to enhancing the lives and well-being of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI) community and allies throughout Sonoma County. Grape stomp at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair Handfuls of ripened grapes by Maja Petric - Unsplash Grape stomping may have originated in ancient Rome, but Sonoma County can claim the World Championship Grape Stomp as our own. As part of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair on October 14th, the annual grape stomp in Santa Rosa invites people of all ages to compete in the winemaking tradition of crushing grapes by foot. “Stompers” crush the grapes while “swabbies” direct the juice into the glass jugs. During the final round, 60 pounds of grapes will be stomped for five minutes. Whichever team fills the jugs with the most juice wins. Costumes are encouraged. Attendees can access the event with a Harvest Fair entry ticket. Enjoy music in the vineyards Third Fridays of the month through October Foley Sonoma Winery is offering FoSo Fridays: Music in the Vineyard, special evenings of wine, live music, and inventive food pairings from the Foley estate chef. Gather with friends in reserved lounge areas or bring chairs and blankets to settle in on the FoSo lawn overlooking Foley's estate vineyards. Get hands-on with Small Vines Winery Fall colors along Sebastopol, California by Dimitri Jablokov - Unsplash Immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful and exciting times of the year in Sonoma County. For those who always wanted to work in the vineyard during harvest season, if only for just a day. Get your hands dirty, smell the grapes being pulled from the vines, and experience what goes on in a day during grape harvest at a small production family-owned winery. Experience the heart of winemaking as you join forces with the Small Vines team for guided, hands-on morning harvest activities, enjoy Al-Fresco farm-to-picnic-basket dining, luxurious chauffeured transportation from Farmhouse Inn to Small Vines Winery and return in the epitome of Farmhouse Volvo elegance. Throughout the day, a dedicated driver will be at the ready, ensuring your journey is as stylish as your destination. Seize the opportunity to unwind in luxury as you spend the night at Farmhouse Inn and breakfast for two. This experience is offered through November 17 and subject to availability.

Every fall, towns across the country feature Oktoberfest-inspired festivals and events showcasing great brews, as well as German cuisine, autumn-inspired activities, and more. If you're excited about these beer-centric events and looking for a more unique way to celebrate, check out one of the activities below to get into the Oktoberfest spirit. Ride on down to Biketoberfest (Daytona Beach, Florida) Daytona Beach Biketoberfest - courtesy of Daytona Beach Area CVB Sure, Oktoberfest is fun... but have you heard of Biketoberfest? Motorcycling enthusiasts will descend upon the Daytona Beach area by the thousands on October 19-22 for the 31st annual Biketoberfest®, regarded by many as one of the top motorcycle rallies in the southeastern United States. The popular, four-day rally attracts motorcycle enthusiasts to the Daytona Beach area and neighboring communities throughout Volusia County with beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry's top vendors, bike shows, motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway, and miles of scenic rides along famous A1A, historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. As motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages and riding all types of bikes explore the area, they will discover plenty of new additions. New restaurants include Stroud's BBQ located in Daytona Lagoon, Harry's Famous Pizza at the Ocean Walk Shoppes, Millie's second seafood restaurant location in Ormond Beach named Millie's North and Café Con Leche Granada, an Ormond Beach establishment that serves authentic Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican food. For those posting their journeys on social, the Daytona Beach Mural Trail offers visitors some colorful and creative new photo ops as well as the Riverfront Esplanade located in Downtown Daytona Beach. In addition, the recently renovated Daytona Beach Pier and Racing's North Turn Beach Bar and Grille in Ponce Inlet have reopened to guests. Attend an adults-only "beer camp" (Sonoma County, California) Who didn't love summer camp as a kid? Time outdoors with friends, late night slumber parties, and all the treats you couldn't have at home. What if we told you that we have something even better than that? Fogbelt Beer Camp at Wildhaven is designed for our rad beer lovers who's happy place is with nature. This two-night adult camp features amazing Fogbelt beers, live music, wood-fired cooking and so much more, all at the popular Wildhaven glamping experience located along the Russian River in Healdsburg, California in Sonoma County. Featured activities include wood fire cooking, coffee roasting, yoga, astronomy, live music, barrel aged beers, falconry, wilderness first aid, and brewing techniques. This year's camp takes place October 20th through 22nd. Head to this Smoky Mountain fall festival (Gatlinburg, Tennessee) Fall decor in Gatlinburg, Tennessee by Sean Foster - Unsplash From now through the end of October, the Smoky Mountain vacation town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee is celebrating with Anakeesta's Bear-Varian Fall Festival. Anakeesta is decked out with pumpkins, seasonal décor, beer tasting, haunted rides on the Rail Runner, nighttime zip line rides, live music and movie nights on weekends in October. This year, guests can purchase an additional add-on Beer Tasting Experience to general admission tickets for $21.99. With each pass, guests will be allowed to taste six 8 oz. pours of beer from multiple locations around the park. Anakeesta has partnered with four prestigious local breweries to bring a one-of-a-kind beer sampling experience to the Smoky Mountains including Gypsy Circus, Blackhorse Brewing, Tailgate Brewery, Highland Brewing, and Blackberry Farms. In addition to great brews, specialty seasonal food offerings are available throughout the park. For German-themed treats, there's pork schnitzel with brussels and smashed potatoes at Cliff Top Restaurant, bratwurst and kraut at Kephart Café, and German chocolate cake funnel fries at the Snack Shack. Explore Chicago with the new Brew Pass (Chicago, Illinois) A bartender pours beer on tap by Louis Hansel - Unsplash Choose Chicago recently launched the Chicago Brew Pass, a new initiative to promote exploration of Chicago’s award-winning craft brewery scene. Through the Brew Pass, the first-ever digital pass of its kind in Chicago, locals and visitors can check in at breweries across the city and earn points that can be redeemed for fun, limited-edition prizes. Participants can use the Brew Pass to explore over 20 participating craft breweries at their own pace and start earning rewards one pint at a time!“Chicago’s craft beer scene is integral to our local hospitality industry,” said Lynn Osmond, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “I am so excited to work with our partners to launch the Chicago Brew Pass and I encourage residents and visitors alike to use it as a tool to discover new local businesses and explore parts of the city they may not have been familiar with before.” Participating breweries and taprooms include Begyle Brewing, Casa Humilde Cerveceria, DryHop Brewers, Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery, Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Twisted Hippo, and many more. Points can be redeemed for limited-edition prizes including a variety of gear and sweepstakes entry for the ultimate Chicago weekend experience for two, which includes a two-night hotel stay for two in downtown Chicago, $100 restaurant gift card, two theater tickets, and two CityPASS tickets. Prizes will remain available while supplies last.

If you're looking for ghost towns, haunted houses, and creepy attractions to visit this fall, look no further than these destinations below. From dark local histories to paranormal investigative hot spots, there's something for every Halloween enthusiast looking for a perfectly frightful October getaway. Hear witchy stories in New England An autumn day in Salem, Massachusetts by Laura Michalski - Unsplash One of the most quintessentially "Halloween" towns is Salem, Massachusetts, thanks to its unique history. New England, in general, offers a great destination for fall getaways, too. Along with the autumn colors and fantastically crisp weather, this part of the country has some of the oldest buildings as well as key historic sites from early American military conflicts (a perfect combination for hauntings!). For a classic Halloween activity, Better Than Fiction's Salem Walking Tours offers tours around witchcraft as well as dark local tales beyond the infamous trials. Step back into the Old West at this ghost town A boarded up building in Kirwin, Wyoming - courtesy of Wyoming Office of Tourism Along the Wood River near Meeteetse and situated on U.S. Forest Service land is Kirwin, one of the most intriguing abandoned places in Wyoming. During the 1890s, Kirwin had 38 buildings and approximately 200 residents, many of whom journeyed to the settlement during its gold and silver boom. In the winter of 1907, a massive snowstorm caused an avalanche, taking lives and thus beginning the slow deterioration of the town itself. In the 1930s, the land became part of the Double Dee Guest Ranch, visited by Amelia Earhart and her husband, George Putnam. A cabin was under construction for Earhart when she disappeared during her around-the-world flight in 1937 that was never completed.If you wish to explore the ghost town and its potential haunting, you want to make sure you have four-wheel drive. You can book private tours or snag an ATV for an off-road adventure. View the remnants of her cabin, which are visible about a mile from Kirwin, as well as an old hotel, small log structures, and mining machinery at this old West ghost town. After visiting Kirwin, be sure to stop the Irma Hotel in nearby Cody, Wyoming. In 1902, Buffalo Bill opened the Irma Hotel, naming it after his daughter. Stay a night in Room 35 if you're brave—known as the Paul Stock room, it is one of the original 15 rooms in the hotel and has been the scene of the most ghost stories in the hotel. Elsewhere, down the hall in Room 16, many guests have reported seeing an apparition of Irma Cody Garlow sitting in a rocking chair in the corner of the room. She died of influenza and pneumonia in the hotel when she was 35, and just a few days after her husband and hotel manager Fred Garlow died of pneumonia. Employees of the hotel have even said they've seen Buffalo Bill wandering the hallways at night, or have heard the jangle of spurs in the bar when it's closed for the evening. Uncover Civil War haunts and more in Tennessee The sun on the horizon over Franklin, Tennessee by Josh Withers - Unsplash Just outside of Nashville, in Franklin, Tennessee, is the Lotz House. It is considered one of the most haunted places in the country, and with its history, one can easily see why. The house, which has been on the National Historic Register since 1976 is located at “ground zero” of the Civil War's Battle of Franklin. Historians describe the fighting that took place at the Battle of Franklin and in the Lotz front yard “some of the most severe hand to hand fighting during the four year long war.” Ten thousand Americans were killed, wounded or missing. The Lotz House served as a hospital for the wounded soldiers on both sides until the following summer. Book a special evening ghost tour and take a chance to experience the spirits and other unexplained phenomenon that are said to haunt the historic home. Tennessee is home to several other great spooky attractions that visitors can add to their itinerary. Nearby, in Nashville on October 27th, visitors can also plan a trip to experience The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, an interactive one-man play about the classic horror tale at The Hermitage with showings at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. In Manchester, the Manchester Zombie Walk and Halloween Faire takes place on Friday, Oct. 13 at Fred Deadman Park will feature vendors, face-painting, axe throwing, food trucks, live bands and a spooky good time. Head to New Orleans for pirates and voodoo Crescent City is full of creepy sites. This city offers the highest number of haunted hotels and ghost tours, and ranked number 5 overall in the best cities for paranormal activities. Used as a hospital during the Civil War, Hotel Provincial allegedly houses a few ghostly guests. Spirits spotted at the Old Absinthe House include infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, Andrew Jackson, and Louisiana Voodoo queen, Marie Laveau. Visit sites iconic to “The Vampire Chronicles” author on the Unofficial Anne Rice Tour. Encounter the paranormal along the Pacific Coast A graveyard in Yountville, California by Melissa Mullin - Unsplash This, Los Angeles, California was ranked the #1 city to visit for paranormal activity by LawnLove. Their metrics show that the City of Angels has the most paranormal conventions and events, the 5th most ghost tours, and the most haunted sites; interestingly, it is also the second best city to visit for witches and 4th best for vampires, according to additional LawnLove studies. California also comes in as the best state to look for UFOs. Ghosts seem to haunt the City of Angels with a dramatic flair at performance venues The Comedy Store and Pantages Theatre. Book a night at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for potential encounters with the star-studded spirits of Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift. In nearby Burbank, find oddities and interactive exhibits for paranormal activity lovers and horror fans at the Mystic Museum. Nearby, San Diego took 4th place in the best paranormal cities rankings. Book your own paranormal investigation at the Whaley House, the self-proclaimed “America’s Most Haunted House.” A short drive from Downtown San Diego, a ghost reportedly haunts the beachside Hotel del Coronado. Learn more about the phantoms haunting Downtown San Diego at the Ghosts of the Gaslamp weekly walking tour. Also in California is Willow Creek, the so-called Bigfoot Capital of the World. Learn more about the Pacific Coast Bigfoot at the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton, or search for it yourself in the Redwoods.