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From captivating hikes to immersive art experiences, the Blue Ridge Mountains offer unique opportunities to experience colorways this season. North Carolina is a popular spot for autumn vacations, thanks to its incredible mountain foliage—but did you know that there's a vibrant arts scene, too? Create a fall vacation dedicated to both natural and man-made beauty with a trip to Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to nature's symphony of crimson and gold hues, this season offers art experiences that invite visitors into painted landscapes and imagined worlds. Below are some of the events and activities coming up this year that showcase local art and entertainment. And, when the day's adventures are over, guests can rest their heads at an artfully designed boutique hotel that will transform an overnight stay into a dreamscape. Experience local artwork and visual installations A mural in West Asheville by Wes Mcfee - UnsplashKrafthouse: Forest of the New Trees is a first-of-its kind immersive art installation at the Center for Craft. The self-guided experience created by local visual artists, filmmakers, poets, performers and costume designers invites visitors into an imaginary realm, inspired by Appalachian craft traditions, indigenous wisdom, and the ancient wildness of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the world's oldest mountains. Return visits will reward guests with new perspectives. The exhibition runs Sepember 23-October 13.Asheville, nicknamed “Foodtopia” for its distinguished culinary and farming scene, now has an appetizing art exhibit dedicated to food as a focal point in culture and life. The Art of Food is a collection of works by some of the most preeminent postwar and contemporary artists, including Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Enrique Chagoya. On view at the Asheville Art Museum through October 22.The Second Saturday gallery hop just got a new set of wheels. The ArtsAVL Connect Trolley offers free rides to artist galleries and studios downtown and in the River Arts District. Riders can hop off or on at any stop along the route. The trolley runs every second Saturday from 12-8 p.m.Every first Friday of the month, more than a dozen artists at The Refinery AVL Creator Space and Gallery open their studio doors to visitors. El Mercadito, a new addition to the gallery space, is a collection of drawings, sculptures and mixed-media artwork by Luis Alvaro Sahagun centered on Latinx narratives. As the grandson of a curandera, or healer, Sahagun calls his artmaking “a mystical instrument” that forges a spiritual connection to heal wounds of conquest, colonization and capitalism. A bright purple mural celebrating Latinx heritage now stretches across a wall along Coxe Ave., near downtown. The artwork, titled “Eres Un Orgullo Latino” (which means “You Are Latin Pride”), was designed and painted by Leslie Reynalte-Llanco as part of Buncombe County's Creative Equity Mural Project. Visitors can discover more of Asheville's murals, graffiti and public sculptures with Mountain Mural Tours. In addition to checking out the area's street art, tours include information about the artists, their inspiration and local history. Enjoy fall weather at these outdoor events A couple and their dog enjoy the outdoors in Asheville by Alyssa Graham - UnsplashYa'll means all in Asheville. This year's Blue Ridge Pride festival kicks off the morning of September 30 with a procession through downtown, culminating in a day-long celebration in Pack Square Park. The annual free event features musical acts, food trucks and dozens of vendors.Burial Beer Co. hosts its premiere event, Burnpile, at its Forestry Camp Facility on October 14. The annual beer and music festival includes a full-day concert alongside a tasting experience from a diverse lineup of more than 50 of the country's best breweries. This year's lineup features Deer Tick, G. Goodman, and MJ Lenderman.This year's LEAF Festival (October 19-22) pays homage to first nations, indigenous and Latinx communities, centered around the theme of “Legends of the Americas.” The three-day music festival at Lake Eden in Black Mountain features a lineup of renowned musicians and performers, including Halluci Nation, Martha Redbone and Son Rompe Pera.Unroll a picnic blanket and head to the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre for Shakespeare under the stars. The Montford Park Players wrap up their 20th season of Shakespeare in the Park with The Tempest, running September 1-30. Another show at the amphitheater, Wonderland Legacies: Alice's Adventures in Murderland, makes its world premiere October 6-28. Written by local playwright Will Storrs. Stay in a colorful new hotel A bold, daring new boutique hotel is set to join the River Arts District this fall. The Radical is a 70-room contemporary hotel and living art installation that breathes new life into a once abandoned building while preserving beautiful evidence of its past lives. With rebel luxe interiors by Suomi Design Works, the hotel's richly layered design features original street art, including work from decades past as well as modern additions. Now accepting reservations for stays beginning Oct. 8, 2023.On the heels of The Radical opening, Lark Hotels and Hatteras Sky will also introduce an artful love letter to Asheville with the opening of Zelda Dearest, a 20-room boutique hotel inspired by the passion, style, vibrancy and intoxicating personality of Zelda Fitzgerald. — For more information on travel to the Asheville area this season, including weekly color reports, a fall foliage tracking map, and autumn adventure ideas, visit ExploreAsheville.com.

As summer breezes transition to cooler temperatures this fall, the Gulf Coast becomes even more alluring. Beach vacations are still on the table here through October, but peak summer crowds have passed. Visitors can take advantage of a slew of unique events celebrating local culture, seafood, and more from Texas to Mississippi during the fall season. If you're headed to the region to enjoy continued summer-like weather, be sure to add some of these great events and activities to your itinerary. Indulge in the best local seafood Galveston Island Shrimp Festival – September 22-23, 2023. Prepare to indulge in a seafood lover's paradise at the Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Festival in Texas. Hosted by Yaga's Entertainment Inc., this festival will be held at the vibrant Saengerfest Park downtown. Savor the finest shrimp gumbo the Gulf Coast has to offer while participating in a seafood cook-off, gumbo tasting, L'il Shrimps Parade, and live music. Bring the whole family to enjoy a children's area and a Strand merchant walkabout.Biloxi Seafood Festival – September 9, 2023. Travelers looking to purchase their big catch and have fun at the same time can partake in the Annual Biloxi Seafood Festival in Mississippi. This annual event is a celebration of seafood heritage in the City of Biloxi. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment, arts and crafts, and kids activities.Gulf Coast Shrimp Tasting Festival – October 14. Also in Biloxi, Mississippi, the Gulf Coast Shrimp Tasting Festival will feature “Wild Caught” gulf shrimp dishes from local restaurants and caterers. Sample more cuisine at food and cultural festivals Galveston Island by Vashti Collins - Unsplash Taste of Long Beach – September 28, 2023. Travelers can enjoy local food and drinks from various eateries, as well as live music and more, at the 14th Annual Taste of Long Beach in Mississippi.Galveston Greek Festival – October 14-15, 2023. Get ready for two days of Opa! and YaSou! at the Galveston Greek Festival in Texas. Immerse yourself in authentic Greek cuisine, wines, beer, live music, dancing, children's activities, and tours of the Church. Discover unique gifts from Greece, including icons, jewelry, ornaments, and more. Imported grocery items will also be available for purchase. Don't miss this opportunity to experience Greek culture and cuisine.Island Oktoberfest – October 27-28, 2023. Experience the essence of German heritage at Island Oktoberfest in Galveston, Texas. Join the festivities at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Galveston for a weekend filled with traditional food, drinks, live performances, games, and activities. Come dressed in your finest German costumes and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Admission is free, so bring your friends and family to partake in the celebration. Get crafty at seaside art events Mississippi Songwriters' Festival – September 21-24, 2023. Next month, the 14th Annual Mississippi Songwriters’ Festival kicks off with over 125 songwriters in over ten venues from Ocean Springs to Gautier in Jackson County.ARToberFEST – October 21-22, 2023. Art enthusiasts will find their haven at ARToberFEST, a juried fine art festival featuring diverse artists, food, and live music on Postoffice Street. Amid Galveston's Victorian architecture, art galleries, and shops, this event promises a captivating experience. Even if you can't attend in person, you can still enjoy the festival virtually. Proceeds from ARToberFEST benefit The Grand 1894 Opera House's education and community outreach programs.Mermaid Arts & Crafts Show – November 11-12, 2023. The Mermaids Arts & Crafts Show takes place from on the grounds of the Historic Train Depot in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. This unique art event boasts vendors from across the region. Gear up for car shows Cars in Biloxi, Mississippi by Anna Breaux - Unsplash Lone Star Rally – November 2-5, 2023. Rev up your engines for the Lone Star Rally, a thrilling event packed with entertainment for all ages in Galveston, Texas. From juried bike shows and car displays to free concerts on two stages, this year's rally guarantees non-stop excitement. With over 40 free musical performances ranging from classic rock to country, attendees are in for an unforgettable experience. Join the festivities at Saengerfest Park and Beach Central Park.Cruisin' the Coast – October 1-8, 2023. The Annual Cruisin’ the Coast, takes place with stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This highly anticipated event features thousands of classic cars lining Highway 90 for an entire week of rock 'n' roll, sock hops, swap meets, and live music. Head out for an adventure on the water The bayou in Mississippi by JP Valery - Unsplash In Biloxi, Coastal Waters Outfitters offers inshore, offshore, and rig fishing with Capt. Kyle leading the way. From sitting back and learning the ropes to reeling in lines and targeting specific trophy fish – Coastal Waters Outfitters is ready to create a perfect day on the water.In Pass Christian, Mississippi, Southern Comfort Fishing Charters offers six available boats, seven days a week, ready to customize and meet the needs of every fishing-enthusiast. Their trips specialize in inshore light tackle fishing throughout the Mississippi Sound and Louisiana Marsh areas. Travelers can expect to find speckled trout, redfish, flounder, triple tail, and black drum during their excursion.In Long Beach, Mississippi, travelers can explore the Wolf River with Wolf River Canoe & Kayak, where white sand beaches, winding waterways and more await – a perfect playground for amateur to experienced kayakers alike. At Wolf River, guests can choose from a 4.5-mile, 10.6-mile, and Full Moon 4.5-mile paddle.Near Gulfport, travelers can embark on a journey with Round River Kayak Adventures and explore various Coastal Mississippi waterways on a two-hour sunset tour or four to six hour trips, including all fishing equipment & tackle needed to fish till your heart’s content.In Pascagoula, travelers can explore the largest free-flowing water in the lower 48 states on a 10-mile paddling excursion through the Pascagoula River Blueway with the Pascagoula River Audubon Center.On September 23 in Diamondhead, Mississippi, travelers can attend Paddle Paradise, an event to promote kayak launches and the Rotten Bayou Blueway. Paddle Paradise will have free goodie bags ready for the first 150 guests. Registration opens at 8am, and the 4-mile “fun” paddle begins at 9am.

If you're headed to New York City anytime soon, you're probably already planning on doing plenty of exploring by foot through this bustling urban center. Why not make it a little more informative and fun by trying out one (or more!) of the city's newest walking tours? The Alliance for Downtown New York, the nonprofit managing Lower Manhattan's business improvement district, has helped develop five new walking tours through its Walking Tour Incubator Grant Program. The walking tours were chosen as winners following an application process that encouraged submissions of compelling and original tour concepts that went beyond the typical downtown highlights. The five entrepreneurs leading the tours have undergone a rigorous two-month incubator, led by the Downtown Alliance, which included one-on-one coaching from tourism industry leaders and a cutting-edge educational curriculum designed for tour businesses. Each winner has also received a grant of up to $12,500 to help develop, launch and scale their walking tour. "Pack your walking shoes on your next visit downtown because these new tours will make the perfect addition to any Lower Manhattan itinerary. There's something for everyone, with each offering a fresh perspective on the neighborhood," said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “As we're in the midst of a busy tourist season in the neighborhood, these new tours are launching at an ideal time.” Downtown LGBTQ+ Activism Walking Tour by Christopher Street Tours A fountain in front of City Hall in New York City by Jimmy Woo - Unsplash Meeting spot: Castle Clinton National Monument This tour visits historic sites that shaped the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement, including spots where pivotal protests were ignited and lead activists fought for justice. Christopher Street Tours describes it as such: "These are the places where unspoken heroes spoke truth to power, igniting pivotal protests and fighting tirelessly for justice. As we explore City Hall, Wall Street, Battery Park, and other landmarks, you’ll be inspired to uncover your own inner activist and become a part of the legacy of resilience, activism, and progress. This tour is not only an opportunity to honor the past but also to celebrate the present and actively contribute to a more inclusive future." Sinister Secrets of the Seaport by the South Street Seaport Museum Aerial view of lower Manhattan by Riley Farabaugh - Unsplash Meeting spot: Ryan Maguire's Bar & Restaurant, 28 Cliff Street Visitors go on a twisting journey through the Seaport, unraveling scandalous stories ripped from the headlines and publications from the 1790s to the 1990s and lurking in the cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and waterfront. Throughout this interactive tour, your guide will provide a new perspective on the history of the area that helped to make New York a global metropolis. Escape to New York - Stories of Faith, Freedom and Fortune by Vivace Tours This route will bring visitors through the history of Lower Manhattan, from New Amsterdam to today, by showing what makes New York City such a unique enclave of people from around the world seeking both religious freedom and fortune. While Vivace Tours hasn't launched yet, more info and booking will become available soon. How To Be A New Yorker: Downtown Edition by Awesome Walks A pedestrian on a busy street in New York City by Adrian Williams - Unsplash "How to Be a New Yorker" is an interactive, immersive audio group walking tour where participants will meet business owners and community leaders, thinkers and doers, and get to see the city through their eyes. Equipped with brand new bluetooth headphones, tourists start the journey with local music. Participants walk roughly 2 hours through Downtown Manhattan, entering real places and meeting – in-person and virtually – the people that shape them, as well as sampling local snacks. Be up for surprises along the way! Culinary Master Dining Experience & NYC Afternoon Culinary Adventure by Inside Out Tours Chinatown in New York City by Amanda Dalbjorn - Unsplash These are two food-themed tours: Culinary Masters is a progressive meal journey featuring three renowned chefs and restaurants, while the Culinary Adventure is a mouthwatering tasting tour across Lower Manhattan led by expert guides. Inside Out Tours also currently offers several other great New York City tours, including a Wall Street Walking Tour, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour, and a Slavery and the Underground Railroad tour.

Leaf peeping is a great way to explore Fort Collins, Colorado, and the surrounding Northern Colorado area during its most beautiful season: autumn. Fort Collins proximity to the Cache la Poudre River canyon and Rocky Mountain National Park makes it a leaf-peeping magnet, and the perfect basecamp for fall adventures to Lory State Park, the Roosevelt National Forest, Rocky Mountain National Park and more. While the peak season for fall foliage typically runs from the last week in September to the second week of October, experts anticipate the leaves will peak slightly early this year, perhaps closer to mid-September. Here are five affordable fall adventures in Fort Collins: 1 - Take a Hike Courtesy of Caramie Petrowsky While there are myriad hikes in and around Fort Collins, one stands out as perfect for a sunny fall day paired with a picnic lunch. Greyrock Trail is a 7.1-mile moderate-to-strenuous loop hike that is gorgeous in the fall (and a bit quieter), with sweeping views of Greyrock Mountain and the Poudre Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Park and the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area. 2 - Drop a line Horsetooth Reservoir Between the Cache La Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins offers paradise found for fishermen and fisherwomen. The Poudre is perfect for fly-fishing, though there are a few spots where you can bait fish. At Horsetooth, try your hand catching smallmouth bass or walleye from the shore or a boat. Fort Collins also has 15 Natural Areas that allow fishing, including Riverbend Ponds, a popular fishing spot with easy access from the trailheads. It’s one of two Natural Areas where gizzard shad (part of the herring family of fish) are found. 3 - Road trip to Red Feather Lakes Who doesn’t love a good road trip? Red Feather Lakes, located an hour drive northwest of Fort Collins, is a secluded, hidden gem that’s less populated than many Colorado outdoor destinations. Surrounded by 612,000 acres of Roosevelt National Forest, the Red Feathers Lakes area is a year-round outdoor playground, but fall is stunning. Hike or fish in one of the eight lakes in the area, four of which are open for public fishing. You may also fish in the nearby Cache La Poudre River, Colorado’s only designated Wild and Scenic River and the area’s best spot for whitewater rafting and kayaking. Nearby Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch offers lodging, fishing, horseback riding and more. 4 - Attend a festival Pumpkins on Parade - Courtesy of Caramie Petrowsky Festival season doesn’t slow down come fall in the Fort; here are three to check out. Tour de Corgi (Oct. 7) brings a sea of cute corgis in costume to one of the most quirky festivals in town. Pumpkins on Parade (Oct. Date TBD) is a fun-for-all-ages celebration at The Gardens on Spring Creek complete with hundreds of locally grown pumpkins and fun and festive activities for the whole family (tickets are $10 for adults/children 12+; $5 for children 5-11 and free for under age 4). Korean Festival (Oct. 17) Dance, music, Tae-kwon-do performances, and games to celebrate Korean culture. 5 - Celebrate the harvest There is no shortage of local pumpkin patches and farms offering all sorts of fall fun: The Bartel’s Farm – Stop in for a huge selection of pumpkins, corn mazes, and hayrides. The Farm at Lee Martinez Park – Visit the farm animals and take a hayride. There’s also a pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect future jack-o-lantern. Northern Colorado Corn Maze – Jack Lantern’s Corn Maze is a Colorado favorite. Something from the Farm – This family-owned farm features an organic pumpkin patch, hay bale maze, hayrides, a pumpkin catapult, and more. Fritzler Farm Park – Located in nearby LaSalle, attractions at the farm include a corn maze, pumpkin patch, pedal go-carts, barrel train, pumpkin cannons, slide mountain, and more. Spooky’s Pumpkin Patch — Choose from a variety of pumpkins, gourds, carving kits, and even straw bales and corn stalks for your fall decorating needs at this patch, located on South College Avenue. Colorado native Caramie Petrowsky is a former daily newspaper arts and entertainment editor who loves exploring new places with her husband and their two children. As a CSU alum, Fort Collins holds an especially dear place in her heart.