Fall forward: The best USA destinations for September, October and December
From the neon lights of Las Vegas to the natural wonders of the Grand Canyon, America’s diverse landscapes and cultural highlights make it an ideal touring destination – but why restrict your travels to spring and summer?
In September and October, travelers can witness stunning autumn landscapes and vibrant fall festivals, particularly in regions like New England and the Pacific Northwest, while December brings the magic of the holiday season, with tours highlighting Christmas markets and iconic holiday displays in cities like New York.
Below are some of the best tours to book for your Autumn/Winter getaway thanks to group touring experts Travelsphere and solo touring providers Just You.
September: New England, Canada & New York in The Fall
- Group tour with Travelsphere
- From £3,899
- 14 days
- Departures in Sept 2024 and Sept 2025
- Hi-res images here
This incredible holiday has it all. You’ll explore no less than five iconic North American cities, admire the incredible fall colours and see the thundering waters of Niagara Falls.
Beginning in Boston and ending in New York City, this carefully planned itinerary takes you to some of New England’s most famous destinations. From the historical town of Plymouth, where the Mayflower pilgrims landed, to Cape Cod and the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, you can take it all in as the group journeys north to Canada. You’ll then discover Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara Falls before finishing your trip in New York City.
Includes:
- Boston tour, including the Freedom Trail
- Stay in Plymouth where the Mayflower pilgrims first landed
- Visit Provincetown in Cape Cod
- Enjoy a cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire
- Drive along the Kancamagus Highway to see the splendid fall foliage
- Explore the White Mountains of New Hampshire
- Drive through the Green Mountains of Vermont and visit a maple farm
- Explore French-influenced Montreal
- Visit Ottawa, Canada’s elegant capital
- Sightseeing tour of Toronto, Canada’s premier city
- Enjoy breathtaking views of Niagara Falls
- Sightseeing tour of New York City
- Stay at Times Square in the heart of Manhattan
September: America’s Music Heritage
- Solo tour with Just You
- From £4,999
- 12 days
- Departures in Sept 2024 and Sept 2025
- Hi-res images here
Discover the country music capital of the world, Nashville, stepping foot in some of the city’s most famed venues, visited by the likes of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley. Speaking of Elvis, you’ll also visit his birthplace, Tupelo, before heading to his opulent mansion, Graceland in Memphis, where the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ lived. Finally, you’ll head to the cultural melting pot of New Orleans, a city which everyone should visit at least once!
Includes:
- Nashville tour
- Visit Studio B & Country Music Hall of Fame
- Alabama Music Hall of Fame & the Muscle Shoals Studio
- Visit Tupelo, Elvis Presley’s birthplace
- Tour of Sun Studios, ‘the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll’
- Graceland and Elvis Experience tour
- Stax Museum of American Soul Music
- Visit historic Natchez and tour an antebellum mansion
- Sightseeing tour of New Orleans
- Walking tour of the French Quarter
- Jazz brunch in New Orleans
October: Epic Wonders of the National Parks
- Group tour with Travelsphere
- From £4,074
- 17 days
- Departures in Oct 2024 and Oct 2025
- Hi-res images here
This road trip starts in Denver, Colorado and takes you through seven different states to the bright lights of Las Vegas. Along the way, you will discover historic sites and landmarks dedicated to those who helped define the country’s history and step into the cowboy world of the ‘Wild West’.
This meticulously planned journey travels through no less than nine of America’s national parks. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and see spouting geysers in Yellowstone, then prepare yourself for the beauty of the Rocky Mountains in Grand Teton. Discover vast, rugged landscapes shaped by the power of nature, visit ancient cave dwellings and marvel at geological wonders galore. From dramatic red-rock arches to hoodoos, towering cliffs and the iconic Grand Canyon, this trip is packed full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Includes:
- Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- See the Crazy Horse Memorial
- Tour Badlands National Park
- Discover the ‘Wild West’ city of Deadwood
- Tour the Battle of Little Bighorn site
- Visit the world’s first national park, Yellowstone
- Enjoy a tour of Grand Teton National Park
- Explore Salt Lake City
- Admire Canyonlands National Park
- Discover Arches National Park
- See the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park
- Visit Monument Valley
- Discover the iconic Grand Canyon National Park
- Marvel at Bryce Canyon National Park’s unique geology
- Zion Canyon National Park
- Stay at the heart of the action on the Las Vegas Strip
October: America’s Western Wonders
- Solo tour with Just You
- From £5,024
- 14 days
- Departures in Oct 2024 and Oct 2025
- Hi-res images here
Experience incredible natural and man-made wonders on this epic tour. Starting in Los Angeles, you’ll see highlights including the TCL Chinese Theatre and have the chance to visit Warner Bros Studios. Enjoy a stay in San Diego, a city perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, then take a journey through the Arizona Desert. A visit to the Grand Canyon is an amazing trip of a lifetime, and an optional flight over comes highly recommended. You’ll travel along a section of Route 66 to the neon-lit wonderland of Las Vegas before heading back to California through the Mojave Desert. The highlights keep on coming as you explore Yosemite National Park, then cross San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Bridge for a two-night stay in this cosmopolitan city.
Includes:
- Tour of Los Angeles & Hollywood
- Visit oceanfront Santa Monica
- Tour of Spanish-influenced San Diego
- Visit the iconic Grand Canyon
- Drive along a part of Route 66
- Stay on the Las Vegas strip
- Explore Yosemite National Park
- Waterfront Sausalito
- San Francisco tour
- Dinner in Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco
December: New York City
- Solo tour with Just You
- From £2,699
- 5 days
- Departures in Dec 2024 and Dec 2025
- Hi-res images here
The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps, The Empire State: no matter what you call New York, it is one of the most exciting cities in the world. This short break gives you the chance to see many of its most iconic landmarks, beginning in its beating heart, Times Square. Cast your gaze skywards to the Empire State Building, the world’s tallest structure for more than 40 years, and make a poignant visit to the site of the World Trade Center. You’ll explore Central Park with a knowledgeable guide and see Manhattan’s highlights as you enjoy a lunch time cruise, sipping a drink as you circle the remarkable Statue of Liberty. This thrilling destination is certain to exceed all your expectations.
Includes:
- New York sightseeing tour
- Walking tour of Central Park
- Fifth Avenue walk
- See Manhattan from the water on a lunch cruise
For more information please contact Jo McConnell or Isabel Turner-Hicks at gtouring@lemongrassmarketing.
