When the leaves change color and the weather turns cooler, you might think your family beach vacation days are behind you. But if you choose the right beach town, fall can actually be the most enjoyable time to visit.
With temperatures just beginning to drop but still plenty of sun, beach days are even more pleasant. Many fall beach vacation destinations even host seasonal events and festivals that beg for a trip of their own. So, pack your bags and grab a pumpkin spice latte: Here are the best fall beach vacations in the U.S. for families.
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1. Fernandina Beach, Florida
With fall temperatures often in the 70s and even 80s, Amelia Island still offers a taste of summer even as the calendar turns. Fernandina Beach sits on the northern part of the Florida barrier island, with a Victorian-era downtown that’s perfect for shopping and strolling.
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With 13 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches on the island, you’ll find plenty of space for sandcastle building and sunning. There are also salt marshes to paddle through, trails to hike, and sharks teeth to hunt for near Fort Clinch State Park. Plus, fall brings a slew of festivals and special events to the area, including Amelia Island Dining Month in September, an island-wide jazz festival, and the Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Fest in downtown Fernandina Beach in October.
Where to stay: One of the top beach resorts on the East Coast, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island makes it easy for guests of all ages to connect with the outdoors. The Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa is another great family beach resort, and Hampton Inn & Suites Amelia Island-Historic Harbor Front puts you right in downtown Fernandina Beach.
2. Chatham, Massachusetts
Fall is known as Cape Cod’s “second summer,” when the crowds and prices have dropped but the weather’s still pleasant and there’s plenty to do. Stay in the Lower Cape town of Chatham for easy access to great shopping, a variety of restaurants, and scenic views galore. Fun fall events like Pumpkin People in the Park and Oktoberfest only add to the appeal.
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Chatham Light serves up photo ops any time of year, and fall’s a great time to get outside and explore spots like Monomoy Natural Wildlife Refuge. History buffs will find lots to enjoy here, including the Chatham Railroad Museum and Chatham Marconi Maritime Center. And to understand why sharks are drawn to the area as much as humans are, visit the family-friendly Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Chatham Shark Center.
Where to stay: The luxe Chatham Bars Inn makes for an excellent fall getaway spot, with a wooden boardwalk leading to a quarter-mile stretch of private beach and fall programming at the inn’s eight-acre farm. Or stay at Chatham Tides, where rooms have kitchenettes or full kitchens plus excellent ocean views.
3. Carlsbad, California
Carlsbad is a surprisingly uncrowded fall beach vacation spot despite the fact that it’s close to San Diego and also home to a major family-friendly attraction: LEGOLAND California Resort. Take advantage of the smaller crowds at one of the country’s best amusement parks for kids on Brick or Treat weekends in the fall, when children are invited to wear their costumes and visit treat stations.
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You can also frolic in the pumpkin patch and corn maze at Carlsbad Strawberry Company or, better yet, go to a pumpkin patch in a pool. The Alga Norte Aquatics Center transforms its giant swimming pool for the City of Carlsbad Pumpkin Plunge, an interactive floating pumpkin patch where kids can “catch” a pumpkin by throwing a hula hoop into the water.
Where to stay: Many beachfront hotels such as Beach Terrace offer discounts on nightly rates this time of year. The recently renovated Omni La Costa Resort & Spa keeps kids busy with two 100-foot waterslides, fireside s’mores, and a kids club.
4. Virginia Beach, Virginia
The city of Virginia Beach continues to reinvent itself with new reasons to visit any time of the year, but especially for fall beach vacations. When you’re not strolling the beach or three-mile boardwalk, take the kids to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, which is debuting new Halloween programming this year, or pose for photos in the immersive exhibits at Lost Planet.
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Ogle at the changing foliage at First Landing State Park, the most-visited state park in Virginia, where 1.5 miles of sandy beach and 20 miles of walking trails await. As for seasonal events, this classic American beach town lures fall vacationers with the Neptune Festival’s International Sandsculpting Championship, the annual ViBe Mural Festival, and the yearly Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show.
Where to stay: Cavalier Resort offers three ways to stay: The almost-100-year-old Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the contemporary Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, or Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort with plenty of room for the whole family.
5. Newport, Rhode Island
New England’s coastal towns and seaside villages are at their most charming this time of year, which is why an autumn visit to the gilded mansions of Newport is a must-do for beach-loving families who never want the summer to end.
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Visit for the fall festivals, including the annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, you-pick orchards, and ghost tours. And don’t miss out on the spectacular fall foliage, which is usually on full display by mid-October along the scenic 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, with its crashing waves and historic mansions around every bend.
Where to stay: Newport Harbor Island Resort boasts a waterfront location and amenities like outdoor and indoor pools, a seasonal kids’ club, and complimentary bike rentals. Wellington Resort offers spacious two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens.
6. Gulf Shores, Alabama
The beaches are a lot less crowded in Gulf Shores, Alabama, during the fall, which makes it a great time to book a sand sculpting lesson with Sand Castle University. The weather’s also ideal for biking and hiking the trails at Gulf State Park, where you’ll find a nature center and public beach access, and for bird-watching (Gulf Shores sits along the Mississippi Flyway migration route).
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You can go a little wild at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, home to 118 animal species (including 22 critically endangered species). Its Boo at the Zoo event in October celebrates the Halloween season with trick or treating, scare-free activities, and meet and greets with animal ambassadors. The fall months also bring seafood festivals and the chance to see the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels practicing for their annual homecoming show in November.
Where to stay: Sustainability is a focus at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, where the design helps connect guests with nature. Gulf State Park also recently opened a new luxury RV resort, adding 104 premium RV sites to its existing RV and tent campsites and new amenities like an ADA-accessible saltwater pool with splash pad, state-of-the-art playground, and pickleball courts.
7. South Padre Island, Texas
Best known as a popular spring break destination thanks to its wide-open beaches and many vacation rental homes, South Padre Island is even more welcoming to families in the fall. Why? Think pleasant weather (with agreeable ocean temps to match) and events like the annual Sand Castle Days, a multiday sand sculpture festival featuring artists from all over the world.
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Little ones and nature lovers of all ages will enjoy a visit to Sea Turtle Inc., a sweet educational rehabilitation center for turtles. And a dolphin-watching cruise is always a hit with visitors young and old.
Where to stay: South Padre Island is home to Isla Grand Beach Resort, one of the best family resorts in Texas and situated right on the beach. Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island Beachfront is another good option for families.
8. Cape May, New Jersey
With cute B&Bs and historic downtown buildings, Cape May is charming all year long. It also has powdery beaches, a county zoo, an aviation museum, and a historic lighthouse (which you can climb) that makes it especially fun for families.
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But visiting Cape May for a fall beach vacation provides a unique opportunity you can’t get any other time of year: experiencing the annual monarch butterfly migration. Visit the Cape May Bird Observatory to watch these beautiful creatures as they make their journey to Mexico. And who knows, it may even inspire you to plan your own family vacation to Mexico someday.
Where to stay: Ocean Club Hotel offers guest rooms with a private balcony or attached private cabana, a heated pool, and easy access to the beach. Or stay at Congress Hall for a beach vacation steeped in history.
9. Cannon Beach, Oregon
Just a 90-minute drive from Portland, this iconic Oregon beach is a popular spot for summer vacations but arguably even better for fall beach vacations when the big crowds have gone home. You can expect warm temperatures, reaching up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit in October, as well as the occasional dramatic storm that’s fun to watch from a safe and cozy spot.
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Named one of America’s Top 100 Art Towns, Cannon Beach offers a lot to see and do in town. The beach provides stunning views of Haystack Rock, as well as a possible whale sighting in September and October.
Where to stay: The Ocean Lodge is one of the best family beach resorts in the U.S. with great views and well-outfitted guest rooms. Hallmark Resort & Spa Cannon Beach is another good choice, with kitchens in some rooms and lots of amenities for both human and pet guests.
10. Traverse City, Michigan
You might not know that Traverse City is the self-proclaimed “Cherry Capital of the World,” but you may be aware that it is known for its wide selection of breweries, wineries, cideries, and farm-to-table restaurants. Put those together and you can expect to find unique cherry-infused food and drink during your visit.
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Fall also means corn mazes, apple picking, pumpkin patches, and some seriously picturesque foliage. Where’s the beach, you ask? It’s at nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, one of the very best natural recreation areas in the country.
Where to stay: Delamar Traverse City offers easy access to hiking trails and bike paths plus views of Grand Traverse Bay. Sister properties Grand Beach and Sugar Beach Resort Hotels have 300 feet of beach frontage plus an indoor pool and are designated as a Certified Autism Center.
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Beth Luberecki also contributed to this story.
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