Sherman's Travel

Across the country, fall is in full swing. Pumpkin beers crowd the shelves of bottle shops, trees have begun to shed their colorful leaves, and Halloween is two short weeks away. Which means that cold weather is already creeping south from the Canadian interior and the year’s first frost isn’t far off. Before winter arrives, make the most of October and plan a short road trip around two outdoor activities that are perfectly suited to autumn: hiking and pumpkin or apple picking.

Apple season is over for the handful of orchards between Boston and Providence, but plenty of pumpkins remain to be chosen and carved, and fresh-pressed cider is still available for thirsty pickers. C. N. Smith Farm in East Bridgewater, Mass. is one such place where you can buy a big orange gourd for the front porch. Purchase a ticket for a hayride and you’ll be carried out to a pumpkin field where acres of future jack-o’-lanterns are priced by the pound. On your way to C. N. Smith (or before making the return trip), stop at Blue Hills Reservation, a chain of 22 hills that aren’t particularly steep individually, but add up to a respectable hiking challenge when attempted in succession. Make the short climb to Eliot Tower from the Trailside Museum in Milton, or test your hiking mettle on the nine-mile Skyline Trail. Read more

Anticipating the fall season conjures up many thoughts: foliage, football, harvest festivals . . . 4-star hotels? Maybe not the first thing that comes to mind, but for our new weekly roundup of favorite travel deals, we found a number of hot bargains for stays at 4-star properties during September, October, or November.

Not quite ready to embrace sweater weather? Stay at the posh Viceroy Palm Springs for as little as $111 per night on weeknights throughout the fall. That’s $60 less than the lowest rates you’ll find anywhere else, including the biggest online travel agencies (you know who we’re talking about). You’ll feel simultaneously relaxed and so very stylish lying by the minimalist pool with a cocktail in hand, or getting a massage at the indoor-outdoor spa. The hotel is also within walking distance to downtown Palm Springs and some of the area’s best golf courses. Read more

Stay near all the shops, restaurants, and entertainment that make up Chicago’s Magnificent Mile during the fall or holiday season for $96 per night. This offer from the 4-star MileNorth, A Chicago Hotel, saves 25 percent on current rates, which normally run as high as $379 per night.

Discounted rates are available on select dates through December 31. The best rates were found on weekdays, as well as December weekends.

Sprawl out in a custom-designed, modern Studio Guestroom furnished with a king bed, a clock radio with an MP3 dock, a mini-fridge, a workstation with ergonomic chairs, cable TV, and complimentary WiFi.

The MileNorth is in the heart of downtown Chicago, within a short drive or ‘L” ride from Lincoln Park, Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, and many museums, such as the The Art Institute. After a busy day of exploring the city, unwind at the hotel’s modern American restaurant, or at the rooftop terrace bar which offers spectacular views of the city. Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, and an offering of in-room spa services.

To book this offer, visit MileNorth’s website by clicking here. Use the promo code 25MILE when selecting travel dates. Book by December 15.

See our Chicago destination guide for more trip planning information, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, packages, and more travel deals.

Looking for a last minute trip somewhere warm before the winter months are upon us?Look no further than the Wyndham Rio Mar in Puerto Rico, offering a fall nightly rate starting at $111—that is a savings of 35% off current rates. Travel is available now through December 23. The Rio Mar Beach Resort is the epicenter of the picturesque Northeast Coast of Puerto Rico. Its 500 acres are ensconced between El Yunque National Rain Forest and the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This tropical beachfront hideaway was created to pamper and impress.

THE VALUE: Save 35% now through December 23 during when the average temperate is about 80 degrees.

THE CATCH: These rates do not include taxes or resort fees and are based on availability. Blackout dates do apply.

THE DETAILS: Visit Wyndham Rio Mar or call 800-474-6627 and mention the promo code DISFALL11.

WE’VE GOT MORE: Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights to Puerto Rico. Then, plan your getaway with our Puerto Rico Travel Guide.

When Labor Day passes, those of us with school-age kids observe a moment of silence to mourn the end of family vacationing until the winter holidays roll around. For those of us who don’t yet have or no longer have children in school, the passing of Labor Day means the time for a family vacation is now.

“Fall’s most reliable and notable trend is the drop in prices post Labor Day,” says Genevieve Shaw Brown, editorial director at Travelocity. “It’s a more affordable time for a family to take a vacation than the summer months.” For families and other bargain-hunting travelers, it’s a shoulder season “when prices are lower, crowds are fewer, and the weather is still agreeable,” she says.

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