Healthy Living

Retired? 5 places in the U.S. you will want to visit this fall

One of the best parts about being retired is having the time to travel.  And there is no better time to plan a road trip than in the fall, when kids are back in school, the temperature is starting to cool down, and places are less crowded.   If you are looking to take advantage of this time of year and plan an autumn getaway, here are a few places you might want to check out.

1. San Francisco, California

September to November in San Francisco offer some of the city’s warmest weather and lots of activity.  Don’t miss the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival at Golden Gate Park or Fleet Week San Francisco down at Fisherman’s Wharf.  If you are a wine aficionado, or just enjoy beautiful vistas, you might want to take a day trip to Napa Valley and Sonoma Wine Country.  Plus, there are bay cruises and bicycle riding, museums like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), and harvest festivals throughout the season.  Remember that although it’s the warmest time of year in San Francisco, you’ll want to take a sweater for those Bay breezes!

2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

With over 200 miles of majestic beauty, it’s widely believed that every American should visit the Grand Canyon at least once.  During the fall, most families are back in school and Arizona is starting to cool down.  Some of the most well know attractions of the park are the North and South Rim, the Grand Canyon Skywalk and the Grand Canyon Walkway.  The Grand Canyon also offers a variety of guided shuttle and bus tours.  In addition to the scenery there are natural history museums, state park centers and picnic areas throughout the park.  Discounts for older visitors are available for the National Park entrance fee, most museums and many hotels.  If you are 62 or older, you qualify for the America the Beautiful Senior Pass.

3. Asheville, North Carolina

Located off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville is known as one of the best places to view fall foliage anywhere in the United States.  With more than 100 species of deciduous trees, it has one of the longest and most vibrant fall seasons.  Known for its art scene, this city also boasts hundreds of studios and galleries.  Visit the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway for traditional Appalachian arts and crafts like pottery, baskets and wood carvings.  The Madison Heritage Arts Festival in October celebrates regional music and dance and is a must see for tourists.  And make sure to take a tour of the historic Biltmore estate, and plan to spend a leisurely amount of time there. Built by George W. Vanderbilt in 1895, it is America’s largest home! 

4. Washington, DC

If you are looking for a more metropolitan adventure, nothing beats Washington, DC.  The colors of the leaves are changing, and the temperature is falling.  Tourists are on their way back home, leaving behind museums and monuments to be explored.  From free festivals and museums to beautiful foliage, there is no shortage of things to do in DC.  Choose a traditional DC adventure and take in the sights along the National Mall, visit the White House and the Lincoln Memorial, or tour the Smithsonian, with its 19-world-class museums, galleries, gardens and even a zoo.  Or sample the city’s urban scene and catch a must-see concert and join in an Oktoberfest in one of the great beer gardens and breweries around the district. 

5. The Catskills, New York

More than just the setting for the movie Dirty Dancing, the Catskills is a popular vacation spot for leaf peepers.  Just two hours north of New York City, the Catskills bring brilliant fall foliage together with wineries, farmers markets and pick-your-own orchards.  Home to six major river systems and 35 mountain peaks, there are many ways to enjoy the Catskills, from hiking the great outdoors to enjoying a scenic drive.  Don’t forget to check out the fall festivals and celebrations like Oktoberfest at Hunter Mountain, the Delaware County Woodsmen’s Festival or the Annual Rosendale Pickle Festival!   

Wherever you go, enjoy fall!

There are plenty of places to go to enjoy fall activities and beautiful scenery during the fall.  If cash flow is a concern, there are options available to you based on your needs. If you’re a homeowner age 60 or older, to learn how you may be able to supplement your income through a reverse mortgage, call RMF at 888-277-1567 and speak with an experienced reverse mortgage specialist.

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