Mystic Hot Springs Utah
I think weve all agreed that orange is Octobers color, right? You dont need a bunch of jack-o-lanterns to get your fill of orange hues at Mystic Hot Springs, because this vibrant color is everywhere here! From the rock formations to the surrounding sandy earth, this region of Utah is known for its saturated colors, which are even more vibrant at sunrise and sunset.
October is a fantastic time to visit Mystic Hot Springs, because the cooler temps are ideal for soaking in the steamy waters here. Summertime is the most popular season to visit, meaning October has thinner crowds and is all around more peaceful. You can rent a cabin or sleep inside a renovated camper van for a full-on hippie experience at this desert oasis. Its the perfect October getaway for those who want to get off the beaten path and connect with nature in a unique way.
Activities Near Me: The Wing
The Wing or the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience was opened in 1967 in Seattles Chinatown. This history museum of Asian Pacific American history, culture, and art celebrates Asian trailblazers and pioneers, using a range of exhibits to show how they helped shape Seattle of today. Exhibits tell real life stories, including the story of Bruce Lee. The exhibit called Day in the Life of Bruce Lee shows his personal life and habits and his Seattle connection. The museum offers a tour of the Chinatown-International District neighborhood, providing an insider point of view of its history, foods, and the most significant sights.
In Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, 719 South King Street, Seattle, WA 9810, Phone: 206-623-5124
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New York City New York
Lets face it, is there really a bad time to visit NYC? I have to say that theres something extra magical about a big city in the fall, though. From strolling through the paths of Central Park to admire the warm-colored trees to hitting up the citys best museums, theres an endless array of things to do in NYC .
There are a number of festivals and events here in October, such as Oktoberfest NYC and the New York Film Festival, plus a ton of Halloween events. One of the most notable such celebrations is the Village Halloween Parade, which takes place in Greenwich Village on the 31st.
No matter how you spend your October trip to New York, youre bound to have a stellar time, even if its just wandering the streets of Manhattan with a warm drink in hand.
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Things To In North Cascades National Park:
- Hike the epic Maple Pass Loop , which is one of the best hikes in Washington state.
- Take a scenic road trip along the North Cascades Highway .
- Stop at Washington Pass Overlook for an epic view .
- Hike to Blue Lake, or join in other adventurers in rock climbing or ski touring in this area.
- Check out this otherworldly emerald waters of Diablo Lake .
- Fall in love with the tiny, lost-in-time town of Stehekin .
Psst! North Cascades is just one of the many cool national parks on the West Coast and western United States that you may not have heard of, but are certainly worth a visit.
Travel Olympia’s Byways By Bicycle

Explore the Bountiful Byway near the Washington state capital Photo courtesy of Courtesy Doug Walker Photography
The region surrounding Washington’s state capital boasts a trove of locally-owned, family-run farms and businesses that can now be easily accessed on self-guided tours by car or by bike thanks to a brand-new map launched this summer.
Visitors can even bring their bikes aboard Amtrak trains to the Olympia-Lacey station and then hit the trails to navigate the farms, creameries, wineries, distilleries and lavender fields located along the 60-mile, scenic Thurston Bountiful Byway.
Example itineraries include an exploration of the Lacey Libation District or a downtown tour of Three Magnets, The Spar which brews a Spartesian Ale using artesian well water springing from its own basement and Fish Brewing Company whose Fish Tale Ale was deemed the “World’s Best Beer” in 2015.
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Things To Do In Washington: Space Needle
The Space Needle is an iconic Seattle landmark and observation tower that was built in the Seattle Center on the occasion of the 1962 World’s Fair. The observation deck is at 520 feet and the rotating SkyCity restaurant is located below it, at 500 feet. The tower offers an impressive 360-degree view of the downtown Seattle skyline, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and Elliot Bay. Guests to the Space Needle can reach the top by fast-moving elevators that make the trip in only 41 seconds in good weather. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance.
400 Broad Street, Seattle, WA 98109, Phone: 206-905-2100
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Things To Do During Fall In Seattle
There are so many things to do during fall in Seattle. September to November is the best time to visit Seattle because the tourists thin out, the weather is still pretty good, and the fall colors start setting in. Plus, kids are back in school so it feels less crowded everywhere you go.
If youre wondering what to do during fall in Seattle, let this list be your guide. Fall is my favorite season, so I live it up to the fullest each year. This is my vetted list of things to do in fall in Seattle you dont want to miss!
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Mount Rainier National Park Washington
Can you imagine unzipping your tent and seeing the golden morning sun illuminate vibrant valleys full of fiery autumn leaves? If you venture to Mount Rainier National Park, you just might be able to find these kinds of views and more by visiting in October.
The name of the game in this incredible national park is getting out for a hike, and boy, are there plenty to choose from! Plus, its less crowded in October, so you can enjoy it in a more leisurely fashion.
This month might be much chillier in Washington than it is in other places throughout the US, so make sure to pack plenty of layers, especially if youre camping.
Adventure On Vancouver Island
The Queen of the Peak Women’s Surf Competition comes to Tofino again this fall Photo courtesy of Kyler Vos
Speaking of that lovely Canadian island, fall welcomes highlights from foraging adventures to the Salt Spring Apple Festival in a lovably quirky setting. From September 30 through October 2, head to Tofino to be wowed by women surfers who rule the Queen of the Peak competition.
If staying in charming Victoria during your Vancouver Island visit, get in the Halloween spirit with packages like the Magnolia Hotel and Spa’s “Room with a Boo” , or stay in one of two holiday-decked rooms at the Inn at Laurel Point .
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Go Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing
To be honest, we didnt love winter until we moved to Washington state. Being from Minnesota, we know how brutally cold winters can get. But in Washington, there is plenty of snow without the frigid bite of old man winter.
Being able to explore the outdoors in the wintertime was a game changer for us. There are so many cross country skiing or snowshoeing trails throughout Washington that its hard to just highlight a few. Washington Trails Association has a great list of where to go cross country skiing and snowshoeing in Washington.
Psst! If youre a total newbie, check out this beginners guide to snowshoeing to find out everything you need to know to get started!
Camping Near Lake Diablo
There are plenty of camping spots near Lake Diablo. Some of the more popular camping sites are Thunder Point Campground and Colonial Creek Campground.
However, our favorite campsite is the Gorge Lake Campground. Its a small, 8-spot campground with fire pits and toilets, but it is right up next to Gorge Lake with trails that go along the lake. Its far from the busyness of Lake Diablo and a nice home base for exploring. And the best part is it is FREE!
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See A Concert At The Gorge Amphitheater
This epic outdoor venue has incredible acoustics and is a stunning backdrop for live performances, making it arguably one of the best natural amphitheaters in the world.
Seeing a show at the Gorge Amphitheatre had been on our bucket list for years, and in 2019, we finally were able to see a concert there. Dave Matthews Band does a 3-day-long show at The Gorge each year over Labor Day weekend, and it blew us away.
But if DMB doesnt float your boat, dont worry. From reggae to country to pop to electronic, youll find shows from just about every genre. And theres a ton of BIG names that perform in this epic venue year after year.
Check out their concert calendar and choose a show that speaks to your musical taste. Some shows are just one day, while others span over a weekend and include camping and a festival atmosphere.
Chihuly Garden And Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass is an exhibit in the Seattle Center that displays the studio glass of Dale Chihuly. Chihuly has played an important role in the in-ternational glass art scene and the museum presents a representative collec-tion of the renowned artist’s work. The centerpiece of the site is the Glass-house, a 40-foot-tall building that features a 100-foot-long glass sculpture in a red, orange, and yellow color palette. Additionally, there are eight galleries and three Drawing Walls that demonstrate a variety of Chihuly’s works and art styles. There is a garden onsite with four impressive glass sculptures as well as a theater that shows a short film about the artist’s life and work.
305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109, Phone: 206-753-4940
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A Note About Camping In Washington State
If youre traveling in a campervan or simply hoping to save money on your visit to Washington by camping along the way, we have a deal for you!
The Dyrt is our favorite campsite locating app with the largest database of campgrounds and over 1 million user-submitted reviews. Plus, its super user-friendly, and has some pretty cool features, like a outdoor gear contests and forums to connect and seek advice from fellow campers, that you wont find on any other camping app.
Try their Pro Membership for FREE for 90 days and gain access to the offline version of the the app, utilize their trip planning feature AND get exclusive discounts on campsites and gear!
Future Of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour
The Future of Flight Aviation Center is an aviation museum and education center that is located on Paine Field in Mukiteo. The museum is the jumping-off point for the Boeing Tour, which visits part of the Boeing company’s pro-duction facility in Everett. This facility produces the Boeing 747, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft lines. The museum itself features a 28,000-square foot exhibit space that contains an array of interesting exhibits, including a comparison between a Boeing 787 fuselage and one of its predecessor the 707. Addi-tionally, there is a genuine Boeing 727 cockpit that guests can sit in, several full-sized airplanes suspended overhead, a variety of videos and presenta-tions, and a rooftop observation deck that offers views of the factory, Paine Field, and beyond.
8415 Paine Field Blvd., Mukiteo, WA 98275, Phone: 800-464-1476
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Try To Catch The Biggest Salmon In The Pacific Northwest
The Elks and Sixes Rivers, which run through Oregon and the Redwood Forest, are known for salmon fishing — and fall is prime time to catch the biggest fish possible. Not only are the salmon at their absolute biggest at this time of year , theyre also returning to their home streams to spawn — sort of like the fish version of going to your high school homecoming game. In Oregon, the Jubilee Annual Salmon Derby is held all throughout November, challenging all potential fishermen to take home the biggest salmon they can. The top three catches take home prizes like fat stacks of cash and, more importantly, neighborhood bragging rights for the rest of the year.
Challenge Friends To A Game Night
Get all the cozy vibes of game night without the cabin fever with a trip to Mox Boarding House, a game cafe with locations in Ballard and Bellevue. Grab a board game from their impressive library, then huddle into a booth with a few friends and a frosty pint of local craft beer.
Want to upend the Seattle freeze stereotype? Snag a seat at one of their communal tables and recruit some new playmates to join in the friendly competition!
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See The Colors Of Fall In Washington State
Although Washington is known as the Evergreen State there are plenty of leafy trees just waiting to show off their coat of many colors. Maples, aspens, ash and larch are just a few of the species in the Pacific Northwest whose leaves change to rich yellows and golds, deep oranges and fiery reds.
Scenic drives, park walks, romantic getaways and hikes are abundant and are the best way to enjoy the fall colors in Washington State. Mount Rainier and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Parks are good choices. Leavenworth hosts the Autumn Leaf Festival and the Hoh Rainforest will have you believing in magical woodland creatures.
Theres also Stevens Pass Scenic Byway, Cascade Loop and Columbia River Gorge for full-day excursions. Or stay close to Seattle and explore Washington Park Arboretum, Bellevue Botanical Garden or Kubota Garden to name just a few of the lovely parks around the city.
Tip: Check out the US Forest Service Fall Colors Guide
Spend The Night In A Treehouse
The Burl Treehouse at Treehouse Point
Address: 6922 Preston-Fall City Rd SE, Issaquah, WA 98027 | Phone: 441-8087 | Website | Guided Tour: $35+tax, Lodging Prices Vary
While wandering amongst the trees in the Evergreen State, you might begin to wonder what it would be like to live in them. Treehouse Point in Issaquah, Washington gives you a chance to explore this fantasy!
Located in a beautiful forest, visitors can live out their childhood dreams of staying in a treehouse for a few relaxing nights away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can also take a tour of the treehouse village, and get a chance to view these beautiful places that seem straight out of a fairytale.
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Things To Do In Stehekin
- Eat at the Bakery: We cant say anything negative about the Stehekin Pastry Company. It is adorable and everything we tried was fantastic. From the gazpacho to sandwiches to jalapeño cheddar bagels to the raspberry cream cheesecake , everything was clearly homemade and fresh.Even their day-old baked items still taste great, and the price has been cut. Lots of PCT through hikers spend a day in Stehekin, and we saw some of the staff handing out day-old baked goods to the hikers for free. What a sweet idea!
When you get off the ferry, youll likely see a shuttle bus taking passengers to the towns famous bakery. Hop on board if youre in a hurry, or walk the 2 miles instead if youve got time to spare youll get a lovely introduction to the area if you go on foot.
- Get fresh goat cheese at The Garden: If you visit Stehekin, you have to visit the sweet man that runs the Garden. Its just a 7-minute walk from the bakery. The Garden is beautiful with rows of flowers and vegetables. The farmer sells fresh goat cheese and honey that is amazing.
Savor Fall At The Annual Hopkins Wine & Cheese Market

Hopkins Vineyard is always a great fall destination and their 8th Annual Wine & Cheese Market on October 14th is a highlight of our fall season. Explore a wide collection of boutique wines, hard cider, and locally made artisan cheeses while enjoying live music. Guests will also have the opportunity to sample a variety of chocolates, jams, olive oils, and cookies as well as browse through craft items made by local artisans.
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Washington State Farmers Markets
Arriving at the market early means youll get first pick to some of the best goods
Washington State Farmers Association Office | Phone: 706-5198 | Website | Entrance: free
Washington state is known for its delicious and bountiful harvests, so going to a farmers market is definitely worthwhile. Youll find great ones all over Washington, but Olympia, Port Townsend, Vancouver, and Bellingham have some of the best in the state. Go pick up some produce, flowers, drinks, and other farm-fresh goods.
Many have local vendors that sell ceramics, textiles, and jewelry, and sometimes local musicians come out to perform. The markets are great places to relax, people watch, enjoy some street food, and do as the locals do.