Those long summer days may be over, but that doesn’t mean that prime vacation times are ending. There’s still plenty to explore, with exciting fall festivals popping up all around the country. Whether you like foodie finds, cultural celebrations or family-friendly fairs, there’s a fall vacation waiting for you. Here are our picks for some of the best festivals to explore.

Boston

As the leaves change color, Boston’s parks truly complement the historical architecture with their vibrant hues. The city is a dream for history buffs, from the red bricks of the Freedom Trail to the 19th-century row houses and gas lamps that make up Beacon Hill. It’s also a draw in the fall months, with festivals that cater to every interest. Live music enthusiasts will love the Honk! Festival of Activist Street Bands (Oct. 4-6) that encompasses global sounds from Klezmer and Romani music to Brazilian samba and Afrobeat and concludes with a parade down Massachusetts Avenue.

Feeling fancy? Refinement is the order of the day at the Head of the Charles Regatta (Oct. 18-22), one of America’s most prestigious (and the world’s largest) rowing competitions.

Sacramento, California

Fall comes as a welcome relief after the long, hot summers in this part of the country. The mornings and evenings become crisper and cooler, and pumpkin patches and hot apple cider stands start to pop up around the city.

Families can enjoy these treats and more at fall festivals around the area, including the Sacramento Harvest Festival (Nov. 15-17), with its food stalls, markets and fairground rides. World travelers and foodies can experience the hospitality of other cultures at two of the city’s fall festivals. For gyros and retsina, check out the Greek Festival (Oct. 4-6).

Either way, an ideal base to explore the city and relax after a day at the festivals is Fort Sutter Hotel Sacramento, Tapestry Collection by Hilton — a boutique property close to midtown’s best restaurants and nightlife.

Dallas

As the Texan heat subsides, fall is perhaps the best season to visit the Lone Star State. Outdoor dining makes a comeback, football season has locals all fired up and it’s one of the busiest times of year for things to do — including your pick of fall festivals.

The biggest event by far is the State Fair of Texas (Sept. 27 -Oct. 20). It’s held in Dallas’ historic Fair Park and is a huge draw for families. There’s something for everyone taking place over these 24 days of fun, with live music, art exhibits, carnival games, a petting zoo, food cook-offs and, of course, the famous Texas rodeo.

Couples looking for a romantic day out should explore Autumn at the Arboretum, where the theme for 2024 is Texas Town. This expansive celebration will take visitors through key moments of Texas history with themed pumpkin houses that make up the Pumpkin Village — made from around 100,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds.

Visitors with cultural curiosity should time their vacation with the annual Dia de los Muertos Parade & Festival (Oct. 28), a Mexican tradition that honors family members and loved ones who have passed. This historical parade is a colorful celebration with live music, food stalls and arts and crafts.

Vermont

Most people come to the Green Mountain State in the fall to see the incredible display of colors as the leaves turn from green to vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. As one of the most popular spots in the country over the autumn months, there’s naturally a wealth of fall festivals celebrating the harvest and the region’s most special time of year.

People with a taste for the finer things, as well as an appreciation for Vermont’s natural beauty, will want to consider the Champlain Valley Craft Show and Antique Expo (Oct. 18-20). Established antique and vintage collectible dealers set up their stalls on the shores of this scenic lake, surrounded by stunning fall foliage. Gourmet tastes are catered for throughout the autumn, from the specialty dishes of the family-friendly Apples and Crafts Fair & Food Truck Festival (Oct. 12-13) in Woodstock to the hotly contested Stratton Mountain Brewfest and Chili Cookoff (Oct. 12).

Meanwhile, art aficionados will find the region’s colors immortalized in works of all kinds at the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival (Oct. 11-13), where more than 150 artists and artisans gather to sell their handcrafted creations.

Portland, Maine

Often in the shadow of its Oregon namesake, the fall months become the time to really shine for Portland, Maine. As in surrounding states, the colors of the changing leaves drive a huge amount of tourism, and leaf peepers are out in full force, taking in the spectacular natural show. Fall festivals happen throughout the season, the biggest being Harvest on the Harbor (Oct. 24-26), where more than 200 farmers from around the state bring their finest produce, from cheeses to apple ciders, to be sampled.

Just 15 minutes outside of Portland, the Freeport Fall Festival (Oct. 4-6) is an ideal family weekend, with an abundance of activities for younger visitors, including craft workshops, live music and scavenger hunts. Portland is one of the best places to use as a base to explore the surrounding natural scenery of the state at this very special time of year in the region.

Stay at Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront, a boutique property that overlooks the Fore River, with a rooftop bar that boasts beautiful views of the city and beyond.

Whatever your interests or tastes, a fall vacation is an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Bring a sense of adventure and hit the open road for artisanal food stands, carnival games, pumpkin patches and all the traditions and activities that evoke a classic fall. The colors and flavors will stay with you long after the final leaf falls.