Planning a fall family vacation is a fun way to get outdoors and take in the changing season. Get the kids interested in active adventures and nature excursions, or escape on a less-traveled beach stay with your partner for some alone time. Either way, autumn is a fun blank canvas for outdoorsy travelers.
Check out these unique stays to help you narrow down your options.
Red Caboose Motel, Ronks, Pennsylvania
Deep in the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, home to a close-knit Amish farming community, the Red Caboose Motel is a great family getaway. This historic stay welcomes guests with cozy accommodations — the train car’s caboose — in a beautiful rural town.
This motel is not as “rustic” as it sounds, as it comes with cable, full bathrooms, kitchens and some with private decks boasting country views for miles. Visit nearby attractions like Dutch Wonderland and petting zoos with the kids, or stick around the motel for fresh, farm-to-table cuisine. Rates begin at $95 per night.
The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
Have your own old-world luxury cruise stay without actually committing to the whole multiday trip. Stay aboard The Queen Mary for a touch of throwback, nautical charm with all the amenities of a luxurious hotel.
Located in Long Beach, California, the once active ocean liner is now a luxury stay with all the trappings of a high seas sailing vessel. Guests enjoy fine dining, nearby beach attractions, stunning views, Art Deco décor, WiFi and luxury services, beginning at $149 per night.
Heceta Head Lighthouse, Cape Cove, Oregon
Stay in a lighthouse for a unique experience in Cape Cove, Oregon. The Heceta Head Lighthouse and Light Keeper’s house date back to the late 1800s and is currently home to six guestrooms.
Heceta Head Ligthouse Keeper’s House. Photo: Jaahnlieb | Dreamstime.com
Accommodations include classic antique furniture, a working fireplace, private lounge areas to unwind with friends and family — all with unencumbered views of the water. Accommodations begin at $234 per night.
Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Key Largo, Florida
The world’s first underwater hotel, Jules’ Undersea Lodge, is a unique stay to say the least. Located at the bottom of a lagoon in Key Largo Undersea Park, Jules’ is a cozy stay for couples.
Accommodations include underwater rooms with unbeatable views of marine life. Take advantage of other inclusions, like scuba diving lessons and other water-based activities. Accommodations begin at $800 for two.
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