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.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedHotels
Nov 6, 2025Christmas in NYC with Park Terrace Hotel, Hyatt Regency Times Square & More
Family travelers to the Big Apple this holiday season can look forward to a lineup of once-in-a-lifetime offerings. Here’s a closer look at some of what is on offer:
Sponsored Content
TAP Air Portugal: A Milestone Year
From small airline to global success, TAP Air Portugal turns 80 and better than ever.
Hotels
Nov 6, 2025Enjoy Unforgettable Festivities this Holiday Season in the Maldives
Two Six Senses hotels in the Maldives are getting ready to invite family travelers to spend the holidays in sand instead of snow. From Dec. 22 to Jan. 2, 2026, Six Senses Laamu and Six Senses Kanuhura feature holiday programming combining festive dining and activities.
Slideshow
Nov 6, 20257 Rainforests Around the World to See
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through these rainforests around the world with us.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Azores & Madeira: Portugal’s Island Paradises Await
Embrace the Portugal’s Magical Islands of the Azores and Madeira
Destinations / North America
Nov 5, 2025How to Give Back on Your Next Maui Vacation
The island of Maui is known for its sun-quenched beaches and lush tropical landscape, but it is also known for the destructive wildfire that devastated communities in 2023. A few years may have passed, but the island is still working to recover from the damage. One of the best ways to help a destination after it has experienced a natural disaster is by continuing to support the tourism economy in a responsible way. There are great ways to do that through voluntourism, even for family travelers.
ShareThis