Compared to Memorial and
Labor Day, Columbus Day often seems like the unsung hero of all the three-day weekends. Yet it's Columbus Day's lack of holiday traditions that make it the perfect time to travel. Instead of feeling obligated to go to an annual Memorial or Labor Day picnic, you're free to make whatever travel plans you wish. Plus, you'll miss the summer crowds that accompany Labor and
Memorial Day vacations - and better still, you can often find cheaper rates at area vacation rentals, since October falls in the off-season of many areas.
Ready to start planning your Columbus Day trip? Here are the top 10 Columbus Day weekend getaways.
From the fall foliage in
Central Park to Halloween events all over the city, October is a wonderful time to visit the Big Apple. The most obvious reason NYC wins the top spot on this list of Columbus Day weekend getaways is the city's massive
Columbus Day parade , but
the Boo at the Zoo ,
Haunted Pumpkin Garden , and family-friendly events at
the Met are other worthy attractions.
As the oldest Italian-American celebration in the country,
the San Francisco Columbus Day Celebration and Italian Heritage Parade is over 140 years old. After the parade, spend the day sampling Italian delicacies in San Francisco's
North Beach neighborhood .
There's never a quiet weekend in Beantown - and Columbus Day is no exception. You're guaranteed to stumble upon several holiday-themed events, from killer Columbus Day sales on posh
Newbury Street to
the Tufts Health Plan 10k in Boston Commons to the
North End's Columbus Day Parade .
Though the beautiful scenery of Montauk is worth the trip alone,
the Montauk Chamber of Commerce Annual Fall Festival also takes place on the three-day weekend. Don't miss a chance to sample the area's best clam chowders at
the Famous Clam Chowder Tasting Contest .
A far cry from the other foliage-filled Columbus Day weekend getaways on this list, Miami hosts the
Columbus Day Regatta , where party lovers from around the world grab any seafaring vessel they can find and sail to
Key West. What results is a nonstop three-day party that puts
Mardi Gras to shame. If you're more interested in drinking and dancing than hiking and history, this is the destination for you.
Denver's Italian-American community throws
one of the largest Columbus Day parades in the country. The fun doesn't stop after the last marching band crosses the finish line, however; there's also a post-parade celebration with plenty of Italian food and drink.
Easily split your time between two of Rhode Island's best cities. Raise a glass (or stein) at
Newport's International Oktoberfest or ogle pumpkin-carved art at
Providence's Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular . Best of all? It's only a 45-minute drive between the two cities.
Few Columbus Day weekend getaways are more bizarre than Burlington, Vermont. The town is home to the annual
Giant Pumpkin Regatta and Festival , where participants race giant hollowed-out pumpkins on
Lake Champlain.
Escape to the rugged
Pennsylvania mountains on Columbus Day to enjoy perfect weather for autumn hiking, apple picking, and pumpkin carving. The area's sweeping expanses of fall foliage will surely put you in the fall mood. Be sure to bring your camera!
As if the natural beauty Lake Placid wasn't enough to entice you, the area also hosts
the Flaming Leaves Festival , home of ski jumping competitions, horseshoe tournaments, dye-your-own tie dye, and plenty of live blues music.
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