With a more comfortable temperature, less tourists, and off-season sales make October a great month to travel. Since you won’t be able to hit all the places on your list, we gathered some of the best vacation spots in this guide.
Check out our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
Read below for more information on the top ten travel destinations in October.
Alberta (Canada)
| Average Temperature | 57°F high; 31°F low |
| October Events | Edmonton International Film Festival Jasper Dark Sky Festival Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival |
Alberta is a province in western Canada, home to Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies. As you can imagine, there’s plenty to do outdoors, including hiking, boating, cycling, fishing, whitewater rafting, golfing and more. To get a bird’s eye view of the area, hop on the Jasper SkyTram, the Banff Gondola or the Lake Louise Gondola. If you like trains, experience Alberta through the Vacations by Rail programs.
Alberta in October starts off with the Edmonton International Film Festival where over 150 films will be screened. Then there’s the Jasper Dark Sky Festival, featuring music, a photography workshop, lectures and plenty of stargazing. Foodies will enjoy Calgary’s Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival, a two-day event with wine, spirits, beers and tastings from local restaurants.
Sonoma County, California (USA)
| Average Temperature | 79°F high; 46°F low |
| October Events | Sonoma County Harvest Fair |
This is the most beautiful time to visit. The weather is warm, the trees and vines turn to a tint of gold and orange. Plus, the grape harvest is nearly finished.
You can go on some wine tasting while you’re here as well. Some of the best places is: Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens in Fulton, the Flowers Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg, and Bricoleur Vineyards in the Russian River Valley.
If you’re a Peanuts (comic strip) fan, stop in to visit the Charles M. Schulz Museum to meet cartoonists, get handsy with crafts and browse Snoopy’s Gallery and Gift Shop.
And you won’t want to miss the Sonoma County Harvest Fair in Santa Rosa, which celebrates the season with tastings and fun competitions.
Nashville, Tennessee (USA)
| Average Temperature | 72°F high; 50°F low |
| October Events | Breakaway Music Festival Grand Ole Opry |
It’s always a good time to visit Nashville, but October is even more pleasant with the summer crowds gone and the milder weather.
Of course, live music should be on your agenda. In October, there’s the Breakaway Music Festival (past artists include Future, Kaskade and Zeds Dead) and the Grand Ole Opry (a Dolly Parton tribute).
Other Nashville activities include watching a Tennessee Titans game and chowing down on some local eats. We highly recommend the hot chicken!
Sicily (Italy)
| Average Temperature | 76°F high; 64°F low |
| October Events | Le Vie dei Tesori Ottobrata Zafferanese Funghi Fest Sagra del Pistacchio Ibla Buskers Scale del Gusto Ballaro Buskers I Sapori degli Iblei |
The October air and sea are still warm in Sicily, and both flights and hotels are less expensive than the busy summer months. It’s also harvest season, which means plenty of fresh olives, almonds, chestnuts, wild mushrooms, prickly pears and the festivals that go along with harvest.
La Vie dei Tesori lasts eight weekends between September and November and celebrates the heritage of Palermo. During the festival, visit four hundred sites, including palaces, secret terraces, monasteries, churches, crypts, gardens and science museums, with one digital pass.
Other events showcase the various food and produce of the region, like Ottobrata Zafferanese, Scale del Gusto and I Sapori degli Iblei. While the Funghi Fest and Sagra del Pistacchio celebrate a particular Sicilian food staple, mushrooms and pistacchio respectively.
Besides food, Ibla Buskers and Ballaro Buskers are festivals dedicated to the street arts, with performances from acrobats, bands, jugglers, actors and more.
Chicago, Illinois (USA)
| Average Temperature | 63°F high; 50°F low |
| October Events | Chicago Marathon Chicago International Film Festival Open House Chicago |
You can’t go to Chicago without sampling the local food: deep dish pizza, hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. Besides gorging on food, you’ll want to take a sunset river cruise, stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk, visit the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry, as well as take part in one of the many events in October.
The Chicago Marathon routes thousands of runners through 29 neighborhoods among almost two million cheering spectators. The Chicago International Film Festival showcases more than 150 short- and full-length films from approximately 50 countries. And the annual Open House Chicago gives visitors free, behind-the-scenes access to over 250 architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites across the city.
San Francisco, California (USA)
| Average Temperature | 70°F high; 55°F low |
| October Events | Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival San Francisco Fleet Week |
San Francisco gets Indian summers, so the weather in October is perfect for outdoor activities. Walk over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, ride a cable car, tour Alcatraz, take a stroll through Fisherman’s Wharf, and explore Chinatown, Union Square and Haight-Ashbury by foot.
Golden Gate Park hosts the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in October. This free event spans three days with five stages of live music. San Francisco Fleet Week is held in the same month, featuring the largest parade of ships on the West Coast and a choreographed air show by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
Bayan-Olgii (Mongolia)
| Average Temperature | 36°F high; 16°F low |
| October Events | Golden Eagle Festival |
There’s only one reason why we put Mongolia on our top ten destinations list in October, and it’s a pretty spectacular one: the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Olgii. This one-of-a-kind event is a colorful celebration that dates back centuries to the old Kazakh hunting tradition.
But be forewarned, the weather can change from glorious sunny days to snow in a blink of an eye. Make sure to pack your warmest clothes so you can wrap up when you need to.
Sun Valley, Idaho (USA)
| Average Temperature | 58°F high; 26°F low |
| October Events | The Trailing of the Sheep Festival Sun Valley Jazz and Music Festival |
Sun Valley in October is less crowded with brisk mornings that warm up with the sun. Enjoy biking on paved, car-free paths, taking on single-track mountain biking trails, hiking, fly-fishing, golfing, horseback riding and more.
October is when one of the most unique fall events in Idaho happens, the Trailing of the Sheep Festival. It’s a celebration of the season and the migration of sheep to their winter pastures. There’ll be a parade, sheep dog competitions, demonstrations, food, storytelling and wool products.
Later in the month is the Sun Valley Jazz and Music Festival, featuring swing, big band, vintage jazz, zydeco, blues, folk and doo-wop performances.
Dallas, Texas (USA)
| Average Temperature | 79°F high; 59°F low |
| October Events | State Fair of Texas Dallas Festival of the Arts Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering |
October is a great time to visit Dallas, with comfortable temperatures and autumn foliage. Take in the fall season at one of the oldest parks in the area, Kidd Springs Park. That’s where the Dallas Festival of the Arts, a free, two-day arts and crafts event, will take place.
You can also enjoy the outdoor weather at the State Fair of Texas. This event attracts millions of visitors and celebrates all things Texas. Partake in carnival rides and games, cooking contests and demonstrations, Instagram-worthy food, and a variety of shows featuring everything from cows to cars.
If you like spicy food, head west to nearby Terlingua for the International Championship Chili Cookoff. It’s a four-day food festival with live music, margaritas, barbecue and the world’s best chili contest.
And for an all-out cowboy experience, go for the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Western Swing Festival, featuring a rodeo, trail rides, wagon train, cowboy music and poetry, and more.
Munich (Germany)
| Average Temperature | 58°F high; 41°F low |
| October Events | Oktoberfest |
Germany’s most famous festival ends in the beginning of October. Oktoberfest in Munich has: traditional German music, beer, and lots of fun. Even though this event is known for booze, Oktoberfest is actually super family-friendly. There are dedicated family days with discounted carnival rides for kids. Not to mention there are parades featuring traditional German attire.
After you’ve gotten enough booze, you can admire the fall foliage in the Black Forest. Plus, along the way you will pass Germany’s wine region, so you might want to stop in a winery for a taste of Riesling.
Best Credit Cards to Redeem for Flights
Here are some credit cards you should use when flying to these destinations. It great if you build up enough points or miles so you won’t have to pay for the flight itself.
 The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion(R) Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you'll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together. Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card. Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+(R), or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. You'll earn: • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. • Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required. • $200 Delta Stays Statement Credit: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Members can earn up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. • Receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly together on Delta. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location. • Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. This card does come with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
 The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. • 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. • 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required. Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. $150 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Members can earn up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. This card comes with a $350 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. You'll also get fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®. (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. |
 The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. • 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com. • $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel. Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. There is a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150) and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees). Now, you'll get get more savings with your first checked bag for free on Delta flights. Terms Apply. |
 The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers earn a Companion Pass good through 2/28/26 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, you'll earn 7,500 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year. You'll earn: • Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. Some perks include $75 Southwest travel credit each year., receiving 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available, savings of 25% back on in-flight drinks and WiFi, and more! This card carries a $149 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. |
 The United Explorer Card offers 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. You'll earn: • 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays. • 1x mile on all other purchases Perks of this card include: • Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary • Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. • Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit • 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Member FDIC |
The JetBlue Plus Card is the best rewards card for JetBlue frequent flyers. It offers bonuses on restaurant and grocery store spending, fast track to Mosaic elite status and a few other travel benefits.
The JetBlue Plus Credit Card has an offer for 40,000 TrueBlue bonus points when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days. We value these points to be worth around $520.
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Top Destinations By Month
Here’s a list of the top destinations for all the months in the calendar. So you should start earning those miles and points now.
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in January
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in February
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in March
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in April
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in May
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in June
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in July
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in August
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in September
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in October
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in November
- Top 10 Travel Destinations in December
