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The heat waves rolling across the country have us dreaming of the colorful leaves and crisp temperatures of autumn. In anticipation of the season, 10Best set out to find the best fall destinations, attractions and experiences. We asked our readers to vote for their favorites, and the results are in. As an extra perk, these places make it easy to social distance.
Click on each category below to see the full list of winners:
Best Apple Orchard: Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette, New York
Pick your own apples in New York at this winning orchard — Photo courtesy of Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards
This family-owned orchard has been growing apples since onion farmer George Skiff and dairy farmer Andrew Beak joined forces in 1911 to plant apples on a hillside along Rte. 20. The rest, as they say, is history. Gala, McIntosh, Ginger Gold and Paula Red are just a few of the varieties offered from late August through late October.
Live music events, Cider Fests, Orchard Runs and a Kids’ Magic Show add entertainment to the apple picking.
Full list of winners: Best Apple Orchard »
Best Corn Maze: Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in Ronks, Pennsylvania
Winning maze celebrates its 25 year in 2020 — Photo courtesy of Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
The 2020 corn maze at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm celebrates the farm’s 25th season with the theme “Growing Fun for 25 Years.” The interactive 5-acre maze includes 2.5 miles of paths; guests navigate with the help of a game board and clues from the Maze Masters.
Full list of winners: Best Corn Maze »
Best Destination for Fall Foliage: Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Fall foliage in the UP tends to peak in late September — Photo courtesy of iStock / BobPalosaari
Just about the entire Upper Peninsula puts on a display of fall color that peaks during the last two weeks of September and the first week of October. A favorite fall experience for leaf peepers is the drive along M-26 along the shores of Lake Roland and past the trees of Copper Country State Forest.
Full list of winners: Best Destination for Fall Foliage »
Best Ghost Tour: Nightly Spirits (Multiple cities)
These winning haunted pub crawls take place in cities across America — Photo courtesy of Nightly Spirits
Nightly Spirits are known for their haunted pub crawls at cities around the United States. Tour some of the most historic and haunted spots, drinks in hand, in cities like D.C., Denver, Dallas, Charleston, Houston or Boston.
Full list of winners: Best Ghost Tour »
Best Haunted Destination: Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada
This winning museum of haunted history is itself believed to be haunted — Photo courtesy of Zak Bagans’ The Haunted Museum
This quirky Las Vegas museum showcases original collectibles from supposedly haunted destinations around the United States in a 1938 property that is itself believed to be haunted. Explore more than 30 rooms filled with artifacts, and keep an eye out for spirits roaming the halls.
Full list of winners: Best Haunted Destination »
Best Haunted Hotel: The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado
Winning haunted hotel was featured in the film “The Shining” — Photo courtesy of iStock / gregobagel
This dramatic, massive white hotel seems to rise out of the Colorado mountains in the otherwise quaint and old-fashioned tourist town of Estes Park. A member of Historic Hotels of America, The Stanley Hotel’s haunted history stretches far back, but it became famous in the ‘70s after author Stephen King visited.
He set the scene for his best-selling book (and the subsequent movie), “The Shining,” at the Stanley. Today, guests visit the hotel to see the long, spooky hallways and listen to “Redrum.” The hotel organizes a special Ghost Adventure Package, complete with a room on the scary fourth floor.
Full list of winners: Best Haunted Hotel »
Congratulations to all these fall winners!