Though I have not yet been, Acadia National Park looks amazing! And October seems to be a great time to visit due to the smaller crowds and cooler hiking weather along trails such as Beehive Loop or the Shore Path. While there, it is recommended to drive the scenic Park Loop Road, bike the historic Carriage Roads, and visit the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, located on the southwestern corner of Mount Desert island within the park.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Photo by Chad Sparkes
Though I visited here in the month of April (and it was nice), October is another good choice as well. You will experience warm days in the mid-70s mixed with fewer summer crowds and warmer ocean water. Dolphin watching, golfing, kayaking, and fall festivals can all be enjoyed at this time of the year. You won’t want to miss the Hilton Head Island Oktoberfest or Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off & Jeep Island.
Oahu, Hawaii
Photo by Deb Nystrom
Oahu is a magnificent island, with warm weather in October and the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival happening. This is ideal for hiking to Diamond Head, snorkeling at Hanuama Bay, relaxing on Waikiki Beach, and exploring Pearl Harbor. Plus the first whales start arriving from Alaska this month, so be on the lookout for them!
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Photo by Mark Bonica
This city is known for its world-famous International Balloon Fiesta, which is at the beginning to mid-October. It also makes for perfect mild weather to walk around the Albuquerque Old Town area. The Sandia Peak Tramway also offers incredible views of the fall foliage and the city. A hidden gem is said to be the Tinkertown Museum, full of unique architecture, eccentric collections, and interactive displays.
New England
Photo by Andy Thrasher
If you love fall foliage, New England would be a great road trip to take during this season. Stop in Woodstock, Vermont for a cute town known for its classic beauty, ride Mount Washington Cog Railway for exceptional sights, or take a trek at Dixville Notch State Park to see a lake, colorful trees, and Table Rock, a steep granite ledge. Other options include Salem, if that is your cup of tea, or the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Providence, Rhode Island.
Have a great October vacation if you plan to take one. Or I hope this helped you choose where to go!
This past April, I took a visit to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina with my sister. It was an absolutely gorgeous location, and we would both love to visit again! Here’s what we did after arriving at the Savannah/Hilton Head airport and picking up our rental car.
Day 1
The first area we stopped in was Bluffton, South Carolina. We got lunch at Cahill’s Market then headed over to Calhoun Street. There, we walked around the block, window shopping at a few boutiques. Then was our Publix trip for essentials and groceries for some meals.
Next up was our Airbnb on Hilton Head Island. We stayed at a condo in The Dunes. It has a pool right next to our place, so of course we unpacked and walked over to take a swim.
After drying off and getting ready, my sister and I went exploring. We took the walking path covered in palm trees across the street to Alder Lane Beach (pictured above). It was very pretty and the water was actually relatively warm, especially compared to the beaches up north! The last part of our day consisted of taking a drive around, exploring and finding a unique location called The Bank. It is an outdoor venue offering a brewery, bar, a creamery, and 5 restaurants. When I was visiting, they had live music, as well as, a vendor event going on, and yard games such as cornhole. I highly recommend stopping here!
Day 2
After stopping at Carolina Crumbs for a quick breakfast, it was back to Alder Lane Beach for a couple of hours. Wanting to try out other beaches as well though, we drove over to Folly Field Beach. While it was nearly the same as the other one, I do think I liked Alder Lane Beach better.
For dinner, we ate outside at The Sandbar (the pulled pork tacos are an excellent option). Since it was raining that evening, we didn’t have much else to do besides go shopping. So, I drove down South Forest Beach Drive to the Sea Pines Community, which (apparently) has an admission fee. But, we enjoyed perusing through it, viewing all of the gorgeous mansions. At South Beach Marina (pictured above), you can find shops, such as The Salty Dog T-Shirt Factory and a few restaurants too.
Day 3
At Healthy Habit, I ordered an acai bowl, which is where I discovered that I love acai (it was my first time trying it). Because the rain had stopped, it was the perfect day to take a little journey to Harbourtown, located in Sea Pines. It is a cute mini town set along the water, with stores, a cafe/bakery, and a lighthouse, which costs $7/person. However, the panoramic landscape at the top is beautiful!
The community even has its’ own hiking trails. The Sea Pines Forest Preserve will take you down boardwalks that lead to a lake with picnic tables. It is a wonderful spot to stop and have lunch.
Our condo neighbor actually recommended going to Fish Haul Beach (pictured above) when the tide was low, so we did and it was worth it! My sister and I were surrounded by sand and very shallow, clear water, making it easy for her to find a few seashells. Close by was a cute lunch spot called Lucky Beach Bar & Kitchen, which was good.
We were hoping for the Village at Wexford to have a few more stores we were interested in, but didn’t see much. So, we moved onto Shelter Cove. Though not too many shops there either, we both got a drink at the Poseidon restaurant/bar.
Day 4
Every Tuesday, Hilton Head has a farmer’s market, hosted by the Coastal Discovery Museum. It was smaller than expected, but had some nice people and interesting vendors!
The Frosty Frog Cafe is a great spot for having an outdoor lunch. They are quick (perfect, since we were on a time crunch), and both liked the wraps we got.
Next up on the agenda was our dolphin tour we had booked. I was worried that we may not see them, but we saw them a good bit! The boat ride out to the bay was cold, yet relaxing, and the tour guide was very friendly and informative. I definitely wouldn’t mind taking another one if I went back.
When the tour was over, we went on a walk around the Shelter Cove park, and headed back to the condo. We took another dip in the pool, showered, and played a round of mini golf at Legendary Golf. They have an easier course and a more challenging one. Our challenging one was pretty tough, but still fun!
Day 5
This was sadly our last day in South Carolina. After checking out of the Airbnb, we got coffee from Sweet Al’s Cafe in Coligny Plaza. Of everywhere else on the island, this is the spot I would recommend for shops. There are a decent amount of them, some great for finding souvenirs.
That was about all we had time to do so we could catch our flight on time. But the both of us would absolutely love going back there. Everyone was so kind and the island itself was immaculate. It’s a perfect April/May vacation for a 4-5 days!
I hope this gave you more insight on Hilton Head Island. Thanks for the read! (:
You have to admit, Hawaii is, hands down, the most gorgeous state in the United States. It is located in the south-western part of the U.S., nearly 2,000 from the mainland. It is the home of 137 volcanic islands, as well as, Polynesian culture, whether it be cuisine, traditions, mythology, or etiquette.
The state is comprised of 8 main islands, 7 of which are inhabited and only 6 of which can be visited by the public. So, which of the 6 should you catch a flight to? I’ll help you decide by giving you a summary of each one.
Kauai
Photo by Imogene Huxham
Kauai is filled with valleys, mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, and cliffs, which is why it is referred to as the “Garden Island.” The bad part is that the average annual rainfall is high, and it is generally humid. But if you don’t mind either of those conditions, Kauai could be the island to pick.
It is less of a tourist-filled location, and more of a rural area. However, the extraordinary sunsets and beaches make this island attractive for some travelers.
Kauai was also the set for the films Honeymoon in Vegas, South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Jurassic World,Soul Surfer,The Descendants, Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides, Avatar, and King Kong.
In addition, there is an array of activities to choose from, such as horseback riding, snorkeling, kayaking along the river, ziplining in the jungle, taking a helicopter tour, visiting historical landmarks, farmers markers, playing a round of golf, or riding ATVs.
Points of interest:
Waimea Canyon
Na Pali State Coast Wildnerness Park
Limahuli Garden & Preserve
Princeville Botanical Gardens
Hawaiian Trading Post – shop with souvenirs and hand-crafted gifts
Spouting Horn Blowhole
Queen’s Bath
Ha’ena State Park
Wailua Falls
Maniniholo Dry Cave
Kapa’a – popular town known for colorful storefronts, and restaurants including local cuisine
Poipu Beach
hawaii – the big island
Haena Beach – Photo by Pedro Szekely
The largest island named Hawaii is often called The Big Island. It is absolutely one-of-a-kind, with the varying landscapes of different-colored sand beaches, mountains with snow-covered peaks, lava deserts, and rainforests. While this big island feels less crowded than others due to its size, there is still much to see and do.
On the Kona coastline, you have the opportunity to view the bluest water with sea turtles and dolphins. If you prefer water excursions, you could swim with manta rays, go sailing, scuba dive, kayak, parasail, go deep sea fishing, canoe, and paddleboard. If you would rather participate in land activities, you can take a scenic drive, visit one of the several breathtaking beaches, ziplining over a river gorge, go on one of the greatest hikes you’ve ever been on, or play golf at one of the world-class courses on the Kohala Coast.
Points of Interest:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hapuna Beach State Park
Heiau – historic site with ancient Hawaiian temples
Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue)
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Hulihe’e Palace
Hilo Farmers Market
Akaka Falls State Park – Akaka Falls & Kahuna Falls
Punaluu Beach – known for black sand
Historic Hilo Town
Mauna Kea – the tallest volcano in the world/highest point in the state, renowned for stargazing
Papakōlea Beach – known for sand with a green hue
Kona Coffee Living History Farm
Waipi’o Valley Overlook
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
OAHU
Photo by Alan Light
The bustling island of Oahu is urban, luxurious, and consists of resorts sitting on the golden, sandy beaches, some of which are more secluded than others. The nightlife is vibrant, the weather is warm, and the adventures are endless. Plus, it is a great place to get the feel for the Polynesian culture and traditions!
Sitting on the south shore of Oahu is Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu. It was previously the home of Hawaii’s monarchy. Now, this city is centered around its dining and shopping.
Points of interest:
Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail
Byodo-In Temple
Waikiki Beach
Lanai Lookout
Kaneohe Sandbar
Pearl Harbor Museum
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Laie Falls
Tantalus – botanical region popular with birdwatchers
Waimea Bay Beach Park – perfect for surfing
Diamond Head State Monument
Maunawili Falls
Pu’u O Hulu Trail
Lanikai Beach
Crouching Lion
MAUI
Photo by Brett Samuel
Compared to the other 5 islands, Maui could be considered mid-sized. Being more developed than Kauai, but less tourist-filled than Oahu is a main reason that people enjoy traveling here. In this spot, you will uncover wildlife, culture, history, and Hawaii’s most note-worthy beaches. From Haleakala, the world’s largest dormant volcano, is a spectacular view of the sunrise, through a set of clouds.
In Maui, you can enjoy their frequent festivals, underwater reefs, bamboo forests, waterfalls, and jungles abundant with flowers.
Visitors adore swimming with sea turtles, horseback riding, whale watching, windsurfing, snorkeling, and surfing, if you know how!
Points of interest:
Wailea Beach
The Garden of Eden
Kaanapali Beach
Maui Ocean Center
Paia – beach town with coffee shops and boutiques
Ali’i Kula Lavendar Farm
Iao Valley State Monument
Haleakala National Park
Waianapanapa State Park – known for its black sand
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Napili Beach
Hana Lava Tube
Old Lahaina Luau – great for experiencing hula, traditional dancing, and a Hawaiian buffet
Pua’a Ka’a Waterfalls
lanai
Photo by Curt Smith
Lanai could be considered the most exclusive island of the 6, having remote beaches, high-end resorts, world-class amenities and services, professional golf, and exquisite cuisine. It is ideal for relaxing and healing in a peaceful setting at the spas, which offer lava stone lomilomi and algae body wraps. While this island is private, it does not lack adventure with off-roading in a four-wheel drive vehicle and swimming in tide pools that have been naturally carved out of volcanic rock.
When exploring, you will find unique rock formations and colorful underwater reefs. Popular activities here are lawn bowling, deep sea fishing, shooting clays, scuba diving, private boat charters, and whale watching,
Points of interest:
Lānaʻi Art Center
Keomuku Village
Shark’s Bay
Koloiki Ridge
Lanai City – with restaurants, shops, a park, and theater
Shipwreck Beach (on the north shore)
Kaunolū Fishing Village
Dole Pineapple Plantation
Hulopoe Beach
Sweetheart Rock (at the end of the Puupehe Trail)
Keiki Tide Pool
Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods)
Fisherman’s Trail
Polihua Beach
The Cavendish – 9-hole, free public golf course
Molokai
This would be the quietest and least developed island listed in this blog, therefore, probably not for everyone. It is more for those who don’t mind straying from the beaten path and connecting with nature rather than being pampered at a four-star hotel. That being said, Molokai still has wonderful beaches, rainforests, and the tallest cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Points of interest:
Kapuāiwa Coconut Grove
Murphy’s Beach
Kalaupapa National Historic Park
North Shore Sea Cliffs
Halawa Tropical Flower Farm
Purdy’s Natural Macadamia Nut Farm
One Ali’i Beach Park
Molokai Forest Reserve
Hālawa Valley – can only be explored on a guided hike
Molokaʻi Heritage Site
Halawa Beach Park
Aliʻi Fishpond
Pāpōhaku Beach
Moaula Falls
Kamakou Preserve
Palaau State Park
I know it seems tough to choose which one to visit still, but hopefully helped a little in knowing the difference between the islands and what they have to offer.
A Sweet Paradise 
You must be logged in to post a comment.