Summer in the National Parks

Despite the travel challenges immediately following Covid in 2020, in the past few years national parks saw record visitor numbers. The Grand Canyon saw 4.7 million visitors, second only to Great Smoky Mountains National Park which saw 13.3 million visitors. Since it’s looking like that trend will continue in 2026, there are a few parks in particular that are essential to plan ahead for this year.

Summer is the most popular time to visit most National parks, so it’s key to book in advance. July and August in particular bring the best weather and it’s a fantastic time to take in one of the most spectacular landscapes in North America. The Grand Canyon, Zion, Yellowstone, The Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite are all in the top five most popular American national parks to visit so if you’re hoping to visit these during peak season, planning ahead is crucial.

In an effort to manage the mass amount of visitors and preserve the pristine wilderness in these areas, many parks have implemented new reservation and timed-entry systems. Mountain Rainier, Glacier, Arches, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Arches, and Acadia National Parks are some of the more popular spots that require reservations during peak season, with many more starting pilot programs this year.

National Park Road Trip Inspiration: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip 

Fall in New England

It’s no secret that New England shines in autumn. Every September, visitors trek from all over the country to witness the fall foliage change from bright greens to golden-reds. But the charming trait of New England is its small-town feel and with such a small window (sometimes only two weeks) to drive the fall colored highways, room availability and timing are limited. 

Reservations at some of our favorite boutique getaways and luxury inns are quickly filling up, so if you fancy spending your autumn amongst bright falling leaves, winding between cheddar creameries and cider mills, and enveloped in the salty air of coastal Atlantic towns, start the planning of your custom journey through New England soon.

New England Fall Road Trip Inspiration: Luxury Holiday to New England

Alaska

As a general rule, an exploration through the wild terrain of Alaska is not an adventure that you want to enter into haphazardly. It’s a huge state with miles of remote frontier, so you need to have a strategy for how you’ll get where and who will be guiding the way. 

Plus, because of the extreme weather, there’s a short window of opportunity in the warmer months to access much of Alaska, meaning high demand for the best places. Not-to-mention, the surge of extreme weather in recent years can be an impediment to seeing certain National Parks (Denali Park Road, in Denali National Park, remains closed through 2026 do to a landslide). For all of these reasons, it’s always best to plan ahead.

Our Alaska luxury travel specialists have handpicked the finest wilderness lodges, expert private guides, and standout experiences so as to design a luxury Alaska vacation to remember. From aquamarine glaciers, steep-walled fjords, majestic grizzlies, endless snow-capped mountain ranges, and breaching humpbacks; there’s an abundance of ‘bucket-list’ Alaska experiences spread across a vast geography. 

Alaskan Road Trip Inspiration: Luxury Alaska Vacation: Adventures on the Kenai Peninsula

The Harvest in California Wine Country

Around late September, California wine country bustles with energy during the harvest. Vineyards race to pick their grapes at their peak ripeness, the weather begins to cool and the smell of harvest fills the valleys. This is always an exciting time to visit, but finding reservations in this small wine region can be competitive. The already limited rooms at our favorite boltholes, like the Inn at Newport Ranch in Mendocino or Sonoma’s Farmhouse Inn, won’t last long. 

Likewise, the harvest being a time of great culinary celebration, tables will quickly fill up at the many acclaimed (and Michelin-starred) restaurants in California’s wine country region. A key part of All Roads North’s trip planning services is making sure you get the reservations you want and we’ll be keeping an eye on openings at legends like Napa Valley’s French Laundry or Sonoma’s SingleThread Farm for those hoping to indulge their taste buds this year.

Wine Country Inspiration: Napa and Sonoma in Style

Spring Break

It’s always a good idea to plan ahead for spring break, but especially this year. Domestic travel in the U.S. during March is increasing and, in fact, in 2024 airlines saw their busiest March ever. In 2026, numbers are expected to increase even more.

Arizona is a beautiful place to visit in the spring, whether finding rest and relaxation amongst the sacred red rocks of Sedona or searching out adventure in the saguaro cactus-studded desert surrounding Tucson. Or, take advantage of the sun and sea in Southern California. From surfing to hiking to fine dining to art exhibits, you’ll never have to suffer a dull moment. For spring breakers looking for a cultural immersion, look no further than New Orleans. Dynamic and diverse, this city is larger than life in almost every area; not least food, music and history.

Southwest Road Trip Inspiraiton: The Red Rock and Canyon Country of Arizona and Utah

Luxury Ranches

Blending authentic ranch life with luxury bells and whistles is something that the U.S. does best. From Montana to Arizona, many of our favorite ranches consist of several stand-alone cabins with a main lodge centered in their midst– a setup that became popular during Covid due to its inherent socially distanced structure. 

Not only the accommodation but also the accompanying activities allow for seclusion. Most luxury ranches, like the Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana or Smith Rock Ranch in Colorado, offer endless outdoor activities, like horseback riding, fishing and hiking, all from one secluded base.

Luxury Ranch Road Trip Inspiration: A Private Ranch Road Trip in West Texas

Mountain Towns

Whether you are planning to ski in the winter, raft in the summer or hike amongst golden aspen in autumn, mountain towns never go out of season. The difficult decision isn’t deciding if you want to get away for some alpine fresh air, it’s more of a question of where you’ll go. Here are some of our favorites (and the ones that will book up the fastest):

Jackson, Wyoming is a bit of a dichotomy. On one hand, Jackson is an old western town with wooden boardwalks, swinging saloon doors and its signature elk antler arches in the main square. On the other, it’s a chic mountain town that has become a playground for the well-heeled and adventurous. Aspen, Colorado is similar in that way– with perhaps a little more glitz than grit. What most defines Aspen though is its exceptional natural beauty. Walking down Main Street in Telluride, Colorado, you’ll understand why it’s often described as the quintessential mountain town. The spunk of its mining town origins is miraculously preserved and its location nestled in the valley of a box canyon causes just about any angle of the town to be picture perfect. Taos, New Mexico is a mountain town infused with the blend of Mexican, Spanish and Native American culture that New Mexico is known for. It’s rich in cultural experiences and full of adventurous outdoor activities as well.

Mountain Towns Road Trip Inspiration: Luxury Family Adventure in Colorado

The post Seven Places to Book Ahead for 2026 appeared first on All Roads North.

New England in October

Our October ‘where-to’ list begins with an iconic destination for fall foliage… New England. Peak autumnal color is typically reached from late September through mid-October. At this time of year, New England– including the mostly small states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island– truly comes into its element. Think: cozy maple farms, cheese creameries and craft breweries. The ocean (and its chilly, salty breeze) is never far away and you can look forward to maritime experiences, like heading out on a lobster boat with local fishermen to help catch the ingredients for your own lobster roll.

New England Weather in October

Sample itinerary: Luxury Holiday to New England

Oregon Wine Country in October

Though perhaps not as famous as California wine country, Oregon wine country has just as much to offer. Willamette Valley is a beautiful destination to visit in October as the harvest season is in full swing. With the cool weather, the freshly harvested fall foods, gold-tinged vineyards and excitement of reaping the grape clusters from the vines, there couldn’t be a more magical time to visit Oregon wine country.

Willamette Valley Weather in October

Sample itinerary: The Pacific Coast and Willamette Valley: A Luxury Oregon Road Trip

Monument Valley in October

October is a great time to visit some of Arizona and Utah’s most famous national parks and tribal lands as there tends to be less crowds and pleasant weather. Monument Valley is one at the top of our list. This Navajo Tribal Park is famed for its monument-like natural towers of stone dotting the red-streaked desert landscape. To round out your Arizona trip, throw in a visit to the old Western town of Tombstone, the relaxing resorts of Sedona or the glitz of Scottsdale (or a bit of all three!)

Monument Valley Weather in October

Sample Itinerary: Red Rock and Canyon Country of Arizona and Utah

The Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains in October

Contending with New England, the Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains are both destinations renowned for their stunning fall foliage– and rightfully so. October often features the leaves’ colors on full display. Cruise through the mountains, wander the charming North Carolina town of Asheville and cross the border into Tennessee to check out Nashville, a booming center of live music, good food and good times. Top the trip off with an indulgent stay at the legendary Blackberry Farms.

Appalachian Mountains Weather in October

California Coast in October

California is renowned for being a great place to visit all year long… but in October, you really get the best of the best. The crowds and morning fog are typically at a minimum, and the weather is sunny and temperate. The route between California’s two most dynamic cities, San Francisco to Los Angeles, will take you along some of the Pacific’s most stunning landscapes at Big Sur, a world class aquarium in Monterey and some small family run wineries surrounding Santa Barbara. 

California Coast Weather in October

Sample Itinerary: Classic West Coast Road Trip

Events in October 2025

Various local Crush Festivals in Napa and Sonoma Valley

October 4-5, Big Crush Harvest Wine Festival

October 4-12, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

October 15-26, Chicago International Film Festival

October 15-19, NYC Wine and Food Festival

October 31, Halloween

Check Out The Other Posts in Our Series Below:

• Best Places to Visit in the USA – Month by Month
• Best Places in the USA to Visit in January
• Best Places in the USA to Visit in June
• Best Places in the USA to Visit in November

The post Best Places in the USA to Visit in October appeared first on All Roads North.

You probably know about Upstate New York’s creative mecca, Hudson Valley, but have you heard of the nearby Massachusetts Berkshires?

A rural region in the mountains of western Massachusetts dotted with villages and towns, the Northern Berkshires is known for its rich cultural and artistic scene, as well as its fall foliage and overall rustic idyll. 

We spoke with Nina Keneally, a former theater producer and gallerist and friend of All Roads North, to get the intel on this flourishing artistic oasis.

“You could probably find a new trail to hike every day of the year for at least three or four years because there is so much nature, but especially in the summer season, you also couldn’t begin to do everything that’s offered here artistically,” Keneally said. 

Jacob’s Pillow

History of the Arts in the Berkshires

The Berkshires’ convenient location just a few hours away from Boston and New York City has long provided the perfect country escape for wealthy city folk. Where the money went, the arts soon followed. 

“Especially in the Southern Berkshires, a lot of arts developed here because people had summer homes here. It’s always been a summer escape for those artists– classical artists, musicians and dancers,” Keneally said.

Centers of education like Williams College also contributed to the cultural scene by supplying strong arts programs and attracting young creatives. Thomas Krens was director of the Williams College Museum of Art and an integral figure in the Berkshires’ artistic renaissance. During his time at Williams, inspiration struck him for an unlikely contemporary art museum in the Berkshires.  

“Thomas Krens knew about this building in North Adams, which had once been an electric plant but had been vacant since the 70’s,” Keneally said. “He had the idea to put this contemporary art museum there that could handle very large works of art that really didn’t have anywhere else to go. That was the genesis of MASS MoCA.”

Krens’ latest vision is for a new museum focused on model railroads and architecture in the Northern Berkshires, which is currently under construction. The project, called the Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture Museum, promises to deliver a “museum-theme park” experience, completed as early as 2025.

Our Favorite Art and Music in The Berkshires

The Clark Institute

As for now, the galleries, museums, festivals and showings in the Berkshires are endless across seemingly every artistic category– from visual arts to dance to music. From monumental museums to trendy galleries, here are a few of the top attractions: 

• Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art (aka MASS MoCA): A modern art museum in North Adams housed in a former electric plant with an emphasis on large-scale, immersive works
• Tanglewood: The famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and one of the world’s most beloved music festivals.
• Ferrin Contemporary: A 40-year old modern ceramic art gallery, located on MASS MoCA’s 16-acre campus.
• Jacob’s Pillow: The 220-acre home to America’s longest-running international dance festival which hosts performances, talks, and events, as well as dance training.
• The Clark Art Institute: Both an art museum and a distinguished center for research and higher education. Keneally said The Clark is the best in the area in regards to the landscape and architecture.
• MCLA Gallery 51: Run by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Gallery 51 exhibits art from an international mix of both emerging and mid-career artists.
• Bang on a Can: The Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival at MASS MoCA is a 3-week musical fest dedicated to adventurous, contemporary music.

Suggested Itineraries in The Berkshires:

MASS MoCA

Explore the captivating artistic scene in the Massachusetts Berkshires yourself. All Roads North will pair you with artists and expert guides to introduce you to the heart of the region. 

Start with some inspiration from these itineraries: 

Luxury New England Road Trip – Meet Boston academics, Maine lobstermen, and brewers from Vermont, while staying in style at some of the region’s top hotels.

New York to Montreal Road Trip: Where Past Meets Present – Whether exploring the Great Camps of the Adirondacks, cheering on your horse at Saratoga Springs or biking amongst the outdoor exhibits of a forward-thinking art center in Hudson Valley, this New York to Montreal road trip balances the glamor of an era gone by with the area’s forward-thinking, contemporary heart.

The post New England’s Cultural Mecca: A Luxury Guide to The Berkshires appeared first on All Roads North.