When it comes to fall travel, the headlines can certainly be scary.
Soaring airfares amid an ongoing jet fuel crisis spurred by war in the Middle East can seem terrifying. And there's no doubt that higher costs at the pump and in the skies appear to be complicating holiday travel plans for many Americans.
However, the truth is that there are a million reasons why right now is one of the very best times to take a trip.
It's Halloween time and that means the temperatures are cooling, the leaves are changing and seasonal attractions ranging from apple orchards and corn mazes to haunted hayrides, houses and other sites are opening up all across the U.S.
Whether exploring a popular pumpkin patch or immersing yourself in Universal's spine-tingling Halloween Horror Nights, this season is screaming out for travel.
What's more, spooky season coincides with shoulder season, the period of time between the summer peak and holiday season surge in travel where Americans with some flexibility in the office and at home can capitalize on lower rates and fewer crowds.
Countless travel deals make this October a great time to book, whether you're looking for a last-minute escape or a dream vacation down the road.
Car driving through colorful fall forest. (Photo Credit: Adobe/New Africa)
This is also a phenomenal time of year for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, with a plethora of marquee running and endurance events taking place in some of the nation's most coveted destinations.
The Chicago Marathon took over the Windy City just last weekend; Baltimore will celebrate the 26th anniversary of its popular running festival this coming weekend and the iconic TCS New York City Marathon will descend on the Big Apple on Halloween Weekend.
Sports fans should also be enticed to plan travel this spooky season ahead of the Sports Equinox on October 26. This is the rare day when all four major North American sports leagues will be in action, including the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.
The expansion of Starlink and ultra-fast Wi-Fi across major airlines' fleets means that fans don't even have to miss a play en route to their destination, as they can stream their favorite teams and matchups directly to their seatback screens and devices.
Now is even the perfect time to start planning a national park experience. After all, October 27 is a free-admission day at parks across the country to celebrate Theodore Roosevelt's birthday.
When it comes to spooky season travel, there are no tricks, only treats.
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