8 reasons to get excited about fall travel

While summer officially ends on September 22, for many, the season truly wraps up the Tuesday following Labor Day, considered the unofficial close of summer.

Extended weekends, taking a day off for beach outings, summer barbecues, and late-night ice cream runs while it's still light out: Few joys in life compare to these cherished summer rituals.

Although I savor these moments, my upbringing in the Midwest and my time spent in New York City and Washington, D.C. have made me associate summer with sticky heat and humidity (not ideal for someone prone to sweating).

My ongoing quest for cooler temperatures has brought me to Chicago, which, ironically, is one of the top summer destinations in the U.S. — a reward earned only after enduring harsh winters and springs, where snow can linger into April and coats remain necessary in May.

No matter where I find myself, I always eagerly anticipate what I consider the finest season: fall.

For those like me who cherish the onset of fall more than any other time of year, I am delighted to share this list of reasons to embrace fall travel. (Or, from another angle, reasons to avoid feeling down about summer's departure.)

You can embark on road trips to soak in the stunning fall foliage.

When it comes to fall foliage, the charming towns of the Berkshires and Stowe, Vermont, often spring to mind. However, there are likely picturesque spots to enjoy the changing leaves near you, such as Mackinac Island in Michigan, Gatlinburg in Tennessee, and even Napa Valley in California — plenty of locations across the U.S. to witness the vibrant leaf transformations.

From the top small cities and towns in the U.S. to visit during the autumn foliage to 10 amazing train journeys ideal for leaf peeping, there’s a wealth of destinations to consider for your fall bucket list and more.

School is back in session for the kids.

Even as a childless millennial, I can envision the sigh of relief parents let out when their children return to school.

One of my favorite aspects of the new school year was undoubtedly the back-to-school shopping. This can be a win-win for everyone involved, as there are numerous ways to use points and miles to enhance your back-to-school spending. (And remember, you don’t have to be a student or have kids to take advantage of the deals during this shopping season.)

Always ensure you maximize your shopping purchases. Utilize welcome bonuses from new travel rewards credit cards, take advantage of spending categories that offer bonus rewards on cards in your wallet, and utilize online shopping portals that provide additional rewards on top of the regular earnings for your purchases.

Autumn marks the season for witnessing the northern lights.

If spotting the northern lights is on your list of experiences, autumn is an excellent time to make it happen. You can visit one of the Nordic nations (Iceland, Norway, Finland, or Sweden) or stay closer to home in places like Alaska or Canada. However, your best chance for seeing the auroras is by venturing above the Arctic Circle.

Depending on where you are, the viewing season for the aurora borealis typically starts in late August and runs through mid-May.

With the increasing interest from travelers wanting to see the northern lights, we suggest utilizing points and miles to help offset the expenses of such a journey, as TPG's senior credit card reporter Ryan Smith did last year in Luleå, Sweden.

There's no better moment to discover the national parks.

This fall, I'm gearing up for my first visit to a national park as an adult. One reason for this is that the 400-plus National Park Service parks across the U.S. are typically most crowded during the summer months.

By choosing to visit a national park in the fall, you not only have a greater chance of avoiding the crowds, but the cooler weather can also enhance your overall experience.

As an added bonus, Saturday, Sept. 22 marks the 29th annual National Public Lands Day. This event includes one of five "Fee-Free Days" throughout the year, where entrance fees to all national parks (and other public lands) are waived. National parks also enjoy free admission on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.

It's officially shoulder season.

Just as national parks see fewer visitors in the fall compared to summer, overall travel demand decreases during this season, partly because families are less likely to travel with kids back in school.

This is great news for travelers with the flexibility to venture out in the fall, especially for those of us on the hunt for deals, whether in cash, points, or miles.

This period is referred to as shoulder season, typically spanning from September to November and January through April. Along with discounts, these off-peak times also offer cooler weather and smaller crowds.

You can also indulge in seasonal flavors.

Is there anything more quintessentially autumn than apple picking? Where there are apples, you’ll also find apple cider donuts, spiced cider, hard cider, and a host of other apple-themed treats. Food is always a good reason for me to travel.

As always, Starbucks is set to launch everyone's beloved fall drink in late August this year, when it will probably still be too warm to fully appreciate it.

However, the arrival of an August pumpkin spice latte (PSL for short) means you'll have even more time to savor your daily dose of autumnal delight.

Europe is having a sale.

This summer has been chaotic for travelers, with numerous flight cancellations and delays leading to a surge in lost baggage at airports, coupled with skyrocketing airfare.

Similar to the U.S., the tourist season in Europe also diminishes in the fall. This presents a chance to snag great flight deals to the continent this autumn, including visits to European cities best enjoyed in the fall, ranging from Mediterranean beaches to wine regions.

You don’t have to be a fall enthusiast to appreciate fall travel.

If you've made it this far and still aren't convinced that autumn is the ideal season to travel, rest easy knowing there are many fantastic reasons to explore that have nothing to do with foliage, pumpkin spice lattes, or cozy vests.

I believe that autumn is the ideal time for travel, no matter the location, due to the typically cooler weather and smaller crowds — it's truly a win-win situation.