Top US Cities to Visit in Autumn 2014

The USA is truly a year-round destination and after the busy summer months there is an unparalleled host of events to enjoy for those making the journey across the pond. Here is our pick of the best US cities to visit in autumn 2014.

Orlando

Autumn means Halloween and there are few places that pull out all the stops as much as Orlando. Florida’s famous theme park attractions host an array of ghoulish goings on during October in the lead up to the big night.

Walt Disney World is hosting Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – a combination of trick or treating and light-hearted Halloween parades that’s ideal for kids. As the name suggests, it’s more family friendly than some Halloween events and runs from 1st September through to the big night. Legoland Florida’s contribution is Brick or Treat – an event that sees scary Lego figures hidden around the park as part of a scavenger hunt.

Adults may find Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights more up their street. It features terrifying haunted houses based on real life horror films. This year’s events include Dracula Untold and Alien v Predator themed houses.

New York

There’s never a shortage of activities in The Big Apple, whenever you visit. The weather is arguably at its best during autumn in New York without the heat and humidity of the summer or the freezing temperatures of the winter, and an added bonus of smaller crowds. The Columbus Day Parade on the national holiday at the beginning of October is an entertaining lower-key alternative to the big Thanksgiving and Christmas parades but still features over 35,000 participants every year.

There are also plenty of Halloween attractions to enjoy. October 31st sees the Village Halloween parade wind through the East Village. Unlike other New York parades, the public can join in the procession in their own costumes and be a part of the spectacle. Blood Manor is another must visit attraction at the end of October. Blood Manor is renowned as the best haunted house in New York City and includes almost 5,000 square feet of labyrinth hallways, themed rooms and “actors” in spooky, fake blood-covered costumes.

Open House New York is another great reason to visit New York at this time of year. This annual event sees over 150 of the city’s coolest and most exclusive architectural sites, private homes and landmarks opened to the public, plus other exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and programmes.

Miami

If you’re looking to prolong the British summer a little longer, how about Miami? Found on Florida’s sun kissed east coast, Miami’s weather stays sunny and warm during the autumn months, with temperatures around the mid twenties.

When they’re not sunning themselves on the beach, visitors to Miami can enjoy the popular Grovetoberfest which arrives in Miami in October and features over two hundred beers from around the world, not to mention a kitchen lab with plenty of beer-infused dishes to try. Guests can kick back in picturesque Peacock Park, which makes it the "most scenic beer festival in the world".