The rich colors of autumn, along with many other benefits, are inspiring more travelers to book fall getaways. With Columbus Day weekend upon us, many people are booking escapes for the long weekend.

This year, AAA Western and Central New York saw a new trend with travelers booking fall foliage trips in advance - even in August! The top destinations for Western and Central New Yorkers include: Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont for fall foliage tours.  Requests for fall winery tours are also on the rise – the Finger lakes are popular along with the Niagara Wine Trail and Niagara on the Lake. Top destinations are based on local AAA TripTik and map requests. Ellicottville’s Fall Festival will also be a draw over the holiday weekend.

“Beginning in August, we started to see an increase in requests for fall foliage tours,” said Brian Murray, director of travel at AAA Western and Central New York. “Fall is a wonderful time to take a trip and enjoy the scenery. Acadia National Park is one of my favorites while Orlando is also getting into the Halloween spirit more and more every year.”

Orlando is a top destination for those taking to the skies this fall. Disney World features “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween” while Universal Orlando Resort gets spooky with its “Halloween Horror Nights.”

AAA WCNY has a Haunted Happenings group tour planned to Salem, MA in October. For an eerie getaway closer to home, consider the Haunted History Trail of New York State - a collection of creepy, spooky and downright haunted locations across the state ranging from an overnight in a haunted inn to a true ghost hunt.

Besides the tricks, there are lots of treats that go hand in hand with fall travel. A 2017 survey from AAA showed that many travelers enjoy these benefits of taking a fall trip:

• Fewer crowds and children (68 percent)
• Weather that is more favorable (63 percent)
• The opportunity to find better value for the cost of their trip (55 percent)

To predict the best time to view fall foliage, AAA WCNY recommends Leafpeepers or I Love New York websites.

Before setting out on a fall getaway, travelers should contact their local AAA office for the expert advice of a trusted travel advisor who can provide personalized service and in-depth destination knowledge to create a memorable vacation experience. For more information about fall travel or to begin planning a trip, visit AAA.com/Travel.

Travelers can always use the AAA app to map a route, find gas prices, access member discounts, make travel arrangements, request AAA roadside assistance, find Approved Auto Repair facilities, and more. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.