Got Plans This Fall? 10 Immersive Experiences Worth Traveling For

Fall is one of my favorite times to plan trips—not just for the crisp air and changing leaves, but because so many once-a-year events pop up that you can’t really replicate anywhere else.

For years, I’ve had the Minnesota State Fair on my list (aka one of the biggest state fairs in the USA!), but this season I’ve added two new obsessions: the Stranger Things Broadway show and the Squid Game Experience, both in New York City.

Honestly, I’m this close to planning an impromptu trip just so I can binge pizza, bagels, and Netflix-themed goodness all in one weekend.

Whether you’re into food, film, music, or something a little quirky, here are some of the best festivals, events, and immersive experiences worth traveling for this fall.

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Table of Contents

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience (Chicago)

No no, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience isn’t a theme park ride—it’s a nighttime walk through a real forest near Chicago where glowing light installations bring Hogwarts creatures to life (think Hippogriffs, Nifflers, unicorns, etc.).

You’ll follow an illuminated path, cast a Patronus, and spot familiar magical moments from the Wizarding World—all designed by theatrical pros that’ve already enchanted over 2 million fans globally.

It’s family-friendly, with timed tickets starting at about $46 for adults, $31 for kids, and likely to sell out fast once Halloween rolls around!

Squid Game: The Experience (NYC)

Based on yet another Netflix phenomenon, Squid Game: The Experience sets up in NYC and brings you inside the dystopian world of Squid Game.

You won’t be playing for your life, but interactive sets and costumed staff recreate the vibe of the games—think dorm-style corridors, giant doll, the tension of giant red-light/green-light spaces. It’s ideal for fans wanting to step into the show’s dark, polished aesthetic… but in real life.

Just know it’s fun, theatrical, and photo-friendly — not a true survival gauntlet!

This experience typically does limited-time runs in various cities (Seoul, London, Madrid), but right now, you’ll find it debuting in the USA in New York City.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow (NYC / London)

Stranger Things Broadway — Courtesy of Broadway Direct

If you’ve watched Stranger Things on Netflix (and chances are, you have), this Tony-winning prequel play takes you back to Hawkins in 1959 to meet Henry Creel—yes, it’s Vecna’s origin story.

Expect a lot of the younger versions of characters you already care about to make an appearance, too!

Production value is top-notch; it’s Broadway and the West End, after all! The staging uses gravity-defying stunts, levitating cats, cracked mirrors, and powerful emotional beats that make it feel fresh even if you’re theater-averse. Reviewers say even non-fans get pulled in as the atmosphere and effects stand on their own.

Want full immersion? Catch up on the show before you go—knowing the lore makes the Easter eggs that much more fun.

Pro Tip: Look for tickets on StubHub closer to the date of the show you want to catch. You may very well find steeply discounted tickets there!

Haunted Happenings (Salem, MA)

During the spooky month of October, Salem leans into its witch-trial history with a Halloween-meets-fall-festival atmosphere. It’s called Haunted Happenings, and it’s pure delight for Halloween lovers and fans of all things witchiness!

Streets fill with costumed visitors, haunted house tours, psychic readings, ghost walks, and pop-up witch markets. Local museums and historic sites host special events, and you’ll find spooky photo ops on almost every corner.

If you want the most festive weekend, aim for the days leading up to Halloween—but book accommodations early because the town sells out FAST every year.

Where to stay for Haunted Happenings

If you’re lucky enough to snag a room at Hawthorne Hotel in October, this is THE place to stay for the Halloween festivities!

Registered as a Historic Hotels of America, the Hawthorne is home to charming guest rooms and the “bucket list” Halloween Ball. It’s also located just next to the Salem Witch Museum and Salem Common.

Minnesota State Fair (Falcon Heights, MN)

Spread over 12 days from late Aug to early Sept, the Minnesota State Fair is America’s biggest “food-on-a-stick” festival—you’ll find everything from deep-fried pickles to giant LEGO sculptures and live music.

It’s Midwestern fun at its finest and feels like the best parts of home-state pride mashed into a massive event.

In total, the fair lists 275 food vendors and another 600-something shops, 30 Kidway rides, 26 Mighty Midway rides, and four adventure park attractions — not to mention stand-alone attractions like the butterfly house, haunted house, the Sky-rider, the Giant Slide and the Great Big Wheel.

If you want to experience the epic state fair magic, aim to get there early, map out the food vendors, and don’t skip the daily pancake breakfast or the heavy-hitting Grandstand shows—locals swear by those.

Oktoberfest (Munich, Germany)

Honestly, Oktoberfest needs no introduction. It’s renowned as the world’s biggest beer festival, where giant tents, overflowing steins, Bavarian bands, and endless bratwurst turn Munich into one massive party.

This world-famous beer festival takes over Munich every year from mid-September to early October, complete with endless pretzels, beer, oompah bands, carnival rides, and locals in full lederhosen and dirndls.

It’s loud, crowded, and joyful—part tradition, part full-on party.

Pro Tip: Book a table inside a tent well in advance, or you’ll be wandering trying to snag a spot. Even if you’re not a big beer drinker, the atmosphere alone makes it worth experiencing at least once.

Looking for Oktoberfest closer to home?

If hopping on a plane to Munich isn’t in the cards, Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest (aka Zinzinnati) is the next best thing—and honestly, it might be easier to enjoy since you can experience all the beer, brats, and Bavarian spirit without the overseas flight.

Día de los Muertos (Oaxaca, Mexico)

In late October and early November, Oaxaca becomes a living canvas of color and tradition during Día de los Muertos, aka Day of the Dead.

Streets are alive with parades featuring oversized skeleton puppets, brass bands, and dancers, while cemeteries glow from thousands of candles illuminating marigold-strewn graves. Families gather at elaborately decorated altars, not just to mourn but to welcome back their loved ones with food, drink, and offerings.

As a visitor, you’ll spend your days wandering between processions, tasting tamales and pan de muerto, and soaking in a uniquely moving celebration that blends joy and remembrance.

Looking for Day of the Dead closer to home?

San Antonio is home to one of the country’s largest celebrations of Día de los Muertos! This free two-day event at the end of October is held at Hemisfair in San Antonio – the site of the 1968 World’s Fair that’s now being transformed into an urban neighborhood.

If a trip to Oaxaca isn’t realistic this year, San Antonio’s festival is one of the best U.S. alternatives. The city leans into its deep Mexican heritage, so you’ll still experience authentic altars, music, and traditions without leaving the country.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

Every October, Albuquerque’s skies turn into a giant work of art when hundreds of hot air balloons lift off at once. The coolest thing about it? The Balloon Fiesta event is nearly a week long.

The mornings start early, with mass ascensions at sunrise that fill the horizon with color, followed by festival grounds packed with food stalls, music, and family-friendly activities. As the sun sets, the energy shifts to the balloon glows, when baskets light up against the dark sky in a surreal, almost magical display.

It’s equal parts peaceful and electric, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking up all day long.

California Avocado Festival (Carpinteria, California)

Carpinteria proves fall doesn’t need to mean pumpkins—it can be all about avocados instead.

Each October, this small coastal town draws around 100,000 people for a laid-back festival devoted to the green fruit we’ve all been obsessed over, with three music stages pumping everything from rock and country to reggae and ska.

The food stalls are where things get playful. Expect quirky bites that include avocado ice cream, fried avocado, and even the world’s largest batch of guacamole.

A typical day might mean catching a band, snacking on avo tacos, and then heading to the beach just steps away from the festival grounds!

Nearby: Round out your weekend in SoCal

Fork n’ Film (Multiple Cities)

Fork n’ Film takes movie nights to the next level by turning iconic films into full-course dining experiences. Every event is carefully curated—the film is paired with a handcrafted menu so you’re not just watching a movie, you’re tasting it too.

Think Ratatouille with dishes straight out of the film, or a cult classic served alongside food that nods to key scenes. The concept has grown beyond Las Vegas and now pops up in cities across the U.S. (and even abroad), including San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago, Portland, and Cancún.

If you’re a film lover or a foodie, this is one of those “only-in-person” experiences worth planning a trip around.