Summer is gone.  Fall is here.  But, that doesn't mean you can't take another vacation.  Fall's a great time to get away and recuperate from the summer vacation you took.  Where might you like to go?  Well, I have an entry on Fall Foliage Tour, so if you haven't read it, go take a look.  But, here some other noteworthy things you can do and places you can go this Fall:

 

It used to be that Halloween was reserved only for the kids.  Not anymore.  Halloween has become a big adult holiday as well, with Halloween celebrations being held for adults in most major cities.  Some cities, however, have become must-visit Halloween spots:  New York City, San Francisco, West Hollywood, and Las Vegas.

 

 

For 33 years New York City has played host to one of the largest public Halloween celebrations in the United States with New York's Village Halloween Parade, where anyone in costume is encouraged to join bands, puppets, and dancers for a parade in Greenwich Village.  The Halloween parade is so popular that is has been chosen by Events International as "The Greatest Event on Earth on October 31," as well as having been ranked 3rd by Citysearch as the best event in New York City. 

 

 

San Francisco has numerous popular Halloween festivities for residents and tourists alike.  One of the most popular events is the Halloween celebration on Castro Street, home to numerous businesses catering to Gay residents and tourists.  Here you'll find a Mardi-Gras-like atmosphere, with people in crazy costumes, live entertainment, and drag shows.  Most people come to Castro Street on Halloween to watch and be watched.  Parking is crazy, so take the Muni Metro which stops at Castro and Market. 

 

Another San Francisco Halloween tradition is the "Exotic, Erotic Ball," which is a "celebration of flesh, fetish and fantasy."  Definitely not one for the timid. There you'll find people in erotic costumes, burlesque acts, erotic games, as well as vendors with the latest in exotic, erotic fashions and products. 

 

 

This Halloween celebration takes place on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, which has a large gay and lesbian population.  The celebration usually lasts several days, with such events as "Doggy Costume" contests for you pet pooch, a Drag Race (in high heels), and a costume party on Halloween night, which is billed as the "largest adult outdoor Halloween event in the world." 

 

 

Hey, Las Vegas is fun any time of the year.  But, for those who love Halloween and an occasional trip to Vegas, a trip to Las Vegas on Halloween is extra fun.  Not for the timid is the "Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball," celebrated on October 27 in 2007.  It's been happening for 12 years now, and has earned numerous accolades, including being named as "One of the Top 10 Events in the World" by the Travel Channel and "One of 5 Events to Attend Before You Die" by Maxim Magazine. 

 

For those desiring something a little tamer, many of the casinos have special Halloween celebrations, and there's always the "Haunted Vegas Tour" you can take, which is a 2.5-hour tour of Las Vegas' favorite haunted locations. The tour starts at the Celebrity Room at the Greek Isles Hotel & Casino and runs every Saturday through Thursday. Call 702-737-5540 for more information.

 

 

Every year Atlanta answers the need for Halloween revelry with the Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade, Little Five Points being the name of the neighborhood in which it takes place.  It's been called the best Halloween parade in the South, taking place the weekend before Halloween.  The festival is suited for kids as well as grownups, so, if you're costume is a next-to-nothing, show plenty of skin number, maybe you'd be best served going to the Las Vegas Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball.

 

 

Not familiar with Day of the Dead?  Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican celebration honoring those who have died, and coincides with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, Nov. 1 and 2.  To truly experience Dia de los Muertos, you might want to head on over to Mexico, where Dia de los Muertos has become one of the biggest holidays.  Vigils take place in cemeteries, as well as night-time processions called comparsas.

 

If you can't make it to Mexico, you can visit places like Arizona, which have numerous celebrations all over Phoenix and the surrounding cities of Guadalupe, Chandler and Scottsdale.  Santa Fe, New Mexico is also a hot spot to celebrate Day of the Dead.  Whichever location you decide to visit, you're sure to find various celebrations including art shows, Mexican food, skull masks, as well as displays of altars honoring the dead.

 

 

Sure, Thanksgiving is a time for spending with family.  But, let's be honest, sometimes Thanksgiving with the family isn't the most pleasurable of events.  If you're one of those who would rather not spend time in old family dynamics, why not go away for Thanksgiving?  Do I have some suggestions?  Of course I do: 

 

 

Plymouth was the site of the first Thanksgiving, so naturally it's a place you might want to consider for your Thanksgiving celebration.  You may want to arrive the weekend before Thanksgiving to take part in the "America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade" and "New England Food Festival." 

 

 

No Pilgrims here, but what you will find are superb restaurants, such as the Carnelian Room, fifty-two floors above the city.  But, the real reason to come to San Francisco for Thanksgiving is what happens after Thanksgiving - shopping!  And, no place does shopping better than Union Square in San Francisco, which is block after block of great shopping experiences. Stay in a hotel in the Union Square area and you can shop, drop off your goodies, and shop some more.