Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

Fall is highlighted as an ideal travel season due to comfortable weather, lower prices and fewer crowds.
The article spotlights five cities—New York, London, Las Vegas, Rome and Miami—offering unique tours and activities beyond typical sightseeing.
Suggestions include architecture cruises, food tours, ghost walks, outdoor adventures and hands-on cultural experiences.
Tripadvisor is recommended as a platform for booking tours and activities in these destinations.

What to consider

Some tours include exclusive access, skip-the-line privileges or private group options, which may require advance booking.
Weather and seasonal factors, such as hurricane season in Miami, can affect tour availability and experience.
Certain activities have age restrictions or group size caps, so review details before booking.

What you'll miss from the article

A curated list of standout tours and insider experiences in each featured city, including tips for making the most of fall travel.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

The fall is (in many ways) the perfect time to travel. With moderate but still comfortable temperatures, beautiful fall foliage, lower prices ahead of the holidays and fewer crowds coming out of summer, you can enjoy a memorable vacation at many destinations across the U.S. and around the world.

If you’re looking for more than just picturesque landscapes, look no further than Tripadvisor. You may be most familiar with Tripadvisor’s hotel reviews, but did you know that you can also book activities and tours right from the site?

If you’re on the lookout for atypical fall trip ideas in popular destinations, here are five cities around the world worth a visit — including some fun activities in each.

New York City

The Brooklyn Bridge looking toward the Manhattan skyline at sunrise in the fall — ONFOKUS/GETTY IMAGES

There’s never a shortage of things to do in the Big Apple, especially in fall. You can spend your time admiring the leaves in Central Park, visiting the Statue of Liberty or taking in a Broadway show.

Or, consider branching out with one of the following activities.

Admire Manhattan architecture on a yacht

This Manhattan architecture yacht cruise shows you another side of this world-class city. Led by a trained architect, this tour takes you on a cruise around Manhattan in a 1920s-style yacht. You’ll learn about the city’s architectural history, its most famous skyscrapers and its riverfront construction.

See Manhattan from the sky

Take in city views like no other with a tour of New York by helicopter. This trip takes you around iconic New York monuments, including the Empire State Building, Central Park and even the Statue of Liberty.

Spend some time in the other boroughs

An all-day tour of New York’s boroughs is another way to fill your time while celebrating the diverse culture of the city. On a New York City bus tour of Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens, you’ll check out spots like Harlem’s Apollo Theater and downtown Flushing (also known as Queens’ Chinatown). The tour is led by a professional tour guide and includes comfortable transportation around the city.

Eat your way through the Lower East Side

A trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without indulging in some of the world’s best restaurants. On this food tour of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, your guide will reveal hidden gems that you otherwise may never find as a tourist. Your tour includes additional insight into the history of the neighborhood, as well as its food culture.

London

Another world-class city, London is a convenient nonstop flight from New York City — making it a great option for a fall getaway during a long weekend. The activities below will take you outside the usual tourist spots and show you another side of this city that you may not have known existed.

Join a proper food tour of London

Take a stroll around London Bridge and the Soho neighborhood on a walking food tour from Secret Food Tours. The 3.5-hour tour is a deep dive into the London culinary scene and includes tailored recommendations from an experienced tour guide. You could even splurge for a private version for your group to enjoy quality time while eating delicious food.

Discover London’s dark history

Just in time for Halloween, you can take a ghost tour of London that includes a cruise on the River Thames. On this tour, your guide will walk you past haunted houses and other places known for supernatural activity. Thanks to the evening start time of this tour, you’ll experience London with fewer crowds to take in lit-up landmarks such as the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.

Solve the mystery of Stonehenge

Make some time during your visit to London to take a detour to Stonehenge. No one is certain why the UNESCO World Heritage Site exists or what it was used for in prehistoric times, but it’s definitely worth a visit. On this full-day tour from London, you’ll get inner-circle access so you can see the stones up close.

With this tour, you can also elect to add on a stop at Windsor, home to Windsor Castle, the official residence of 40 British monarchs.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is so much more than its Sin City nickname indicates. In fact, fall is one of the most comfortable times to explore the city and beyond. So, put aside those chips and take your chances with some of these fabulous tours.

Kayak on the Colorado River

This tour will take you on a kayaking tour of the Colorado River. The three-hour, round-trip journey includes the option of pickup from your hotel and takes you along 5 miles of river as well as the Black Canyon. Keep an eye out for animals like desert bighorn sheep and bald eagles. The final stop on the tour is Emerald Cave.

Visit all the sites on 1 tour

The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Seven Magic Mountains art installation can all be seen in one day on this tour. This trip even stops for a picture at the famous Las Vegas sign. You can opt for an upgraded tour that includes a walk on the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Raise the stakes with an all-terrain-vehicle tour

This tour takes you to the Mojave Desert for a guided ATV tour. You and your loved ones can ride for 1.5 hours on a private track. Helmets, goggles and gloves are included in the tour price — as well as pickup and drop-off from the Las Vegas Strip.

Rome

If it seems like everyone on your social media feeds went to Italy this year, you’re not alone. However, it’s not too late for you to pay a visit. In fact, fall is an ideal time to go to Europe thanks to fewer crowds and cooler weather — and the Italian city that should be at the top of your list this year is Rome.

Skip the line at the Vatican — and more

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. On this tour, you’ll get to skip the line and join a small (or private) group to take in the splendor of these historical places. You’ll also visit the Vatican Museums where you can see sculptures, Renaissance masterpieces and more.

Don’t forget about a food tour

Experience a food tour with Eating Europe, the leading food tour of the Trastevere neighborhood for almost a decade. On the four-hour tour, you’ll be granted exclusive access to two of Rome’s most popular restaurants: Da Enzo and Rione 13. You’ll also get to visit the oldest wine cellar in all of Rome and end the night with organic gelato (of course!).

Learn to make pasta like a pro

Take some of the delicious cuisines of Italy home with you when you learn the secret to making pasta on this tour. Here you’ll learn how to make pasta dough and tiramisu during a hands-on cooking class. The best part? You’ll enjoy the meal you prepare at the end of the class.

Tour the Eternal City by Vespa

Tour Rome’s most famous landmarks on Italy’s most famous ride: the Vespa scooter. Sites on this three-hour guided tour include the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Trevi Fountain. The tour even includes stops for gelato, coffee and tea. A helmet will be provided for your use.

Miami

Miami is a warm-weather destination all year long, and while fall includes the tail end of hurricane season, the tours listed here can make the trip worth it.

Enjoy a Cuban food tour in Little Havana

On this walking tour of Little Havana in Miami, you’ll try Cuban food during a full lunch. Your expert guide will tell you about each new food item you try, and you’re guaranteed to be a part of a small group. The tour also includes visits with local artists and a cigar-rolling demonstration.

Take a nature walk in the Everglades

This two-for-one tour includes a nature walk and an airboat ride in Everglades National Park. First, a naturalist guide will take you on a relaxing walk to see a variety of birds and wild alligators. Then, you’ll get your adrenaline pumping on an airboat ride on the River of Grass to visit a native tree island village. Pickup and drop-off are available from Fort Lauderdale- and Miami-area hotels, as well as Port Miami.

Check out the art district on a bar crawl

This bar crawl through three of the best bars in Miami’s art district is sure to be a fun way to spend an evening. Capped at just 15 people — everyone must be at least 21 years old — the tour takes place in the Wynwood neighborhood and includes a driver and guide, music and a souvenir cup.

Bottom line

As you think about an upcoming fall trip, keep these destinations in mind — and then visit Tripadvisor when it’s time to book your activities. From New York to Las Vegas to Rome, these cities (and more) have hundreds of tours listed on Tripadvisor to suit every kind of traveler.

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American Express® Gold Card

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Apply now at American Express's secure site.
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Rewards rate

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

If you’re on the lookout for atypical fall trip ideas in popular destinations, here are five cities around the world worth a visit — including some fun activities in each.