This time of the year is perfect for cozying up to a warm fire, exploring your favorite pumpkin patch, and sipping on spiced cider surrounded by family and friends. At IHGÒ Army Hotels, we love this time of year, as many of our favorite autumn activities are near our properties. You're only one reservation away from sharing this time of year with us at one of our comfortable and safe locations.
With more than 70 hotels across 40 U.S. installations, we are on post coast to coast, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. With convenient locations near installation benefits like the PX and the commissary, our rooms are comfy, safe, and full of amenities. Our team would love to help you make some memories this season. Here are a few ideas for things to do near our properties before winter comes.
Fireside Traditions: Campfires and S’mores
For many people, including some of our team members, there is something magical about sitting around a fire. As the cool winds lightly blow and embers dance in the air, sharing stories, songs, and s'mores is a timeless activity.
Fort Belvoir, VA: When staying at our Holiday Inn Express Knadle Hall property, you are surrounded by plenty of things to do, regardless of the season. This time of year, if you are looking for a campfire and s'mores, you have many options there as well, with numerous parks in the area.
One of our favorite spots is Mason Neck State Park. Located less than 12 miles from your room, this park is a local favorite. The park features hiking trails, playgrounds, camping areas, and rentals for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. There is also a dedicated campfire area. If you are lucky, you can even take part in one of the ranger-led Survival Skills: Campfires classes that are occasionally offered.
Fort Drum, NY: New York is another great state to forge campfire memories. When looking for the best place to unpack your s'mores-making kits, we like to recommend Wellesley Island State Park Campground. The park is a great place to enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, camping, golfing, and swimming.
There are several areas of the campgrounds that allow fires. Spend your day on the water and end the night with a warm fire surrounded by the cool breeze of the Thousand Islands region, along the St. Lawrence River. The park is only 36 minutes from Candlewood Suites Building 9090.
Pumpkin Patch Adventures
Many of our team members and guests have fond memories of annual visits to a pumpkin patch. Whether they were on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin as children or enjoyed searching for fresh pumpkin pies as an adult, pumpkin patches are a festive place to spend an autumn day.
Fort Campbell, KY: While enjoying the beauty of the Cumberland River system, there is no better place to stay than our Holiday Inn Express Turner Guesthouse. While here, you can relax in comfort and leave your worries behind. If you are looking for a pumpkin patch near the hotel, we've got you covered there as well.
The Christian Way Farm is a family-friendly space less than an hour north of the hotel. Events on the farm are seasonal, and this time of year, it's all about the pumpkin. While at the farm, you can explore the pumpkin patch, go on a hayride, get lost in the corn maze, and enjoy tasty treats at the farm's cafe. There is a small admissions fee, but a military discount is available. Most pumpkins range from $4 to $9.
Fort Sam Houston, TX: For over 20 years, Devine Acres Farm has been serving up fall fun for the family. The farm has a unique take on the pumpkin patch and has created a "Pumpkin Stroll." Along the pumpkin stroll, you can enjoy an endless sea of pumpkins, fall photo ops, and more in the farm's tree grove.
The farm is less than an hour away from our IHG Army Hotels Building 1384 on Fort Sam Houston. Don't forget to check out the farm’s choose & cut flower field, goat races, live music, beer garden, crazy desserts, and more. It will be a day filled with memories, followed by rest and relaxation in one of our nicely appointed rooms.
Sweater Weather Strolls
Enjoying the cool weather of fall doesn't always require a visit to a fun-filled farm. You can easily enjoy the season with a scenic walk wearing your favorite sweater. Here are two of our favorite places to take a stroll this time of year.
Fort Leonard Wood, MO: When in Missouri, you can't pass up the opportunity to stay at our Holiday Inn Express Foster Lodge. This newly-branded property features comfortable guestrooms, including pet-friendly rooms, and a number of complimentary amenities, including hot daily Express Start breakfast, high-speed internet, weekly socials, and guest laundry facilities. It's also close to beautiful walking trails, perfect for this time of year.
Less than ten miles from the Foster Lodge is Stone Mill Spring and Trail. The trail is rated as an easy half-mile hike around the spring, but there are additional trails nearby for those looking to experience a more rugged trek through the area. Picnic benches, tables, and a bathroom house are available on site.
Fort Carson, CO: Colorado offers countless experiences for the outdoor adventurer. From easy strolls to challenging rock climbing, the Centennial State has a little something for everyone. If you are looking for something in the middle, a hike along Blackmer Loop is just what the doctor ordered.
Blackmer Loop is a little less than four miles long and offers scenic views of Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Visitors can even see a stunning pine growing out from a boulder. The trail is only ten minutes from our Candlewood Suites Building 7306 property. So close, you could even walk to the trail in less than four miles.
Seasonal Treats & Local Comfort Foods
There are many fun activities to participate in at this time of year, but being active outdoors isn't your only option. We especially love the seasonal treats and local food favorites that make fall magical. Here are a couple we really enjoy.
Monterey, CA: When staying at our IHG Army Hotels Buildings 366 and 367 on Presidio of Monterey, you'll have no shortage of culinary treats to choose from. Nearly every type of food you could want is close by, from quick bites to some of the best restaurants in the country. We recommend checking out the Wild Plum Cafe and Bakery.
The Wild Plum is always baking up the perfect seasonal treats, and this fall that includes freshly made hand pies. They also have a full breakfast and lunch menu if you are in the mood for something more than a seasonal snack. The cafe is less than two miles from our property.
Fort Shafter, HI: While tropical vibes and palm trees might not be what comes to mind when thinking of the fall, spending some time in Hawaii this autumn could be a memorable experience. Our IHG Army Hotels Building 719property is conveniently located on Fort Shafter, right in the heart of Honolulu.
For tasty treats, make sure to check out Leonard's Bakery, an island favorite since 1952. The bakery is famous for its malasadas. A malasada is a deep-fried, Portuguese-style yeast dough fritter, similar to a doughnut but with a lighter, chewier texture, originally brought to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants. These tasty treats are less than eight miles from our hotel.
No matter where your travels take you this season, IHG Army Hotels provides the perfect home base for fall adventures. From roasting s’mores by a campfire to exploring pumpkin patches, scenic trails, and local flavors, autumn is full of cozy comforts to enjoy with family and friends. Wherever your fall travels take you, there is always an IHG Army Hotels location nearby. We look forward to sharing the joys of the season with you!
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