Five Fabulous Fall Locations for Travel Nurses 2022
How many of you travel nurses are sweating buckets outside only to shiver and layer up in the hospital air conditioning this summer? While summer is still in full swing, autumn is around the corner, and you should be planning for your next travel nurse contract shortly. The fall season has been romanticized in Hallmark movies and social media worldwide, and for a good reason! Something about the crisp, cool mornings and glorious colors as the mother earth prepares to sleep for the winter calls to the romantic in many of us. Regardless of whether or not you’re a romantic, though, there’s no denying the beauty and fall festival fun in these fabulous locations for the fall this year. Mind you; they’re in no particular order; we can’t pick a favorite, but perhaps you will! Here’s our breakdown of the best places for traveling clinicians this autumn.
New Mexico
This one may surprise you by appearing on our fabulous fall list; most people associate New Mexico with hot, dry summers and excellent cuisine. Nevertheless, the truth is the state has some gorgeous locations to appreciate the fall colors and several fun fall festivals. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, the Catwalk Recreation Area, Chama Valley, the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway, and the Sunset Scenic Byway are all must-see spots for the state. The Albuquerque Balloon International Balloon Fiesta is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. No doubt, it’ll be more spectacular than in prior years. It’s a nine-day-long celebration of colors painting the skies during the day, as their lights give a spectacular show in the evening. There’s also the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Festival. This is a five-day event that consistently delivers entertainment and, you guessed it, excellent food and wines. More than 60 restaurants and 90 wineries work together to create a wining and dining experience full of flavor while showcasing local talent and expertise.
New York
There’s more to this state than the big apple. Truly, upstate New York delivers fall foliage vistas that you’ll see in magazines. In addition to the natural beauty, the fall festivals bring festivity, families, and laughter together while bundled up against the cooler weather warning of winter. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is a favorite among New Yorkers and tourists. Tour over 7,000 gourds and pumpkins lighting the night sky, all synchronized to an original soundtrack. Don’t miss the Ellicottville Fall Festival, which will offer food, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and even carnival rides, all against glorious fall foliage. The state also has its hot-air balloon festival, the Adirondack Balloon Festival, although if you miss the balloon festival, you should still discover the Adirondack in the autumn. The Catskill Mountains and Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve are drool-worthy as well. Within a train ride from the big apple, several autumn attractions include Oyster Bay, Croton Gorge Park, the Massapequa Preserve, and the Warwick Valley Apple Trail, to name a few. So many things to see and experience in this state.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania garners a lot of tourist attention due to its historical importance, yet the autumn season is garnering attention in its own right. The Poconos Mountains, the Laurel Highlands, Valley Forge National Historical Park, and French Creek State Park are all well-known fall foliage destinations, and the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival is famous nationwide. It can boast as one of the places that Oprah has endorsed. Like most festivals, you’ll enjoy live music, excellent food, goods and crafts from over 400 vendors, and several entertainment options for kids. Consider a boat tour of Lake Erie for the mirror effect as you discover Presque Isle State Park.
Colorado
Colorado is a destination primarily considered in the winter when winter sports on fluffy-looking snow-topped mountains come to mind. Nevertheless, Colorado also boasts beautiful autumn seasons, only punctuated with perhaps a crispier cold in the evenings than in some other locations. Aspen is one such place notorious for its ski resorts, and yet those Aspen trees change to bright golds and yellows perfect for fall foliage enthusiasts. All the places hikers go in the summers and the ski enthusiasts frequent in the winter offer dazzling autumn views. Moreover, the state provides a solid lineup of fall festival events, including the Mountain Harvest Festival, Elk Fest in Estes Park, Oktoberfest in Denver, and Downtown Boulder’s Fall Fest.
Maine
We couldn’t leave this one off the great fall foliage list because while many people think of lighthouses and lobster when they think of Maine, the truth is the fall season is stunning and fun. The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta focuses on the talent of growing pumpkins and provides eccentric and quirky events that you’ll likely not see at other fall festivals. The Maine Harvest Festival in Bangor brings together farm fresh food from 200 Maine farmers, while ski lifts and gondolas offer exquisite panoramas at Sunday River.
Where Will You Go this Fall?
There are so many beautiful places to visit in the fall. This list was difficult to whittle down! Where have you been in the fall that left a lasting impression in your mind? Call our recruiters today and discuss travel nurse contract opportunities in your desired autumn location. One of the great benefits of a career as a traveling clinician is the freedom to discover more than anyone, with only two weeks of vacation per year. Arrive a few days before starting your contracted work, or stay a few days after and take the opportunity to explore. Little trips and discoveries in between shifts will be just a bonus.