As anyone living on the South Shore knows, one of the best perks of the area is the beaches. Tourists travel to Massachusetts to enjoy the miles of serene coastline every year. But, sometimes, every woman needs a little more than a beach chair and a good book to get away.

As fall approaches and the beach days wane, it's the perfect time to escape the norm and explore a new place. Here are several autumn travel ideas (no fall foliage here!) that only require a long weekend and not a lot of cash. You'll be surprised just how much it will refresh you.

Newport, RI:
Live like a Vanderbilt ... at least for a few hours. Tour the Newport Mansions in fall and get a sense of amazing wealth and history. Touring schedules vary by home, but some of the best ones to visit include The Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff and The Elms. Even though Newport is known for its beaches, fall is still a perfect time to explore the grounds of these mansions, which overlook the Atlantic. Be sure to stroll the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk.

New York City:
Theater lovers should head to New York City in the fall as September signals a new Broadway season. Fall is also a good time to score great hotel deals, since many have vacancies before the holiday season ramps up in November and December.

Orlando:If you're bringing the family along, fall is one of the best times to venture to Orlando. The summer heat has subsided and the crowds are significantly lighter at theme parks. You'll spend less time in lines, which means a three- or four-day getaway won't feel so rushed.

Las Vegas: And of course, there's always Las Vegas. There's never really a bad time to visit 'The Strip', but travelers have enjoyed especially low rates at hotels and other perks because of the economic downturn. If you're planning on heading to Vegas, do your research. It's likely you'll find amazing deals at top-notch hotels with a bunch of extras, like room upgrades and activity credits, thrown in.

Spa Vacations:
Since hotels and resorts have been feeling the pinch this year, many have been offering free nights and spa treatments. Now is the time to grab the girls and get pampered, especially before the hectic holiday season. You don't have to go far to recharge. Hop in the car and head to Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass. The resort/spa is all-inclusive, which means meals, room and other things are part of one price. Or, if you really want to get away, book a flight to the West Coast. One of my personal favorites is La Rancho Las Palmas in Palm Springs, Calif. The recently-renovated resort has three pools and a lazy river, as well as great spa treatments all surrounded by the California desert. Talk about a change of scenery.

As the air turns crisp and the days get shorter, consider fall the best time to vacation. It gives you something to look forward to and makes this otherwise busy season a bit more relaxing.

By Jennifer Jope

Jennifer Jope is the Cheapflights.com Newsletter Editor and daily contributor to the Cheapflights Flights and Travel News Blog. She spends her days searching out the best travel deals and her nights dreaming of the next place she'll visit. She earned her M.A. at Emerson College in Boston and her work has appeared in several Boston-area newspapers, Body1.com and Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing newsletter.

More Featured Articles