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Head to Helen, Georgia, for the town’s annual Oktoberfest
ALPINE HELEN/WHITE COUNTY CVB
GEORGIA
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Style
Experience America's longest-running Oktoberfest in Helen, Georgia, a mountain town styled like a Bavarian village. The 55th annual celebration at the Helen Festhalle offers a family-friendly atmosphere with live German music, dancing and traditional food like bratwurst and sauerkraut.
Running daily through Nov. 2, the event features authentic polka and German music from performers including the Alex Meixner Band and the Johnny Koenig Band. Join the festivities for a taste of German culture and enjoy a special costume contest planned for Halloween night.
Click here for more October events.
The Vanguard Ann Arbor, Michigan
HOBERT JONES
MICHIGAN
New Ann Arbor Hotel Earns AAA Four Diamond Designation
After opening its doors only a few months ago, The Vanguard Ann Arbor, Autograph Collection has earned the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award. This award recognizes upscale hotels that offer stylish surroundings and attentive service, ensuring a memorable experience for every guest.
Located just steps from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the boutique hotel features modern rooms with luxurious bedding and custom furnishings. Inspired by James Burrill Angell, the University of Michigan's longest-serving president, the hotel reflects his philosophy of "an uncommon education for the common man." Its design features muted tones, vintage travel-inspired details and custom finishes that evoke Angell's global travels.
The hotel is also home to La Serre Brasserie, a French-inspired restaurant with a vibrant greenhouse-style space. The decor is inspired by naturalist John James Audubon. With a menu blending classic French traditions and locally sourced ingredients, standout dishes include a sumptuous short rib entrée and a lively raw bar. Whether for a morning espresso or a leisurely dinner, La Serre offers an extraordinary dining experience.
Blending sophisticated style with warm hospitality, The Vanguard is the ideal destination for your next visit to Ann Arbor.
AAA Members save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking through AAA.
Chicago Guide Available
Discover the vibrant energy of Chicago with the new AAA Chicago Guide! From iconic deep-dish pizza to the historic starting point of Route 66, this guide is your ultimate companion for exploring the Windy City’s rich culture, bold flavors, thrill of professional sports and unforgettable attractions. Start planning your adventure today! View the Chicago guide.
Shopping at the Southern Christmas Show
SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS SHOW
NORTH CAROLINA
Southern Christmas Show Returns
The 58th Annual Southern Christmas Show returns to The Park Expo and Conference Center in Charlotte, North Carolina from Thursday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. This year’s theme is Santa’s Workshop, promising a festive wonderland brimming with holiday magic. You can explore over 400 holiday vendors, admire dazzling designer rooms on Christmas Tree Lane and visit Santa Claus himself.
Choirs and entertainers will perform daily on the LeafFilter Holiday Entertainment Stage. The show offers special ticketed events, including a Preview Night on November 12 and an Early Bird VIP Shopper Morning on November 15.
Click here for more upcoming local events.
Members of the ‘Hertz Gold Squad’
hertz
NATIONWIDE
Hertz ‘Gold Squad’ Brings Joy to Airports
Traveling can be stressful, but Hertz is making the journey a little more golden. The company is introducing its 'Gold Squad,' a team of friendly Golden Retrievers, to greet weary travelers at select U.S. airports. These furry ambassadors aim to bring comfort and cuddles during busy travel times.
The squad recently debuted at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, and now you can help decide where they go next by voting on Hertz’s social media channels. You can also sign up for the free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program for faster rentals. Follow the 'Hertz Gold Squad' on social media to track their adorable adventures.
Like status? AAA Members can join Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® for free. Get one free day after your first Gold rental*. Visit AAA.com/CarRental to learn more.
*Gold terms apply. Visit AAA.com/CarRental for complete terms and conditions.
Shalimar Beach Resort rendering
SHALIMAR BEACH RESORT
FLORIDA
Shalimar Beach Resort Now Open
The scent of salt and possibility hangs in the air on Sanibel Island where a beloved classic is being reborn. Shalimar Beach Resort is now welcoming guests with a completely new 33-unit property. It stands proudly on 360 feet of private beachfront a place rich with history since 1959.
The new design honors its "old Florida" roots while offering modern comforts and a stunning rooftop deck. Guests can choose from one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas, which are thoughtfully designed with modern furnishings, full kitchens and private patios or balconies with breathtaking Gulf views. For those seeking a more traditional stay, the 21 hotel studio rooms offer comfortable accommodations with full-equipped kitchen nooks just steps from the beach. Shalimar’s prime location also makes it easy to explore the island’s unique shops, local restaurants, and famous wildlife preserves. Shalimar Beach Resort is now taking reservations.
Make reservations for Shalimar Beach Resort.
Graceland’s exterior decorated for Christmas
MEMPHIS TOURISM/ALEX Shansky
TENNESSEE
Enjoy a Festive Weekend at Graceland
Elvis Presley's Graceland will host its annual Holiday Lighting Weekend from Nov. 20–22, 2025. The celebration begins with a free public lighting ceremony on Thursday evening, illuminating the mansion and its grounds with hundreds of blue lights and festive decorations.
The weekend features nighttime concerts at the Graceland Soundstage including A Rockin’ Memphis Christmas and Dean Z’s Ultimate Elvis Christmas Show. Daytime events include a dueling piano show and a special "Elvis 101" presentation with the Graceland Archives vice president. Package holders can enjoy exclusive nighttime tours of the festively decorated mansion, offering a unique look at how Elvis celebrated the holidays. This magical weekend in Memphis is filled with music lights and holiday cheer.
New Music Museum Opens in Nashville
A new cultural landmark is tuning up in the heart of downtown Nashville. The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music (The C&G) celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 3, 2025. This institution is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history and impact of Christian and Gospel music.
You can explore the genre's journey through powerful storytelling and immersive experiences. The museum features interactive exhibits where you can remix iconic songs listen to unforgettable testimonies and connect with the music's legacy. It also serves as the first-ever permanent home for the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame honoring nearly 200 pioneers.
More than just a collection of artifacts, The C&G is a living space for live performances workshops and artist encounters. Get ready to experience the heart and soul of gospel music in a place where faith and harmony come together. This is a must-visit destination in Music City.
Click here to read: 15 of the Best Music Museums and Experiences in the U.S.
Douriean Fletcher, Messenger Collection, gold and semi-precious stones, c. 2021
Courtesy of artist/Museum of Arts and Design
NEW YORK
Jewelry of Douriean Fletcher Exhibit
This fall, explore the powerful world of adornment at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City. Now through March 15, 2026, you can experience Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture, the first major museum exhibition dedicated to the innovative artist.
Discover over 150 stunning works that blend ancestral traditions with futuristic visions. Fletcher’s jewelry tells compelling stories of Black identity and empowerment. You will see iconic pieces she designed for blockbuster films like Black Panther, offering a fascinating look at how adornment shapes cinematic worlds.
Visit AAA.com/TripCanvas for more New York City information and hotel reservations.
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Local Events—October
