5 Design Travel Destinations Not To Be Missed In October

If you are a design lover, from Mexico City to the Hudson Valley, these are the Top 5 design travel destinations you should not miss this October.

The month of October, with Columbus Day weekend and plenty of events surrounding it, is an ideal time to plan a trip, whether you want just a quick weekend getaway or a more-extended, international vacation.

Mexico City

It’s no secret that Mexico City is one of the world’s foremost destinations for design these days, and with Design Week Mexico returning for its ninth edition, Mexico’s capital is positively booming. This year, it will host Switzerland as guest country and Puebla as guest state, honoring the area’s craftsmen, who make traditional Talavera pottery, textiles, and glassware. It’s also gearing up to be the World Design Capital 2018, making this the perfect time to visit

Cincinnati, Ohio

The inaugural Blink festival is expected to be one of the country’s largest light, art, and projection mapping events. Slated for October 12–15, it will span 20 city blocks and feature murals, light installations, and interactive art. Though often overlooked, the Queen City has plenty to offer art and architecture lovers in need of a weekend getaway. Check into the 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, home to more than 8,000 square feet of exhibition space, an acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with fantastic views. Don’t miss the Zaha Hadid–designed Contemporary Arts Center while you’re in town.

Washington D.C.

The Smithsonian’s Freer | Sackler museum in Washington, D.C., is set to reopen after a nearly two-year renovation. For opening weekend, October 14–15, the museum’s façade will be transformed into a canvas for a 12-minute animated work called “A Perfect Harmony” by 59 Productions. The Tony Award–winning artists have created pieces for premier theaters from the Metropolitan Opera to the Sydney Opera House, so you can be sure it’ll be good.

Shenzhen, China

Park + Associates: Architecture as a Way of Life

China’s manufacturing megalopolis is one of the world’s most up-and-coming design destinations, thanks in part to the impending opening of the country’s first ever design museum. The result of a groundbreaking collaboration between London’s V&A and China Merchants Shekou, the museum will be part of the new Design Society complex. Luxury travelers will find an array of five-star hotels, including the Four Seasons, St. Regis, Langham, and Shangri-La.

The Hudson Valley, New York

For New Yorkers looking for a weekend getaway, October is peak foliage time in the Hudson Valley, with the trees turning vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. This fall, the area will welcome a few exciting new accommodations. Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio will debut the Wick, a boutique hotel in a 19th-century candle-making factory in the charming town of Hudson.