Top Eco-Entertaining Tips:

1. Avoid plastic and paper and use cloth napkins, glasses and dishes. 2. Get fresh, local ingredients from your farmers' market, found on LocalHarvest.org. 3. Serve organic wines and spirits. Cheers!

40 Close-to-Home Eco Excursions to Try This Fall

Looking for a weekend getaway this fall? Why not skip the carbon-heavy flights to exotic locales and stay a little closer to home? American cities are chock-full of adventures for the eco-minded, and we've found some of the best for you to enjoy in every corner of the country.

by M.C. Milker

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Prime your green radar and you can find lots of planet-friendly activities in your area, including a visit to one of over 4,000 farmers' markets in the United States. Or what about relaxing at a green spa and luxuriating in good-for-you and good-for-the planet treatments? For a true taste of autumn, consider picking apples, viewing the vibrant colors of fall or indulging in a tasty, seasonal organic meal.

You can also learn more about nature by visiting a farm, going birding or joining an eco tour of one of our magnificent parks — the more you know about our natural resources, the more you'll care. So why not skip the gas-guzzling holiday altogether and spend some time eco-exploring your home town? After all, slow travel is oh-so-chic these days! And once you've read our suggestions, tell us about your favorite nearby natural, organic, low emissions-producing destination in a comment below.