Taking a vacation during the fall offers several advantages. The weather is often milder, making it pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Popular tourist destinations are less crowded, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.
Additionally, many places feature stunning autumn foliage, creating picturesque landscapes for travelers. Lower prices and special deals on accommodations and flights are also common during this season, making it a cost-effective time to explore new destinations.
Here are 8 of the top U.S. destinations for the fall:
Telluride, Colorado
Although winter skiing is often associated with Telluride, Colorado, its beauty can be seen year-round. An excellent time to see the stunning mountain scenery covered in vibrant leaves is early fall. If you really want to enjoy the splendor of the season, plan your visit for early September to early October. Enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and valley while taking a ride on the gondola, which operates until mid-October before returning for the winter season.
Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville is a great base for leaf-peeping treks and scenic drives through upstate region of South Carolina. Stay at the Grand Bohemian Lodge, a hotel at Reedy River Falls, and drive to Table Rock State Park and Jones Gap State Park (27 and 26 miles away, respectively) for relaxing nature experiences. When in town, take a brewery tour on your own, picnic at Falls Park, or rent a bike from Reedy Rides and pedal along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail to admire the urban foliage.
Portland, Maine
You can visit this seaside town instead of the neighboring New England states of Maine, such as Vermont and New Hampshire, to enjoy the changing leaves without having to deal with a crowd of tourists. If you like lobster, fall offers the last chance to enjoy it when it’s still fresh and plentiful. Along with the abundant marine life in these waters, Maine’s beloved crustacean is still easily accessible during the fall months. If you are out and about in October, you will have the opportunity to watch whales on their journey south.
Burlington, Vermont
One of the best destinations for a fall vacation in the United States is Burlington, Vermont, which transforms into a vibrant painting of reds, oranges and yellows during the fall season. Spend a day picking apples at one of the many orchards, exploring a pumpkin farm, or taking a drive through the scenic countryside to admire the gorgeous foliage. After your day of exploring, enjoy a few local beers at one of the town’s craft breweries.
New York, New York
Fall offers an excellent opportunity to experience New York City. Explore the city’s wide selection of stores, restaurants and museums, or treat yourself to a performance on Broadway for entertainment. Choose a hotel near Central Park like The Mark, Park Lane or JW Marriott Essex House, where some rooms offer a gorgeous view of the park so you can watch the leaves change from the comfort of your bed. Don’t forget to grab a coffee and enjoy the skyline view while taking a leisurely stroll through the colorful trees of the famous park.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
Take a vacation in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts amid lovely rolling hills painted in striking autumn colors. Lenox, Stockbridge and Pittsfield are just a few of the charming villages in this area, connected by scenic highways that show off the vibrant fall foliage. Consider a stay at the Lenox Collection, which consists of three charming inns — The Constance, The Dewey and The Whitlock — all in exquisitely restored 18th- and 19th-century buildings.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is the ideal place for a fall getaway. Walking around the charming downtown, you’ll find an abundance of unique stores, galleries, breweries and restaurants, many of which feature live entertainment. If you enjoy the outdoors, take a hike in the nearby Pisgah National Forest, where you’ll find beautiful waterfalls hidden among the dying vegetation. Alternatively, you can take a leisurely drive through part of the park to admire the breathtaking beauty.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is a desirable year-round vacation destination because of its proximity to some of the best national parks and ski areas in the country. Fall, in particular, offers a wonderful opportunity to escape the crowds and enjoy the brilliant mountain scenery. If you plan your trip for early fall, you can enjoy the pleasant weather while missing the rush of tourists during peak season, as ski season usually begins in late November. Jackson Hole is the ideal base for an autumn outdoor adventure, as it is surrounded by the natural splendor of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and an abundance of mountains and lakes.