Fall is the best season for travel because of the crisp, chilly air, and vividly coloured scenery. With cooler weather and fewer tourists, some of the nation’s top national parks are only a short drive away from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Flagstaff, Arizona. Other fall trip options include New York City and Maui. Here are 10 of the best fall travel spots for every kind of tourist, whether you want to see the changing leaves in the mountains or take advantage of a few more beach days before winter hits.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville has everything you might want in a fall trip tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. There are many distinctive stores, galleries, breweries, and restaurants in the charming downtown area. Beautiful waterfalls can be seen on hikes through the nearby Pisgah National Forest, or you can take a scenic drive through the park. Another well-known destination in Asheville is the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned property in the United States. The estate has a winery and gardens from the Gilded Age.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is a fantastic destination all year round because it is close to some of the top national parks in the nation and the busiest ski resorts. However, if you want to avoid some of the crowds and see the vibrant mountain foliage, fall is the best time to go. With Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park only a short drive away, Jackson Hole is unquestionably a gateway to autumnal outdoor adventure. You could visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art, take a trek, or even take a picturesque drive around.
New York, New York – 10 Of the Best Fall Travel Spots in The U.S.
Fall is the ideal season to visit New York City because the summer heat has passed. Visit all the city’s stores, eateries, and museums, or simply unwind by watching a Broadway performance. Choose a hotel close to Central Park so you may relax in your room while admiring the canopy of changing leaves. It’s not surprising that you’ll want to get some coffee and take in the view of the skyline as vibrant trees surround you as you stroll through the famous park.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
This beautiful region in Western Massachusetts is a hiker’s paradise or an amateur’s dream. In autumn, the area is ablaze with vibrant fall foliage. Mountains and streams are framed beautifully by red and orange leaves! Lenox, Stockbridge, and Pittsfield are just some attractive towns you can select from. You can travel between them at this time of year while viewing the vibrantly changing leaves. Three quaint inns built in buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries underwent a major renovation in 2022 where you can stay that will make the fall feel more like home.
Sonoma, California
Follow charming two-lane roads to the unrivalled Sonoma Valley, which is tucked away on the eastern edge of Sonoma County in Northern California, for a true fall retreat. California’s wine country is best visited in the fall. For wine enthusiasts, vineyard and winery tours are highly recommended, as are excursions covered in stunning red, orange, and yellow leaves at this time of year. Take a break from visiting wineries and enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and bay by taking a short stroll on the Bodega Head Trail. Don’t forget to pack some fresh fish for lunch.
Flagstaff, Arizona – 10 Of the Best Fall Travel Spots in The U.S.
Early October is the ideal time to visit Flagstaff. There is a lot to see and discover at this time of year in this Arizona city because it is bordered by national parks, monuments, and woods. To enjoy more pleasant weather and fewer crowds than in summer, you can simply take a day trip to Grand Canyon National Park, about 90 minutes away. Visit the Wupatki National Monument to learn about Native American history and culture and witness pueblos that date back 900 years. You can also see petrified wood and the hills of the Painted Desert in the Petrified Forest National Park.
Burlington, Vermont
In the fall, Burlington, Vermont, is one of the best places in the country to go on vacation because of the leaves red, orange, and yellow hues. Visit a pumpkin patch, pick your apples at one of the neighbouring orchards, or go for a leisurely drive to see the stunning foliage. Enjoy a few local beers at a town’s craft breweries after a day of touring. Additionally, the city provides lovely lodging.
Telluride, Colorado
Although Telluride is more commonly associated with winter skiing, the town in Colorado is lovely all year round. If you want to see vibrant leaves in a stunning mountain backdrop, early fall is the best time to visit. Visit in early October or September to fully enjoy the season’s delights. Take a trek or a bike ride, and go for a ride on the gondola, which operates until the middle of October, when the summer season ends, and then pauses until the start of the winter season.
Maui, Hawaii – 10 Of the Best Fall Travel Spots in The U.S.A.
One of the best seasons to visit Maui is October and the rest of the fall season. Although the vibrant fall foliage is lovely, autumn is also the ideal season to travel to beachy, tropical locations. Travel + Leisure readers frequently list Maui as one of the best islands in the world. After visiting, you’ll understand why. You can unwind on gorgeous beaches, hike through a tropical jungle, or just unwind at one of the island’s numerous exquisite resorts.
Yellowstone
Known for its stunning peaks and clear lakes, Yellowstone National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Colourful pools surround hot springs, and lush woods wind through wide-open meadows and erratic geysers that shoot streams of scorching water into the air. Since the park has such pristine natural beauty, it can be said that it is an amazing place to visit. Be prepared to share the trails with animals that live there permanently, like buffalo, elk, and occasionally even grizzlies, as you go through mountains, canyons, geysers, and waterfalls.
