Best Fall Vacations in the US: 15 Scenic Places to Visit
One of the best things about fall in the US is just how many amazing places there are to explore! Some are famous for their bright fall foliage and charming small towns, while others are all about wide-open views, crisp mountain air, and scenic hikes through golden forests.
To help you make the most of the season, I’ve rounded up 15 of the best fall vacations in the US. From classic New England road trips to dramatic national parks out west, these spots are perfect for a weekend fall getaway or a longer autumn adventure.
Let’s dive in!
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Best Fall Trips in the US
1. Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is one of the most iconic places to visit in fall, and it absolutely lives up to the hype! The drive along Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch is worth the trip alone, especially when the leaves hit peak color in early to mid-October.
Some of the best things to do in Stowe include riding the gondola up Mount Mansfield for panoramic views, walking the 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation Path, and stopping by Cold Hollow Cider Mill for fresh-pressed cider and apple cider donuts. The town center is small but charming, with general stores, bakeries, and local breweries to explore.
For photographers, Sunset Rock is a quick hike with a great overlook of the village below, and it’s especially pretty in the golden hour.
Stowe is also a good base if you want to venture out to nearby towns like Waterbury or hike trails in the surrounding Green Mountains.
2. Acadia National Park, Maine
If you’re chasing peak foliage with a coastal backdrop, Acadia should be at the top of your list. Located on Mount Desert Island, this national park in Maine comes alive in autumn with fiery reds and oranges lining its rocky coastline.
It’s one of the best fall vacations in the US if you want a mix of hiking, ocean views, and classic New England scenery.
Visiting Acadia National Park in the fall means fewer crowds, cooler temps, and incredible views from spots like Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond. The Park Loop Road is perfect for a scenic drive, and trails like Ocean Path or Beehive Loop offer unbeatable photo ops.
You can squeeze a lot into just one day here, but if you have more time, two full days give you the chance to explore the quieter corners of the park too.
Bar Harbor is the main base for visitors and a great place to grab lobster rolls, shop local, or just wind down after a day on the trails.
3. Salem, Massachusetts
If you’re after peak Halloween vibes, Salem is hard to beat! This historic town in Massachusetts is known for its 17th-century witch trials, and in October, it transforms into a full-on Halloween destination, with themed events, haunted houses, and costumed crowds filling the streets.
Visiting in the fall means you can dive into the spooky side of history with ghost tours, a walk through the Old Burying Point Cemetery, or a stop at the Witch House, the only building still standing with direct ties to the trials.
There are plenty more things to do in Salem in October, from candlelit walking tours to witch-themed shops and pop-up markets.
Salem is actually a short trip from Boston, so if you don’t want to spend the night, it works well as a day trip too. As a bonus, Boston is also beautiful in the fall, and you can see a lot in just one day in Boston if you plan it right.
4. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
If you’re looking for dramatic scenery with a side of fall color, the Columbia River Gorge is one of the best fall travel destinations in the USA. Just 30 minutes east of Portland, this area is packed with waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic viewpoints that really pop in autumn.
Multnomah Falls is the most famous stop (and yes, it’s worth the hype!), but there are dozens of others nearby that are just as beautiful with way fewer people.
Wahclella Falls and Latourell Falls are both great short hikes if you’re not up for anything too intense. For sweeping views, stop at the Vista House at Crown Point or take a drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Fall is also a great time to check out the Hood River Fruit Loop, where you can pick apples and pumpkins or stop by a local cider house for tastings. Just bring a rain jacket as this part of Oregon stays pretty wet even in fall!
5. Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock is one of those picture-perfect New England towns that feels like it was made for fall. The whole place is wrapped in foliage by early October, with covered bridges, classic white steeples, and tree-lined streets that look straight out of a postcard.
Wandering through town, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Woodstock, from exploring local shops and walking across the Middle Covered Bridge to visiting Billings Farm & Museum or hiking up Mount Tom for views over the town. It’s an easy place to slow down and enjoy the season without needing a packed itinerary.
If you’re planning a New England fall road trip, Woodstock fits in perfectly between Stowe and the Berkshires, offering a cozy stop that’s big on charm but small enough to see in a day or two.
6. The Berkshires, Massachusetts
The Berkshires are one of the best spots for fall vacations in the United States, especially if you’re into foliage drives, farm visits, and mountain hikes.
This region in western Massachusetts is full of cozy towns like Lenox, Stockbridge, and Great Barrington, all surrounded by rolling hills that turn brilliant shades of red and orange in October.
Mount Greylock offers some of the best views in the area, and there are plenty of easier trails too – Monument Mountain and Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary are both great options. The Mohawk Trail and Route 7 make for scenic drives, with lots of farm stands, antique shops, and roadside pumpkin patches along the way.
Fall is also prime time for apple picking, cider tastings, and visiting local harvest festivals. You’ll find small markets, coffee shops, and farm-to-table restaurants in almost every town, making it easy to settle in for a cozy fall weekend getaway.
7. Catskills, New York
The Catskills are a classic fall escape in upstate New York, with a great balance of nature, small towns, and wide-open views. October is peak foliage season, and the area is full of trails, scenic overlooks, and cozy spots to stop along the way.
One of the best-known hikes is Kaaterskill Falls – it’s short but steep, and the payoff is a stunning two-tiered waterfall framed by colorful trees.
Overlook Mountain is another great option if you’re up for something a bit longer, and the views from the top are worth the climb. If you’d rather stay off the trail, there are plenty of foliage drives and farm stops along Route 28.
Stay in towns like Phoenicia, Woodstock, or Tannersville for easy access to hikes, cute shops, and local cider. It’s a quieter alternative to the Hudson Valley, but just as scenic.
8. Hudson Valley, New York
Stretching from just north of New York City all the way up toward Albany, the Hudson Valley is packed with fall color, cute river towns, and some of the best food and drink spots in the state.
The leaves usually peak in mid-October, and there are endless ways to enjoy them, from hikes and scenic drives to wine tastings and apple picking.
The Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie gives you sweeping views of the river and the surrounding hills, while places like Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Preserve offer trails through forests that light up with reds and oranges.
Storm King Art Center is another must-see – a massive outdoor sculpture park set against rolling fall landscapes.
Towns like Beacon, Cold Spring, and Hudson are great bases, each with a mix of galleries, boutiques, cafés, and local breweries. And if you’re into fall produce, don’t skip the farmers’ markets or the region’s many orchards and cideries.
9. White Mountains, New Hampshire
The White Mountains are one of the most dramatic places to see fall foliage in New Hampshire, with rugged peaks, winding roads, and dense forests that turn fiery red and orange by early October. It’s a favorite for leaf-peeping, and with good reason!
One of the most iconic drives is the Kancamagus Highway, a 34-mile stretch through the mountains with tons of scenic pull-offs and short hikes along the way.
For panoramic views, ride the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway or take the cog railway to the top of Mount Washington. Both are especially stunning when the colors are at their peak!
If you’re up for a bit of hiking, try Artist’s Bluff or the Flume Gorge trail. And if not, just cruise through towns like North Conway or Lincoln, where you’ll find cozy inns, local diners, and easy access to the mountains.
10. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Known as one of the most scenic drives in the country, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a top pick for fall trips in the US. This 469-mile road winds through the Appalachian Mountains, with endless overlooks, winding curves, and golden forests lining the way. October is peak season, and the views are unreal!
The Linn Cove Viaduct is probably the most famous stretch – a curved bridge built along the side of Grandfather Mountain that seems to float above the trees. It’s especially beautiful when surrounded by fall color, and there are a few short trails nearby if you want a closer look.
Further south, the section near Asheville is perfect for hiking and day trips. Craggy Gardens, Graveyard Fields, and Mount Pisgah are all popular trails, and the city itself makes a great base with its mix of breweries, restaurants, and local art.
11. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
As the most visited national park in the country, the Great Smoky Mountains are a popular choice year-round, but fall is hands-down the best time to go.
With over 100 species of native trees, the park puts on one of the most colorful displays in the Southeast. If you’re looking for classic fall vacations in the United States with a mix of mountain views and Southern charm, this is it!
Some of the best leaf-peeping spots include Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap Road, and Cades Cove, where you’ll also find historic cabins and a good chance of spotting deer or black bears. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is another great drive with pull-offs for waterfalls and short hikes.
Gatlinburg and Townsend are the main gateway towns on the Tennessee side. Gatlinburg is busier and more built-up, while Townsend offers a quieter, more low-key base if you want a slower pace.
12. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Just a couple of hours from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is one of the best places in the Mid-Atlantic to catch fall foliage.
The park runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains and is especially known for Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic route that cuts through the heart of the park and offers nonstop views of the surrounding valleys and ridges.
There are over 500 miles of trails here, but if you’re just visiting for the day, you can still hit a few highlights. Dark Hollow Falls is a short and popular hike that leads to a waterfall, while Stony Man and Hawksbill are two of the best spots for panoramic views without a huge climb
October is peak season, and Skyline Drive gets busy, so if you’re going on a weekend, plan to arrive early or stay overnight in nearby towns like Luray or Sperryville.
13. Aspen, Colorado
Aspen might be best known for its ski scene, but it’s just as stunning in the fall – maybe even more so. Instead of snow-covered slopes, you’ll see entire mountainsides glowing gold thanks to the aspen trees that blanket the area.
If you’re chasing the best leaf color out west, this is easily one of the top fall travel destinations the USA has to offer!
The Maroon Bells are the star of the show – two dramatic peaks reflected in a glassy alpine lake, surrounded by bright yellow foliage. The area is accessible by shuttle in the fall, and there are a few great trails nearby if you want to explore further. For less crowded views, take a drive along Castle Creek Road or Independence Pass.
Downtown Aspen is small but upscale, with cozy cafés, art galleries, and plenty of spots to warm up after a crisp fall morning outside. Just don’t forget to bring layers, as the weather can change fast in the mountains.
14. Zion National Park, Utah
Zion might not be the first place that comes to mind for fall, but it’s actually one of the best times to visit.
The summer crowds thin out, the temperatures drop to a more manageable range, and the cottonwood trees along the Virgin River turn bright yellow against the red rock cliffs – it’s a pretty amazing contrast!
The Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is still the main highlight, and in fall, you can access most of it by shuttle.
Don’t miss iconic hikes like Angels Landing (permit required) or the Narrows, where you walk through the river itself, surrounded by towering canyon walls. If you want something a little easier, the Riverside Walk or Emerald Pools trails are great shorter options.
Fall is also a good time to explore less crowded areas like Kolob Canyons or drive the Mount Carmel Highway for sweeping canyon views. With cooler days and glowing canyon colors, it’s a totally different experience than visiting in peak summer.
15. Sedona, Arizona
Sedona isn’t known for traditional fall foliage, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting in the autumn. In fact, fall is one of the best times to go as the weather is finally cool enough for hiking, the crowds thin out after summer, and the scenery is still stunning.
If you’re looking for something a little different, it’s a great pick for one of the best fall vacations in the US!
The real draw here is the contrast between golden cottonwoods and the red rock landscape. Oak Creek Canyon is one of the best spots to see fall color, especially along the West Fork Trail, which winds through a forested canyon with pops of yellow and orange by late October.
Sedona also has a huge network of trails – Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge, and Bell Rock are all popular and easy to access. After a day outdoors, you’ll find plenty of local restaurants, crystal shops, and wellness centers around town if you want to wind down.
