Fall’s chill in the air brings a refreshing change to traveling, making more of us long to get outdoors and explore the beautiful fall foliage in our own neck of the woods or somewhere completely new to us! If it’s the quintessential autumn trip complete with apple orchards and quaint fall festivals you’re after or just a change of scenery in general, we’ve collected a list of destinations across the United States that would make for the perfect trip this year or next! Read on to learn more about destinations in the following categories: family-friendly, perfect for scenic drives, options for romantic getaways, and locations that go bump in the night.
Family-Friendly
Gatlinburg, TN
The Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great destination for all ages, but it’s especially great for families. Not only will the fall foliage be beautiful, especially at the end of October, but the weather will be perfect for outdoor adventures of all kinds! Expect highs in the low 70s to mid-60s, and mostly clear skies.
Voted Best Place to Visit for Fall in 2023 by USA Today, Gatlinburg has everything you’d expect to fulfill all of the items on the fall bucket list. You’ll probably just happen to have made your vacation plans during one of the many fall festivals the area hosts, but the real highlight will be the hiking. Going for a scenic drive is one thing, but experiencing the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains lit up in vibrant yellow and orange will steal the show.
Gatlinburg is great for families year-round, offering many attractions. Play a round of mini golf before dinner, or visit Anakeesta, a park that includes a mountain coaster, zipline, skywalk, and other activities that let you see the beautiful landscape in a new way. Gatlinburg is also a short drive from the famous theme park, Dollywood.
Williamsburg, VA
This travel destination is perfect for families who love to learn, explore, and have a ton of fun! And to be completely honest, this destination could easily fit in any of our categories, it’s just that great. Plan your trip from mid to late October to see the brightest fall foliage and enjoy the sunny, but brisk weather.
Fall is perfect for exploring an outdoor museum or two. Colonial Williamsburg alone draws visitors from across the country. From guided tours to carriage rides, your family will jump back in time to the colonial capital and interact with some of its tradespeople. You might run into some spooky characters on a walking ghost tour of Colonial Williamsburg.
The Jamestown Settlement is also a fun way to immerse your family in history, as this live history museum features 3 ships and a Powhatan village to discover. You will also be able to interact with costumed historical interpreters during your visit. There is a combination ticket available that allows you to also visit the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Other popular activities include biking or hiking one of the nature trails in the area. Bring your bikes if you can, otherwise, you can rent adult, children, and other bike attachments while you’re in town. Of course, we can’t forget about the most thrilling adventure in the area: Busch Gardens. This theme park offers two Halloween-inspired events to accommodate every age group.
Scenic Drives
Asheville, NC
The Blue Ridge Parkway is especially popular during the fall season. Connecting the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Park, “America’s Favorite Drive”, was partly inspired by the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. This scenic drive is intended to fill up the day’s itinerary, rather than just being a way of getting from point A to B.
Asheville makes a great home base for a week, weekend, or day trip because of its location on the Blue Ridge Parkway. If it’s fall foliage you’re after, Asheville’s various elevations allow for a longer peak season than other destinations, giving you more time to plan your trip. Starting as early as mid-September, those beautiful autumn hues will last until early November the lower in elevation you go.
A perfect destination for those who never need a planned-out day and would rather explore on their own and see the sights, Asheville is a community that has something in store for everyone. Everything from the arts to wildlife, to history buffs and foodies, Asheville is packed with activities surrounded by a picture-perfect backdrop.
One of the spectacular things about this region is the number of events and festivals that are held during the fall season. There are the charming, fall festivals that everyone knows and loves, as well as a lineup of other events that celebrate art, local food and beverages, and even some of the specific communities that make up Asheville as a whole.
Jackson Hole, WY
The Jackson Hole Valley is a region where having a car is almost a necessity. With Grand Teton National Park in the northwest portion of the valley, and Yellowstone an easy drive away, scenic drives are a popular activity for visitors and even locals in the area. Hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing are also popular activities, especially during the fall season when the Aspen trees are showing off their beautiful gold colors.
Fall foliage in this area peaks early, so plan a trip towards the end of September to catch the best views. You’ll also get to enjoy the brisk temperatures before the weather starts getting downright chilly towards the end of October.
There are a handful of popular drives that allow you to fully take in the Tetons with opportunities to get out and stretch your legs, so grab your camera, pack some snacks, and enjoy the day. This guide gives visitors a great list of specific drives that give you the best views. Want to see the local wildlife from the comfort of your car? Take the Moose-Wilson Road for chances to see—you got it–moose! Explore the towns that make up the valley like Kelly, or venture out to discover the Granite Hot Springs.
Romantic Getaways
Lincoln, NH
New Hampshire’s second-largest town is still a peaceful escape for many, including couples. Lincoln is also known to be a great place for families, especially in summer, but there’s something about the new chill in the air and autumn colors that make it a cozy and romantic destination to get away from it all. Plan on visiting anytime between September to mid-October for the brightest fall colors and beautiful weather—the temperature quickly drops come November.
You’ll find fewer crowds with still plenty of activities to enjoy, from strolling the downtown area that runs into the town of North Woodstock, to leisurely drives through the White Mountains. Pack your hiking boots, as you’ll want to get out and about to explore places like Franconia Notch State Park to see Flume Gorge and the beautiful picture-perfect covered bridge. Taking a ride on the gondola at Loon Mountain will allow you to see the beautiful fall foliage in a whole new way, or on one of the local trains that take you along the Pemigewasset River. Recount the day’s events over a delicious dinner at one of the many local eateries, and make a plan for the day ahead—or don’t, there’s always something to get into in the White Mountains.
Lake Tahoe, CA & NV
Taking a trip to Lake Tahoe is like escaping to a whole other world, and couples will enjoy the restful atmosphere and strikingly beautiful scenery. In the fall season, you’ll sometimes feel as though you have the whole lake to yourself, as crowds tend to dwindle from September to November unless there’s a festival or event scheduled.
You’ll be able to enjoy some outdoor activities during this time, but just don’t expect to hit the beach or play in the water all that much (unless you visit the hot springs), as highs fall from the mid-70s to low 60s. There are still chances to get out on the water, however, with sightseeing cruises that’ll take you across the large freshwater lake. The autumn colors of the Sierra Nevada mountains are a sight to behold, making North and South Lake Tahoe glow in yellows and oranges.
The sunshine makes exploring the outdoors by day a real treat, but as soon as the sun sets, the chill in the air kicks in. The good news is that Lake Tahoe has many delicious restaurants, entertainment, and other experiences that’ll allow you to duck inside for the evening. Whether you decide to dine at a restaurant with a scenic sunset view, attend a concert or a comedy show, or try your luck at one of the casinos in North Lake Tahoe, you’ll always have something to do.
Most Spirited
New Orleans, LA
Some say the perfect time to visit New Orleans is in the fall because of how beautiful the weather is. November clocks in with highs in the low 70s, but until then, prepare for warm weather without high humidity levels. The weather makes it easier to get out and about to explore the city, meaning fall is a busy time for New Orleans! Festival season comes back with a vengeance as the city packs the calendar with a full list of celebrations, including multiple Oktoberfests and festivals that honor the arts and food—we consider their cuisine an art, too!
To fit under this category, New Orleans shows off its spooky and spirited side in full force during October. Halloween is big in this city, and you should expect to see some killer costumes. The Krewe of Boo is a parade that’ll be taking to the streets on October 21st, 2023, but if it’s more spooky stuff you’re after, try visiting one of the haunted houses. Not to be confused with a main attraction that can be experienced throughout the year, however, but the city is known for its haunts. Take a ghost or haunted history tour to get to know the city as well as it’s spirits.
Savannah, GA
Very similar to New Orleans, in that Savannah becomes the perfect place to be as soon as the weather (and humidity) cools down during the fall months, and October makes the already haunted city, a bit spookier. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Fall in Savannah means more temperate days to walk the many historic blocks and squares with ease, forgetting the feeling of needing a cold drink in your hand and ducking into every shop or art gallery along the way to take a breather in their air conditioning. Festivals and events start popping back up again, and it seems like there is at the very least live music happening every weekend. Travelers who appreciate beautiful weather, but prefer to stay on a paved road (or cobblestones in this case) rather than a dirt trail will feel right at home in Savannah. Foodies and history buffs alike won’t get enough of this legendary port city.
It’s the spookier legends and tales of local haunts that attract some travelers year-round, but especially in the fall. Haunted tours strike a chord more when Halloween is around the corner and the sun sets earlier, than it does on a hot summer’s day. And if it’s spooky stories you’re after on a trip in the fall, Savannah will not disappoint.
