The best time to travel is in the fall because of the crisp, chilly air and vibrant foliage. Here are the top ten fall getaways listed below :
1. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville has everything you might want on a fall trip, and it’s tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. There are many unusual stores, galleries, breweries, and restaurants in the charming downtown area, and you’re nearly certain to run across some neighborhood street performers as you go about.
Take a drive through a section of the park to enjoy the view without exerting much physical effort, or take a journey through the nearby Pisgah National Forest to witness gorgeous waterfalls among the changing foliage. Another well-liked location worth seeing is The Biltmore Estate, the largest privately held property in the United States and a popular Asheville destination. It is a vineyard and garden estate from the Gilded Age.
2. 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. To experience milder weather without the summer crowds, plan your trip for early fall, when the ski season normally begins at the end of November. Jackson Hole is unquestionably a doorway to autumnal outdoor adventure because it is only a short drive to both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art, go on a trek, or take a picturesque drive (while keeping an eye out for moose and bears). Check out the for an opulent stay on your outdoor fall getaway.
3. New York, New York
Fall is the ideal season to visit New York City because the summer heat has passed. Take in a Broadway musical while unwinding, or explore all the city’s stores, eateries, and museums. Choose one hotel with views of Central Park, such as The Mark, Park Lane, or JW Marriott Essex House, so you can take in the changing foliage from the comfort of your suite. It goes without saying that you’ll want to get some coffee and take a stroll through the famous park to take in the views of the city amid the vibrant trees.
4. The Berkshires, Massachusetts
Visit the Berkshires in western Massachusetts to get away to rolling hills covered in beautiful fall colors. You can choose from a number of quaint towns, such as Lenox, Stockbridge, and Pittsfield, and at this time of year, you can drive from town to town while taking in sights of the vibrantly changing leaves. The three lovely inns that make up The Lenox Collection—The Constance, The Dewey, and The Whitlock—are housed in structures from the 18th and 19th centuries that underwent a thorough renovation in 2022.
5. Sonoma, California
Wine country in California is best visited in the fall. Tours to the region’s vineyards and wineries, which are covered in stunning red, orange, and yellow leaves at this time of year, are highly recommended for wine enthusiasts, as is a trip on the open-air Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley. Take a moment from visiting wineries and enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and bay by going for a short stroll on the Bodega Head Trail. Don’t forget to pack some fresh fish for lunch. With outdoor yoga classes, miles of hiking paths, and guided e-bike tours, Montage Healdsburg visitors with a sumptuous stay and lots of chances to take in the fall foliage.
6. Flagstaff, Arizona
Early October is the ideal time to visit Flagstaff. There are many sights to view and places to explore in this Arizona city during this time of year because it is bordered by national parks, monuments, and woods. Learn about Native American history and culture at Wupatki National Monument, where you can explore pueblos that date back 900 years. One can also see petrified wood and the hills of the Painted Desert at Petrified Forest National Park. You may easily take a day trip to Grand Canyon National Park and enjoy cooler weather and fewer crowds than the summer months because it is only 90 minutes away. Consider staying in a glamping tent at the close-by Under Canvas Grand Canyon if you go there in early September or late October.
7. Burlington, Vermont
One of the best fall vacation spots in the United States is Burlington, Vermont, which is bathed in red, orange, and yellow colors as the leaves change each autumn. Visit a pumpkin patch, spend the day selecting your own apples at one of the many neighboring orchards, or go for a scenic drive to see the stunning foliage. In one of the town’s artisan breweries, unwind with a few local beers after a day of exploring. Near the Lake Champlain waterfront, in the center of the city, the Hotel Vermont provides lovely lodging.
8. 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, 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. With easy access to hiking paths, The Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, is the ideal starting point for all of your outdoor pursuits.
9. Maui, Hawaii
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, and after visiting, you’ll understand why. You can unwind on gorgeous beaches, go on a hike through a tropical jungle, or just unwind at one of the island’s numerous exquisite resorts. While the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has a free, daily Kids for All Seasons activities program for children aged five to twelve, the adults-only Hotel Wailea is ideal for a romantic trip.
10. Bermuda
This fall, escape the chilly autumn weather and head to Bermuda. In September and October, the region’s typical daily high temperatures reach the low to mid-80s, making it the ideal time of year to unwind on Bermuda’s famed pink-sand beaches. Additionally, this British Overseas Territory, which is 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina, can be reached by plane in less than three hours from major East Coast travel centers; from New York City, the flight takes just over two hours. Popular five-star hotels on the island include The Loren and the Hamilton Princess.
