Best Fall Destinations in the U.S.: Foliage, Halloween, Hiking, and Underrated Picks
It’s time to put away the swimsuits and break out the jackets and apple cider. It’s fall y’all!
After spending years traveling full-time as a digital nomad in the U.S., I’ve had the chance to experience a lot of different corners of the country, including some fantastic fall destinations. And I’ve learned that the “best” place to visit in fall really depends on what you’re looking for.
Maybe you’re looking for brilliant foliage, Halloween vibes, or warm beach weather instead of freezing with a cup of apple cider. Or maybe you’re looking for somewhere that’s a little less obvious than the usual fall destinations. I’ve got you covered.
Here are my picks for the best fall destinations in the U.S. By the way I won’t use the L.P. word here…iykyk.
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Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina
Best U.S. Fall Destinations for Foliage
You can’t go wrong with a good ol’ fall foliage trip. Here are my picks:
Blue Ridge Parkway/Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is my absolute favorite U.S. fall destination, and my goal in life is to visit every fall. Well that hasn’t worked out for me yet, but one of these falls I’ll be back!
Drive the glorious Blue Ridge Parkway for however many miles you choose and take in all the gorgeous orange and red leaves. There are also many hiking trails within the area, including “the big one,” Mount Mitchell, if you’re in the mood to breathe in some crisp air along with your foliage.
Be warned, though, Asheville is quite rainy, and rain mixed with fallen leaves can make hiking trails slippery or hide tree roots and other obstacles. So be careful.
Best time to visit: October
Vermont
No U.S. fall destinations list would be complete without Vermont. The quintessential New England fall experience is famous for a reason. Think covered bridges, white church steeples, and hillsides so saturated with red and orange that it doesn’t even look real. Stowe and Woodstock are the classic picks, but honestly, you can pull off the highway almost anywhere in the state and find a view worth stopping for.
Best time to visit: Late September through early October, before peak crowds hit.
Best Fall Destinations for Halloween
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem pretty much is Halloween. The whole town leans into its witch trial history for all of October, with walking tours, museums, and enough haunted history atmosphere for those who love Halloween. But be warned: it gets packed. Do tours on weekdays for thinner crowds.
Best time to visit: October, but it will be crowded.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is spooky pretty much any time of the year, which makes it ideal to visit during spooky season. Wander through a cemetery, get your tarot cards read, or just take in the atmosphere during an overcast day. All with a cocktail in your hand, of course.
Take a streetcar ride from the French Quarter to uptown and see the mansions all decked out for Halloween. Make sure to stop at the Skeleton House!
For dinner, try the Vampire Cafe–it fits the mood perfectly.
Best time to visit: September-October
Best Fall Destinations for Warm Weather
Missed the beach this summer? Don’t worry, fall is better anyway, at least for fewer crowds. Pumpkin spice be damned–let’s go to the beach!
Key West, Florida
If you’re not in the mood to freeze in Vermont this fall, Key West has your back. October is when the famous Fantasy Fest takes place, which is an elaborate, free-spirited party featuring 10 days of costumes, parades, and events.
Outisde of Fantasy Fest, though, you can enjoy a less-crowded Key West in fall before the winter snowbirds arrive.
Best time to visit: September-November
Pensacola, Florida/Gulf Coast
Pensacola Beach is my favorite beach, and fall brings clear, turquoise water. The weather may still be warm enough for a swim. I remember going in mid October and floating on my back in the ocean. Stop by on your Gulf Coast road trip or just as a one-off destination.
If you road trip, check out my favorite beach bar, the Flora-Bama! Eat some nachos for me, please.
Best time to visit: September-October
Kauai, Hawaii
If you’re like me and you never want the pumpkin spice season to arrive, why not visit a tropical paradise instead? Somehow the idea of sipping pumpkin spice on Poipu Beach doesn’t sound half bad…
Kauai is great to visit in the fall because there are fewer crowds. Winter brings unpredictable weather, but fall is early enough that you can still enjoy the island at its best.
Best time to visit: September – November
Best Fall Destinations for Hiking
There is a certain appeal of crisp fall weather with leaves crunching underneath your hiking boots. Here are my top fall hiking destinations:
Rocky Mountain National Park
The aspens turn a brilliant yellow, and it’s beautiful! The earlier in the season you visit, the better though. Snow can move in fast at high elevations.
My top fall Rocky Mountain hikes? Sky Pond and Lake Haiyaha. Another plus to visiting RMNP in fall instead of summer–less thunderstorm threats. This means you won’t necessarily have to get up at the crack of dawn so you can be finished hiking by afternoon before the storms hit. Just show up dressed in layers and you’ll have a lovely time! Make sure to check the reservation requirements ahead of time, though.
Best time to visit: September – early October
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Smokies are at lower elevation than the Rockies, so the peak foliage season starts later in October. If you’re driving the Blue Ridge Parkway and want to take a little side road trip, the Smokies are about 4ish hours away.
Best time to visit: Mid to late October
Downtown Telluride, Colorado
Western Colorado
Denver and RMNP get all the attention, but Western Colorado is fantastic in the fall. Road trip to Telluride from Denver or skip all the Estes Park crowds and visit Idaho Springs instead. You can even hike a thirteener there.
Best time to visit: September – early October
Best Underrated Fall Destinations in the U.S.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
October is when Albuquerque’s Ballon Fiesta takes place! If you’ve ever wanted to ride in a hot air balloon or simply watch a bunch of them float through the air, this is your chance.
Best time to visit: October
Minnehaha, Minneapolis
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
Fall is short here, but a crisp day is fantastic. Be sure to check out Minnehaha Falls for beautiful orange foliage. You won’t experience much crowds, and you’ll get great weather just before the winter hits and everyone hibernates. Highly recommend.
Best time to visit: Late September – October
Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Smoky Mountains get all the attention but don’t sleep on Chattanooga. Fall brings cooler temps that make the city’s outdoor scene, including the Riverwalk and Lookout Mountain, that much more enjoyable.
Best time to visit: October
Fall Travel in the U.S.
Fall is one of my favorite times to travel in the U.S., whether I’m chasing colorful leaves in the mountains or doing everything I can to avoid putting on a jacket. There really isn’t one best fall destination. It depends on what kind of fall you’re after.
If you’re planning a fall trip, hopefully one of these destinations has made it onto your list. And if you’re looking for more U.S. seasonal travel inspiration, check out my winter, spring, and summer guides.
