16 Best Fall Vacations for Foliage Views, Fewer Crowds

Summer is synonymous with travel, but fall might just be the best time to take a vacation. Cooler temperatures and fewer tourists make destinations like New York City and Maui ideal for autumnal getaways, and outdoor adventures await near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Flagstaff, Arizona, where you’ll be just a short drive from some of the country’s best national parks. Whether you want to see the changing leaves in the mountains or head to sunny shores for a few more beach days before winter sets in, we’ve rounded up the best fall vacations for every type of traveler.

Here are 16 of the season’s best destinations throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Asheville, North Carolina

Nestled in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has everything you could want in a fall getaway. The quaint downtown area is filled with unique shops, galleries, breweries, and restaurants, and you’re almost guaranteed to see some local street performers as you wander around. Go for a hike in nearby Pisgah National Forest to spot beautiful waterfalls among the changing leaves, or take a scenic drive through part of the park to take in the beauty without working up a sweat.

The Biltmore Estate is another popular Asheville attraction worth visiting; This Gilded Age mansion is the largest privately owned house in the United States, complete with gardens and a winery. For private and cozy accommodations, opt to stay in a nearby tree house or cabin found on Airbnb.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Located near some of the country’s best national parks and most popular ski areas, Jackson Hole is a great place to visit year-round. Fall is the best time to avoid large crowds and see the colorful mountain foliage. The ski season typically starts at the end of November, so time your trip for early fall to enjoy mild weather without the high-season visitors. Surrounded by Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and mountains and lakes galore, Jackson Hole is truly a gateway to autumnal outdoor adventure.

Take a scenic drive (and look out for moose and bears), go for a hike, or visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art. For a luxurious stay during your outdoorsy fall getaway, check out the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole on the outskirts of Teton Village. Or consider The Virginian Lodge, a mile from Jackson Hole’s Town Square.

New York, New York

With the summer heat gone, fall is a great time to visit New York City. Explore all the shops, restaurants, and museums the city has to offer, or relax and watch a show on Broadway. Pick a hotel located along Central Park, like The Mark, Park Lane, or JW Marriott Essex House, all of which provide park views from some accommodations so you can enjoy the canopy of changing leaves from the comfort of your room. Of course, you’ll want to grab some coffee and stroll through the iconic park to soak in the skyline vistas amid colorful trees.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts

If you want to escape to rolling hills of stunning fall foliage, head to the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. There are several charming towns to choose from, including Lenox, Stockbridge, and Pittsfield, and at this time of year, you can drive from town to town while enjoying views of the colorful changing leaves. For the complete Berkshires experience, stay at The Lenox Collection, composed of three charming inns — The Constance, The Dewey, and The Whitlock — housed in beautifully renovated 18th- and 19th-century buildings.

Sonoma, California

Fall in California’s wine country is magical. Wine lovers will want to tour the area’s vineyards and wineries — cloaked in beautiful red, orange, and yellow foliage at this time of year — or take a ride on the open-air Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley. Take a break from the wineries and go for an easy hike on the Bodega Head Trail for sweeping ocean and bay views, and be sure to grab some fresh seafood for lunch. Montage Healdsburg offers a luxurious stay and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the fall colors with outdoor yoga classes, miles of hiking trails, and guided e-bike tours.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff is a nature lover’s dream in early fall. This Arizona city is surrounded by national forests, monuments, and parks, so there’s plenty to see and explore at this time of year. Learn about Native American history and culture at Wupatki National Monument, where you’ll find pueblos that were occupied in the 12th century, and visit the Petrified Forest National Park to see petrified wood and the hills of the Painted Desert. Grand Canyon National Park is just a 90-minute drive away, so you can easily take a day trip to this incredible national park and enjoy milder weather and fewer crowds compared to the summer months. If you visit in September or early October, consider glamping at nearby Under Canvas Grand Canyon, which is open until late October.

Burlington, Vermont

Burlington, Vermont, is covered in red, orange, and yellow hues as the leaves change every autumn, making it one of the best fall vacation destinations in the United States. Spend a day picking your own apples at one of the many nearby orchards, visit a pumpkin patch, or take a scenic drive to check out the beautiful foliage. After a day spent exploring, enjoy a local beer or two at one of the craft breweries in town. Hotel Vermont offers charming accommodations in the heart of the city, near the Lake Champlain waterfront.

Telluride, Colorado

You might think of Telluride as a winter ski destination, but this Colorado town is beautiful all year round. Early fall is ideal if you’re looking for colorful foliage in a breathtaking mountain setting. Visit in September or early October to take full advantage of the season’s offerings. Go for a hike or bike ride, or take in 360-degree views of the mountains and valley from the gondola, which runs until the end of the summer season in mid-October before pausing until the winter season begins. With proximity to hiking trails, Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection provides a luxe launchpad for all your outdoor activities.

Maui, Hawaii

Sure, brightly colored fall foliage is nice, but autumn is also an excellent time to head to beachy tropical destinations. On Maui, you can lounge on beautiful beaches, go hiking in a rain forest, or just relax at one of the many stunning resorts dotted around the island. Adults-only Hotel Wailea is perfect for a romantic getaway, while the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea offers a complimentary, daily Kids for All Seasons activities program for ages five to 12.

Bermuda

Escape cooler autumn temperatures for sunny Bermuda this fall. Here, the average daily highs reach the low to mid-80s in September and October — optimal weather for relaxing on Bermuda’s iconic pink-sand beaches. Plus, from many East Coast travel hubs, it’s less than a three-hour plane ride to this British Overseas Territory 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina — from New York City it’s just over two hours in the air. The Loren at Pink Beach and the Hamilton Princess are among the popular luxury accommodations on the island.

Greenville, South Carolina

In upstate South Carolina, Greenville makes the ideal base camp for leaf-viewing hikes and drives. Stay at the Grand Bohemian Lodge, a hotel perched atop the falls of the Reedy River, and take trips to Table Rock State Park (27 miles out) and Jones Gap State Park (26 miles out) for a refreshing dose of nature. In town, you can admire urban foliage with a picnic in Falls Park, embark on a self-guided brewery tour, or rent a bike from Reedy Rides and pedal along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife is often described as one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. The magical and elusive aurora borealis dances across the sky from mid-November to April, so head north to the only city in Canada’s Northwest Territories at the tail end of fall to catch the celestial phenomenon. Short autumn days are easily filled with craft brews at The Woodyard Brewhouse and Eatery by NWT Brewing Company, dogsledding adventures, and other snow activities.

Portland, Maine

While folks flock to Maine’s New England neighbors — namely Vermont and New Hampshire — for the celebrated fall foliage, you can head to this coastal city to enjoy the changing leaves without such intense crowds. If you love lobster, fall is your last chance to eat it fresh and in abundance while it’s still in its peak season. Maine’s favorite crustacean is still active through autumn, as are the marine mammals in these waters. Go in October to spot whales as they migrate south.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Nothing makes fall foliage pop like the sight of horse-drawn carriages traveling streets lined with colonial buildings. Pretend you’re in the 18th century as you explore the country’s largest living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg, where bonnets and cravats abound. Travel + Leisure readers have voted Williamsburg as one of their favorite U.S. cities in the World’s Best Awards. Visit during the fall to see it in vivid color, and if you’re a fan of the spooky season, don’t miss the opportunity to go on a ghost walk with a tour guide dressed in colonial garb.

Bend, Oregon

An annular “ring of fire” solar eclipse will carve a path from Oregon to Texas on October 14, 2023, and Bend is just north of its track. Use the event as an excuse to experience this high-desert oasis, known and loved for its nature. Take in the colors of the trees lining the Deschutes River, take advantage of quiet(er) hiking trails in Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint, search for the best pumpkin beer at any of the dozens of breweries, and be the first on the ski slopes of Mt. Bachelor, typically opening in mid- to late November.

Mexico City, Mexico

Late fall is a great time to visit Mexico City, as the weather is dry and the tourists aren’t as abundant, offering a more local experience. Día de Muertos marks the season with parades, displays, markets, and street parties, though you might want to avoid this period if you’re hoping for a quiet getaway. For the nature lover: Prepare to be awestruck on a day trip to nearby Santuario Piedra Herrada, which comes alive with countless migrating monarch butterflies each November. See? There’s something for just about everyone in Mexico City during the low season.