Fall is a time of perfect peace and beautiful foliage. From crisp New England and cool forests to sultry cities and sunny California wine country, here are 12 of the best US locations to visit in fall.
12. Acadia National Park, ME
No list of top fall destinations is complete without a New England state. Head to Maine during mid-October to see the colors at their best. Cool temperatures also make hiking conditions comfortable. But be warned – snow during November in Acadia is far from unheard of!
11. San Francisco, CA
If it’s a city break you seek, then how about heading to the city by the bay? This sun-drenched destination is at its best during fall, when its parks are thronged with locals and visitors enjoying the outdoor lifestyle. As the kids have returned to school, San Fran is far more peaceful than in summer by September, October and November.
10. Napa Valley, CA
Head north of San Francisco and you’ll reach serious wine and foodie country. Fall is the best time to visit this area, as there are various harvest events taking place then. In parts, you can see foliage to rival that of New England too.
What better time to enjoy some wine tasting than during fall? Perhaps you’ll also need to loosen that waistband too, after sampling all the delicious, fresh food available in this part of California.
9. Kauai, HI
If you’re searching for even more sunshine than that offered by California, why not fly out to Hawaii? Before November is best to avoid the rainy season, then you can expect great weather. As well as attractions like Waimea Canyon, stunning, surf-battered beaches and Wailua River State Park almost to yourself.
8. Leelanau Peninsula, MI
Take a fall road trip to trace the route of M-22 through the Leelanau Peninsula and you’ll see the scenic Lake Michigan shoreline during fall. Grand Traverse Bay is at the epicenter, and the pretty peninsula stretches for around 30 miles.
7. Door County, WI
Between Lake Michigan and Green Bay you’ll find more than 300 miles of coastline – as well as delicious local seafood. While it can get chilly in “The Cape Cod of the Midwest” come fall, the bright fall leaves and Scandi-style buildings keep people coming to Door County.
6. Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
If you’ve always dreamed of visiting Grand Canyon National Park, then fall is arguably the best time to do it. Expect fewer crowds, cooler weather and the North Rim trails to stay open until mid-October.
When a road trip doesn’t appeal, the Grand Canyon Railway provides an inviting alternative, plus the chance to spot native wildlife and stunning scenery.
5. The Finger Lakes, NY
The area around 11 lakes within the Ontario Basin in upstate New York offers incredible fall foliage. Comfortable daytime temperatures, a glut of wineries and cider producers, and an abundance of fresh air also add to the list of attractions.
4. Savannah, GA
The searing heat of summer is Savannah has given way to cooler temperatures by September onwards, making a fall break in Georgia an enticing prospect. Gorgeous architecture and glorious leafy squares make this a great place to be at any time of year, but ghost tours of the city are best enjoyed during fall.
3. Pisgah National Forest, NC
Go to North Carolina to follow many hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Fall really is a special time of year in this part of the Appalachians, so expect countless jaw-dropping displays of nature. Waterfalls, rivers, and jagged peaks complement the vast swathes of hardwood forest found here.
2. Bend, OR
Americans are moving to Bend in swathes for its outdoor lifestyle. Expect lovely fall leaf colors, plus endless hiking trails, stargazing opportunities, and, of course, the indomitable Deschutes River. Bend is also perfect for foodies, with many restaurants and the Huffington Post naming it as one of the top US destinations for gourmets.
1. Yellowstone National Park, WY, MT & ID
Offering almost 3,500 square miles of wilderness, Yellowstone is magical during the season after the summer hordes have returned home.
Look out for colorful fall leaves, migrating bison, breeding elk, bears preparing for hibernation and more. Also to spot at Yellowstone are animal species from antelope to wolves, plus natural features such as rivers, canyons, hot springs, forests and geysers.
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