Fall Travel Destinations

Five Places for US Fall Travel that Aren’t in New England

By the time leaf changing season starts to break through the summer haze, it is usually too late to book hotel rooms for much-coveted fall travel in New England. This I know from experience, unfortunately. While states like Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts whole heartedly deserve a round of applause for their color show, there are plenty of other places in the US to see nature’s encore and catch a little autumn chill — even if you are a last-minute planner.

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Living in Austin, Texas, we don’t really get much of an autumn except for a break in the heat come early November. Meanwhile, it seems like everyone else has a pumpkin spice latte in-hand while skipping through an apple orchard. It is especially tough because I grew up in a northern town and know exactly what I’m missing — the crunch of leaves underfoot, crisp autumn air, and spectacular swaths of red, orange, and yellow.

My answer to all those nostalgic memories is to book a trip to a destination where I can get my fall fix. Fall is such a great time to travel, and not just for all the aforementioned reasons. The fall is also shoulder season in many places, which means travel is generally less expensive and less crowded.

In this post, I’ve gathered up my favorite, recent autumn travel destinations — none of which are in New England so there is still a chance you can find accommodations and reasonable fares. Just remember, if New England is on your travel wish list, be sure to book well in advance for next year!

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Sedona, Arizona
Northern Wisconsin
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Above photo: Color change in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

My favorite fall destination of all time is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Downtown, the rolling hills, and every suburban street are dense with deciduous trees that reliably put on a full show of color progression. There are usually several weekends of peak color depending on any hard rain that brings the leaves down faster. So, you have a good shot at leaf peeping throughout the month of October.

Besides the scenery, Pittsburgh is also a great place to go for museums, historical architecture, and comfort food. You can easily fill up a long weekend with tourist attractions such as the Duquesne Incline, Point State Park, and Phipps Conservatory. Or, consider driving out to one of the many parks, such as Ohiopyle or Moraine State Park. If all else fails, grab a seat at Primanti Brothers and chow down on one of their infamous sandwiches while watching the Steelers game.

Above photo: Point State Park (left); Monongahela Incline (right)

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is one of the best places for the whole family to experience nature, wildlife, and pioneer history. There is an abundance of attractions in the Galinburg and Pigeon Forge area, such a Dollywood, Gatlinburg SkyPark, and Ripley’s Aqarium of the Smokies.

One of my personal favorite things to do is to stay in a cozy, rustic cabin and chillax a bit. Picture yourself curled up under a blanket next to a fireplace, reading a book or playing cards after a day driving through Cades Cove or hiking to a waterfall. Autumn in the Smoky Mountains is an opportunity for a proper fall retreat that perfectly blends nature and relaxation.

Above photos: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona, Arizona might not be the first destination you think of for fall travel, but hear me out. First of all, the leaves do, in fact, change color in Arizona. In late October and early November, you can see beautiful yellows and reds in the high-desert creeks and canyons. Even more compelling, the sweltering desert temperatures have finally cooled and it is possible to enjoy the numerous trails through the Red Rocks.

The scenery in Sedona is truly gorgeous, and in the fall, you finally have the right weather to be able to get out and enjoy it. Sedona also has world-class destination spas, such as Enchantment Resort and L’Auberge de Sedona, known for their tranquil scenery and exclusive amenities.

Above photos: Devil’s Bridge (left); Crescent Moon Picnic Site (right)

Northern Wisconsin

All of Wisconsin is amazing for fall travel, but Northern Wisconsin has a special place in my heart. Color change tends to come early, aligned with the progression in New England. A drive through Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest or along the Lake Superior Scenic Byway rivals anything you’ve seen on Instagram. And don’t forget Door County, the “Cape Code of the Midwest” with 300-miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan.

Once again, my preference is to rent a house a few miles away from civilization, on one of the lakes. There is nothing better than waking up to a water view and heading down to the dock with your morning coffee to greet the ducks.

In case the Northwoods is a bit of a reach for you, don’t rule out Wisconsin entirely. The Wisconsin Dells are just an hour from Madison and 2-hours from Milwaukee. In addition to nature trails and boating, there are also a slew of waterparks for the kids to have a little fun, too.

Above photos: Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Santa Fe, New Mexico

This year, I’m headed to Santa Fe, New Mexico and I really can’t wait. I’ll be flying into Albuquerque and driving down to White Sands National Park first. Then, back up to Santa Fe for a few days of historical attractions, art galleries, and wine tastings.

The leaves change to golden yellow and crimson red from mid-September to early October, with peak foliage often occurring in October. The best places to take in the views are the mountain areas surrounding the city, such as the Aspen Vista Trail and Ski Santa Fe. At lower elevations, the color change will be later, which widens the travel window and provides a little buffer for the unpredictability of nature.

Fall is without a doubt a great time to travel, and I’ll be adding to this list as time goes on. We do a decent amount of international travel in the fall, as well, which sometimes means I’m too tired to tack on another US destination. The mind is willing, but the rest of me is not.

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