Where To Chase The Dreamiest Fall Foliage This Year

Asheville, NC

Just a two-hour drive from the Charlotte airport is this bohemian haven for nature lovers. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has it all: a vibrant art and music scene, award-winning eateries inspired by global and Appalachian influences, and all the outdoorsy adventure nature lovers love to do. It is also the most affordable destination for fall foliage, according to in Dollar Flight Club, with average roundtrip airfare as low as $170!

Travel along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway toward The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you can hike, bike, and go chasing waterfalls. The Deep Creek Waterfall hike is a 5-mile loop known for its three beautiful waterfalls. Post-hike, book a treatment (they offer day passes) at the subterranean spa at the Omni Grove Park Inn and float underneath cavernous rock walls, arches and tunnels. Take a self-guided tour of the gardens at the 19th-century chateau-style home of George Washington Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate. Set in a vintage home in the historic Biltmore Village, Corner Kitchen is a farm-to-table favorite with elevated Southern-style cuisine. Finally, art studio hop in the River Arts District, located on Asheville's picturesque French Broad River, to wrap your Asheville to do list.

Acadia National Park, ME

Bar Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, is a picturesque town known for its stunning beauty and wild neighbor, Acadia National Park. In the fall, Bar Harbor becomes a sea of red, orange, and yellow. Stay at the Little Fig Inn and walk around Bar Harbor's quaint shops, cozy cafes, and seafood restaurants like Sweet Pea's Farm Kitchen, a farm-to-table seafood and pizza spot. Acadia National Park is known for its rugged coastline and granite peaks. Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast, offers breathtaking views (hike The Precipice Trail for amazing vistas of the Atlantic). Wildlife is busy this time of year so look out for spot deer, foxes, and tons of bird species.

The Berkshires, MA

The Berkshires, located in western Massachusetts, is also part of the Appalachian Mountains, which turn all sorts of vibrant fall colors come autumn. Explore the scenic trails and visit historic sites like Edith Wharton's home, Ventfort Hall Mansion and the Gilded Age Museum, which is just five minutes away from Life House, Berkshires, a charming stay in the town of Lenox (decor lovers will swoon). Shakespeare and Company performing arts theater and Tanglewood Music Center are also nearby for some vacay entertainment. Other Berkshire towns to check out include Stockbridge and Great Barrington for shopping, dining, and more New England charm.

Stowe, VT

Stowe, a northern Vermont ski town, lives up to its nickname: "Fall's Color Capital." With a view of Mount Mansfield, AKA, the highest mountain in Vermont, drive along the scenic Smugglers' Notch Pass Scenic Highway, or Route 108, and stop to experience outdoor activities like biking and zip lining in the area. Prefer to soak in the quintessential charm of Vermont? Stroll through downtown Stowe, tour the Ben & Jerry's factory, and channel your inner Maria at von Trapp Brewing — part of the resort owned by the real-life Sound of Music family — over an Austrian lager. On September 20, their Oktoberfest 2025 celebration brings pints, polka, and peak fall vibes.

Hudson Valley + The Catskills

Live out your When Harry Met Sally dreams with a trip to NYC in the fall. Stroll around Central Park and Bethesda Terrace, one of its filming locations, and peep the yellowing maple leaves from here to the charming West Village. Then hop a Metro North train from Grand Central Terminal or drive to Hudson Valley and the Catskills for charming towns like Cold Spring, Rhinebeck, Hudson and Kingston. Halloween lovers will enjoy The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze at the Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, starting in September. Check out the modern and so charming stay at The Henson. Make sure to reserve a spot at The Henson's restaurant Matilda, led by NYC acclaimed chefs Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra, for a swoon-worthy meal that celebrates the Catskills fall bounty. Hike through colorful fall foliage at the Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, and then stop for afternoon tea at the Mohonk Mountain House. Pick apples at the Jenkins Leuken Orchards and score free cider tastings at Twin Star Orchards or Brooklyn Cider House.

Kancamagus Highway, NH

One of the most scenic drives in New England is the Kancamagus Highway, AKA "The Kanc," a 35-mile road through White Mountain National Forest and the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway. Stay at the farmhouse-modern Colonial-era Launchpoint Lodge in Lincoln. Visit the Flume Gorge, a natural chasm at the base of Mount Liberty, and the Basin, a granite pothole at the foot of a waterfall. In town, Clark’s Trading Post is a theme park with a bear show, an Americana museum and a steam railroad, fun for kids. Fun for adults, visit the Seven Birches Winery inside RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain, which offers wine tasting daily and "Meet the Winemaker" tours weekly.

Sonoma County, CA

An hour north of San Francisco, Sonoma County in the fall is New England’s foliage meets wine country chic. Think burgundy and golden vineyards, warm harvest days, and crisp, fireplace-ready nights. Stay at the revamped Vinarosa Resort & Spa, where vineyard views, a cozy fireplace bar and Chef Sergio Howland’s garden-to-table menus set the scene. Chef Howland's seasonal menus draw inspiration from the resort’s culinary gardens, fig and olive orchards, and its working 92-acre vineyard. Unwind by the resort pool, indulge in the eucalyptus steam rooms, or book one of the spa’s signature treatments. When you’re ready to venture out, Healdsburg’s chic dining scene (think Little Saint, Barndiva and The Matheson) is just 15 minutes away, the charming Sonoma Plaza is a scenic 30-minute drive, and coastal Bodega Bay —made famous by Hitchcock’s The Birds — makes the perfect coastal day trip. Outdoor lovers can canoe the Russian River well into fall, then take a spectacular stroll through the towering giants at Armstrong Redwoods State Nature Reserve.

Rhode Island Foliage Drive

Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but when autumn arrives, it delivers big on cozy charm. Picture seaside strolls beneath amber leaves, scenic drives with vibrant color, pumpkin patches on historic farms, warm cider doughnuts enjoyed on coastal orchards, and candlelit dinners in centuries-old inns. Begin your journey in Providence, where you can catch the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Park Zoo and dine at local favorites like Oberlin or Persimmon for elevated Modern American cuisine. From there, follow the Rhode Island foliage drive through charming coastal villages like Little Compton and Tiverton Four Corners, then head to South Kingstown for scenic beaches, rustic farmlands, and historic landmarks. Check into the quintessential New England inn Shepherds Run, complete with its own vineyard and tasting room, or stay oceanside at the Castle Hill Inn in Newport for stunning harbor views and magical sunsets. Time your visit to coincide with fall celebrations like Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival on September 18–21, Autumnfest in Woonsocket on October 11, or Misquamicut Fall Fest on September 12-13. Don't miss apple and pumpkin picking!

West Virginia

Tucked in the heart of West Virginia, New River Gorge National Park is the ultimate “cozy core” escape whether you’re venturing on a Gauley River rafting trip, meandering through pumpkin patches, or savoring the simple pleasures of an apple orchard. Rest your head in one of the Country Roads Cabins’ treehouses, the Cabins at Adventures On The Gorge, or the romantic Hillbrook Inn. Fill your days with ATV tours, fall foliage train rides, horseback riding through the mountains, Appalachian hard cider tastings, and even a stroll along the Paranormal Trail. Time your visit to catch festive autumn events like the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival (Oct. 2-5), FestivFAll Charleston (Oct. 8-12), Taste of Our Towns (Oct. 11), or the iconic Bridge Day (Oct. 18).

Washington, CT

Washington, Connecticut is just as New England-cute as the fictional Stars Hollow. Walk the Henry David Thoreau Bridge or Hidden Valley Preserve for your fall-foliage fix, and follow with shopping for unique accessories at stores like J. Seitz & Co. and colorful stationery at D.K. Schulman Design. Stroll around the Washington Green Historic District to see the town's colonial architecture and the Gunn Historical Museum for a dose of history. Find your next read at the Hickory Stick Bookshop (it even has a Rory Reads Book List). Check out the Washington Supply Company before eating at Marty’s Café or The Po Café. Kick your boot heels up at the Hopkins Inn, right on the north shore of Lake Waramaug. The Hopkins Inn beach is a great place to photograph all the fall foliage in town.

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

One of the highest national parks in the country, Rocky Mountain National Park delivers jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Rockies at nearly every turn. For wildlife lovers, the park is a dream: moose, elk, and bighorn sheep are often spotted at close range, making for unforgettable moments and incredible photography. Just five miles from the park’s east entrance in Estes Park, the historic Stanley Hotel is a must-visit. This elegant neoclassical landmark — set against a dramatic mountain backdrop — inspired Stephen King’s The Shining and remains one of Colorado’s most famous stays. For a more rustic retreat, YMCA of the Rockies offers cozy cabins and lodge rooms surrounded by scenic trails. Inside the park, the seasonal Trail Ridge Store & Café serves casual bites with spectacular alpine views, while in Estes Park, diners can enjoy elevated comfort food at Bird & Jim or riverside dining at The Dunraven.

Lake Geneva, WI

Known for it scenic beauty, Lake Geneva in Wisconsin is a popular resort town, perfect for a fall romantic getaway. Stay at the cozy The Geneva Inn near Big Foot Beach State Park and Riviera Beach. Stroll the Lake Geneva Shore Path for breathtaking views of the lake, where you can kayak, paddleboard, or take a boat tour surrounded by midwest autumn at its most beautiful. Lake Geneva’s historic downtown is a mix of boutiques, antique shops, and cozy cafes like the House of Bogini, a planet-friendly cafe with European spin. Visit the Black Point Estate and Gardens for history and architecture inspiration and a walk around the grounds for a stunning fall scene.