Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Whether you’re seeking scenic drives through fall foliage, less-crowded hikes through national parks or a post-summer beach vacation, autumn is an opportune time to get away. This season is when kids go back to school and adults get back to work, meaning you’ll typically find lower prices, fewer crowds and cooler temperatures at many popular vacation destinations. With the help of travel experts and reader input, U.S. News considered seasonal festivities, weather and crowds, among other factors, to pull together a list of ideal fall vacation ideas. Vote for your favorite places below to help us determine next year’s list of the best fall vacations.
#1 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Utah’s first national park is the perfect destination for your next autumn trip. As fall makes its debut, Zion National Park’s dwindling temperatures (think: highs starting in the low 90s in September and dropping to the mid-60s by November) create the perfect conditions for activities like hiking, biking and canyoneering. Hike the valley floor alongside colorful cottonwoods, or traverse steep inclines for panoramic views of Zion’s sandstone cliffs. Some the park’s most popular trails are The Narrows, the Canyon Overlook Trail and Angels Landing, a strenuous hike that requires a permit. Keep in mind that higher elevations bring even cooler temperatures, so pack extra layers.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
#2 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee border, this national park is home to multiple hiking trails, tumbling waterfalls and all kinds of wildlife. As temperatures cool, the park becomes a perfect place for leaf peeping. Hike the Appalachian and Oconaluftee River trails to various lookout points for jaw-dropping vistas, or road trip along Clingmans Dome Road or the Blue Ridge Parkway (known as “America’s Favorite Scenic Drive”) for a more relaxing but equally eye-catching excursion. You can also see the fall colors from above by hopping on the nearby Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
#3 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Upstate New York has long been a requisite fall getaway for leaf peepers, and the Finger Lakes region is no exception. This area covers all of the fall basics: vibrant foliage, crisp air and scenic wineries and cideries. From mid-September through late October, you can take in fall colors in comfortable daytime highs in the 60s and 70s as you hike through Watkins Glen State Park or drive along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. You’ll also catch the region’s cideries and 100-plus wineries at their peak harvest season, so take advantage of the season’s harvest festivals.
#4 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
You’ll have no shortage of entertainment options during a fall visit to this Canadian metropolis. Sports fans will have their pick of teams to watch, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, while those more into scenery can catch some leaves of their own at Toronto’s parks, which typically explode with color from late September to early October. This season also brings buzzworthy events like the Toronto International Film Festival, held every September. By November, the winter’s chill fully sets in, but this can be a great time to visit to score lower room rates and sample comfort food from Toronto’s mouthwatering restaurant scene.
#5 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Asheville, North Carolina’s proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail means the views of fall foliage are unparalleled. Visit the city between early October and early November to see the most vibrant colors on the surrounding mountains. And you can’t miss sampling the city’s tasty craft beers: Asheville is home to several dozen breweries, serving everything from sours and pilsners to IPAs and porters. While you may not be able to sip it all, make the most of your time by signing up for a brewery tour of the city.
#6 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Fall daytime temperatures in Sedona, Arizona, drift from the high 80s in September to the more comfortable 60s come November. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the changing leaves on the area’s sycamore, oak and maple trees, visit between late September and mid-October. These months are when spots like the West Fork of Oak Creek trail and the less-traveled Bear Sign Trail burst with fall colors. Meanwhile, culture hounds won’t want to miss the town’s annual Day of the Dead celebration, which takes place at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village in late October.
#7 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Autumn in Acadia National Park is nothing if not breathtaking. This national park on the coast of Maine attracts leaf peepers from across the country every year. The leaves are typically at their peak in mid-October, but the state offers a regularly updated foliage report to help you plan your scenic trip. Cooler temperatures will make the park’s challenging hikes, such as the Precipice Trail and the Beehive Loop, more enjoyable. However, snow can fall as early as November in Acadia, so you’ll want to check for trail closures before you arrive.
#8 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Once summer passes, visitors can enjoy a sense of peace and quiet on this rugged Hawaiian island. Fall is a great time to visit some of Kauai’s main attractions – such as Waimea Canyon and Wailua River State Park – without crowds blocking your views of the breathtaking scenery. The island is warm year-round, so you’ll still be able to bask in the rays on stunning beaches like Ke’e Beach and Tunnels Beach (Makua) in fall. Just be sure to squeeze in your trip before the island’s rainy season, which usually starts in November.
#9 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
With a haunted history that dates back to the 1700s, this destination on the coast of Georgia takes “spooky season” to a new level. When night falls, you can go on a ghost tour through eerie yet beautiful sites like Bonaventure Cemetery, stay in a haunted hotel or enjoy Savannah’s reputable nightlife with a creepy pub crawl. Plus, since the stifling summer heat starts to dissipate in September, you’ll be more comfortable for daytime activities like sauntering through the Victorian District, with its grand homes and the charming Forsyth Park, or enjoying the season’s many events, including the Savannah Jazz Festival.
#10 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
No fall vacation list would be complete without a quintessential New England getaway. This swath of idyllic small towns and rolling hills in western Massachusetts and Connecticut is an autumn lover’s dream. Aside from the region’s renowned fall foliage, which is at its most colorful in mid-October, the Berkshires are dotted with apple orchards and pick-your-own pumpkin patches. Meanwhile, Massachusetts towns like Lenox (the location of Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount) and Stockbridge (home to the Norman Rockwell Museum), are teeming with historical architecture and quaint bed-and-breakfast accommodations.
#11 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Now that the humidity has dropped, strolling through the historic streets of The Battery or sinking your toes in the sand at Folly Beach is even more enjoyable. Numerous events, fairs and festivals roll through this South Carolina city in fall, too. During your visit, you can scare your socks off at Boone Hall Fright Nights and get a taste of culture at the MOJA Arts Festival, both of which occur between late September and early October. If you’d rather participate in traditional fall activities like tractor rides, picking pumpkins and treks through corn mazes, head to Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens in October.
#12 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Fall weather in Wyoming’s Jackson Hole valley is sublime, with average highs sliding from the low 70s in September to the high 30s by November. Animal lovers will want to stop by the National Elk Refuge to listen to the “bugling” calls from male elk as they look for mates in September and October. Autumn also ushers in a few events – including the Fall Arts Festival – plus plenty of opportunities to hike the aspen-studded mountains in nearby Grand Teton National Park or enjoy a relaxing soak in the Granite Hot Springs.
#13 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
The months of September, October and November in Montreal are filled with art, film and food festivals and cool temperatures. First-time travelers must make time to explore charming Old Montréal and the expansive botanical garden (one of the world’s largest), which is strewn with lanterns in September and October. To take in the colorful fall foliage, consider hiking Mount Royal or one of the area’s various trails. Hotel rates are lower in fall than in the peak summer season, so you’ll also get more bang for your buck, though you’ll want to bundle up if you’re visiting later in the season.
#14 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Travel to the Big Island in fall to take advantage of lower room rates, thinner crowds and stellar weather until the rainy season begins in November. A popular destination for adventure-seekers, this Hawaiian island offers impressive hiking trails. Wind past waterfalls at ‘Akaka Falls State Park or through lava fields at the must-visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The island is also home to pristine beaches where visitors can try water sports activities like snorkeling and paddleboarding. For even more of an adrenaline rush, travelers can sign up for a helicopter tour of the island.
#15 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Big Sur, California, is a hot destination for outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife lovers year-round, but fall offers some unique sights. Blue and humpback whales can be spotted in the Pacific Ocean through October, and hundreds of monarch butterflies return to Andrew Molera State Park around October to settle in for winter. A host of events like the Big Sur Food & Wine Festival in November make the area lively this time of year, too, and the warm, sunny weather (think: daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s) is perfect for sightseeing.
#16 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Void of camera-toting tourists come October, Yellowstone is ready for you to watch its beautiful transition from summer to fall without interruption (except by maybe a bison or two). Yellowstone’s animals are active in the fall, so you may catch a glimpse of elk, eagles and even bears preparing for hibernation. Biking and fly-fishing are great activities to enjoy in September and October, while hiking remains a popular pastime well into November. However, be aware that amenities in this park, which stretches across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, become more limited as the season progresses, and roads start closing for winter in mid-October.
#17 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Though best known for its winter activities, Telluride, Colorado, offers plenty to do and see in fall. The town boasts trails for hikers of all abilities and perfect hiking conditions well into October – Bridal Veil Falls and Hope Lake are great options for seasonal color. Plus, film fanatics can catch the Telluride Horror Show (a horror film festival) every October. No visit would be complete without taking a ride on one of the town’s famous gondolas – and it’s the perfect way to snap pictures of Telluride’s gorgeous fall foliage. Just remember to check the gondola’s operating hours ahead of time since it closes for maintenance from mid-October to mid-November.
Prince Edward Island
#18 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Crisp daytime temps that range from the mid-40s to the low 70s are the hallmark of any fall getaway to Prince Edward Island. Though it may be too chilly to enjoy the Canadian island’s red sand beaches, there are plenty of events to keep you busy, including the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival in September and the PEI Fall Flavours Food & Drink Festival, which takes place in the first half of October. After filling up on tasty local fare, take a walk around one of the island’s trails to see stunning fall foliage. The island’s trees are generally most colorful in October.
#19 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Travel to this Arizona national park in autumn to enjoy the same stunning natural scenery that wows year-round but with temperate weather, relatively fewer people and lower room rates. The conditions are perfect for hiking, though you’ll want to arrive before mid-October if you plan on trekking the popular North Rim trails and desire access to full visitor services. For additional scenery, book a trip along the Grand Canyon Railway. As you ride north from Williams, Arizona, to the Grand Canyon, you’ll be treated to views of a variety of animals and landscapes.
#20 in Best Fall Vacations for 2023
Fall in this part of Canada is characterized by cool weather and a quiet atmosphere now that summer travelers have returned home. There’s plenty to do both indoors and outdoors: The Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour and Craigdarroch Castle all beg to be explored. Plus, visitors will find numerous vineyards and cideries in the area – including Merridale Cidery & Distillery (which hosts a Cider Harvest Festival in September) and Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. Although the weather will be crisp, with daytime temperatures hovering between the 40s and 60s, the views from the island’s coastal trails like the Wild Pacific Trail will make a fall vacation worthwhile.
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