Fall is one of my favorite times of year for traveling. I love the crisp, cool weather, the color-changing leaves, and the apple picking. As a family who travels more than 200 days of the year, we love exploring America during the autumn months. So, check out some of our favorite fall places to visit!
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains run through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The rolling mountains and changing colors of the leaves put the Blue Ridge Mountains right at the top of our list. My favorite spot is Blue Ridge, Georgia. This quaint town has an amazing view of the mountains, vibrant and colorful leaves, cozy cabins, and Mercier Orchards.
At Mercier Orchards, you can pick your own apples, take a tractor tour, or just visit the cafe. Be sure you try the biscuits with apple butter. You can even stop by the shop and buy some apple butter to enjoy at home.
Stowe, Vermont
We love Smugglers’ Notch in Stowe, Vermont for winter sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. We also love Stowe for the fall foliage.
For an incredible view of the leaves, you can take a canoe tour down the Waterbury Reservoir. This waterway is between two mountains, so you have a spectacular view all around you.
Nashville, Indiana
Cook County is less than an hour from Indianapolis, and it’s the home of a little-know artistic hub called Nashville. This is a hidden gem for the fall season. You will love walking downtown through the crafty shops and even stopping to pick up some Christmas decor.
You can enjoy the cool weather and go for a hike in Brown County State Park, too, which is a great way to enjoy the scenery.
Biltmore Estates
Asheville, North Carolina, is home to the largest home in America, known as the Biltmore Estate. It was the home of George and Edith Vanderbilt, and the home and garden are spectacular. You’ll love the property’s vast beauty, and it’s the perfect fall destination because you can combine the beauty of fall outside with the celebration of Christmas inside the house. (The Biltmore Estate is decorated for Christmas as early as Nov. 1.)
You can even book a room at the Biltmore if you’re in the mood to personally enjoy the majesty of the estate. One of my favorite fall experiences is riding bikes around the estate, as it’s is the perfect time of year for a family ride while you all enjoy the changing leaves.
Yellowstone National Park
My favorite National Park is Yellowstone National Park. This amazing park is 2 million acres of wildlife, geysers, falls, Old Faithful, and more. This is a must-do for families, especially during the fall. With the changing leaves, Yellowstone is even more magical.
During the fall season, the weather is cooler and the crowds are thinner. Plus, wildlife tends to be more visible at this time.
Acadia National Park, Maine
One of the most popular times of year to visit Acadia National Park is autumn, thanks to the cooler temperatures and the lighter crowds. Driving along the coastline, you will see striking orange and red colors as the leaves change. Acadia National Park is beautiful during the day, but I also love watching the skies at night. With almost zero light pollution, you can enjoy the spectacular night sky, which is breathtaking!
As you are dreaming about fall foliage, be sure you do your research and stay in touch with the destination, as changing weather can be a big factor and possibly throw a wrench into your plans. Before traveling to one of these destinations, be sure you hop on their Facebook or Instagram accounts to check in. You want to plan your visit during the optimum time to enjoy all the beauty that the changing of the seasons brings.
Have you been to any of these great places? Do you have another favorite fall destination?
