Fall is one of the best times to travel in the United States. The leaves will be changing, this is harvest season in wine regions, and crowds and prices will decline from the peak summer months.

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This post includes road trips, national parks, cities, small towns, popular leaf-peeping vacation spots, and off-the-beaten-path places.

Ready to plan your next vacation? Then here are the best Fall destinations in the United States!

Southeast

The Great Smoky Mountains. The Smokies are the most-visited national park in the U.S., and fall is the best time of year to visit because of the foliage. Crowds and prices will be high from September – November, so book in advance, go on weekdays, and arrive early in the morning. Check out the coolest vacation homes in The Smokies!

Charleston. If you’re a foodie, then Autumn is the best time to visit Charleston. You can enjoy Charleston Restaurant Week in September, and the Taste of Charleston festival is in October. Fall is also a great time to score some hotel and vacation home deals.

The Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and North Carolina are stunning in the fall. Highlands, North Carolina, is the perfect small-town mountain getaway, Asheville, North Carolina, is ideal for a city vacation, and Shenandoah National Park is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Georgia’s Golden Isles. This is one of my favorite destinations in the Southeast U.S., and Georgia’s Golden Isles are perfect if you want warm weather in the fall. You’ll want to stay on St. Simons Island in one of these incredible hotels or vacation homes. My top activity recommendations are a bike tour of the island and visiting the Fort Frederica National Monument.

Northeast

New England. This region is one of the best leaf-peeping destinations in the world. I highly recommend taking a New England road trip that includes Burlington, The Berkshires, and Portland. Browse the top hotels and vacation homes in New England.

Upstate New York. There’s so much more to New York than just NYC! You can hike in the Adirondack Mountains, sample wine in the Thousand Islands, paddle in The Finger Lakes, visit Niagra Falls, and relax in the Catskills. Check out these incredible vacation homes in Upstate New York!

Acadia National Park. While Acadia is one of the smaller national parks, it packs a big punch with its iconic coastlines, mountains, hikes, and lighthouses. This national park is the perfect fall destination because of the foliage and low crowds, but it’ll be cold, so bring lots of layers. Here are the best vacation homes and hotels to book near Acadia.

Midwest

St. Louis. This city’s architecture, baseball, fantastic food, parks, and museums make St. Louis the perfect vacation destination. September is when the Taste of St. Louis food festival happens every year, and October hosts the Best of Missouri Market. Make sure you visit Gateway Arch National Park and stay in one of these hotels or vacation homes.

The Black Hills of South Dakota. This is one of the best getaways in the Midwest U.S. The Black Hills is home to Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, Needles Highway, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. You can also visit nearby Badlands National Park. It’ll be cold in the Fall, so bring layers and get ready to have this beautiful region practically to yourself.

West

Las Vegas. Temperatures will be in the 50s-60s (10-16°C), it’ll be sunny and clear, and the tourist numbers and prices will be relatively low. I highly recommend visiting Valley of Fire State Park when you’re in Vegas, and I’ve rounded up the best hotels and vacation homes in the area. I’ve also got the top things to do in Vegas for a birthday trip, romantic getaway, girls’ trip, and bachelorette party.

Colorado. This entire state is the perfect Fall destination. The foliage will be changing, the national parks will be relatively empty, the cities have food festivals, and it’s harvest season in the wine regions.

Southwest

Tucson. This is one of the best destinations to visit in Arizona. When you’re here, visit Saguaro National Park, bike around the historic city center, do a self-guided craft beer tour, marvel at the Cathedral of Saint Augustine, and stay in one of the best hotels or vacation homes.

Albuquerque. You’ll love Albuquerque because it’s one of the best budget cities in the United States. When you’re here, make sure you explore both the modern downtown and the historic Old Town to fully experience this incredible city.

Sedona. Sedona is famous for its vortexes, swirling energy centers for healing, meditation, and self-exploration. This city is an outdoor lover’s paradise, and I highly recommend visiting Sedona as part of an Arizona Road Trip. Sedona is also home to some of the best wellness retreats in the U.S.

Waco. This small Texas town was made famous by the HGTV show Fixer Upper, and visiting Magnolia Market at the Silos is a must-do activity when you’re here. Plus, Waco has an incredible food scene, great outdoor activities, and beautiful artwork on almost every street.

Napa Valley and Sonoma. Fall is Napa and Sonoma’s grape harvest season. Experience fun seasonal activities like harvest dinners, balls, and grape smashing. Temperatures will be perfect with highs in the upper 70s (25°C). This is the peak travel season, so make sure you book your accommodation, tours, tastings, and activities ahead of time to ensure availability and lower prices.

Columbia River Gorge. This spectacularly beautiful region is the largest national scenic area in the U.S. and has the highest concentration of waterfalls in North America. Portland, Oregon, is a great home base for exploring the Gorge.

Hawaii

Hawaii is a year-round destination, but the Fall months are a shoulder season when you can score some great (by Hawaii standards) accommodation and airfare deals. November is the beginning of the whale-watching and surf seasons. September and October will be less hot than the summer months and drier than the winter months, so the weather will be perfect.

Tips for Traveling To Hawaii on a Budget

All four of Hawaii’s main islands – Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai – have some of the best beaches, national and state parks, water sports, and outdoor activities in the world. So I’ve rounded up the top 101 things to do in Hawaii and the best adventure activities in Hawaii. I’ve also got the top things to do for a birthday, honeymoon, mother-daughter trip, and bachelorette party in Hawaii.

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