The Best Fall Trips to Take in The US – Where to travel in September, October and November in the USA
Fall is the perfect time for a weekend mountain cabin getaway, desert escape, or leaf-peeping road trip. The summer crowds are thinning and you’re running out of excuses to take some time for yourself and practice your favorite form of self-care : Travel!
As the Northeast turns a deep hue of burnt orange and the West is hit with its last waves of warmth from Indian summer, fall is a dreamy time to travel. With everything going on in the world, international travel might feel like more trouble than it’s worth right now, especially if you don’t have two whole weeks to spare! But, if you’re looking for a long weekend away from the city or a laid back road trip to admire the changing scenery, this list of top 5 fall getaways in the US is for you!
These are the 5 best fall trips to take in the USA, from cozying up by the fire in a mountain cabin, to de-stressing in deserted desert scenery! It’s time to escape the office and take in all that fall has to offer.
Joshua Tree, CA
The desert might not be the first place to come to mind for a fall trip, but let me convince you why it should be. Now that the temps are dropping into the gorgeous mid 70’s during the day and even lower at night, it’s high time for sweater weather and sunset bon-fires. You can count on Joshua Tree when it comes to offering peace and quiet, nature excursions and gorgeous accommodations. Stay busy during the day with hikes in Joshua tree National Park like the out-and-back three-miler Ryan Mountain trail, or the six mile Panoramic Loop. Joshua Tree is also a mecca for climbers! When you’re not adventuring, check out pioneer town, just 15 minutes outside the park where you can find music, beer and line dancing! Or head into Palm Springs for a totally different vibe.
It’s hard to go wrong when finding a place to stay in Joshua Tree, the airbnbs and VRBO’s here are both some of the most unique and well designed in the world. Here are a few of my favorites: Desert Ridge Home, Zebra Shadow and SkyHouse Joshua Tree for groups! And of course there’s the instagram famous ‘invisible house’ which is just gorgeous.
Asheville, North Carolina
At this time of year, the infamous Blue Ridge parkway is lined with rust colored leaves, scattered vineyards and abundant apple orchards. The fall vibes are incredible here. You get the refreshing autumn air paired with the sunshine, making it the ideal climate for apple picking, hiking and wine tasting. This is also one of the best times to experience the beautiful Biltmore Estate – the largest privately owned home in the country! Its spectacular views and history aren’t the only reason to visit either, they have an onsite winery (where you can do a tour, tasting or food/wine pairing) as well as eat at their world-class restaurant. Spend a whole day here exploring the grounds, and if you don’t stay for dinner, head back to town for a world class meal at Curate, Andaz or Jargon. There’s also no shortage of breweries to pop around to during the day – some of the best of which are Wicked Weed, Hire Wire, Burial and Green Man.
Stay at this modern mountain home for sweeping views of the fall foliage, or the Kimpton Hotel Arras downtown to be close to it all!
Aspen, Colorado
Fall is one of the most spectacular times of year in Aspen. The gorgeous trees that give Aspen its name turn a gorgeous golden hue and the weather is ideal for spending long days outside in nature. The air is getting crisp, but the sun is shining, which makes for the perfect hiking or biking conditions. Take the Cathedral Lake trail or Maroon Bells if you want the best of the best when it comes to leaf peeping!!!
Cathedral Lake
After a long day at high altitude, treat yourself to one of Aspen’s many luxury accommodations. Sip a seasonal craft cocktail and explore the farm-to-table food scene of downtown Aspen. If full-on luxury is what you’re going for, The Little Nell or Hotel Jerome are my picks of where to stay in Aspen.
Route 100, Vermont
Few regions in America are more picturesque in autumn than New England. Think: mountain lakes, smoke winding out of chimneys, maple syrup, and quintessential fall foliage everywhere you look. With Route 100 growing straight up the state from South to North, Vermont is the perfect fall road trip through the Green Mountains to take in the best the state has to offer.
Start in the charming village of Wilmington, where you can admire the changing leaves around the lakes and stay in a classic A-frame cottage. From there, head North towards Mount Snow. You can’t not stay in this adorable cabin near Mount Snow for a night or two of Instagram #cabingoals. Hop on the ski gondola for scenic views, or for a bit of adventure you can opt to mountain bike down. Finally, you’ll meander your way (with a pit stop at the original Ben and Jerry’s store) to the picturesque ski village of Stowe.
The Catskills, NY
Escape city life and unwind in the Catskills. Take my advice and head straight for Eastwind Hotel. You’ll have the best of the Catskills at your disposal. Here, you can choose between full on luxury with their private Scandinavian-style cabins, decked out with private fire pits, hammocks and plush bath robes.
Or get back in touch with nature in their rustic-yet-refined glamping tents. Spend the morning biking, hiking, or taking a yoga class with a view and the afternoon enjoying a hot toddy with some live music. On the weekends, have dinner at their classic Argentinian style “char” where they curate a delectable feast cooked over an open fire!
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