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9 Lesser-Known Fall Destinations You've Never Visited But Should
These colorful, under-the-radar fall vacations are guaranteed to soothe your spirit.
Nothing says autumn like a long, leisurely drive or walk through Mother Nature's glorious color changes. Roll down the car windows, savor cool autumn breezes, and escape to these fall getaways where autumn's brilliance beckons.
Research Triangle, North Carolina
Best leaf-peeping spots: If you love quaint walks or long hikes, check out the beautiful trails and parks in Raleigh’s Capital Area Greenway System. It’s filled with accessible trails and spaces for quaint walks or bicycling. Head to the William B. Umstead State Park located near The Umstead Resort and Spa for a quiet retreat that’s filled with gorgeous fall foliage along multiple trails, three lakes, and spots for picnics, fishing, and camping.
What else to do: There’s a variety of local places to explore in the Triangle area. If you’re a museum lover visit downtown Raleigh to tour the North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, or the North Carolina Museum of History. Make time for drinks and a guided tour at the historic Heights House Hotel, and check out dinner offerings at Crawford & Son (a James Beard Foundation finalist) and Madre in the heart of the city.
Where to stay: Find everything you need to rest and refresh at The Umstead Resort and Spa in Cary, North Carolina. The local haven touts a full-service spa, art gallery (a new exhibition featuring Peter Roux is running until December 31), onsite gardens, a three-acre lake, and walkable trails. Don’t miss savoring a meal at Herons, an award-winning restaurant led by Executive Chef Steven Devereaux Greene whose keen eyes and masterful culinary experience shape an artfully curated menu that celebrates local produce and highlight diverse textures, tastes, and cultural influences.
Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota
Best leaf-peeping spots: Follow 20 miles of stunning scenery past 1000-foot-tall pink and grey limestone and shale cliffs, Ponderosa pines, birch, and aspen along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. Start at the mouth of the canyon at the intersection of Colorado Boulevard and scenic byway 14A for a self-guided tour.
What else to do: Along the way, pull off to admire Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls, considered one of the most beautiful spots in the Black Hills. Stop to refresh yourself with a craft brew at Crow Peak Brewing Company in Spearfish. Nearby, Wild West history comes alive in Lead and Deadwood.
Where to stay: Spearfish Canyon Lodge in Lead features log walls, natural artifacts, and charming rooms with fireplaces, or rent the cozy cabin. Pets are welcome, too!
The Space Coast, Florida
Best leaf-peeping spots: Take a walk or drive off the unbeaten path in the ecologically diverse regions of the Space Coast. Plan a stop at the Maritime Hammock Preserve, a 150-acre sanctuary with scenic hiking trails, an observation deck over marshlands, and a boardwalk through wetlands. Plus, you can visit barrier island habitats with a coastal strand, maritime hammock, and mangrove forests. Black Point Wildlife Drive in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is another option for scenic drives, hiking, birding, and wildlife watching.
What else to do: Make time to visit downtown Cocoa Village for shopping, dining at Coconuts on the Beach or Q's Crackin Crab & Seafood Kitchen, drinks at 4th Street Fillin’ Station, and a sunset walk at Coconuts Beach. Nature enthusiasts will love outdoorsy experiences with the Sea Turtle Preservation Society Turtle Walk, Fishing Charters and Kayak Tours with Fin Expeditions in the Indian River lagoon, and Cocoa Beach Thousand Island Tour with opportunities to see marine wildlife like dolphins and manatees. If you’re fascinated by science make reservations to see the Kennedy Space Center in nearby Merritt Island. Sample space-inspired food and cocktails, and meet veteran NASA astronauts during a Taste of Space, September 30–November 3, 2024.
Where to stay: Kick your feet back at a centrally located hotel like the Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port or Melbourne Beach Resort & Surf Club when you need to rest. If you’re fond of intimate bed and breakfast accommodations check out Port D'Hiver Bed & Breakfast and Crane Creek Inn Waterfront Bed & Breakfast. The area has many campground, condo, and vacation rentals too.
Cascades Foothills, Oregon
Best leaf-peeping spots: Aufderheide Scenic Byway offers brilliant colors, lushly set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Cascade Mountains. Follow the byway, which connects route 126 in the north and route 58 in the south.
What else to do: Hike the Delta Old Growth Nature Trail, an easy half-mile loop that wends through beautiful old growth forest in Willamette National Forest. Or explore the region's nearby waterfalls Sahalie, Koosah, and Proxy. For the more adventurous, book a rafting or fishing trip on the McKenzie River.
Where to stay: Eagle Rock Lodge in Vida is a charming hideaway with four acres of gardens right on the McKenzie River, a prime spot for fly-fishing.
Lake Champlain Islands, Vermont
Best leaf-peeping spots: Travel past farmland surrounded by shining lake waters and mountain vistas. Follow route 2 along the islands in the middle of Lake Champlain from Alburg to South Hero. Or start your trip by taking the ferry in either direction from Plattsburgh, New York to Grand Isle, Vermont.
What else to do: Enjoy a stroll on one of the longest beaches on Lake Champlain at Alburgh Dunes State Park, or venture back 480 million years in time at the Chazy Fossil Reef and Fisk Quarry Preserve, a site first quarried in 1664 by the French. Picnic at the serene grounds of St. Anne's Shrine, once site of Samuel Champlain's explorations in 1609.
Where to stay: The boutique Hotel Vermont with its rustic yet chic decor in downtown Burlington is close to nearby eateries on Church Street. Reserve one of the dog-friendly rooms ahead of time.
Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania
Best leaf-peeping spots: Known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, Pine Creek Gorge is a 47-mile-long and 1,000 foot deep chasm surrounded by 165,000 acres of unspoiled forest. Travel along the east rim of the canyon on route 660 to Leonard Harrison State Park, then head toward route 362 along the west rim toward Colton Point State Park (get detailed directions from the Leonard Harrison Visitor Center as GPS is not accurate).
What else to do: Take a horse drawn wagon tour at the base of the canyon, or bike the relatively flat Pine Creek Rail Trail. Experienced hikers can tackle the steep descent into the canyon on the Turkey Path Trail in Leonard Harrison, while Barber Rock trail in Colton Point is a relatively easy hike along hard-packed gravel. Watch for eagles, osprey and mergansers because the gorge is one of the best birding areas in the state.
Where to stay: The Penn Wells Hotel & Lodge in downtown Wellsboro offers both modern hotel-style suites in the lodge or charming guestrooms in the historic hotel, which was built in 1869.
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Best leaf-peeping spots: Gorgeous colors appear along routes 41 and 26 along the peninsula. Follow route 41 through the "Tree Tunnel" coming into Copper Harbor, and make a side trip to Brockway Mountain Drive, the highest paved road between the Rockies and the Alleghenies. At the top, there's a stunning 360 degree view of Lake Superior.
What else to do: In Hancock, learn about the region's copper mining history with a surface tour of Quincy Mine Hoist, and journey seven levels underground into the mine on the cog-rail tram car. Stop at Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Museum Complex. Or visit at Fort Wilkins State Park, a restored military outpost dating to 1844.
Where to stay: Laurium Manor Inn, where you can tour the 13,000 square-foot-home built in 1908 by one of the region's copper barons. It was built for $50,000 in an age when the copper miners made 25 cents an hour.
Coopers Rock State Forest, West Virginia
Best leaf-peeping spots: Bands of dramatic rock cliffs line the Cheat River Gorge and offer spectacular panoramas and overlooks, while winding back roads boast eye-catching color. Head southeast of Morgantown off Interstate 68 to Coopers Rock State Forest. Or drive farther south to follow route 7 past Kingwood or along the backcountry on route 50 to Aurora.
What else to do: Hiking trails of every level of difficulty crisscross the park. The best overlook is on the short path from the Overlook Trading Post. Other easy hikes include Reservoir Loop and Virgin Hemlock Trail through a hemlock grove that's more than 300 years old. For a more relaxed pursuit, visit Forks of Cheat Winery and Distillery for a sample of local wines and apple pie moonshine.
Where to stay: The Chestnut Boutique Hotel in downtown Morgantown features locally crafted furniture, individually decorated rooms and a rooftop bar. Its central location makes it walkable to nearby restaurants and shops.
Missouri Ozarks
Best leaf-peeping spots: Rolling hills and pristine rivers along back country roads offer a relaxed amble through some of the state's best fall colors. Take route 19, south of Salem, with side trips east and west on route 106 toward Alley Spring and Eminence.
What else to do: Ozark National Scenic Riverways area includes the Current and Jacks Forks Rivers, which are fabulous destinations for tubing, canoeing and kayaking. Explore natural springs in the area such as the spectacular Blue Spring off Route 106 east of Eminence. Hike, fish, bike and paddle in Sinking Creek within Missouri's brand new Echo Bluff State Park.
Where to stay: Each room at the new lodge at Echo Bluff State Park has its own balcony with views of the bluff. For larger groups, cabins sleep up to 12 and accommodate pets.
Janece Maze is the former Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covered DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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