Fall is my favorite time of year to travel. What’s not to love? Sweater weather, beautiful color changing leaves, pumpkins, apples, and of course Halloween. This fall travel bucket list compiles great destinations in the United States where your itinerary will be filled with all your favorite fall activities.
Vermont
New England is an excellent destination for leaf peepers and Vermont is often at the top of the list. This small state is densely forested and experiences vibrant color changes. Its small size makes it perfect for a road trip. I recommend choosing a charming village or a cozy cabin as home base for your Vermont fall vacation. Be sure to drive the short, but extremely scenic Smuggler’s Notch road.
I am planning to check Vermont off my fall travel bucket list next year and will write a full review and guide.
Asheville, North Carolina / Blue Ridge Parkway
My October trip to Asheville, North Carolina is one of my absolute favorites. I love this hipster, Southern city where you can enjoy great restaurants, breweries, and shopping while still getting out into nature for excellent fall foliage. The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway runs right past Asheville and can be explored as a day trip. Enjoy stops along scenic overlooks and explore points of interest like Craggy Gardens, Mt. Mitchell, Crabtree Falls, and Mt. Pisgah. Alternatively, you could embark on an epic fall road trip and drive the whole 469 mile route connecting Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read my guide for more information to plan your Asheville fall bucket list trip.
Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park is popular during the fall because the foliage is gorgeous and temperatures are mild. Drive along the 105 mile Skyline Drive for excellent scenic views. This road connects with Blue Ridge Parkway so that you can continue your epic fall road trip towards Asheville and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is a trip I haven’t taken yet, but it’s definitely on my bucket list.
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, also known as the “Witch City”, is famous for its dark past during the 1692 witch trials. It’s also known for featuring the House of Seven Gables as described in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book of the same name. Plus, Salem is the filming location for the movie Hocus Pocus. In this town, spooky Halloween vibes linger year-round. Here, you can immerse yourself in history, enjoy spooky shopping, take a ghost tour, or get a tarot card reading.
Salem has been on my bucket list for a while, which isn’t surprising since Halloween is my favorite holiday. My fall travel bucket list calls for an October trip during the Haunted Happenings festivities. I am taking my trip this year and will write up a full report afterwards. If you are looking for less crowds, go any month in the fall except October.
Spring Grove, Illinois
Spring Grove, Illinois is located 1 hour 15 minutes north of Chicago. It may seem like an odd addition to your fall travel bucket list, but this small town is home to the Richardson Adventure Farm, which claims the largest corn maze in the world. Additionally, you’ll find a pumpkin patch, zip line, food, and other activities on the farm. A stop here was a yearly tradition when I lived in Chicago. If a trip to Spring Grove isn’t realistic for you, then think local and find a corn maze closer to home.
Oregon
The west coast of the US has great fall destinations too! Fall is a fantastic time to visit Oregon. Base your stay in Portland, Oregon which has a nice amount of fall color for a city. Drive through the Columbia River Gorge stopping at Multnomah Falls just 30 minutes outside the city. Continue driving to Hood River enjoying the gorgeous scenery along the way. Be sure to try all the great orchards, wineries, and distilleries in the region.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee / Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Note, this park is extremely crowded during the fall especially on weekends. I attempted to explore the park in October on a Saturday with my husband. We got one early morning hike in before the park became so crowded that it was difficult to even drive around. Unfortunately, we ended up leaving earlier than planned since we weren’t covering much ground. Consider visiting on a weekday to avoid our mistake!
While visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, be sure to drive through Foothills Parkway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Newfound Gap Road for stunning views. Check out the shopping in downtown Gatlinburg and be sure to eat at our favorite Red Oak Bistro.
Northern Michigan
The Northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is a great place for your fall travel bucket list. Here, you can enjoy color changing leaves, apple picking, breweries, wineries, and cider mills. You could check out the world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge at Boyne Mountain and enjoy the great views of fall foliage. Another fun fall destination is Traverse City. Here you can enjoy great food, wineries, and beautiful fall color. If you are traveling in this area, you should also consider a stopping at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore along Lake Michigan and charming Fishtown where historic fishing shanties have been converted into shops.
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado is a great fall destination with less crowds than many of the other locations on this list. Here, the leaves are yellow as far as the eye can see when the Aspens change color. Enjoy a scenic drive along Independence Pass. Be sure to go hiking and take a gondola ride up Aspen Mountain to enjoy the views.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is nestled in the Cascades Mountains in central Washington. This Bavarian style village is at its best in the fall. Time your visit with Oktoberfest to enjoy German music, festivities, and of course beer. Enjoy vibrant fall foliage and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, rock climbing, or ziplining. Additionally, spend plenty of time in the village enjoying authentic German food and shopping.
There you have it, 10 excellent destinations for your fall travel bucket list. Let me know which of these you have traveled to in the comments.