It may seem pretty basic, but fall is my favorite season. I love pumpkin-spiced lattes, apple picking, and oversized sweaters. The trees are so pretty with their changing leaves and the air feels crisp.
If you are looking to travel somewhere in the fall, but are unsure of how to go about planning your trip, our guide is for you!i
Places to Travel in the US
If you are looking to travel, but would prefer to stay domestic, we have some great locations for you! Check out our list below:
1. New England
While specific cities in New England are also included in this list, we also felt that this region of the United States deserved its own shoutout in this lsit. Many argue that fall is the best time to visit New England due ot the changing colors of the leaves. There are also many places to go hiking across these states, so you can really enjoy peak foliage.
2. Salem, Massachusetts
Fall is the perfect time to get spooky and there is perhaps no town that understands this assignment better than Salem, Massachusetts. For Salem, Halloween is a month-long event not a day. For some residents, it’s even considered a lifestyle.
3. Burlington, Vermont
We love Burlington and it’s a great place to visit throughout the year. Be sure to check out Church Street Marketplace to explore the shops. Once done, you can use Burlington as a base to explore some hiking trails and see the changing of the leaves.
4. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is located near Bar Harbor and has numerous hiking trails and coastline views. This is a great place to see the fall foliage.
5. New York City, New York
While we love New York in the early summer, late summer can get really hot, making it hard to enjoy the city. Fall is a perfect time to come back and enjoy New York again. We recommend going on a walk in Central Park and seeing the fall foliage.
Views of New York City
Additionally, if you’re in New York in late November, we recommend going to the Bryant Park Christmas Market. It’s a little early, but it’s way less crowded, making it easier to actually explore the shops and enjoy your hot chocolate.
KDanck at the Bryant Park Christmas Market
6. Sleepy Hollow, New York
Another Halloween destination on our list, Sleepy Hallow is the location for the headless horseman. There are many festivities dedicated to this story. Plus it’s a relatively short drive from New York City!
7. Chicago, Illinois
I’ve done the Chicago Marathon a few times in the fall and love coming to the city at this time of year. The weather just feels perfect, and there is so much to do and so many good restaurants to try.
The start of the Chicago Marathon
Our top recommendation is the Architecture Tour, which features a boat tour of the buildings on the water. My friend and I also did a haunted boat tour last year, which was really fun and discussed some Chicago ghost stories.
View from the Architecture Tour
View from the haunted ghost tour in Chicago
8. Zion National Park, Utah
Zion is less crowded in the fall than in the summer months. Temperatures can also be brutal in July and August, making hiking a far less enjoyable experience. You can also enjoy the changing leaves from the trails here. Peak fall foliage is expected in the park around late October and early November
Please note: If you want to do the Angel Trail, which is the most famous, you will need to get a permit in advance.
Places to Travel Internationally
If you are looking to plan an international trip this fall, below are our top picks:
9. Munich, Germany
Munich, Germany, is well known for its Oktoberfest, which begins every September (Yes, you read that right). However, Munich has more to offer than just Oktoberfest, including the Hofbräuhaus and the surfers.
For day trips, we recommend considering Neuschwanstein, which is one of the most famous castles in Germany (It’s also the structure Walt Disney based his on).
10. Rhodes, Greece
If you’ve heard of Rhodes, but also wondered where Rhodes is and if it’s worth flying to, this section is for you. Rhodes Island is located in the Dodecanese island group and is well known for having one of the ancient wonders of the world.
My friends and I traveled to Rhodes after I took an American Express quiz on which Greek island would be most suitable for me (Turns out they were right!). With its lush, beautiful water and charming towns, It’s a beautiful place to visit, while offering a fascinating history. It’s also an easy Greek island to reach via the airport.
We recommend spending several nights in the old part of Rhodes City. This downtown is located inside fortress walls, and it’s fun getting lost in the maze of pathways. You can also walk on the wall in certain sections to get a view of the harbor
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View of the Harbor in Rhodes Town
We also recommend spending a few days in Linos. With pristine white buildings and blue waters below, it feels like a postcard. The entire city is also very walkable, making it easy to check out the various restaurants, bars, and shops.
We still found Rhodes to be pretty warm when we visited in the fall, making it still possible to enjoy things like boat rides and the beach.
11. Paphos, Cyprus
I went to Paphos last year with my friend and sister. We loved it here!
The city is located along the water and has a cute downtown and tons of beaches. If you like beautiful views (while running or walking), there is also a path that stretches along the shoreline for miles! I ran here most mornings, enjoying the sunshine and beautiful weather.
SDanck and KDanck along the shoreline in Paphos
The weather is also really warm still (at least it felt warm to us), so we went to the beach several times. We also did a day trip through a tour company, which allowed us to sample wine and see the site where Aphrodite was born (according to legend. See image below).
Where Aphrodite was born
12. Rome, Italy
Rome can get really crowded and hot in the summer, making summertime a great time to explore. Rome also has so many sites and attractions to see, such as the Colosseum, the Vatican Museum, and the Pantheon.
If staying in Italy for a week or more, we also recommend going from Rome to the Amalfi Coast or catching a train from Rome to Florence, so you can see the other sites Italy has to offer.
13. Montreal, Canada
Montreal is a little cooler than other places on this list, but also has pretty foliage. We highly recommend checking out the botanical gardens, which is massive, featuring different exhibitions and sections.
Final Thoughts
There are so many incredible places to visit in fall, especially with the changing fall foliage. What’s our your list? Leave them in the comments below.
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