No question about it, fall in the USA is iconic! TV screens are flooded, with images of quaint little clapboard towns and whitewashed churches under the vibrant branches of the trees or remote highways suspended over carpets of red and yellow. Surprisingly it isn’t just the foliage that makes Fall the perfect time for an American adventure, and New England doesn’t hold all the cards either!
Here are some awesome places to visit in the USA in Fall:
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
It may be somewhat subjective to suggest that the Blue Ridge Parkway is the best road trip in the United States of America. But when you consider the fact that the parkway, which stretches 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, is the most popular unit of the US National Park system.
It’s the longest linear park in the US, traveling through Jefferson, George Washington, Nantahala, and Pisgah National Forests. So naturally, the area is at its most picturesque in mid to late October, when the autumn colors in the Blue Ridge region reach their most dynamic peak.
There are 200 remarkably scenic overlooks along the way, offering stunning mountain views, verdant valleys, and hiking trails to beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls. There’s also wildlife such as Black Bears, White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkeys, and countless other birds. The stunning views from the BRP’s best overlooks include Grandfather Mountain State Park, the Linville Gorge Wilderness, and the Linn Cove Viaduct. These incredible views insist that visitors slow down and immerse themselves in the majestic beauty of one of America’s largest remaining stretches of wilderness.
New England, the most famous autumn foliage in the USA
At the start of the Fall season, between the end of September and mid-October, the northern states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont—hit their peak of autumn colors. For quintessential white clapboard towns, quaint town squares, and leafy surroundings Vermont is your state, don’t miss historic Peacham, once declared Vermont’s most iconic village and definitely one of the best places to visit in Vermont.
If you want a little more wilderness head for Lake Willoughby or Quechee Gorge or take in a sunset at Lake Champlain before exploring Burlington. In New Hampshire take advantage of the scenic White Mountains or enjoy historic towns such as Amherst for fine colonial architecture. Maine has the largest stretch of Coastline in New England and is positively bursting with gorgeous little fishing villages such as Lubec and the beautiful Stonington.
Easily one of the best places to visit in autumn in the USA!
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is considered one of the most haunted cities in the US, and fall is the best time of year to take advantage of that spook factor! Plus, there are just so many things to do in Savannah.
Pumpkins line the entrances of fancy mansions in the Historic District, and visitors might spot fall foliage spilling over the gates of private gardens throughout the city. Popular shops like River Street Sweets line their entrances with yellow and orange flowers to welcome visitors inside, where they can purchase caramel apples, warm pralines, and other sweet fall treats.
A plethora of ghost tours run throughout the day and into the night. The walking tours are the scariest, but haunted trolley tours—and even hearse tours— are also an option. The weather is perfect in October for touring the beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery. There are numerous festivals and events during the month of October. Fall weather in Savannah is usually quite comfortable. Visitors only need to pack a light sweater or jacket in case evening strolls down River Street turn breezy.
Gulf Shores, Alabama, a great, fall beach break without the crowds
September through November is a great time to visit this gorgeous coastal destination. Throughout the year, the city of Gulf Shores offers travelers a less crowded and more affordable alternative to Florida, but it is even better to take advantage of these sweet spots outside the busy summertime.
The Fall and October especially offer much more manageable temperatures, warm enough for swimming in The Gulf of Mexico, bathing on the extensive white sands of Orange Beach, and taking advantage of the water sports and theme parks on offer, but not uncomfortably hot.
The added bonus in the fall is you can hike or bike out on the Hugh S. Here you will discover all kinds of Flora and Fauna including snakes, alligators, armadillos, bobcats, eagles, and…
Las Vegas and Grand Canyon
If you want to avoid crowds and unbearably hot temperatures then, October is a great time to visit Las Vegas, and you should still be able to find a good travel deal. All the usual adventures are still available such as helicopter and hot air balloon rides over The Grand Canyon or over the strip by night, and autumn light is really beautiful.
Whatever your preference, land or air or water, try and get your Grand Canyon visit to coincide with the sunset for a full appreciation of this amazing natural wonder! Another must-see is the iconic Hoover Dam, built during the Great Depression in 1931 and still one of the world’s most magnificent examples of human engineering.
Back on the strip, you can take a romantic gondola ride along the Venetian’s Grand Canal or catch one of the famous shows. Perhaps you’ll head to a chapel and get married by one of the many Elvis lookalikes? Of course, you can also hit the slot machines, which will swallow your dollars any time of year without discrimination!
The best places to visit in the fall in the USA offer an immersive experience in the very best of the season. we hope you enjoy visiting these places in the USA as much as we did!
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