Fall in love with these amazing autumn getaways across the country

Yes, you need a fall getaway. With winter set to arrive on December 21, it’s time to pack your bags before the year comes to a frigid close.

Dripping in autumnal ambience, these nine destinations don’t disappoint. Whether you’re all about scouting for gorgeous fall foliage on your new favorite hiking trail or getting spooked out by ghost stories, keep reading for our top fall vacation ideas in the U.S.

We’ve even included insider intel for each so you can experience these fall hot spots like a local. (Bonus: All of these locales have epic eats and superb accommodations, too.)

Still looking for more travel inspiration? We’ve got everything from advice for traveling with a baby or vacationing with a toddler to romantic summer vacation ideas to spark a little summer lovin’ to why you should consider taking a solo bachelorette trip.

Now, with no further ado, round up your group chat, family or opt for a solo vacation, and get to dreaming of getaways as diverse as the Catskill Mountains and Anchorage, Alaska.

Mark your calendar and pack your bags, an epic fall vacation awaits.

Sullivan County, New YorkGood luck ever wanting to leave this fall wonderland of the Catskills Mountains. Spooky and seasonal hits include the walk-through Peace, Love & Pumpkins experience at Bethel Woods (historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival) in Bethel, where you’ll marvel at thousands of jack-o’-lanterns and “Dark Forest Fright Walks” at Burn Brae Mansion in Glen Spey.

Traveling with kids? Check out Cunningham Family Farm in Swan Lake, which boasts activities like pumpkin picking, a corn maze, hay rides, gem mining and more. 

Post up at Roscoe Mountain Club in Roscoe, a year-round woodland retreat that literally shines in the autumn thanks to an explosion of orange, yellow and burnt red trees across some 1,000 acres. The 24-room inn keeps guests entertained around the clock with golf, racquetball courts, tennis courts and hiking trails aplenty, and you can also test your luck at fishing on a private 40-acre lake. Other top picks for lodging are Kenoza Hall in Kenoza Lake, where you’ll want to wake up in time for a yoga class or the “morgen lauf” guided nature hike on weekends. There’s also the newly opened Driftwood Ranch Resort, in White Lake, a luxury property on a working horse and cattle ranch.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

You might think of the hook-shaped peninsula of Cape Cod as a summer hub, but autumn ushers in a slew of unexpected splendors. Notable events include the Wellfleet Oyster Fest, Yarmouth Seaside Festival, Fiddler on the Roof at Cotuit Center for the Arts, and Halloween in Provincetown. Or, check out season-long highlights like watching cranberry harvests, cycling the Shining Sea Bikeway and cozying up with a fall novel on the uncrowded beaches on the Cape Cod National Seashore. 

While in town, we also recommend hopping in a kayak on the Bass, Centerville, Mashpee and Pamet rivers, hiking Cape Cod National Seashore trails or driving the Old King’s Highway (Route 6A), a National Scenic Byway spanning some 64 miles through historic villages like Sandwich, Barnstable, and Yarmouth. If you can squeeze it in, a dune tour through the Province Lands’ 3,200 acres of sand dunes is always a good idea. As your home base, stay at Wequassett Resort & Golf Club, where you can partake in activities like clamming, guided nature walks and tours of centuries-old lighthouses.

Dubuque, Iowa

Get your bearings in this midwestern jewel at Hotel Julien, a renovated Beaux Arts-style boutique hotel, which has welcomed notable guests, including Abraham Lincoln and Al Capone. You’re a quick stroll to stellar dining spots like Brazen Open Kitchen and Barrel House and Dimensional Brewing Co.

Venture to Fenelon Place Elevator, dubbed the “world’s shortest, steepest, railway,” which lifts you to the top of a bluff for tri-state views of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, made even more dazzling by autumn’s kaleidoscopic hues.

Or, chase fall foliage with a jaunt on the Riverboat Twilight, Victorian boat replicas cruising on the Mississippi River for half-day, full day and two-day excursions departing from Dubuque or nearby LeClaire. For more fall fun, scope out Schuster’s Pumpkin Patch or Czipar’s Apple Orchard — a blast for kids and adults alike.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

It’s time to check Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks off your list, and Jackson Hole puts you an easy drive from both parks. The town of Jackson itself is absolutely charming (be sure to swing by Million Dollar Cowboy Bar for the proper Western frontier town shebang and The Bistro, for otherworldly French Onion soup), but the great outdoors is where you’ll want to spend most of your time here. To make the most of your time in nature, book with Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures where you’ll learn to interpret animal signs, get schooled on park ecology and see more wildlife than you can count.

When you’re ready to hit the hay, reserve a room or suite at The Cloudveil, the only hotel on Jackson’s historic Town Square. Up for a spontaneous adventure? Ask the property’s knowledgeable concierges to suggest the perfect scenic drive on Fall Creek Road, or the best places to spot birds and wildlife at Ski Lake.

Boston, Massachusetts

Yes, fall in New England is very much worth the hype. Especially in Beantown, where you can be spoiled with only-in-the-fall events like Head of the Charles Regatta, Boston Public Market’s annual Harvest Party, and Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest. Embrace your leaf-peeping obsession with a walk, run or bike ride along the Charles River Esplanade or embrace the free fitness classes on The Rose Kennedy Greenway.

For your digs, check into The Newbury Boston, with divine Boston Public Garden foliage views and a convenient Back Bay location with great shopping and restaurant access. For another rec, try the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, which has seven on-site restaurants and a spa.

Cleveland, Ohio

Leaf peepers will go gaga for Cleveland courtesy of its proximity to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. No visit to this flying-under-the-radar oasis is complete without a trip to Brandywine Falls, a 60-foot waterfall accessible by the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop, which blazes in all its fall glory come this time of year.

Get onboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, a vintage caboose which wends its way through the National Park in a two-hour excursion. Back in the city, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Museum of Art will more than scratch your cultural itch. As far as must-try Cleveland culinary spots go, Greek fare at Astoria Cafe & Market and ‘cue at Mabel’s BBQ will more than satisfy your growling belly.

Not sure where to stay? It’s a toss-up between The Glidden House, a boutique hotel which dates back to 1910 with an impressive art collection, or the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, which boasts an indoor pool and cinematic views of Lake Erie from the top-floor bar.

St. Francisville, Louisiana

Louisiana Hill Country? Sign us up. The perfect spot to experience this delightful nook of the Bayou State is by posting up at Shadetree Bed & Breakfast, which provides panoramas from its four-acre hilltop vantage point. When you’re not hanging out by the outdoor fire-pit, you can treat yourself to a facial or massage at The Spa at The Inn, a mile down the road, or wander at several nearby nature preserves and parks such as West Feliciana Parish Parks and Recreation and Mary Ann Brown Preserve.

Standout fall events include the weekly Fall Farmers Market, the Chili Cook-Off at Parkers Park and the Yellow Leaf Festival spotlighting local artists, musicians and restaurants and more. There’s also the St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival in November, a celebration of the epicurean heritage of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Once you’re sufficiently stuffed, walk around the grounds of the Audobon State Historic Site, visit the Historic Grace Episcopal Church, or tour the Myrtles Plantation, known for its spooky history. When stomachs growl yet again, grab a seat at The Myrtles on-site eatery, Restaurant 1796 or head to Big River Pizza Co., which has epic red and white pies.

Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage and its environs in the fall are perhaps one of America’s best kept secrets. There, you’re met with crisp air, pleasant temps in the 40s and 50s, and fewer tourists. Plus, in September and October, you can still enjoy outdoor adventures like fishing, hiking, day cruises, and even blueberry picking. If you’re lucky, you may even peep at the Northern Lights. 

Toast a day well spent at Forty Ninth State Brewing (the crab artichoke dip is a must) before retreating to The Aviator Hotel Anchorage, which is a hop and a skip away from the Alaska Railroad Depot, The Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Speaking of the latter, book your tickets now for BroadwayBoundAK performances of hit shows “Mean Girls,” “Beetlejuice” and “Tina.”

Ironwood, Michigan

Head to Michigan’s UP (that’s “Upper Peninsula” for those in the know) for next-level autumn colors, especially on Copper Peak’s Adventure Ride, a chair-lift and elevator ride to the main observation deck with majestic scenery of some 2,500 square miles below. Back in town, head to the Stormy Kromer factory for a free tour, which has been making handcrafted caps since 1903 and catch a movie or concert at the Historic Ironwood Theater. Grab a bite at Up-N-Smoke Southern BBQ, where the brisket melt, smoked mac n’cheese and signature Napa apple slaw will have your mouth watering for months to come just thinking about it.

The main draw of the UP is nature’s bounty, so we advise staying at Rockhound Hideaway, perched beside the Ottawa National Forest on the Black River and near Lake Superior. There, you can choose from roughing it in yurts or living in rustically appointed cabins. Either way, you’ll be a stone’s throw away to waterfalls, hiking trails, and golden leaves galore.