Looking for a fall getaway filled with colorful foliage, outdoor adventures and seasonal experiences? Some of the best fall destinations in the United States include the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Berkshires in Massachusetts and Lake Tahoe.
From hiking and scenic drives to harvest festivals, farm-to-table dining and craft cider, these destinations offer plenty of ways to experience fall. And with Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts nearby, you can make a relaxing mountain stay part of your autumn getaway.
What are the best fall getaways in the United States?
Some of the best fall getaways in the United States include the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, Vermont’s Green Mountains, the Berkshires in Massachusetts and Lake Tahoe. Each offers fall foliage along with hiking, scenic drives and seasonal activities.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Conveniently located in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Smoky Mountain Resort offers an ideal place for families looking to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the country’s most popular spots for fall foliage. The area provides an abundance of activities, including hiking stretches of the Appalachian Trail, harvest festivals, fishing, horseback riding, and nature watching. The resort also offers several on-property amenities for families, such as an indoor kids water feature, indoor and outdoor pools, and hot tubs.
Best for families and outdoor adventures: Gatlinburg combines some of the country’s most popular fall foliage with easy access to hiking, seasonal events and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Brownsville, Vermont
Pick up the trail further north in the quiet community of Brownsville, Vermont. A stay at Mount Ascutney Resort puts you right at the heart of the Green Mountains where you are surrounded by scenic foliage. The charming resort and nearby towns offer a quintessential Vermont experience, from sampling the state’s abundant harvests of apples and pears, to enjoying craft beers and the famous cider produced in the historic town of Stowe. Plus, the resort offers an award-winning, farm-to-table restaurant, The Maple Kitchen, right on property.
Best for a classic New England fall getaway: Vermont’s Green Mountains offer colorful foliage alongside small towns, local harvests, cider and quintessential autumn scenery.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
A stay at Oak n’ Spruce Resort in the Berkshires in South Lee, Massachusetts, gives you the opportunity to explore the Berkshires in their fall finery, take in the seasonal festivals, or enjoy outdoor adventures like fishing or kayaking. Located near the Appalachian Trail, there’s no shortage of nearby hiking trails for enjoying fall foliage at this resort.
Best for a relaxing outdoor escape: The Berkshires combine New England fall colors with hiking, seasonal festivals and outdoor activities.
Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley, Nevada
Way out west, Tahoe Ridge Resort in Stateline, Nevada, is the spot for unforgettable outdoor adventures. A drive along the Lake Tahoe National Scenic Byway, with its views of forest-covered slopes, towering pines, quivering yellow aspens and changing foliage around the lake, will show you why it is known as “The Most Beautiful Drive in America.”
Located in the Carson Valley, David Walley’s Resort is close to hiking trails, fishing, boating and all the activities in the Lake Tahoe area, including Oktoberfest and several fall festivals. Situated in Genoa, Nevada., the state’s oldest town, the resort and surrounding area offers plenty of historic charm and activities. At the end of a day of outdoor fun, soak in the resort’s hot springs and let the curative power of the mineral-rich waters ease your tired muscles.
Witnessing the fall foliage in all its glory will leave you wanting to return later in the year for more majestic mountain scenery and the thrill of skiing and other winter sports.
Best for scenic drives and outdoor adventure: Lake Tahoe offers a different kind of fall getaway, with mountain scenery, golden aspens, hiking and scenic drives.
What should you do on a fall getaway?
Popular fall vacation activities include hiking, scenic drives, fall festivals, apple picking, local food and cider, wildlife viewing and simply exploring destinations known for colorful fall foliage.
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