Underrated Fall Destinations You Need To Visit

🍁 East Coast & New England

1. The Berkshires, Massachusetts

Well-loved by locals, but often overlooked nationally. Peak foliage, world-class museums (like MASS MoCA and The Clark), apple picking, and cozy fall energy.

2. Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, Maine)

Famous, but fall is its best-kept secret. Fewer crowds, blazing foliage, and epic coastal hikes like Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond.

3. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Skyline Drive in October is like driving through a painting. Often skipped for the Smokies, but it delivers unforgettable views and easy access from DC.

🍂 Midwest & South

4. Door County, Wisconsin

Charming towns, lighthouses, and cranberry marshes. Fall brings harvest festivals, crisp lake air, and stunning colors on every backroad.

5. Hot Springs, Arkansas

Historic bathhouses meet fall hikes in the Ouachita Mountains. Think warm water, fall colors, and retro-chic Southern charm.

6. Great Smoky Mountains (Townsend, TN)

The park is famous, but this quiet gateway town is a hidden gem. Peaceful trails, misty mountains, and a less-touristy way to experience peak season.

🌾 West & Southwest

7. Taos, New Mexico Art colony, adobe buildings, and golden aspens in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Like Santa Fe’s cooler, weirder cousin—with incredible autumn light.

8. Napa Valley, California

Everyone’s heard of it, but not many visit in fall. The harvest season means vineyard buzz, warm days, cool nights, and fewer tourists midweek.

9. Sedona, Arizona

Iconic red rocks meet mellow autumn temps. Take in vortex hikes, hot air balloons, and golden cottonwoods along Oak Creek.

🌄 Mountain West

10. Glacier National Park & Whitefish, Montana

Glacier is no secret, but in fall, it feels like one. Fewer visitors, golden larch trees, and snow-dusted peaks. Stay in Whitefish or Kalispell for a cozy, elevated base with great food and scenery.