50 Best American Towns To Visit In Autumn

Fall is a great time to explore America the Beautiful, where shoulder season often means fewer crowds and less-expensive travel than during the summer months. National parks brighten with incredible fall colors, beaches see more mild temperatures and many towns get festive with harvest and holiday celebrations.

Whether you're looking to get away for a week, a weekend or just a seasonal day trip, autumn is a great time to escape the chilly weather for a warmer destination or to take advantage of everything the season has to offer. If you're looking for the perfect fall destination, look no further than these 50 American towns.

With a rich Spanish and Native American history, Albuquerque is an underrated American destination, and fall is the perfect time to visit. Not only is the Southwestern climate warmer, but also in October, the city hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest balloon festival, featuring hot air balloon rides, twilight balloon glows, balloon rodeos and more.

Bar Harbor is a picturesque port town where you can enjoy both land and sea, with easy access to Acadia National Park. The park is home to some beautiful views, particularly from Cadillac Mountain, and it's a great spot to go hiking, biking, bird watching or mountain climbing among the autumn leaves.

The small town of Blowing Rock, located on the crest of western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, is perfectly charming in the fall as well as especially affordable in October. Its cute and colorful main street is made even more so by the fall leaves and crisp autumn air, and it's the perfect setting to check out the many charming shops that sell goods such as specialty handmade candles, fudge, spices and more. Enjoy the season from the comfort of a cabin, and go for a hike on the nearby nature trails to get a fantastic view from the rock formation the village gets its name from.

A popular skiing destination in the winter, Breckenridge has more than 50 miles of trails throughout its rugged landscape that are especially breathtaking in the fall. Cyclists of all abilities can follow the area's bike trails, and anyone can try their hand at some fall fly fishing. Fall in Breckenridge also sees the town host an Oktoberfest celebration, as well as the annual Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival.

Located at the foot of the Camden Hills, the harbor town of Camden has gorgeous views that you can enjoy by bike, on foot or by setting sail. Fall brings color to the harbor, which is marked by the picturesque Curtis Island Lighthouse, as well as to the town's multiple parks.

Visit Clearwater in the fall when hotel rates and flight tickets are cheaper and the weather is even more pleasant. Clearwater hosts multiple festivals in the autumn, such as the Clearwater Jazz Holiday and Turkey Trot, and it's also home to the best beach in America.

Every October, the small town of Ellijay hosts the Georgia Apple Festival, so fall really is the best time for apple lovers to enjoy the harvest in what's been called the "Apple Capital of Georgia." There are also miles of trails, rivers and vineyards to explore, especially if you're looking for some fall foliage.

A visit to the small town of Galena, Illinois, is like stepping into a history book. The fall leaves only add to Galena's charm as you visit its nationally registered historic district, stroll down Main Street overlooking the Galena River or go for a scenic drive through the town's rolling hills.

A visit to the subtropical Gulf Shores, Alabama, in the fall will give you pleasant weather and white sand beaches without the crowds. Known for its party scene, Gulf Shores has great nightlife and frequent concerts throughout the year as well as great Southern cuisine. You can fully enjoy the local seafood if you visit in October when the city hosts its annual National Shrimp Festival.

Situated in the upper Shenandoah Valley, Harpers Ferry, the easternmost town in West Virginia, is known for its natural beauty and Civil War history. Home to less than 300 people, part of the town makes up Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, an underrated park with picturesque scenery during the fall.

A photogenic destination that's popular in the summer, Kennebunkport is arguably even more beautiful in the fall. The town's 3 miles of scenic coastline are lined with color-changing trees, and it has plenty of restaurants and antique shops overlooking its secluded beaches and fishing spots.

One of the most beautiful towns in America, Lake Placid is situated in the Adirondacks which sees an explosion of red, orange and yellow in the fall. Go camping or hiking among the high peaks, enjoy the food and shopping downtown, stay in a cozy cabin and spend some time by the lake the village is named after.

Leavenworth is a charming, Bavarian-inspired town located in Washington's Cascade Mountains, and it's perfect for a fall visit. Sitting between a beautiful mountain range and covered in Alpine-style buildings, you'll feel as though you've been transported to scenic Germany. The beautiful trees changing color make a perfect backdrop for horseback riding. Try to visit in late September to early October when the Autumn Leaf Festival and Oktoberfest are both held, the latter celebrating the season with the best German cuisine, brews and music.

The least populous state capital in the U.S., Montpelier has that charming small town vibe that makes it a great place to go for a walk. Explore its downtown or visit one of its three city nature centers: Hubbard Park, Mill Pond Park and North Branch Park. 

A popular destination for families in the summer, Myrtle Beach can be enjoyed even more in the fall when the high season crowds are gone and sunrise brings moderate temperatures and a quiet shore. Enjoy the nightlife, restaurants, shops and more on Myrtle Beach's boardwalk as well as the many variety shows and concerts held here.

Both the crowds and the humidity thin out in the Big Easy during the fall, which is still just as festive as any other time of year. In addition to the exuberant support for Saints football that takes over the city every season, fall also brings the New Orleans Burlesque Festival in September, the Voodoo Music Experience in October and the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival in September. If that isn't enough local culture for you, get into the seasonal spirit with a ghost tour or a visit to one of the many cemeteries and historic buildings that have earned New Orleans a reputation for being one of the most haunted cities in North America.

The prettiest town in Utah, Park City is a haven for outdoor adventurers due to its internationally recognizing hiking and biking trails. Check out the city's mountains, reservoirs and hot springs, and hop on the ski lifts for some next-level leaf-peeping.

Port Townsend is one of the best coastal towns in America, and its picturesque Victorian buildings and waterfront locale is only enhanced by the colors of fall. In addition to a strong maritime culture, you'll find many exciting events here in the fall such as theater performances, dance parties and even a film festival.

One of the oldest American cities, Richmond is the capital of Virginia and the perfect place to enjoy fall, leaves and all. The season in the River City sees multiple festivals, such as VA PrideFest, Richmond Folk Festival and Fire, Flour and Fork, a delicious food festival with four days of more than 30 food and drink events.

The capital of Utah is a beautiful city surrounded by mountains and known for its opportunities for outdoor adventures. A center of Mormon religion and culture, the city's historic architecture, such as the impressive Salt Lake Temple and Salt Lake Tabernacle, are fit to be on a postcard when against a backdrop of yellow, orange, red and green trees. Natural beauty surrounds the city and can be found in spots such as Sugar House Park or Dimple Dell Regional Nature Park, and the Great Salt Lake and its marinas offer boating year-round.

The romantic city of Savannah becomes even more enchanting as the fall leaves change along with the season, but it can also be quite spooky if you know where to look. Visit terrifying spots like the Bonaventure Cemetery, take a ghost tour, stay at a haunted hotel or go on a haunted pub crawl. Fall also brings multiple festivals to Savannah, such as the Savannah Jazz Festival, Savannah Pride, Oktoberfest, Autumn Gardenfest, Savannah Food & Wine Festival and the Savannah Film Festival.

Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove claims to have the world's largest corn maze, nearly 10 miles of trail winding through 28 acres of corn with cider at the end for you to get into the fall spirit. You can also pick pumpkins, rent out a campfire spot or go for a wagon ride.

A resort city within the Wood River valley of central Idaho, Sun Valley has a population close to 1,400 and is most well-known as a ski destination. During the fall, however, it's just as lovely and sees warmer days and fewer crowds. Celebrate the migration of sheep to their winter pastures when Sun Valley hosts the Trailing of the Sheep Festival in October, just before its jazz and music festival. The area also has plenty of fall foliage that you can enjoy while cycling or hiking the hundreds of miles of trails in the area, as well as fly fishing, golfing or horseback riding.

Located in north-central Pennsylvania, Wellsboro is an old-fashioned town that still has authentic gas street lamps and historic buildings from the early 1900s as well as horse-drawn carriage tours. Its location in the wilderness makes it even more of a beautiful getaway from modern life, and visitors can explore the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as "the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania," through visits to the Pine Creek Trail Trail, Colton Point State Park and Leonard Harrison State Park.

Woodstock is a picturesque town with agricultural landscapes and historic buildings, as well as the serene Ottauquechee River running through it. Visit in October when The Billings Farm and Museum hosts its annual Harvest Weekend featuring 19th century harvest activities, and consider a stay at the Woodstock Inn & Resort, one of the oldest hotels in America.