{"id":442,"date":"2025-07-03T08:06:36","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T00:06:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/7-of-the-best-places-in-the-us-to-visit-in-the-fall\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T09:56:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:56:06","slug":"7-of-the-best-places-in-the-us-to-visit-in-the-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/?p=442","title":{"rendered":"7 of the best places in the US to visit in the fall"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When it comes to choosing the perfect fall destination, the foliage is only part of it \u2013 we\u2019re also on the hunt for cozy accommodations (cabins and lodges are a plus), fall-related activities (apple picking, anyone?) and a dose of spooky vibes for Halloween fans.<\/p>\n

And yes, we all know New England is great for fall, but the US has a lot more real estate than that. Here are our favorite fall destinations across the country.<\/p>\n

1. Teton County, WY<\/h2>\n

Best for mountain views<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vibes:<\/strong> The county encompassing Grand Teton National Park, Jackson and the southern part of Yellowstone offers the big mountain west at its finest, and visiting in autumn ups the ante \u2013 the whole area becomes an explosion of golds and oranges, and wildlife watching is at its best.<\/p>\n

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Do: <\/strong>Get a bird\u2019s eye view of Tetons\u2019 beauty on one of the park\u2019s many gorgeous trails or make your way to Schwabacher Landing to snap an incredible photo of the range or spot moose and elk. Then head up to Yellowstone for panoramic autumn views of some of the US\u2019 most scenic valleys without the crowds.<\/p>\n

Eat:<\/strong> Jackson and its surrounds will likely be your culinary hub. Hop over to Nora\u2019s Fish Creek Inn for a hearty breakfast, make your way to Snake River Brewing for lunch, and indulge at Teton Tiger for dinner and drinks.<\/p>\n

Stay:<\/strong> If you want cozy autumn accommodation with mountain flair, you\u2019ll want to book one of the many independent cabins available on rental sites like Airbnb or a stay at one of the local dude ranches such as the Triangle X Ranch.<\/p>\n

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Head to Lookout Mountain for views over Chattanooga and to visit Rock City and Ruby Falls. Sean Pavone\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Chattanooga, TN<\/h2>\n

Best for culture and nature<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vibes:<\/strong> They don\u2019t call Chattanooga the Scenic City for nothing. Snuggled in the Appalachian foothills, this friendly town features a walkable historic downtown right on the Tennessee River (so much gorgeous brick!), and easy access to stunning panoramic views from the surrounding ridges.<\/p>\n

Do: <\/strong>Those with a soft spot for American kitsch will enjoy the old-school tourism vibes at Rock City and Ruby Falls, the waterfall within Lookout Mountain, while those with a taste for contemporary art can spend hours at the Hunter Museum of Art. Nature lovers will be spoiled with tons of rock climbing and trail options nearby, and they\u2019ll be impressed by the River exhibit at the Tennessee Aquarium. It explores Chattanooga\u2019s river environment (and those around the world) in detail to inspire folks to conserve the ecosystems right in their backyard \u2013 it\u2019s clearly been put together with a lot of love.<\/p>\n

Eat:<\/strong> Main Street Meats wows at lunchtime with decadent sandwiches and the best potato salad you\u2019ll ever eat. For dinner, don\u2019t skip Calliope, a modern Levantine spot with beautiful drinks and excellent shareables \u2013 you\u2019ll dream about chicken shawarma hummus later.<\/p>\n

Stay:<\/strong> If you\u2019re into modern digs, you can\u2019t go wrong at the Kinley (don\u2019t miss the speakeasy in the lobby). If you want a dose of nostalgia with a classy nouveau twist, book a train car room at the gorgeous Hotel Chalet at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.<\/p>\n

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Lake Tahoe in the shoulder season offers empty beaches, fall colors and bags of tranquility. Celso Diniz\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Lake Tahoe, CA<\/h2>\n

Best for crowd-free landscapes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vibes:<\/strong> Skip the lake\u2019s summer crowds and revel in the beauty of fall at one of the most iconic landscapes in the country where you can wander the aspen groves in the shadow of snow-dusted ridges and enjoy the tranquility of the shoulder season.<\/p>\n

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Do:<\/strong> Hike some of the Tahoe Rim Trail, hop onto a boat for a wine-tasting cruise, or relax on one of the lake\u2019s many beaches. Head south to Hope Valley for even more foliage-related extravagance, or go north to do a trail ride with Piping Rock Stables through the Sierra Nevada wilderness.<\/p>\n

Eat:<\/strong> South shore favorites include veggie-oriented dishes from Freshies, pizza from Base Camp and German eats at Himmel House. On the north side, enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Old Post Office Cafe, or dive into some protein at Old Range Steakhouse.<\/p>\n

Stay:<\/strong> On the north side of the lake, the rustic Cedar Glen Lodge and the boutique Incline Lodge are standouts; on the south shore we like the Jeffrey Hotel and the Coachman Hotel.<\/p>\n

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New Orleans’ magic ramps up even more in the approach to Halloween. Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. New Orleans, LA<\/h2>\n

Best for food and supernatural encounters<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vibes:<\/strong> New Orleans has an irresistible energy you feel the moment you step foot in the city, and this magic intensifies in the autumn months \u2013 historic architecture, atmospheric parks, cooler temperatures and a perpetually Halloweeny quality make this a perfect fall destination. (Plus you get to skip that intense summer heat.)<\/p>\n

Do:<\/strong> The Big Easy has plenty of iconic sights to see \u2013 Jackson Sq, Lafayette Cemetery No 1, City Park and more \u2013 but you\u2019ll do well to dig a little deeper. Visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum to learn about carnival and the Mardi Gras Indian tradition, or make your way to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the largest collection of Southern art in the country.<\/p>\n

Eat:<\/strong> This is almost a trick question because there are so many good options \u2013 New Orleans cuisine is legendary. To name a few fish in a very large sea: Peche delivers elevated seafood with that sought-after Louisiana twist, Jacques-Imo\u2019s slings decadent NOLA fare, and St Roch Market gives you the chance to sample offerings from several up-and-coming chefs.<\/p>\n

Stay:<\/strong> Historic hotels are the way to go here \u2013 book into the Hotel Monteleone (est. 1886) for a luxury experience at the oldest hotel in the French Quarter, or snag a room at the Hotel Pontchartrain for a 1940s aesthetic. If you\u2019re brave, stay at the Lafitte Hotel, which is rumored to be haunted by the daughter of the former owners of the 18th-century house.<\/p>\n

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Be wowed by the fall colors of the primeval forest in West Virginia’s New River Gorge. Sean Pavone\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. West Virginia<\/h2>\n

Best for scenic drives <\/strong><\/p>\n

Vibes:<\/strong> Not only is this state home to some of the most beautiful driving country in the entire US (particularly for leaf peepers), but its hills and hollers are home to world-class river rapids, quirky towns and plenty of snug places to relax.<\/p>\n

Do:<\/strong> Don\u2019t miss the twin towns of Thomas and Davis up north. Thomas hosts an astonishing array of contemporary art galleries and tons of cultural happenings, while Davis delivers a cute small-town tableau and a witchy apothecary right on the main street. Further south, the New River Gorge offers incredible views of one of the oldest gorges on the planet and outdoorsy towns nearby.<\/p>\n

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Eat:<\/strong> In the Thomas\/Davis area, head to Picnic for delicious tacos and ISH Kitchen for elevated international dishes. Near the New River Gorge, snag a filling breakfast or lunch at Cathedral Cafe and watch the sun go down to a live music soundtrack at the Burrito Bar.<\/p>\n

Stay:<\/strong> If you\u2019re staying up by Davis and Thomas, don\u2019t miss the mid-century loving Billy Motel; down by the New River Gorge, you\u2019ve got tons of adventure lodges (we like ACE) and cabin resorts (such as the cute Opossum Creek Retreat) to choose from.<\/p>\n

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Wisconsin’s Door County has mellow vibes that match the fall scenery beautifully. Nejdet Duzen\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Door County, WI<\/h2>\n

Best for total relaxation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vibes:<\/strong> Expansive Great Lake views, laid-back beaches and amiable towns abound in Door County, the Wisconsin peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan just north of Green Bay. While the fall colors are definitely a draw, we love Door County because of its slow vibe \u2013 rushing feels like it\u2019s against the rules, particularly when the leaves are falling.<\/p>\n

Do:<\/strong> Door County has over 50 public beaches, plus several state parks and wilderness areas. Take in the viewpoints at Peninsula State Park, marvel at the forested dunes at Whitefish Dunes State Park, and absolutely don\u2019t miss the Ridges Sanctuary, home to the country\u2019s southernmost boreal forest (wander with a volunteer guide to really understand the magic of this place).<\/p>\n

Eat:<\/strong> Enjoy a stuffed breakfast burrito at Good Eggs, dive into a tasty pizza at Wild Tomato, or experience a traditional fish boil at the Old Post Office. For dessert, don\u2019t miss the mile-high sundaes at Wilson\u2019s. Need an extra dose of fall in drink form? Make your way to Island Orchard Cider for some of the best cider you\u2019ll probably ever have.<\/p>\n

Stay:<\/strong> Each of Door County\u2019s towns offers a different accommodation option and style. Families will love Landmark Resort near Egg Bay, and those who want an atmospheric stay will be spoiled by the number of inns available, including the White Gull and the Hillside Waterfront Hotel.<\/p>\n

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Don’t miss incredible natural sites in Hocking Hills State Park like Ash Cave. Kenneth Keifer\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Hocking Hills, OH<\/h2>\n

Best for country charm<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vibes:<\/strong> Located about an hour from Columbus, Hocking Hills is a forested oasis of rippling hills formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. This unique landscape is a favored getaway for Ohioans looking for comfy lodges, accessible nature hikes and countryside charm \u2013 and it\u2019s all even more magical in fall.<\/p>\n

Do:<\/strong> Watch changing leaves drop over beautiful rock overhangs at Hocking Hills State Park \u2013 the trails to Old Man\u2019s Cave, Ash Cave and Rock House all make you feel like you\u2019re exploring hidden rock canyons straight out of a fantasy novel.<\/p>\n

Eat:<\/strong> Kindred Spirits at the Cedar Falls Inn is one of Hocking Hills\u2019 star dining experiences thanks to the atmospheric lodge aesthetic and lengthy menu of decadent dishes such as spicy vegetable focaccia and hot honey pork tenderloin.<\/p>\n

Stay:<\/strong> Cozy is the name of the game here. Stay in an underground hobbit house at Magical Earth Retreat, sleep in an eco-friendly cave house at Dunlap Hollow, or bunk down in one of the adorable cottages or geodomes at the Inn at Cedar Falls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When it comes to choosing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":447,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-usa-travel-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=442"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1175,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442\/revisions\/1175"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}