Best Travel Destinations in the Fall | Road Scholar (2024)

1. New England

One of the most beautiful fall destinations in the world is New England. Known for picturesque small towns and vibrant fall foliage, the ambiance and views traveling the backroads of the Northeast are unmatched. Take a look at what you can discover on some of the best scenic fall foliage tours in New England:

• Vermont: Stowe, Woodstock and Burlington are some of Vermont’s most popular destinations, due to their charming downtowns, scenic drives through rolling hills, covered bridges and hiking trails.
• New Hampshire: Vermont’s neighboring state is home to the White Mountains, offering stunning views at peaks like Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. For unrivaled views of fall foliage, a drive along the Kancamagus Highway never disappoints.
• Massachusetts: The Berkshires offer a unique mix of natural beauty and local activities, such as visiting farm stands or antiquing. Cape Cod and prominent towns like Chatham, Yarmouth and Provincetown are quieter in the fall, with fewer crowds and beautiful beaches.
• Connecticut: Another must is a fall foliage road trip in Connecticut. Driving around Litchfield County takes you through quaint towns like Kent, Washington and Goshen, where you can view the leaves change colors while stopping at local stores and stands for crisp apple cider and an array of home-baked pies.
• Maine: If you’re looking to check out another national park on your list, pay a visit to Maine in the fall to see what makes this state one of the best fall travel destinations in the U.S. Here, you can discover the breathtaking beauty and vistas of Acadia National Park, which plunges into the white-capped waters of the Atlantic. You can also witness the first sunrise in the U.S. and take in the sights of the fall foliage at the top of Cadillac Mountain overlooking Bar Harbor.

2. Canada

The Great White North and the land of maple syrup is one of the best fall international travel destinations that’s still close to home. If you visit our neighbors up north, you can explore areas like Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.

The countryside of Quebec is home to the Laurentian Mountains and Eastern Townships, known for their scenic beauty and vibrant fall colors. The cities of Montreal and Quebec City are bustling cultural hubs that host traditional fall festivals with flavorful cuisine and artisanal goods.

In Ontario, Algonquin Provincial Park is a popular fall foliage destination where you can take in the breathtaking colors of sugar maple, aspen and yellow birch trees. Exploring this Canadian province can also bring you to Niagara Falls, where you can view the roaring waters pouring over the cliffside with the contrasting red, yellow and orange leaves filling out the background.

Touring Canada in the fall is also the perfect opportunity to visit British Columbia. Vancouver and surrounding areas like Whistler and the Okanagan Valley offer scenic views and a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and birdwatching.

3. Bavaria, Germany

One of the best fall travel destinations in Europe is the Bavarian region of Germany, known for its vibrant festivals and rich cultural heritage. Also renowned for its breathtaking fall foliage, the Bavarian region brings you to the Bavarian Alps, where you can watch the forests, mountains and countryside transform into a colorful blanket of autumnal hues.

After a day of hiking and exploring, join in on the fun of Oktoberfest in Munich to enjoy Bavarian beer while taking in traditional food and music. What makes Bavaria one of the best fall travel destinations is its fairy tale castles with colorful foliage in the backdrop, including the Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee Castles.

4. Kyoto, Japan

There’s a reason Kyoto is dubbed one of the best travel destinations in the fall. This Japanese city is known for cultural festivals and vibrant fall colors, with the term “koyo” signifying the experience of autumnal leaves changing. Here, the city’s temples, shrines and gardens are adorned with vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange, including the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Eikandō Temple and Tōf*cku-ji Temple.

Kyoto is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Fushimi Inari shrine, known for its red torii gates; Kinkaku-ji, known as the Golden Temple, with a reflecting pond and lush gardens; and Ginkaku-ji, another temple known for its serene gardens and autumn foliage.

During the fall, visitors can participate in cultural festivals like Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages), which features unique costumes and a parade that touches upon various periods of Japanese history. Autumn also brings seasonal delicacies like matsutake mushrooms served in soups and rice dishes, and Kyo yasai, which are local Kyoto vegetables used in a variety of traditional recipes.

Explore the Best Autumn Travel Destinations with Road Scholar

Interested in any of the destinations on our roundup of the best travel destinations in the fall? Consider our collection of fall travel programs that bring you to these destinations and more, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Tennessee and beyond.

Exploring any of these fall travel destinations with Road Scholar allows you to discover alongside a diverse cohort of travelers coming from a wide range of backgrounds. Each program is led by a knowledgeable guide who will walk you through each destination’s history, wildlife, geography and culture, offering a truly immersive experience you can’t find anywhere else.

All our fall travel programs allow you to experience the beauty of the season, including stunning fall foliage and cultural festivals that give you a deeper understanding of the destination you’re visiting. Browse our programs today to find a fall program that piques your interest.