Come fall, the US East Coast becomes a spectacular sight beaming with colors. So, it is the best time to plan a weekend getaway on the East Coast in the fall. Here’s our guide to the best East Coast fall weekend getaways!
Autumn is the time when the leaves of many deciduous trees change color from green, yellow, orange, and red to brown before shedding off to get ready for the winter. Seeing this fall foliage is a great way to enjoy the marvels of Mother Nature.
Even though New England is the coveted fall destination in the USA to see the foliage, many notable fall destinations across the East Coast are beautiful and worth visiting.
Read More: Best Places to Visit in the US
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Best Fall Getaways East Coast
From witnessing the fall colors and indulging in fall festivities to visiting the famous sights and taking on outdoor activities – there are tons of the best destinations on the East Coast to enjoy the fall season!
This informative guide to the 7 best East Coast fall vacation spots and getaways will help you plan a memorable East Coast fall weekend getaway, road trip, or vacation.
Happy Leaf Peeping!
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park in Maine is popular for its fall colors. It’s one of the best East Coast fall foliage destinations in the USA. Crisp weather makes its way through the Colored leaves before the winter sets in. The crowds start to wither compared to the busy summer season.
For those planning a fall road trip in the USA, Acadia is the answer!
One of the best things to do in Acadia National Park is drive on the Park Loop Road, which will give you an insight into the beauty of the park.
The 27-mile-long park loop road traverses a diverse terrain of ponds, rocky cliffs, and mountains, allowing you to view the foliage colors across the park.
There are many trails to hike across the park—the Beehive Trail, Ocean Path, and Jordon Pond Path—which give you access to some spectacular views.
Hike or drive at the summit of Cadillac Mountain to get a breathtaking view of the park, the lakes, and the mountains in colors of red, yellow, and orange.
Don’t miss visiting Jordon Pond. The colorful trees around the pond, reflecting in the water, are a sight to behold. Sip coffee or eat a meal at the Jordon House restaurant amidst the scenic vistas.
Do you want an Ariel view of the park? Then, head over for a scenic flight over the park and Bar Harbor. We loved every bit of it. My l was very excited and enjoyed it. Book the scenic flight here.
The magic begins to unveil in early September and gains peak by the end of September to October.
Pro Tip: The weather is crisp, so carry jackets and winter wear.
Best time to Visit: September ends in October, with a peak in mid-October.
Where to Stay: You can stay at one of the campgrounds inside the park, or Bar Harbor Inn & Spa is a great choice. Read our recommendations on the best places to stay in Acadia, which include helpful tips.
Fall foliage Forecast: Check the website for the weekly fall foliage report.
Stowe, Vermont
There is something special about leaf-peeping in Stowe, with spectacular fall colors everywhere. That is why TripAdvisor has named Stowe the “No. 1 fall destination in the US.”
Drive along the many scenic routes to breathe in the fresh air and dive into the breathtaking views of fall foliage, making it one of the best fall destinations in the world. Green Mountain Byway and Auto Toll Road are some of the best options.
Another adventurous way to see the fall foliage is to take the zip line from Mount Mansfield for a Magnificent birds-eye view. There is a Gondola sky ride that takes you to the top of the mountain.
A relaxing way to observe nature’s wonders is to take scenic boat tours or ride a canoe or kayak on the Waterbury Reservoir.
Stowe is a charming, postcard-perfect small village with delightful views of the Green Mountains. The famous white church with a spire is the iconic image related to Stowe.
Stowe is famous for its fall festivals and breweries. Must-visit are the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival, Oktoberfest, and Stowe Jazz Festival. You can even opt for a Brewery tour.
And when you are in Stowe, head over to the Ben & Jerry Ice Cream Factory Tour in the nearby Waterbury village. Who doesn’t love Ben & Jerry? It is on the route from Waterbury to Stowe.
Best time to Visit: Mid-September to October, with a peak around early October.
Where to Stay: Recommend Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa and Trapp Family Lodge for a wonderful experience.
Fall foliage Forecast: Check the website for the fall foliage report for New England
Catskills Mountains, NY
The Catskill Mountains in upstate New York are covered with forests and rivers and are a great place to view the colors of foliage. Just two hours north of New York City, they make for an easy day or weekend trip.
There are many things to do in the Catskills Mountains, from hiking the many trails and mountains to going on a scenic drive through the colorful towns and villages.
The breathtaking drive from New York through the Catskills makes it one of the best road trips in the USA.
There are many adventure activities at Hunter Mountain, including mountain biking and zipline.
A must-try is the train ride on the heritage Catskill Mountain Railroad Scenic Route. The train ride begins from Westbrook Station at Kingston Plaza and traverses through the mountains and rivers on a 1-hour 15-minute journey, giving breathtaking views of the fall foliage.
The Fall Foliage Rides ply from September to October on the weekends and holidays. The tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for children aged 2-12 years. There is an open car on the train as well, which is fun for enjoying the vistas.
Besides the Scenic train ride, there are so many things to do in Hudson Valley during fall that will make you fall in love with it.
Best time to Visit: September end to October, with peak foliage around mid-October.
Where to Stay: Some great family-friendly hotels are Hampton Inn Kingston and Residence Inn by Marriott Kingston.
Fall foliage Forecast: Check the website to get the live foliage forecast.
Finger Lakes, NY
Finger Lakes is a vast region in New York state comprising 11 long lakes in the shape of fingers. This region is famous for its natural scenic beauty. With the onset of fall, the region becomes engulfed in hues of crimson, orange, yellow, and brown.
There are many places and drives across the region that let you experience the breathtaking views.
Drive around Seneca and Keuka Lake, or any lake, and you will be mesmerized. Indulge in kayaking or canoeing through the lakes to savor the beauty.
Watkins Glen State Park is a must-visit during the falls. The Gorge trail in the park traverses the 19 waterfalls formed during the creek’s passage through the gorge, making it worth the hike.
The waterfalls with a backdrop of golden and yellow colors give you great options for pictures. Read more to plan a fun-filled weekend at Watkins Glen State Park, NY.
Visit Taughannock Falls or hike the many wine trails, and you will fall in love with the place.
Best time to Visit: October to mid-October.
Where to Stay: Ithaca is a great place to stay, being central to many Finger Lakes attractions. Read our recommendations on where to stay near Watkins Glen State Park. Other options close to the Wine region are historic Belhurst Castle, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Rochester-Pittsford/Brighton, NY.
Fall foliage Forecast: Check the website to get the live foliage forecast.
Poconos, PA
The Poconos Mountains, spread over 2400 square miles, give you a perfect opportunity to explore the fall colors. That is why they are divided into three zones—northern, central, and southern—where the timings of the fall peak will vary.
There are ample things to do in the Poconos in the fall, such as camping, hiking, apple picking, water rafting, driving around the scenic drives, or just letting the kids play in the piles of leaves.
Driving through the splendor, you can choose from many scenic routes—Camelback Mountain, along Lake Wallenpaupack, or through small towns like Jim Thorpe, famous for their fall festivals.
Poconos is just a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia and can even be explored as a day trip from Philadelphia.
Hike along the many trails in Bushkill Falls, Delaware Water Gap, or the many other state parks.
If you want to sit and enjoy the leaf-peeping, then ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in the Lehigh Valley region. The train can be boarded from the Jim Thorpe train station for a 70-minute scenic ride. Book your tickets online.
Best time to Visit: Mid-September to mid-October, with a peak from early to mid-October, depending upon the region.
Where to Stay: Pocono Mountains is a vast area; search from the list of hotels in Poconos.
Fall foliage Forecast: Check the website for the fall forecast in Poconos.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
For people who can’t visit the Northeast, there are ample places to enjoy the fall foliage. One of them is the Shenandoah National Park.
The peak foliage time differs from high elevation to low elevation, with high elevation gaining peak earlier than the low.
The best way to begin leaf-peeping is by driving the 105-mile-long Skyline Drive, which runs from North to South of the park and has 70 lookout points.
Range View Overlook offers a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the valley, which is covered in shades of green, red, orange, and yellow.
If you are an adventure lover, there are many trails to choose from—the Dark Hollow trail to the beautiful falls, the Little Stony Man Cliff, or the Bearfence Mountain Summit.
Best Time to Visit: October, with peak ranging from mid-October to end-October.
Where to Stay: If you want to enjoy the beauty and nature, stay inside the National Park at Big Meadows Lodge or choose from the Hotels near Shenandoah National Park.
Fall foliage Forecast: Visit the website for fall prediction.
Great Smokey Mountains, Tennessee
Great Smokey Mountains National Park straddles Tennessee and North Carolina and is spread across nearly 2100 sq. km. This US national park is abundantly rich in flora and fauna and home to Black Bears.
The national park is famous for its fall colors in Southeastern US. Since the park is massive, it is best to plan it well to enjoy it best. The Deciduous trees at high elevations begin to change color first and then trickle down.
Driving through the park is the best way to check out the marvel of Mother Nature. Cades Cove and Newfound Gap Road (US 441) in the Park are the best.
The winding roads through the mountains are two lanes and get crowded during the fall peak.
To beat the crowds, hike along the many trails—Clingman’s Dome trail, Mount LeConte trail, Charlie’s Bunion hiking trail, Jump Off, Laurel Falls, and many more.
Take a scenic helicopter ride over the national park to get a bird’s-eye glimpse of nature’s magic. Don’t wait; book your helicopter ride.
Drive one of the most scenic drives in the US, Blue Ridge Parkway, meandering from Shenandoah Park to the Great Smoky Mountains.
The memorable drive passes through mountains, rich, diverse flora, and fauna, with breathtaking vistas. Book the Blue Ridge Parkway hiking tour.
Best time to Visit: October to mid-November with a peak in mid-October.
Where to Stay: Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are two main cities near the Smokey Mountains. Many campgrounds inside the National Park offer unforgettable experiences. Some of the recommended hotels are Clarion Inn Pigeon Forge and Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg for more, search Hotels in Pigeon Forge or Hotels in Gatlinburg.
Fall foliage Forecast: Visit the website for fall prediction.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning for a colorful weekend fall destination on the East Coast.
I hope our list will give you ample suggestions for beautiful fall weekend getaways on the East Coast. Please share your favorite fall destination in the US.
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Wow, Stowe in Vermont looks incredible! What an amazing list. I love this time of year!
Yes Stowe is magical. In fact for that matter, New England is stunning during fall. No doubt it is the most popular destination for fall colors. Thanks for reading and liking the post.