Best Places Around the Country for Fall Foliage

Besides pumpkin spice lattes and cozy sweaters, nothing signals fall like the changing leaves. No matter if you live on the East Coast, West Coast or somewhere in the middle, here are the top spots to peep at those trees while taking in some other autumnal activities:

Chatham Bars Inn

Chatham Bars Inn: Chatham, Massachusetts

The Cape Cod resort and spa offers a lot more than water views and a seaspray breeze. Sit by the outdoor fire pit at the South Lounge while watching the trees shed, or take a short drive to Wellfleet to sample the town’s native oysters, clams and shellfishing traditions. Inside, take a cooking class using ingredients from the property’s eight-acre farm.

Weekapaug Inn

Weekapaug Inn: Westerly, Rhode Island

Located on the Quonochontaug Pond and the Atlantic Ocean just beyond, this resort has empty beaches and long scenic roads (including Route 1A and Route 102) perfect to take in the autumnal splendor. Spend the afternoon outside with on-staff naturalist Mark Bullinger for a guided hike, tide pool walk and New England leaf peeping.

Goodstone Inn & Restaurant: Middleburg, Virginia

Situated in the heart of wine and hunt country in one of the state’s most quaint towns; this historic inn is just an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C. Sample seasonal menus at the Bistro, which uses ingredients from the inn’s farm. Set out on a brisk three-mile hike on natural trails with the property’s knowledgeable gardener as your guide or embark on a canoe ride down Goose Creek.

DuVine Cycling + Adventure Company: Napa & Sonoma, California

The Napa + Sonoma Bike Tour offered by the adventure outfitter will take you into Sonoma’s renowned redwood forest with its diverse array of flora and fauna. Grab a coffee at Jimtown Store in Alexander Valley and taste Napa olive oil at their friends’ ranch. Take a step back in time in the lodging towns of Guerneville and Occidental, which juxtaposes cowboy culture with the local wine industry. Pop inside Healdsburg’s many wine tasting rooms. Since travelers on the DuVine departure must be at least 17 years old, this is an especially fitting option for families with adult children.

DuVine Cycling. Photo: Andy Wong.

Las Alcobas Napa Valley: St. Helena, California

Just steps away from Beringer Vineyards (accessible via a new foot bridge), this adults-only luxury Napa retreat in St. Helena has rooms and suites with deep soaking tubs with outdoor terraces overlooking the vineyards and changing leaves. A fall package offers a two-night stay, daily breakfast, wine tasting at Beringer and a hot air balloon ride for two with Champagne. Or take your adult children for a refined family fall break.

Las Alcobas, Napa Valley

The Driskill Hotel: Austin, Texas

The historic landmark in the heart of downtown Austin has welcomed guests for more than a century. This fall the city blooms with bright colors and southern hospitality; experience Austin City Limits and the Texas Book Festival with the foliage of Zilker Park as a backdrop.

The Resort at Paws Up: Greenough, Montana

The sweeping vistas of Montana promise a showy display of gold, orange and red. This resort offers acres of unspoiled wilderness and more than 30 fall adventures, like fly fishing on the Blackfoot River, horseback riding through the Tamarack Trees, e-biking on mountain trails or hot air ballooning across Big Sky Country. The property’s 15th glamping season extends until mid-October and features a dedicated camping butler, or you can enjoy the comforts of a luxury Wilderness Estate all season long.

Las Alcobas, Napa Valley