As travelers begin looking ahead to the crisp air and colorful leaves of fall, they may wonder about the best places to go.
Of course, you can go to places such as New York City and take in the beautiful sights of Central Park.
But it’s going to be crowded! What about places that offer cool weather, crisp autumn air and fall foliage perfect for Instagram with more space?
If that sounds good to you, the U.S. has some awesome, easy-to-reach places that fly under the radar.
These 6 destinations are perfect for a weekend getaway to take in the lovely fall season:
Providence, Rhode Island
The capital of America’s smallest state is a gem that is often overlooked, perhaps because it’s not a very big place with a population under 200,000 residents.
What it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm and cool events with peaceful parks and beautiful architecture.
It’s also home to the one-of-a-kind WaterFire events that light up the city for a fun gathering just down the street from the gorgeous campus of Brown University.
Travelers will love this quaint, scenic city with its cool temps in the 50s and 60s intermingled with vibrant fall leaves.
Boise, Idaho
Idaho’s capital city is an awesome spot to get away for a nice weekend this fall. As the only major city within a 5-hour drive, Boiseans love their city and so will you!
With a charming downtown scene full of lively bars and trendy restaurants, visitors will have a blast indulging themselves.
You better like potatoes and huckleberries here, as those are 2 of the most popular ingredients. Anything from the Boise Fry Company, where fries are portioned larger than burgers, to huckleberry-sweetened adult beverages, you can’t go wrong.
And let’s be real, potatoes are the best vegetable, producing both fries and vodka. What better place to indulge than the state with the claim to fame being “World Famous Potatoes”?
Boise is a cool city on its own, but also a great gateway to further explore nature in Idaho with scenic hikes through amazing viewpoints of fall foliage in the cool air. Pack your flannel!
Portland, Maine
Maine seems like a far-off distant land, but it’s really not hard to reach. If you’re already on the East Coast, that makes it even easier.
Wherever you are coming from, Portland, Maine is worth the journey, particularly in the fall. This town oozes with nostalgia with its historic red-brick buildings and cobblestone streets.
Travelers will love the beautiful scenery year-round, but the fall season brings the crisp air and beautiful fall foliage for an added flair.
Portland is an excellent base for your weekend trip, but the small charming towns in driving distance make the trip even more enjoyable, such as Bath and Kennebunkport.
St. Louis, Missouri
Depending on who you ask, the Gateway to the West can sometimes have a sketchy reputation. Some would say there are 2 sides to the city. But one thing is for sure – it is a dreamy fall getaway.
St. Louis is more than just a beer-drinking town with a giant arch. It’s a big city with many attractions, especially in the fall.
Summers here can be brutally hot, but fall gives this city a whole new image. Temps stay relatively cool and offer some amazing places to cozy up next to scenic spots with vibrant fall foliage.
The West End of the city is great place to spend your time as well as The Hill if you’re a foodie. The gorgeous Forest Park is in the heart of the city and offers free entry to museums and the St. Louis Zoo.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Another great Midwest city to visit in the fall is Indianapolis. It must be true what they say, ‘midwest is best’!
Many people venture off to Chicago, but not too far from there is Indianapolis, a less-crowded alternative to enjoy all that fall brings.
Indianapolis is absolutely gorgeous in the fall, with golden yellow leaves intermixed with shades of orange and red.
Peaceful, scenic parks are plentiful and a wonderful way to spend the day outdoors. The small town of Carmel is nearby too, full of shops and cafes to get your Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
Washington DC
There may be no better time than fall to visit our nation’s capitol. After a crowded, sweltering summer, there are fewer lines to cool museums and other top attractions.
Leaves begin to turn variations of yellow, orange and red making the perfect backdrop for some of our nation’s most famous buildings.
The city is very walkable, with trendy restaurants and cafes to enjoy a cup of coffee in the cool, crisp air.
