Adventure in autumn: The best places to visit in the US in October

October is one of the most delightful months for traveling in the United States as it begins to cool down from the summer, as the warmth leaves, autumn takes hold, and it begins to glow! 

 

October is when national parks are full of color, vineyards are harvesting grapes, small towns are hosting Oktoberfest, and pumpkin-themed festivals. 

 

Whether you want to enjoy a scenic drive, eat seasonal food, enjoy Halloween, or simply experience the change in seasons, if you travel to any of the destinations below, you and your family and friends will surely enjoy these wonderful places in October.

 

1. Stowe, Vermont

 

Stowe is often identified as the quintessential New England fall spot. This village sits in the middle of Vermont's Green Mountains, and it is surrounded by a vibrant display of red, orange, and gold trees. Smugglers' Notch Pass is a great place to drive at peak foliage in October, with spectacular mountain views and summertime panoramic vistas. 

 

Another great spot in Stowe is Cold Hollow Cider Mill, where you can enjoy freshly pressed apple cider and cider donuts. Hiking the Stowe Pinnacle Trail offers a beautiful view of the autumn landscape. You can end your day with a farm-to-table dinner in one of Stowe's restaurants.

2. Aspen, Colorado

While Aspen is well known for its ski season, it is beautiful in October as the namesake trees burst into yellow against the blue skies and majestic peaks. 

 

One of the best photo spots in all of North America is from the Maroon Bells up above Aspen. You can take the Crater Lake hike through a patch of golden aspen grove. 

 

You also can take the Silver Queen Gondola up over Aspen for stunning views. If you're a film buff, you can check out the Aspen Filmfest, showing independent films in an intimate alpine setting.

3. Salem, Massachusetts

Every October, Salem will take on a subjectively scary tone through its stark and venerable past. Every Halloween season, the town transforms into multi-dimensional experiences of haunted happenings. 

 

There is the Salem Witch Museum where you can learn about the witch trials of 1692. Experience walking haunted historic buildings and exploring haunted sidewalks on ghost tours through cobblestone streets. All month long is Haunted Happenings Festival that celebrates the town's history. Downtown is filled with a unique selection of boutiques with witchy goods and costumes that embrace the Halloween season.

4. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina & Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway is called "America’s Favorite Drive", and for good reason! You'll travel for 469 miles of spectacular views and fall foliage with wonderful colors in October. 

 

Some of the best stretches include Linn Cove Viaduct and Mabry Mill, and each offers fabulous overlook views. Not to mention waterfalls like Linville Falls and Crabtree Falls that can be explored with a short hike. 

 

You can enjoy a picnic surrounded by incredible colors of fall. Small mountain towns nearby highlight local craft selections and offer live bluegrass music.

5. Lake Placid, New York

Situated in the picturesque Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is a delightful fall destination with a quaint village, stunning fall foliage, and a beautiful lake with a rich Olympic history to discover. 

 

When you kayak or canoe on Mirror Lake, you will see beautiful views with the Sawtooth Mountain Range reflected on the lake’s surface. Hikes to Cobble Hill or Mount Jo provide excellent vantage points of pristine fall scenery in the region.

 

The Olympic Museum will take visitors through the town’s rich Olympic history. After your outdoor activities, enjoy amazing fall-themed dining options around the colorful downtown area. 

6. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Smokies are one of the most visited national parks in the United States, and for good reason. In October, it's peak season. 

A scenic drive on Cades Cove Loop provides many opportunities to see wildlife and the foliage change colors. Hiking to Clingmans Dome or along the Alum Cave Trail provides wonderful high-elevation looks at the fall colors on the trees below. 

 

Visitors can enjoy the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, which features many local artisans. The aerial tramway to Ober Mountain provides amazing aerial views of the Smoky Mountains.

7. Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style village in the Cascades, which spares no expense in its celebration of Oktoberfest. The town's vibrancy includes lively polka bands, German brews, and traditional foods. 

 

Hiking along the Icicle Ridge Trail immerses you in the alpine foliage and crisp mountain air. The boutique shopping experiences are fun while at the Bavarian-themed shops on the town’s streets. Dining at local beer gardens adds an element of authenticity to the Oktoberfest experience.

8. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe features art, culture, and a beautiful desert setting. October brings crisp weather and cultural festivals to this Southwestern delight. 

 

Visitors can look at art galleries along Canyon Road, which features world-class art. The Santa Fe Harvest Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas gives you a look at a day in the life of traditional New Mexican life. 

 

Hiking on Dale Ball Trails gives you views of the desert and the beautiful changing aspens. Dining in local applies Santa Fe’s famous red and green chile into its dishes. 

9. New York City, New York

 

New York City in October has it all. Strolls in Central Park during the autumn, Halloween, and all its celebrations, and all the glorious events celebrating art and culture in the city. 

 

The Village Halloween Parade is a sight to behold with all of its inventive costumes and joyous participants. It is hard to beat the colors of Central Park in the fall while visiting iconic locations like The Mall and The Bow Bridge. 

 

Museums such as The Met and MoMA offer excellent indoor options to experience, too. Finally, you will find great rooftop bars to enjoy a cocktail while reveling in the crispness of the skyline.

10. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Only a short drive from Washington D.C., Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive is a well-known, beautiful scenic drive that showcases the fall colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

 

The entire trip spans 105 miles of highway where travelers can stop and take in the foliage, or travel at a leisurely pace and climb Old Rag Mountain if they want a little adventure and a challenging hike with breathtaking viewpoints. 

 

Be ready to hike to and from the top to take all day. If the luck is right, travelers will see wildlife along the way, likely from the scenic pull-offs, and look for deer and black bears. You can even opt to camp for the night's experience in cozy mountain conditions while sleeping under the stars.

11. Portland, Maine

This small coastal city gives you the fall experience featuring lobster rolls, lighthouses, and leaf peeping. Portland Head Light is the most photographed lighthouse in America! 

 

All the lovely foliage cruises through Casco Bay to let you relax and enjoy sweeping views of the ocean. The Old Port is full of some of the best seafood places in New England. If you feel adventurous, make it a day-trip to nearby Acadia National Park.

12. Chicago, Illinois

October in Chicago means mild temperatures, fewer people, and many opportunities to experience cultural events. The architecture lovers will enjoy the river cruise to see the city's skyline. 

 

Families will appreciate Lincoln Park Zoo's Fall Fest with pumpkins and other seasonal snacks. There are beautiful gardens at Millennium Park and plenty of great art installations like Cloud Gate. Food lovers will have the chance to see several Michelin-Star restaurants in the West Loop!

13. Sedona, Arizona

Red rock country gets even more colorful in October, when mild temps and golden cottonwoods draw hikers and photographers. Trails like Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge provide some of the best views in the region. 

 

Visitors can experience an adrenaline rush on a Pink Jeep tour through rugged desert terrain. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, built into the red rocks, is a must-see architectural marvel. Clear skies at night make Sedona one of the best places for stargazing.

14. Napa Valley, California

October is grape harvest time in Napa, producing numerous opportunities for vineyard tours, wine tastings, and golden vine leaves. 

 

Many vineyards host harvest parties with food, music, and tastings. The Napa Valley Wine Train produces a first-class experience rolling through the vineyards. Visitors can bounce to Calistoga to soak in geothermal hot springs. 

 

You can experience a scenic drive through culturally rich towns like St. Helena and Yountville, to experience Napa’s rich natural beauty.

15. Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is a beautiful place to experience the changing of colors in October and is the gateway to Acadia National Park. The Park Loop Road runs through a very scenic portion of the coast and along the foliage. 

 

Sunrise from Cadillac Mountain must be on your bucket list. Ocean Path is very scenic and a great hiking path for exploring the rocky shore. After your exploring, food will be on your mind too, and what better way to satisfy your stomach than to grab fresh lobster at one of the many waterfront restaurants in town.

16. Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is the perfect blend of historical ambiance and cooler temperatures in October, along with ghost stories. The ghost tours of the historic district, while entertaining, have some eerily entertaining stories and sites to see. 

 

While visiting the Bonaventure Cemetery with all the Spanish moss, it is both beautiful and eerie. Forsyth Park is a great place to enjoy yourself. The sunset cruises on the Savannah River are another option to help you relax after a long day.

17. Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff is one of the best places in Arizona for fall foliage and mountain air, at 7,000 feet. The Inner Basin Trail comes alive with vivid yellow leaves in the aspen groves. 

 

The Arizona Snowbowl gives you a scenic chairlift tour atop the San Francisco Peaks. If you love science, visit Lowell Observatory, where they discovered Pluto! The historic downtown is full of breweries and eclectic shops.

18. Burlington, Vermont

Burlington is located on the shores of Lake Champlain, making it an artsy mountain town and a prime location to experience brilliant fall colors. Walking and biking on the Burlington Bike Path along the shore of the lake with views of the mountains provides plenty of color and splendor. 

 

Church Street Marketplace is a pedestrian-friendly area with local shops, cafes, and great events in the autumn. Shelburne Farms provides surrounding educational exhibits to further engage visitors. Of course, you can take a foliage cruise on Lake Champlain to get a different perspective of all the colors.

19. Door County, Wisconsin

This midway gem on a Lake Michigan peninsula is home to quiet orchards and scenic drives, and sleepy towns on the lakefront. Pick apples at Lautenbach's Orchard, and you might pick some peaches. 

 

The Peninsula State Park offers recreational opportunities on the trails, including biking and hiking, great views of the lake, and scenery. Sister Bay's Fall Fest includes live music, local food, beer, and fun activities. Meanwhile, on the shoreline, you can visit historic lighthouses.

20. San Diego, California

If you’re looking for an endless summer, then San Diego in October has clear blue skies and a smaller tourist population. Balboa Park is packed with museums, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. 

 

It even has some beer gardens. The beaches in La Jolla are a great spot to try surfing or just soaking up some sun. The San Diego International Film Festival brings a taste of Hollywood to the coast. Lastly, there is no better way to spend an evening than at Sunset Cliffs watching the sun dip below the Pacific Ocean.