20 Best Fall Vacations for Foliage Views, Fewer Crowds, and Stunning Scenery

Summer is synonymous with travel, but fall might just be the best time to take a vacation. Cooler temperatures and fewer tourists make destinations like New York City and Maui ideal for autumnal getaways, and outdoor adventures await near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Flagstaff, Arizona, which are close to some of the country's best national parks. Whether you want to see the leaves of Japanese maple trees change in their home country or head to a sunny island to squeeze in a few more beach days before winter, we've rounded up the best fall vacations for every type of traveler.

• Best for fall foliage: Kyoto
• Best for a romantic escape: Sonoma, California
• Best for the northern lights: Yellowknife, Canada
• Underrated hidden gem: Greenville, South Carolina
• Best for a warm getaway: Bermuda

Read on for 15 more of the season's best destinations throughout the U.S. and beyond.

Kyoto

Autumn in Kyoto may be overshadowed by the more touristy cherry blossom season, but the city is one of the best fall foliage destinations in the world. Japanese maples frame the famous temples and line the urban streets, dousing them in bright crimson. It's a tradition for temples across the city to show off their colorful trees with nightly lights in November, the peak of foliage season. Don't miss the spectacle at Toji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colors are especially stunning on the hillsides of Arashiyama, a popular sightseeing district for its bamboo forest. If you're hoping for a fully immersive nature retreat here, staying at Muni Kyoto is the way to go.

Sonoma, California

Fall in California's wine country is magical. You can tour Sonoma's famous vineyards and wineries while they're cloaked in beautiful red, orange, and yellow foliage, or take a ride on the open-air Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley. When you need a break from sipping vino, go for an easy hike on the East Trail at Bodega Head for sweeping ocean and bay views, then refuel with some fresh seafood. Montage Healdsburg offers a luxurious stay and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the fall colors with outdoor yoga classes, miles of hiking trails, and guided e-bike tours.

Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife is often described as one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. The magical and elusive aurora borealis is easier to see dancing across the sky from mid-November to April, so head north to the only city in Canada's Northwest Territories at the tail end of fall to catch the celestial phenomenon. Short autumn days are easily filled with craft brews from the NWT Brewing Company, dogsledding adventures, and other snow activities.

Greenville, South Carolina

In upstate South Carolina, Greenville makes the ideal base camp for leaf-peeping hikes and drives. Stay at the Grand Bohemian Lodge, a hotel perched atop the falls of the Reedy River, and take trips out to Table Rock State Park or Jones Gap State Park for a refreshing dose of nature. In town, you can admire urban foliage with a picnic in Falls Park, embark on a self-guided brewery tour, or rent a bike from Reedy Rides and pedal along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Bermuda

Trade cooler autumn temperatures for warm Bermuda in the fall. The average daily highs reach the low to mid-80s in September and October — optimal weather for relaxing on Bermuda's iconic pink-sand beaches. Plus, from many East Coast travel hubs, it's less than a three-hour plane ride to this British Overseas Territory 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina — from New York City it's just over two hours in the air. The Loren at Pink Beach and the Hamilton Princess are among the popular luxury accommodations on the island.

Asheville, North Carolina

Nestled in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has everything you could want in a fall getaway. The quaint downtown area is filled with unique shops, galleries, breweries, and restaurants, and you're almost guaranteed to see some local street performers as you wander around. Go for a hike in nearby Pisgah National Forest to see beautiful waterfalls among the changing leaves, or take in the beauty on a scenic drive to avoid working up a sweat.

The Biltmore Estate is another popular Asheville attraction worth visiting. This Gilded Age mansion is the largest privately owned house in the United States, complete with gardens and a winery. For private and cozy accommodations, search the many tree houses and cabins on Airbnb.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The gateway to some of the country's best national parks and most popular ski areas, Jackson Hole is a great place to visit year-round. Fall is the best time to avoid large crowds and see the colorful mountain foliage. The ski season typically starts at the end of November, so time your trip for early fall to enjoy mild weather without the high-season visitors. Surrounded by Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Bridger-Teton National Forest, and mountains and lakes galore, the valley is ideally placed for outdoor adventure.

Take a scenic drive (and look out for moose and bears), go for a hike, or visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art. For a luxurious stay during your outdoorsy fall getaway, check out the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole on the outskirts of Teton Village. Or consider The Virginian Lodge, a mile from Jackson's Town Square.

New York City

With the summer heat gone, fall is a great time to visit New York City. Explore all the shops, restaurants, and museums the Big Apple has to offer, or relax and watch a show on Broadway. Pick a hotel located along Central Park, like The Mark, Park Lane, or JW Marriott Essex House, all of which provide park views so you can enjoy the canopy of changing leaves from the comfort of your room. Of course, you'll want to grab some coffee and stroll through the iconic park to soak in the skyline vistas amid colorful trees.

Tuscany, Italy

The vivid fall hues of aspens and maples are one thing, but grape leaves are in a league of their own. Looking out over rows upon rows of vines on the Tuscan horizon is like poking your head into a painting. The rolling hills of Italy's wine region turn a deep rust color as the crop goes dormant and their fruits are harvested. Plus, fall is olive season. You can even get involved in the olive-picking ritual at Tenuta Torciano Winery and stay right there at the boutique Torciano Hotel, overlooking the grounds.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts

If you want to escape to rolling hills of stunning fall foliage, head to the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. There are several charming towns to choose from, including Lenox, Stockbridge, and Pittsfield, and at this time of year, you can drive from town to town while enjoying views of the colorful scenery. For the best Berkshires experience, stay at The Lenox Collection, composed of three charming inns — The Constance, The Dewey, and The Whitlock — housed in beautifully renovated 18th- and 19th-century buildings.

Reykjavik

Variegated vegetation blankets Iceland's vast natural landscape in the fall, when darkness really starts to descend on its capital. From September to October, Reykjavik loses three hours of daylight, and another three hours from October to November. By December, the days last only about four and a half hours — ideal for aurora chasers. October is one of the wettest months of the year, too, which makes the already mind-boggling waterfalls of Iceland rage even harder. Don't skip the 70-mile side trip to Gullfoss Falls to see it framed by fall color. Visiting Reykjavik in the shoulder season means you might even get good deals on luxury accommodations like a room with floor-to-ceiling windows at the Retreat at Blue Lagoon.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff is a nature lover's dream, especially in early fall. This Arizona city is surrounded by national forests, monuments, and parks, so there's plenty to see and explore. Learn about Native American history and culture at Wupatki National Monument, where you'll find pueblos that were occupied in the 12th century, and visit the Petrified Forest National Park to see petrified wood and the hills of the Painted Desert. The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is just a 90-minute drive away, so you can easily take a day trip to this incredible landmark and enjoy milder weather and fewer crowds compared to the summer months. Consider glamping at nearby Under Canvas Grand Canyon, which stays open until late October.

Burlington, Vermont

Burlington is doused in color as the leaves change every autumn, making it one of the best fall vacation destinations in the United States. Spend a day picking apples at one of the many nearby orchards, visit a pumpkin patch, or take a scenic drive to check out the beautiful foliage. After exploring, enjoy a local beer or two at one of the craft breweries in town. Hotel Vermont offers charming accommodations in the heart of the city, near the Lake Champlain waterfront.

The Scottish Highlands

You'd think the scenery of the Scottish Highlands couldn't be dreamier in the summer, but fall tops it. The hills take on a kaleidoscope of warm tones, and if you come early enough in the season, you might even see the purple heather in bloom. Chilly temperatures in the 40s and 50s are the best excuse to find a pub with a fireplace and warm up with whisky or soup. Glencoe and Cairngorms National Park are two popular places within 2.5 hours of Edinburgh. In the former, the five-star Glencoe Inn puts guests right at the base of colorful Munros (peaks at least 3,000 feet high named after Scottish mountaineer Sir Hugh T. Munro); in the latter, stay at The Fife Arms, a lodge brimming with Victorian charm.

Telluride, Colorado

You might think of Telluride as a winter ski destination, but this Colorado town is beautiful all year round. Early fall is ideal if you're looking for colorful foliage in a breathtaking mountain setting. Visit in September or early October to take full advantage of the season's offerings. Go for a hike or bike ride, or take in 360-degree views of the mountains and valley from the gondola, which runs through mid-October before pausing until the winter season begins. With proximity to hiking trails, Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection provides a cozy launchpad for all your outdoor activities.

Maui

Sure, brightly colored foliage is nice, but autumn is also an excellent time to head to beachy tropical destinations. On Maui, you can lounge on beautiful beaches, go hiking in a rainforest, or just relax at one of Hawaii's best resorts. One of them, the adults-only Hotel Wailea, is perfect for a romantic getaway, while the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea offers a complimentary daily Kids for All Seasons activities program for ages five to 12.

Portland, Maine

While folks flock to Vermont and New Hampshire for the celebrated fall foliage, you can head to this city on Maine's coast to enjoy similar scenery without such intense crowds. If you love lobster, fall is your last chance to eat it fresh and in abundance while it's still in its peak season. Maine's favorite crustacean is active through autumn, as are the marine mammals in these waters. Go in October to spot whales as they migrate south.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Horse-drawn carriages travel streets lined with colonial buildings and shade-shifting trees in the country's largest living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg. Pretend you're in the 18th century as you explore this old-timey town, where bonnets and cravats abound. Visit during the fall to see it in vivid color, and if you're a fan of the spooky season, don't miss the opportunity to go on a ghost walk with a tour guide dressed in colonial garb.

Bend, Oregon

Take in the colors of the trees lining the Deschutes River, enjoy quiet(er) hiking trails at Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint, and search for the best pumpkin beer at any of the dozens of breweries in this nature-filled high-desert oasis. You might even be able to make some of the first runs on the ski slopes of Mt. Bachelor, typically kicking off the winter season in mid- to late November.

Mexico City

Late fall is a great time to visit Mexico City, as the weather is dry and the tourists aren't as abundant, offering a more local experience. Día de Muertos on November 1 and 2 ushers in the season with parades, displays, markets, and street parties, though you might want to avoid this period if you're hoping for a quiet getaway. For the nature lover: Prepare to be awestruck on a day trip to nearby Santuario Piedra Herrada, which comes alive with countless migrating monarch butterflies each November. See? There's something for just about everyone in Mexico City during the low season.