A getaway in the autumn is unparalleled. Summer’s flurry of activity has died down. When the Christmas season finally arrives, most tourist hotspots wake up from their slumber and welcome the influx of visitors. We’ve compiled a list of the top ten U.S. destinations to visit in October in case you’ve ever wondered where to go. Traveling in the autumn, especially in October, cannot be topped.
Many popular U.S. tourist spots are now experiencing their shoulder season. Because of that, fewer people will be there, and the pricing will be lower. Also, the autumnal foliage is stunning in much of the United States. Autumn is a beautiful season to travel. Not every location, however, is equally appealing. This is why we’re showcasing well-known attractions and lesser-known gems in our guide to the finest autumn vacations in the United States
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier National Park is one of the greatest spots in the United States to see the brilliant autumn foliage. The optimum time to do so is between the middle of September and the middle of October. The best part is that after Labor Day, the park’s visitor numbers drop significantly, so you won’t have to fight through any swarms of other people.
Alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, & meadows are all visible from the many breathtaking paths in the area. There are many trailheads along the 93-mile-long Wonderland Trail, so you may opt to trek only a section if you’d like. Skyline Trail Loop, Tolmie Peak Trail, and Naches Peak Loop are just a few of the many shorter routes in the area.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Whether or not Blue Ridge Parkway is indeed the finest road trip in the States of America is a matter of personal preference. The parkway, which extends 469 miles from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is perhaps the most visited section of the United States’ vast national park system, attracting 15 million or more people annually. FDR envisioned this historic scenic byway as part of his New Deal initiative to create employment and enhance U.S. infrastructure.
The remarkable eight-mile North Carolina segment between the Linn Cove Viaduct and Grandfather Mountain wasn’t finished until 1987, despite construction beginning in 1935 and being mostly completed by 1966. It spans Jefferson, George Washington, Nantahala, & Pisgah National Forests and is the longest linear park in the United States. In October, the Blue Ridge region is one of the greatest places to visit in the United States because the fall colors reach their most resonant peak in the middle to the end of the month. Along the journey, you may stop at any of the 200 scenic overlooks to take in the breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountains, lush valleys, and the lovely waterfalls of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The area is also home to a wide variety of avian species and mammals, including black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and many other birds. A nonstop drive over the route would take around 15 hours if one adhered to the speed restriction of 45 miles per hour. But it would be completely counterproductive to what is often regarded as the most beautiful drive in the United States.
California’s Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes, California, is among the greatest U.S. destinations in October. The area, which is in Eastern California, is one of the most underappreciated tourist destinations in the United States. This is a great area to stay in October because of the lovely, multicolored trees and the mountains in the distance. The June Lake Loop is a beautiful place to see the changing seasons. The circle passes by many lakes, including Silver Lake, June Lake, Gull Lake, and Grant Lake, which are worth exploring.
There are several places to stop and admire the gorgeous golden Aspen trees that dot the whole circle. Silver Lake Cafe is the perfect place to have lunch while taking in the beautiful surroundings of Silver Lake. Convict Lake, just southeast of Mammoth Lakes, is another fantastic location for seeing the season’s changing foliage. The best way to see the yellow Aspens is to walk the whole circle, which begins at the mountain’s foot.
The lakes in Mammoth Lakes Basin are also worth exploring. Lakes like Twin Lake, Lake Mamie, Horseshoe Lake, Lake Mary, & Lake George are all in this group. In the crisp morning air of late autumn, it’s a wonderful place to go on an adventure. Mammoth Lakes is awash in a riot of sunny yellows. It’s one of the best places in the United States to see the leaves change color in the autumn, yet few people know about it.
Hudson, New York
You may escape the city and into nature in only two hours by taking the Metro-North Railroad to this location, conveniently located just two hours from New York City. This trendy municipality is often called the “Brooklyn of the Hudson Valley” due to its avant-garde and artistic atmosphere and swanky downtown.
Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine, is just two hours away from Boston and has a charming urban core, trendy restaurants, and a picturesque waterfront. As a bonus, it is a great jumping-off place for trips to the quaint fishing villages of southern Maine. Drive down the coast and stop in charming seaside villages like Kennebunkport, Bath, Freeport, and Brunswick, where you can eat lobster to your heart’s delight at one of the many seafood shacks and browse the unique stores.
A getaway in the autumn is unparalleled. Summer’s flurry of activity has died down. When the Christmas season finally arrives, most tourist hotspots wake up from their slumber and welcome the influx of visitors. Lastly, read more about travel around the world here.
