Just as Starbucks welcomes home the Pumpkin Spice latte, U.S. News & World Report releases its lists of best destinations for autumn travel. 

Broken into categories – Best Places to Visit in the Fall, Best Cheap Fall Vacations in the U.S., Best Weekend Getaways, and Top Places to See Fall Foliage in the U.S. – these lists offer insight into where travelers can have peak autumnal experiences. 

Surprising Fall Destinations To Visit in 2024

This year, many old favorites grace all the lists, including Massachusetts’ Berkshire region. Stowe, Vermont, a personal favorite, also made the list of best places to see fall foliage. Talking to Elizabeth Von Tersch, U.S. News senior travel editor, she was surprised by a few places that made the fall destination lists. 

“As an Indianapolis native, I’m thrilled to see some Midwest representation on these lists, from Brown County, Indiana, on Cheap Fall Vacations in the U.S. to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the Top Places to See Fall Foliage,” Von Tersh told me over e-mail. “ The Midwest is often overlooked compared to autumn hot spots in the Northeast, but you can find scenic beauty in some unsuspecting places.”

There’s no arguing New England, in particular, is always a favorite fall destination, no matter if you’re a foodie, you’re into outdoor adventures, or you just want to peep some leaves on scenic drives. But for Von Tersh, people who don’t look westward are missing out. 

“Montana is one of my absolute favorite places to travel in the fall. I’ve stayed at a few dude ranches across the state in September and October, and it’s the perfect time for fun daytime activities like fly-fishing and horseback riding before cozying up by a fire at night,” she writes. “The crisp air, yellowing aspens and sense of solitude are so revitalizing.”

The Best Places to Travel for Autumn Adventures

Other places out west that made the list include Big Sur, California – named one of the best Cheap Fall Vacations – an easy, beautiful, scenic drive from Monterey or San Francisco. Mount Rainier, outside of Seattle in Washington State, is a top Fall Foliage destination. 

As magical as autumn is in the U.S., there are many places outside our borders that travelers usually miss out on. Reykjavik, for instance, sees peak tourists pass through during the summer. However, as the days shorten and temperatures drop, the chances of seeing the northern lights go up. 

Burgundy, France, is another region U.S. News & World Report named “Best Place to Visit in Fall.” Not only does the region look like something out of a fairytale, but it is also a wine lover’s dream destination. 

Expert Tips for Autumn Travel

Autumn travel is becoming more popular as summer temperatures and travel prices spike. For the uninitiated, however, Elizabeth Von Tersch warns packing can “be a gamble” depending on where you are heading. 

“It could be 80 degrees and sunny, or 50 degrees and rainy,” she tells me over e-mail. “I recommend having some flexibility in your itinerary. Have a few places in mind to spend a moody, gray day, and when the weather is perfect, make the most of it with an outdoor activity.”

This is especially true if you’re trying to pack in a short trip over a long holiday weekend. Von Tersch admits that for those types of vacations, she’s “really picky about my flights and will shell out more for direct options.” Plus, she takes advantage of her hotel luggage storage options if she arrives before her room is ready or has a late departure after check-out. 

“I love somewhere like Montréal for a weekend trip because it feels really different and Old World but is relatively easy to get to,” she adds. 

For those wondering how a travel editor spends time in Montréal:  “Must-dos for a 36-hour visit here would include wandering through Old Montréal, eating a St-Viateur bagel, people-watching in St. Louis Square, taking in the views from the top of Mount Royal and dining at La Fabrique.”