Fall colors. Leaf peeping. Corn mazes. Crisp, chilly air. Delicious crunchy apples. Fall is a great time to travel on the East Coast – whether it be to staycation destinations in your local area or a longer trip. Here are some of our favorite East Coast fall vacation destinations.
White Mountains: New Hampshire
Lincoln New Hampshire is home to the Franconia Notch State Park, where you can take an aerial tram at Cannon Mountain. There are also lots of places to hike, including the Flume Gorge. During your trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I also recommend that you travel across the scenic Kancamagus Highway. This scenic road will take you into beautiful North Conway, NH. Story Land, the popular storybook-themed theme park, is also open for part of the fall. It’s located a short distance from North Conway and is lots of fun for younger kids.
Freeport, Maine
Freeport is another one of my favorite places in Maine, especially during this time of year. Most famous as the home of LL Bean, Freeport also has other shopping, including many outlet malls. When we visited Freeport, Maine, with our kids several years ago, we enjoyed a visit to Wolfe’s Neck Farm. Our visit coincided with their annual Fall Festival, and we were able to pick pumpkins, make apple cider, see animals, and go on a hayride.
Ogunquit, Maine
We loved our visit to Ogunquit this summer, and I’d love to explore the area in the fall. While most people think of Ogunquit as a summer destination, it can also be a fun place to visit in the fall. Many of the popular shops and restaurants in the area are open at least seasonal hours through the fall. In addition, the crowds thin out so you’ll be able to enjoy more of the area without lines.
Portland, Maine
Portland Maine is one of my favorite New England destinations to visit, regardless of the season. It offers a beautiful location on Casco Bay, delicious restaurants, quaint shops, and great museums. It’s located on the Amtrak Downeaster route, if you don’t want to drive.
Salem, MA
While there are many fun activities throughout October, it does get extremely busy. So, expect to deal with traffic and parking hassles during your trip. It’s worth it though because there’s no experience like it. While Salem is fun year-round, it truly comes alive in October. This fun city is filled with spooky attractions to celebrate Halloween.
Boston, MA
Boston is a popular destination year-round, but I especially enjoy fall. In the fall, you’ll have cooler temperatures with less humidity. Be sure to spend some time walking through the Boston Public Garden and Boston Common. These adjacent parks are absolutely lovely in the fall and are right in the center of the city.
Plymouth, MA
Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Located South of Boston in Plymouth, MA, Plimoth Patuxet is a must-visit for any American history lover.
Upstate/Western New York
New York City and Upstate New York can be great fall destinations for a family vacation. While New York City offers its typical glitz and glam, update New York offers hayrides, apple picking, and pumpkin carving. One great New York destination is Niagara Falls, which has a US and a Canadian side.
Asheville, North Carolina
I visited Asheville during the early fall before the leaves changed. However, I was so impressed with the area, and I know that it must be absolutely beautiful in the fall. The highlight of my trip was a visit to the largest privately owned estate in the United States – the Biltmore Estate. While the home is beautiful, the land outside is equally impressive. I can only imagine that it must be gorgeous when the leaves change. If you’d like to explore the outdoors, consider hiking to Catawba Falls, in the Pisgah National Forest. It’s a beautiful, moderate hike. There’s also the Great Smoky Mountain National Park – America’s most-visited National Park.