10 Beautiful Fall Towns in the USA You Must visit this fall

Are you planning a vacation for this September or October and looking for the most beautiful fall towns in the USA? We are here to help!

America is full of amazing places where you can enjoy the fall foliage and discover the golden colors of autumn.

In this article, we selected the best small towns to visit in the fall in the United States.

This includes of course some famous spots in New England but also some more underrated cute fall towns.

Not only will we present each fall destination but we will also give you recommendations of things to do in the fall and places to stay.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!

🔎 Table of Contents

1. Stowe, Vermont

When it comes to beautiful fall towns in the USA, Stowe sets the standard!

Vermont is unarguably the best state to visit during the fall. The colours are incredibly pretty and there is that relaxing and romantic feel to it.

Stowe is located in the northern part of Vermont. It’s an easy 40 minutes drive from Burlington.

Here are some ideas of things to do in Stowe in autumn:

Hike up Mount Mansfield. This is the highest peak in Vermont and can easily be accessed from Stowe. If you love all things outdoors, it will be ideal for you!
Brewery tour. Vermont is home to some of the best breweries in the country and if you love tasting delicious beers, Stowe will be your paradise. You can join a brewery tour with a local guide to discover the best ones. See prices.
Mountain bike. Another way to enjoy the outdoors in Stowe is with a mountain bike. There are many trails around the town. It’s a great activity and during the fall, you really get to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. See prices.
Take beautiful photos. Stowe is one of the most Instagrammable towns in the US so if you love taking photos, roam around town with your camera. Stowe Community Church, also known as the little white church, is absolutely stunning so make sure to head there.

WHERE TO STAY IN STOWE: The two best areas to stay in Stowe at this time of the year are downtown and near Stowe Mountain Resort. Here are some recommendations of hotels:

The Lodge at Spruce Peak is located on Mountain Road, near Stowe Mountain Resort. It’s perfect for people who want to relax and enjoy the best facilities and views. See prices here.
The Green Mountain Inn is another alternative. This inn is perfect for families and is located downtown. This means you can easily go to restaurants and breweries. See prices here.

2. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg is one of the cutest small towns in Tennessee. Located in the eastern part of the state, it’s often referred to as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains.

It’s a great town to visit in autumn as you will get to discover the stunning Smoky Mountains with the fall colours.

It’s also ideally located near another beautiful American town, Pigeon Forge.

Here are some ideas of things to do in Gatlinburg in fall:

Oktoberfest. Nothing screams fall more than a good old bavarian-style Oktoberfest. If you are visiting at the end of September / beginning of October, you’ll get to enjoy Oktoberfest at Ober in Gatlinburg.
Fall foliage viewing. The best way to enjoy the fall foliage is to go on a mini road trip through the Smoky Mountains. It’s absolutely stunning!
Ghost tour. There are many ghost stories here and if you are visiting around Halloween, this haunted tour will be the perfect activity. See prices.
Distillery tour. There are quite a few awesome local distilleries here so if you are a foodie, opt for a tasting! See prices here.

WHERE TO STAY IN GATLINBURG: Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg is one of the best resorts in the area. It’s extremely well located (downtown) and the amenities are fantastic. Anything you need, you’ll find it here. The staff is also extremely helpful and friendly. See prices.

3. Breckenridge, Colorado

Located in Colorado, Breckenridge is a popular winter destination in the US. Most people head there to hit the skiing slopes and although that’s an excellent vacation idea, visiting during the fall is just as nice!

The Rockies are absolutely gorgeous in autumn and if you choose to stay in Breckenridge, you’ll be able to explore them very easily.

Here are some ideas of things to do in Breckenridge in autumn:

Scenic drive. The best way to enjoy the views and discover the beautiful fall colors, it’s to drive around. Start the scenic drive through the Rockies at Boreas Pass Road and head to the French Gulch Road. It’s well worth it!
Historic Main Street. Breckenridge Main Street is one of the most beautiful main streets in the US. You’ll find loads of local shops where you can buy souvenirs.
Hiking. There are many beautiful trails in the area so if you love hiking, you’ll be in for a treat! The Minnie Mine loop is a great one to do if you want to discover the fall colors.

WHERE TO STAY IN BRECKENRIDGE: Welk Resorts Breckenridge is the perfect place to stay in Breckenridge. The amenities are incredible and include swimming pools (both outside and inside). See prices here.

4. Celebration, Florida

When we think of fall vacation spots in the US, Florida doesn’t quite come to mind. Yet, that’s something that you should consider!

Celebration is a small town located near Orlando. It was originally developed by the Walt Disney Company.

Although it has this small town feel, you can definitely tell you are in Disney country here.

The theme parks always organise fun events at this time of the year and here are the one you should consider checking out:

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Epcot is a paradise for foodies all year round but during the fall, it gets even better with their food and wine festival. It’s on from September to November.
SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular. SeaWorld organises Halloween-themed activities every weekend from September to November.
Festive Fall Fun at Magic Kingdom. Everything fall related, you will find it at Disney World Magic Kingdom. From Mickey mouse-shaped pumpkins to delicious food, you can be sure to have fun here.
Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. This is the most famous event at Universal Studios. When Halloween comes around, everything becomes a little notch more fun and spookier!
Visiting the pumpkin patches and corn mazes. There are many fantastic patches and mazes in Florida. Make sure to check them out!

WHERE TO STAY IN CELEBRATION: When it comes to accommodation in Celebration FL, you have two options.

You can either opt for a beautiful vacation rental like this villa with a pool near the theme parks. See prices.

Or you can opt for one of the resorts such as the CLC Regal Oaks Resort. It’s well located and you will have access to incredible amenities. See prices here.

5. Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Located in Pennsylvania, not only is Jim Thorpe an excellent fall destination but it’s also one of the most charming small towns in the USA!

It has been nicknamed the “Switzerland of America”, which should give you a good idea of what is expecting you.

Picturesque scenery, quaint streets and fascinating history… Jim Thorpe has it all!

Here are some recommendations of things to do in Jim Thorpe in the fall:

Visit the Poconos. Jim Thorpe is known as the gateway to the Poconos and that’s an area that should be on your bucket list. It’s a paradise for outdoor lovers. You can go hiking, kayaking and plenty more!
Mauch Chunk Museum & Cultural Center. Located in a Victorian church, Mauch Chunk Museum is a great place to learn more about the town and its history.
Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival. It runs for 3 weeks in October and is the ultimate fall activity in Jim Thorpe PA. There are scenic train rides, spooky ghost tours, live music and plenty more!

WHERE TO STAY IN JIM THORPE: The Inn at Jim Thorpe is located in the historic district of Jim Thorpe. You will find a restaurant, bar and spa on-site. It’s also great value for money. See prices.

6. Waterbury, Vermont

Located between Burlington and Montpelier, Waterbury is one of the best fall destinations in Vermont.

It’s a small town with less than 6,000 inhabitants but loads to offer to visitors. Here are some recommendations:

The Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Who says autumn says apple and cider. Head to Cold Hollow Cider Mill for a tasting. It’s one of the best apple orchards in Vermont.
Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour. Did you know that the iconic ice-cream brand was from Vermont? Well, you’ll be happy to know that you can visit the factory in Waterbury. It’s a great thing to do all-year round.
Grab food and drinks at Prohibition Pig. Located in downtown Waterbury, Prohibition Pig is known as one of the best restaurants in town. They have over 20 craft beers on tap.

It’s also important to note that there are many day trips you can take from Waterbury including Burlington, Stowe and Montpelier. All in all, it’s an excellent base for people who want to explore Vermont.

WHERE TO STAY IN WATERBURY: Old Stagecoach Inn is a super cute B&B located in downtown Waterbury. Not only is it an excellent location but you will also get breakfast in the morning and it’s great value for money. See prices here.

7. Saranac Lake, New York

Saranac Lake is a small village located in the northern part of New York state. It is a 1-hour drive from Plattsburgh and 2 hours from Burlington.

It’s the perfect place to discover the fall colour while staying away from the crowds. Saranac Lake doesn’t have the notoriety of some New England towns but it is just as pretty!

Here are a few ideas of things to do in Saranac Lake in the fall:

Hiking the Saranac Lake 6ers
Paddling down the Saranac River
Visiting The Saranac Laboratory Museum
Enjoying the views of Lake Flower

WHERE TO STAY IN SARANAC LAKE: The Best Western Saranac Lake is located just outside the town, on the edge of the lake. It boasts fantastic views of the lake and the trees. It’s perfect during the fall as you can truly see the colors all the time. The facilities are also amazing and it’s great value for money. See prices here.

8. Bristol, Rhode Island

Bristol is a historic town located in Rhode Island, only 1 hour from Boston and 25 minutes from Providence.

As the name suggests, it was named after the city of Bristol in England.

It’s the perfect town to visit in the fall if you’d rather something on the seaside with strong autumn vibes.

Here are some ideas of things to do in Bristol, RI:

The Prudence Island Ferry. It leaves from Bristol harbor and is a great way to discover beautiful views of the coastline and the town.
Visit the Blithewold Mansion. This absolutely stunning property will make you feel like you flew to the UK for a second!
East Bay Bike Path. If you like cycling, this will be the perfect activity. It goes all the way from Bristol to Providence and boasts fantastic views of the colorful fall landscapes.

WHERE TO STAY IN BRISTOL: William’s Grant Inn Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to stay in Bristol. It’s a super cute B&B with a strong New England, Old America look. The location is ideal, only one block from the harbor, and the rates include breakfast. See prices.

9. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Located in Tennessee, Pigeon Forge is a small mountain town particularly famous amongst Dolly Parton fans.

It’s home to Dollywood, a theme park entirely dedicated to Dolly Parton!

In terms of location, it’s only a 40-minute drive from Knoxville and 1h45 from Asheville.

Pigeon Forge is also ideally located in the Smoky Mountains, making it the perfect getaway for outdoor lovers.

The fall is one of the best times of the year to visit Pigeon Forge and here are some ideas of things to do during your trip:

Scenic drive in the Smoky Mountains. Soaking up the beautiful views of the changing colors of the fall is one of the most magical experiences you can have in Pigeon Forge. To discover the most stunning landscapes, opt for one of the numerous scenic drives in the Smoky Mountains.
Dollywood’s Harvest Festival. This fall festival starts at the end of September until the end of October. It takes place at Dollywood and is the ultimate fall activity in Pigeon Forge. They even have giant glowing pumpkins!
Visiting the Titanic Museum. This perfect replica of the Titanic is the perfect activity for history buffs and movie fans.

WHERE TO STAY IN PIGEON FORGE: RiverStone Resort & Spa is an absolutely stunning resort in Pigeon Forge. You’ll love the waterpark (with waterfalls and several outdoor pools!) and all the wellness facilities. All condos have a fully equipped kitchen which is very handy. It’s an excellent place to stay in the fall. See prices here.

10. Bozeman, Montana

While it’s true that the East Coast is usually considered as the best place to visit in the fall, there are also some great places you should check out in the West.

Bozeman in Montana is one of them. It’s technically a city but since it’s small, it truly has this small town vibe and in the fall, the colors are beautiful.

Here are some ideas of things you can do while visiting Bozeman in the fall:

Stroll downtown. Downtown Bozeman is a great place to explore. There are loads of shops, restaurants, bars and museums you can visit.
Hike College ‘M’ Trail. This is one of the best hiking trails in Bozeman. It’s only 10 minutes drive from downtown Bozeman and it boasts fantastic views of the area. It’s a great place to admire the fall colors.
Visit Yellowstone. No trip to South Montana would be complete without visiting the world’s first national park. Yellowstone is a great place to visit in the fall and you should set aside a couple of days to do so.

Map of the best fall towns in the US

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10 Beautiful Fall Towns in The USA To Visit This Fall