We all know the delightful feeling when the air starts to feel crisp after a long, hot summer. The transition to cooler weather means that fall is here. If autumn is your favorite season, finding the best places for fall weather should be at the top of your where-to-move list.
What’s not to love about fall? The entire season is about comfort—snuggly sweaters, cozy boots, and warm drinks. It’s the time when you get to style your home with some of the best fall fireplace décor and purchase autumn-scented candles that fill your house with pleasant aromas of cinnamon, pumpkin, and baked apple pie. However, most fall lovers would agree that the best part of autumn is the fall foliage. There is nothing like the green leaves slowly fading into a vibrant sunset of color before drifting down and making way for winter.
If you dream of viewing this phenomenon every year without traveling far, you’re in luck. American Home Shield® has 19 of the best places to live if you love fall weather to set down roots and immerse yourself in the season. We’ve ranked these locations based on the following criteria:
- Scenic drives
- Outdoor spaces for viewing foliage
- Outdoor activities for viewing fall colors
- Fall festivals
1. Stowe, Vermont
Known as Fall’s Color Capital, Stowe is one of the best places to experience the Vermont fall colors. This charming New England town has a plethora of shopping and dining opportunities, and the location is a dream—it’s nestled right at the base of the state’s highest peak, Mt. Mansfield. For some quality autumn leaf-peeping, hike to the top of Mt. Mansfield from various trails or go on a one-mile walk to Sunset Rock.
Autumn in Stowe means leisurely car rides through the breathtaking displays of colors and guided biking, hiking, and ziplining tours to view fall colors from unique vantage points. You can even take your stand-up paddleboard, canoe, or kayak to the Waterbury or Green River Reservoirs, which offer stunning autumn views.
Round out your autumn adventure days by grabbing a glass of hard cider at Cold Hollow Cider Mill, which offers fresh apple cider, tasty cider donuts, and the famous Vermont maple syrup.
2. Springfield, Missouri
Head to Springfield, Missouri, one of the best places to experience the fall season in the USA. One of the biggest draws to Springfield is its proximity to the Ozark Mountains, which are stunning year-round but especially in the fall. Take a drive along the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop or the Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway and stop at various turnouts to view the red, orange, and yellow landscape.
The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is a great place to immerse yourself in the fall atmosphere. Enjoy the walking trails and wander to Galloway Creek for peace, tranquility, and a vivid color display.
When the crisp air hits, head to one of Springfield’s several apple orchards and pumpkin patches to celebrate the fall weather. Afterward, tuck into Mother’s Brewing Company for a pumpkin ale, or head to Tie and Timber Beer Co for an apple pie spice sour.
If you’re raising kids in Springfield, take them on a fall leaf-gathering adventure at a local park or in your own backyard. Then, use these ideas for what to do with fall leaves.
3. Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is a great city to live in if you love spending time outdoors. However, when it comes to fall foliage, Telluride has the pièce de resistance: an amazing gondola ride. Simply hop on for a free ride through the amazing reds, yellows, and oranges of the aspen and evergreen trees—what a great way to end a stressful day.
You can also book a 4x4 adventure tour to Tomboy Basin and Imogene Pass, two areas with prime fall foliage viewing opportunities. Check out these 4x4 outfitters in Telluride.
The Telluride Autumn Classic is also a huge draw for lovers of cars and the fall season. Even if you’re not a vehicle enthusiast, you’ll be mesmerized by the cool automobiles set against the beautiful fiery backdrop of fall leaves. It’s one of the most popular festivals in Colorado and is world-renown.
If you’re considering moving to Colorado, make sure you look into a home warranty to protect the hardworking items in your house. A home warranty in Colorado helps cover parts of your home systems and appliances when they break down, so your Telluride household stays in tip-top shape throughout the year.
4. Harbor Springs and Cross Village, Michigan
Just about every square inch of Michigan shimmers in the fall. However, one of the best places for fall foliage is Harbor Springs. This picturesque town on the banks of Little Traverse Bay serves as the starting point of a major fall attraction called the Tunnel of Trees. This long stretch on M-119 takes you north from Harbor Springs to Cross Village, which is also a charming town to call home. Pack a picnic lunch and stop halfway at Readmond Township Park to snack with a Lake Michigan view. The tunnel boasts stunning views of the lake, historical attractions, and the opportunity to see some of the best fall foliage that the Mitten State has to offer.
Once you arrive in Cross Village, stop at Legs Inn, a historic site and gorgeous place to eat dinner and watch the sunset over Lake Michigan.
Are you considering moving to the Mitten State? American Home Shield can help you be prepared with a home warranty in Michigan.
5. Boston, Massachusetts
Living in an area surrounded by Mother Nature’s beauty is one of the best ways to truly appreciate the fall foliage every year. What about those who want to see the pretty colors but also love the conveniences of a big city, like coffee shops, entertainment venues, and public transportation?
Welcome to Boston. This iconic city has everything: historic neighborhoods, things to do for young professionals, annual fall festivals, and stunning parks that offer a vivid view of the Massachusetts fall foliage.
One of the best ways to experience the fall weather in Boston is to stroll through the Emerald Necklace. This seven-mile walking trail takes you through nine stunning city parks featuring color-changing trees. For fall foliage in an urban setting, head to Beacon Hill, where the tree-lined streets light up in yellow and orange. Brush off the chill of the New England air by stopping in at The Paramount on Charles Street for a pastry and a hot cup of tea.
On weekends in autumn, celebrate Oktoberfest at several renowned breweries and taprooms throughout Boston. Then, wake up on Sunday and treat yourself to a lazy brunch, ending with a trip to one of the many farmer’s markets to pick up hearty seasonal fruits and veggies.
6. Milton, West Virginia
West Virginia fall foliage is truly a sight to behold. Considering that it is America’s third-most forested state, chances are that you’ll see the changing leaves no matter where you go.
Milton, tucked into the northwest portion of the state, is the perfect place to put down roots if you’re crazy about fall. There are several hiking and biking trails in the area (like River Trail and Meeks Mountain trails) with optimal fall foliage photo ops.
However, Milton’s claim to autumnal fame might be the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival, which has been an annual treat for West Virginia since 1986. It’s located in Pumpkin Park and has a slew of vendors and activities that celebrate all things pumpkin. Fall festivals are a great way to support your local farmers, shops, and restaurants, and Milton’s Pumpkin Festival can help you connect with your community and have a ton of fun while you’re at it.
7. Bar Harbor, Maine
If you ask anyone which state has the best places for fall weather and foliage, Maine will most likely be on the list—and Bar Harbor is the crown jewel.
Located in the Down East portion of Maine on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor boasts numerous spots to appreciate autumn. Plan a day hiking in Acadia National Park (also on the island), where you can take in deep red and orange trees and spot the sunrise over the Atlantic. For adventurous sorts, push in your kayak on the waters of Frenchman’s Bay, Jordan Pond, or Eagle Lake, where fiery fall colors will be best seen from mid-September to early October. Can you imagine floating in crisp Maine sea air, observing the reflection of the colorful trees shimmering on the water?
If you’re a runner, sign up for the Mount Desert Island Marathon, which snakes through the island. You’ll probably catch the last autumn leaves before they make way for winter.
Finish your fall celebration with a pint of Atlantic Brewing Company’s Leaf-Peeping Ale, or warm up with a steaming cup of coffee at Acadia Coffee Company.
8. Saratoga Springs, New York
Though the entire state of New York turns into a magical place during the autumn season, Sarasota Springs is the best place for fall weather and foliage in the Empire State. Leaf-peepers can take advantage of Sarasota Springs’s many outdoor spots like the Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail, where you can enjoy birdwatching along with the changing leaves.
You should also visit Saratoga Spa State Park, which offers prime leaf viewing and breathtaking mineral springs. The water in the mineral springs was once rumored to have healing properties, so the state had to step in and take preventive measures to protect this beautiful portion of New York.
If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), Ellms Family Farm offers fun fall activities, like corn mazes for both children and adults, a jump pad, a petting zoo, and an opportunity to hop on the Pumpkin Express and get a tour of the whole farm.
Read about the top three things to know before moving to New York state and then consider purchasing a home warranty in New York to protect your peace of mind and help cover the hardworking systems and appliances in your home.
9. Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield is a great place to live if you love fall and desire a small-town feel but still want to be close to major cities—Boston and New York City are only a couple of hours away.
A popular Litchfield driving route for viewing Connecticut fall foliage has been coined the Litchfield Hills Ramble. It starts in Torrington, then travels through beautiful towns like Falls Village, Kent, Warren, New Preston, and East Morris.
After exploring the 100-mile route filled with colorful leaves and brilliant fall sunshine, head to the Village Restaurant to enjoy a plate of eggplant parmesan and sip a local craft beer or a crisp seasonal wine. If you want to pair autumn colors with your glass of wine, visit Connecticut’s wineries, located just outside downtown Litchfield.
10. Moab, Utah
Moab is one of the best cities to see fall foliage in a high desert setting. It has a little bit of everything—miles and miles of rugged sandstone, lots of fun water activities in the Colorado River, and the amazing yellows and golds of the fall foliage rippling across the La Sal Loop.
Book a Moab sunrise hot air balloon ride to get the full impact of the aspens and evergreens against the rich red sandstone. The warm gradient of color amid the shifting light of autumn dawn is an experience you will never forget—you may even be tempted to make it an annual fall adventure.
11. Biglerville, Pennsylvania
If your love of autumn weather is equal to your love of apples in autumn, the town of Biglerville is for you. Situated just north of Gettysburg in southern Pennsylvania, Biglerville is prime real estate for apple picking in the Keystone State. Biglerville is located in Adams County, which features more than 20,000 acres of apple orchards. Get ready for as much apple sauce, cider, and pie as your heart desires.
The National Apple Harvest Festival is an annual event in Biglerville, taking place during the first two weekends in October. It’s jam-packed with every autumn activity you can think of—mouth-watering fall-themed food, live music, antiques, car shows, crafts, and, of course, apple picking. It’s a lovely place to live for people who enjoy the fall season in the USA.
If you decide to plant your family’s roots in Biglerville, add a home warranty in Pennsylvania to your household budget.
12. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
If you’re looking for one of the best places for fall weather in the Midwest, head to Lake Geneva in southern Wisconsin, where you can enjoy the season near the water.
From mid-to-late-October, Lake Geneva bursts into fiery autumnal colors. For the best views, walk or bike along Lake Shore Path, a 21-mile trail that follows the perimeter of the lake. Seeing the beautifully maintained lawns around the Lake Geneva shoreline may inspire you to do your own landscaping work. Read about ways you can prep your garden for fall. Consider looking into a home warranty in Wisconsin, too.
For those who crave a heart-pumping thrill, spend a day at Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures, where you can whoosh through the yellow and orange trees.
The greater Lake Geneva area is also home to several orchards:
- Royal Oak Farm, which allows the public to pick apples during the fall season.
- Brightonwoods Orchard, which provides beautiful grounds for walking and serves up apple cider and various seasonal jams and jellies.
