Fall is an excellent season for travel, if not for the impressive views on fall foliage tours, then for the crisp autumn air and the dreamy romanticism it recalls. Some of the best places to travel in fall are right here in the U.S. New England is the most popular destination for leaf-peeping, but Eastern Canada and the Midwest are also known for their spectacular fall colors. If you're looking for fall vacation inspiration, we've got you covered with these 5 Fall Vacation Ideas for 2021:
1. New England Fall Foliage Tour
New England is the quintessential fall getaway destination. Vibrant red, orange and yellow hues start to take over the landscape in late September, making it one the most picturesque places to vacation to in October. Fall Colors, Scenic Trains & Martha's Vineyard is an escorted tour through New England featuring America's top fall foliage drive, the Kancamagus Highway, three scenic rail excursions, a Lake Winnipesaukee Cruise and a Kennebec River Cruise, providing endless opportunities for leaf-peeping. A Boston city tour, a visit to the Maine Maritime Museum and a tour of the famed Martha's Vineyard, including the quaint village of Edgartown, are other memorable excursions on this incredible autumn adventure.
2. Fall Colors of Eastern Canada
Eastern Canada is another excellent destination for a fall vacation. It's one of the best places to view fall colors and it's an ideal time for city touring, with smaller crowds and milder temperatures than summer. Fall Colors of New England, Quebec & Montreal is a fall foliage tour that pairs brilliant autumn scenery with city touring and grand hotel stays. It features two scenic train rides, one aboard the Mt. Washington Cog Railway that takes you to the highest peak in the northeast and another traveling along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee aboard the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. Enjoy city tours of Montreal, Quebec and an Acadia National Park excursion on this escorted tour through New England and French Canada.
3. Autumn in the Virginias
The Virginias are the perfect fall vacation idea to please leaf-peepers, train enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Beautiful autumn colors grace the mountainsides of West Virginia and Virginia, a region steeped in American history. Autumn at the Greenbrier & Historic Trains is a fall foliage tour that blends breathtaking scenery with rich historical exploration. It takes you from a sightseeing tour of the monuments and memorials of Washington, D.C., to three scenic rail excursions and a visit to Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, then onto a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Virginia for an unforgettable fall vacation.
4. Fall Colors of the Midwest
The Midwest is another destination where you can experience unbelievable views of fall foliage. The charming towns, lush farmlands, dense forests and sandy beaches of Wisconsin and Michigan make it a great place to travel in the fall. Great Lakes and Trains featuring the Grand Hotel highlights the natural beauty and history of the Midwest on a memorable escorted tour through the Great Lakes. It features a two-night stay at the iconic Grand Hotel, a scenic rail excursion on the Algoma Railway's Agawa Canyon Tour Train, a guided tour of Door County Peninsula, a river cruise through the Soo Locks on Lake Superior, a Mackinac Island carriage tour, a tour of Earl Young's Mushroom Homes in Charlevoix, an excursion to Sleep Bear Dunes, a visit to the Steam Railroad Institute, a Ford Rouge Factory Tour and access to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.
5. New England Fall Getaway
New England in a Nutshell is a great fall vacation idea for anyone who wants a brief introduction to autumn in the Northeast. Sights of gold, rust and crimson surround you as you travel through leaf-peeping hot spots in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Some highlights on this fall getaway include a scenic rail excursion on the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, a Boston city tour, a ride on the Stowe Gondola, a cruise on Lake Champlain aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen and a visit to Quechee Gorge, "Vermont's Little Canyon." This escorted tour takes you to some of the most popular fall destinations showcasing the splendor of New England in autumn.
