Are your pumpkin spice latte senses tingling? That’s right: it’s sweater weather season, friends. Celebrate by pulling on your favorite cable knit and gawking at breathtaking foliage in these dreamy fall destinations.
New York City
From newly arrived NYU students bustling through Washington Square Park to the Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village, Manhattan in the fall is its own kind of magic. Be sure to stroll through Central Park Mall when the changing leaves hit their peak, and make your way through the Sackler Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of art a la When Harry Met Sally for stunning floor-ceiling window views of the park’s foliage.
Basel, Switzerland
Basel’s historic architecture looks beautiful when framed by bright orange leaves, but the real draw to fall in this city is the annual Autumn Fair. The event has been a local favorite in Basel for more than 500 years. (If the Medieval period had Yelp reviews, the fair would have hit five stars in a flash.) At the festival you can chow down on local fare, watch talented performers, hit up carnival rides, and of course, drink plenty of hot mugs of Gluhwein.
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is a dream come true any time of year, but fall is an especially exciting season to be there, because it is vendemmia, when vineyards harvest their grapes. You’ll see local farmers preparing for the harvest and you’ll encounter plenty of local villages who are keen to celebrate. There are more wine festivals in the region this time of year than you can possibly count, so be sure to get your fill of vino and merriment.
Paris
Ahh, autumn in Paris. Life doesn’t get much more cinematic than that. When fall sets in, the city’s overwhelming summer crowds thin out and the city takes on an unmistakable air of coziness. It’s chilly enough to wear toasty layers, but still sunny enough in the daytime to sip an al fresco espresso at a sidewalk cafe as you watch the world go by.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park is absolutely stunning in the fall, with a crisp breeze and golden leaves falling beneath mountain peaks. When you’re done taking in the park views, however, you’ll also want to get acquainted with Jackson Hole, the valley alongside the park. With luxurious mountain resorts, friendly locals, and fantastic restaurants, it’s a great place to explore with a hot cider in hand.
Northern Michigan
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is often dubbed as something of a no man’s land, thanks to its sparse population and remote northern location. Luckily for us, these traits are exactly what make the UP a bona fide autumn paradise. This far north, the leaves change colors brilliantly and quickly, giving way to the kinds of red and golden wonderlands that most of us only see in stock photos. Wander among the Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Tahquamenon Falls for some of the most unspoiled fall magic you’ll find anywhere in the US.
Asheville, North Carolina
This gem of a mountain town has everything you could want in a fall getaway: mild temperatures, cozy restaurants, and unbelievable vistas. Asheville is just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic mountain drive that stretches through North Carolina and Southern Virginia. Between resting your bones in Asheville’s charming cafes, venture out on the Parkway to see the Blue Ridge Mountains take on a rich golden hue in the autumn light.
Taos, New Mexico
New Mexico is so delightfully otherworldly that it essentially lives in its own universe, and Taos is no exception. This outdoorsy town is surrounded by mountains that take on a special beauty in the fall. Take a ride along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway to take in all changing leaves,, and be sure to make time to check out the lovely restaurants and art galleries in town.
