We Requested Journey Specialists Their Favourite Fall Foliage Vacation spot within the U.S.—and They All Picked the Identical Place

The back-to-school season has already begun in lots of elements of the U.S. however that does not imply that you must forgo these trip plans. There are many lengthy weekends in our future, together with some incredible fall climate that makes exploring all of the extra pleasing.

However the place, precisely, must you go to seek out home trip bliss this season? In keeping with a number of journey specialists we spoke to, fall 2025 is all about one place: Tennessee. 

“There’s one thing totally different right here in Tennessee throughout the fall season, when the humidity lastly lifts and the crisp air units in,” Chloe Buss, the regional director of discipline operations at AvantStay, informed Journey + Leisure. “It’s the combo of heat daylight with altering autumn colours that drives folks to go to Nashville and the Smoky Mountains every fall. Throw within the lovely surroundings and cityscapes, together with nice meals, buying, a touch of school soccer and bonfires, and all roads result in Tennessee—now that feels like a rustic music within the making.” 

This is the place else the specialists say that you must go within the Volunteer State this season. 

Nice Smoky Nationwide Park 

There’s maybe no higher technique to spend fall in the USA than by exploring the nation’s nationwide parks—particularly in the event that they embrace a incredible kaleidoscope of fall colours. “Within the Smokies, hike as much as Rainbow Falls or go to Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook; each cherished by locals and vacationers alike,” Buss shared about precisely the place to go to see one of the best fall foliage within the park. “As you discover the winding trails, cozy cities, and fiery colours of fall, the entire area begins to really feel like house. One go to throughout fall and it’s as in the event you’re virtually associated to Dolly Parton by the point you allow.”

Jeff Powell, the creator and CEO of Nationwide Park Ventures, agreed, noting that the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park is “some of the biodiverse areas within the U.S. It’s house to elk, deer, otters, and over 1,900 black bears.” He additionally added this enjoyable truth: “The park is even referred to as the ‘Salamander Capital of the World,’ with over 30 totally different species of salamanders. The world can also be house to an astounding assortment of native crops and flowers, together with ferns, bee balm, native azaleas, galax, dwarf iris, and plenty of extra.”

Nashville 

Come on, you are probably not going to go all the way in which to Tennessee and never spend no less than an evening or two in Nashville, are you? “As a Nashville native, fall is the best possible time to expertise Music Metropolis,” Whitney Haldeman, the founding father of Atlas Adventures, informed T+L. “Whereas the summer time warmth is usually a bit oppressive, autumn brings crisp mornings, golden mild, and delicate power.” 

Sure, Haldeman promised all the same old buzz of reside music and unbelievable meals, however within the fall, “you additionally get fiery foliage alongside the Cumberland River, harvest festivals and excellent climate for a rooftop cocktail or a day spent exploring neighborhoods like 12 South and East Nashville.”

Buss additionally beneficial stopping at spots like Locust and luxuriate in its scrumptious Asian delicacies, or Buttermilk Ranch in case you are craving one thing candy. “Want some denim? Imogene and Willie by no means fail or in case you are searching for a particular present, you’ll have the ability to discover the proper merchandise for anybody in your life at White’s Mercantile, which is owned by the daughter of legend Hank Williams Jr.”

Buss additionally suggested checking into The Gilmore, an AvantStay Resort, which is the primary and solely boutique lodge within the 12 South neighborhood.

Natchez Hint Parkway 

These searching for much more foliage motion can take a drive down the Natchez Hint Parkway, which Haldeman sayid is very nice “round mid to late October, when the leaves placed on a present.” (She famous you will additionally get “bonus factors in the event you cease for biscuits at The Loveless Cafe.”) The drive stretches for 444 incredible miles from Nashville to Mississippi, and follows the “Outdated Natchez Hint,” which the Nationwide Parks System explains is a historic journey hall utilized by Indigenous folks, European settlers, slave merchants, troopers, and even “future presidents.”

Leiper’s Fork 

When you’re up for a detour on that drive, Haldeman urged you “head to Leiper’s Fork, a tiny village outdoors the town with vintage outlets, artist studios and a laid-back, Southern-chic vibe.” And actually, she means tiny, as there are solely about 650 residents who reside right here full-time. So when you will not discover lots of people, you’ll discover loads of Southern attraction in locations just like the Leiper’s Creek Gallery and The RedByrd Espresso Store.

Townsend

Kim Mitchell, the director of tourism for the Larger Smokies Area, beneficial popping into yet another tiny city: Townsend. Proper outdoors of Gatlinburg, it has simply 550 full-time residents, and as Mitchell defined, it “gives a peaceable house base proper outdoors Cades Cove with the whole lot you might want for a trip—be it {couples}, households, buddies or solo journey—together with fall colours, festivals, crisp mountain air, and Appalachian delicacies.” In keeping with Mitchell, prime spots embrace the Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro and Lodge, Peaceable Aspect Social, Little Arrow Outside Resort, and the Tuckaleechee Caverns.