If a vacation focusing on fall foliage is on your radar, here are six destinations that are sure to have you turning over a new leaf.
The Docent’s Collection – Portland, Maine
Fall in Portland, Maine is just as magical as it is any other time of year. When the leaves start to turn and a crisp breeze moves through the air, the beauty and charm of Portland take on a particularly warm and welcoming vibe. To truly experience the magic of fall in Portland like a local, visitors can consider a stay at The Docent’s Collection, a curated collection of private, luxury lofts designed for short-term and long-term stays in Portland, Maine.
Encouraging guests to truly stay like a local during fall foliage season, these private lofts are located just steps from downtown Old Port’s vibrant arts community, local boutiques, nationally recognized cuisine, and the lively atmosphere of Old Port Square. Guests can spend their days strolling the cobblestone streets, shopping local storefronts, and dining at acclaimed restaurants before retreating back to their loft accommodations.
The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa – Hot Springs, VA
Located across more than 2,000 acres of scenic Virginia landscape and visited by 24 U.S. Presidents, the iconic Omni Homestead Resort provides timeless comforts and access to an array of exciting activities. From the full-service spa featuring natural hot springs, to one of the best golf courses in the country built in 1892, the resort offers an over 250-year tradition of genuine hospitality and elegant charm.
Surrounded by the picturesque Allegheny Mountains, The Omni Homestead Resort is a premier Virginia destination for leaf peeping. Typically reaching peak fall foliage during the first week of October, Hot Springs, Virginia creates the perfect environment for outdoor fall pursuits every member of the family can enjoy. Guests can learn more about fall foliage and the stunning landscape surrounding the resort from a professional naturalist on the Cascades Gorge Hike. The resort offers 40+ activities including biking on miles of trails that wind through the vibrant terrain, horseback riding through the property’s expansive grounds, and much more!
InterContinental Boston – Boston, MA
As New England transforms with vibrant shades of crimson, amber, and gold, InterContinental Boston offers the perfect luxury retreat for an autumn getaway in the city. Nestled along Boston’s scenic waterfront, the hotel places guests just moments from some of the season’s most picturesque experiences, from crisp morning walks along the Harborwalk to strolling through the tree-lined streets of Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and the Boston Public Garden at peak foliage.
After a day spent exploring the season’s beauty, guests can return to spacious waterfront accommodations, indulge in seasonal cocktails at Bar Fellini and locally inspired dining at Matria, and unwind with sweeping harbor views that capture the cozy charm of fall in Boston.
Tucked away just one hour north of Milwaukee and two and a half hours north of Chicago, Kohler, Wisconsin’s private cabin collection offers an unforgettable fall retreat – where secluded luxury meets vibrant natural beauty. Guests can immerse themselves in the peak of fall foliage season from the comfort of one of four thoughtfully designed cabins, each offering privacy, scenic views, and direct access to the resort’s world-class amenities including award-winning golf, gourmet dining, and the iconic Forbes 5-star Kohler Waters Spa. The 800-acre River Wildlife Nature Preserve showcases a breathtaking canvas of blazing autumn colors, winding rivers, and peaceful meadows, perfect for reconnecting with nature.
From October 22-25, guests can also experience the annual Kohler Food & Wine event, a four-day celebration of culinary artistry featuring acclaimed chefs, renowned winemakers, and industry tastemakers, all set against the backdrop of Wisconsin’s peak fall foliage season.
Scribner’s Catskill Lodge– Hunter, NY
Fall in the Catskills means apple picking, pumpkin spice lattes, and scenic upstate adventures — and there’s no better place to experience it all than at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge. Located just two hours from NYC, Scribner’s offers the ultimate escape during peak fall foliage season. Guests can spend their days hiking the rugged mountain trails while taking in the crisp autumn air and views of the Catskills in vibrant reds, oranges, and golds. On property, visitors can stroll through Scribner’s Garden alongside resident gardener and horticulturist Andrew Koehn to learn about seasonal produce.
After a day outdoors, travelers can unwind in the new custom-built sauna, featuring mountain views, or dine at the lodge’s on-site restaurant Prospect. For those looking to continue their adventure after dark, the Unistellar® Stargazing Package offers a self-guided stargazing experience, the perfect complement to daytime leaf-peeping excursions. At the end of the day, guests can retreat to The Rounds, Scribner’s collection of thoughtfully designed standalone cabins featuring curated contemporary and vintage furnishings, private outdoor cedar soaking tubs and showers, and a central oculus designed for optimal stargazing beneath the Catskill sky.
Hotel Heron- Alexandria, VA
As the leaves start to turn, Hotel Heron offers the perfect fall escape in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. A short drive from downtown Washington, D.C., the 134-room boutique hotel is just steps from charming cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and displays of red, orange, and golden foliage that make Alexandria one of the region’s most picturesque autumn destinations. Guests can spend crisp days strolling along the waterfront, grabbing a seasonal latte at Misha’s Coffee, and browsing local boutiques along King Street, including Boxwood, Donna Lewis, and Eliana Curated, while soaking in Alexandria’s charming seasonal scenery.
Adding to the allure of a fall stay, Hotel Heron places guests at the center of Alexandria’s vibrant arts scene, with easy access to events like the 24th Annual Alexandria Art Festival (September 26-27) and Art on the Avenue (October 3). After a day of leaf peeping and exploring, guests can warm up with a hearth-inspired Mid-Atlantic dinner at KILN before ending the evening with a handcrafted cocktail at Francis Hall,, the hotel’s intimate, tucked-away cocktail bar, making for the perfect cozy autumn getaway.
