Under the Radar Small Towns for Fall Trips

Fall is one of the favorite times of the year for getaways and scenic road trips, especially for those looking for some colorful foliage, crunchy leaves and a more intimate small town autumn escape.

A small town offers the ideal blend of natural beauty and local culture for fall trips, each providing its own unique charm and experiences. And the best part is that these storybook destinations not only come with cozy inns and B&Bs, hot cider and pumpkin patches, they offer all the magic of fall without the crowds.

Small Town Fall Trips: Montpelier, Vermont 

Located in America’s smallest state, Montpelier, the capital of Vermont nestled in the Green Mountains offers small-town charm, rich history, and a quintessential New England feel. The town is intimate and walkable with much of the downtown architecture dating back to the 1800s and early 1900s creating a preserved, timeless ambience. There are no chain stores here, rather, locally owned bookstores, cafes, artisan shops and a thriving art scene.

In-town Hubbard Park offers forested hiking trails and a stone observation tower; the Winooski River flows right through the town adding a peaceful backdrop and scenic Smugglers Notch State Park is only 24 minutes away.

Leavenworth, Washington

Autumn brings magic to this Bavarian-style village with alpine charm, colorful foliage and festive fall celebrations. Oktoberfest takes over in autumn with music, food and festivities that feel so authentic, you’d feel like you’re in a real Bavarian town. Leavenworth is full of specialty German-style bakeries, beer gardens, and authentic food specialties. The town even sports a nutcracker museum.

Leavenworth is tucked into the Cascade Mountains and surrounded by forest, rivers and trails— a good base for outdoor lovers. The area around the town offers gorgeous scenic drives with vibrant fall colors through winding forested mountain roads.

Photo credit: Photo by David Wilson / flickr.

Galena, Illinois

The photogenic Midwest gem in northwest Illinois is filled with 19^th century architecture, hilly streets and Mississippi River and breathtaking views. At its height in the mid-1800s, the town was a bustling river port between St. Louis and St. Paul. As river commerce and the once profitable lead mining declined, so did the town’s economy. However, many of its historic buildings survived, most in the Galena Historic District and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Main Street features dozens of boutiques, antique stores, art galleries, bed and breakfast, charming inns and tasting rooms. One of the best times to visit is the fall offering a vibrant array of autumn colors across the Mississippi River Valley with scenic overlooks and small-time festivities.

Hood River, Oregon

With the backdrop of the picturesque Columbia River Gorge, Hood River is a Pacific Northwest treasure, especially in the fall when the town transforms into a kaleidoscope of vibrant color.

Crisp air and harvest-time charm make this a favorite getaway destination that also offers breathtaking drives through vine maple-lined forests. One of the favorite fall experiences is a scenic ride on the Mt. Hood Railroad’s Harvest Train, venturing through the countryside, showcasing autumn hues and offering themed experiences like Oktoberfest.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

With the stunning backdrop of the Ozark Mountains, Victorian architecture and winding streets, this Southern hub is a hidden fall treasure.

From mid-October to early November, the Ozark Mountains burst into brilliant reds, oranges and golds, making it one of Arkansas’s most picturesque seasonal destinations. The town’s shops, galleries and cafes offer warm hospitality and seasonal treats, and as always, the thriving art scene in Eureka should not be missed.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Though this Colorado Rockies mountain town is well-known as a winter destination for skiing and snow activities, autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year, when the aspens turn golden and “quake” when gentle breezes blow through the branches.

The historic town located 80 miles west of Denver was founded in 1859 during the California Gold Rush. Today, the 19^th century Victorian mining town sports carefully preserved structures, charming colorful boutique shops, art galleries and a myriad of restaurants. The easily walkable town also offers a free downtown shuttle making it convenient to get around this fun and fascinating hamlet.

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania 

Nicknamed the “Switzerland of America,” this scenic town nestled in the Pocono Mountains offers breathtaking views year-round, but autumn is especially magical.

The town is surrounded by vibrant forests, and the Lehigh Gorge State Park offers excellent hiking, biking and whitewater rafting. Originally named Mauch Chunk, the village was renamed Jim Thorpe in 1954 to honor its hometown Olympic athlete. Downtown features preserved Victorian buildings, cobblestone streets in an easily walkable area. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway offers seasonal train rides through the colorful gorge, especially popular during the Fall Foliage Festival.

Helen, Georgia

A visit to Helen is like experiencing the magic of Bavaria. The Alpine village about 90 miles northeast of Atlanta and situated on the Chattahoochee River is renowned for its alpine charm, outdoor adventures and festive atmosphere- especially in the fall.

Helen was transformed in the 1960s from a declining logging town into a picturesque replica of a small German village. Today, its cobblestone streets, timber-framed buildings and colorful facades make it a beloved destination in the Southeast. The town hosts one of the longest-running Oktoberfests in the U.S. with German music, dancing, bratwurst and beer flowing through the festhalle from mid-September to late October.

Lake Placid, New York

Famous for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, Lake Placid is a picturesque alpine village in the Adirondacks renowned for its stunning natural beauty and year-round outdoor adventures.

Autumn brings crisp mountain air, vibrant foliage and a cozy village charm ideal for a seasonal retreat. Due to its location in the High Peaks region, Lake Placid boasts one of the best places to experience peak foliage when the panoramic Adirondacks are blanketed in color, best experienced by scenic drives along the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway, exploring hiking trails or paddling around serene Mirror Lake.

Camden, Maine

One of New England’s most scenic autumn escapes, Camden is a postcard-perfect coastal town known for its scenic harbor, mountain views and charming downtown. Camden’s iconic slogan ‘Where the Mountains Meet the Sea’ fits this town to a T given its bustling harbor with panoramic views of Penobscot Bay and Camden Harbor.

With lighthouses and small islands, hiking opportunities to Mount Battie for sweeping views of the town and bay, hills ablaze with color, boutique shops, art galleries and historic buildings along Main Street, Camden makes for an ideal fall getaway. And aside from its seasonal menus highlighting Maine’s fall harvest, there’s always lobster.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to plan and book your small town fall trips.