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Photos: America’s 21 best spots for a fall vacation

Jack Pointer | jpointer@wtop.com

September 22, 2017, 2:49 PM

WASHINGTON — With autumn just around the corner, perhaps you’re itching for a quality view of the fall foliage.

Or perhaps leaf-peeping’s not your thing, and you just need a quiet, scenic spot to hike and/or unwind before the holiday rush hits.

Either way, it’s about time to book that trip.

TripAdvisor has released its list of the 21 best fall vacations in America, and there are more than a few surprises. (Sure, New England is darn good at autumn, but it doesn’t own the season.)

Check out these sleepy towns and old-time villages. All are great spots for that vacation house rental.

Read more at TripAdvisor.com.

This spot is just 360 miles from the District. Follow the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail or the nearby Appalachian Trail, both of which are spectacular in the fall. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Abingdon, Virginia This spot is just 360 miles from the District. Follow the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail or the nearby Appalachian Trail, both of which are spectacular in the fall. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Set in the White River National Forest, Aspen is most commonly known as a ski resort. But with the aspen trees turning golden yellow, it's also great in the fall. Take a hike in the Hunter Creek Valley, one of the locals’ favorite places to enjoy the changing colors. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Aspen, Colorado Set in the White River National Forest, Aspen is most commonly known as a ski resort. But with the aspen trees turning golden yellow, it’s also great in the fall. Take a hike in the Hunter Creek Valley, one of the locals’ favorite places to enjoy the changing colors. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Stowe, Vermont Everyone should experience fall in Vermont at least once. And what better way than a zipline, from which you can sample the local fall colors from above? Or just go the more conventional route along hiking trails. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Stowe, Vermont Everyone should experience fall in Vermont at least once. And what better way than a zipline, from which you can sample the local fall colors from above? Or just go the more conventional route along hiking trails. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Don't forget Vermont's equally gorgeous neighbor to the east. Come to Jefferson, New Hampshire, for the fresh air and scenic White Mountains. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Jefferson, New Hampshire Don’t forget Vermont’s equally gorgeous neighbor to the east. Come to Jefferson, New Hampshire, for the fresh air and scenic White Mountains. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Hit the hiking trails and you’ll quickly see why Brevard is nicknamed “The Land of Waterfalls” — and considered one of the best fall vacations in America.
Brevard, North Carolina Nestled in Transylvania County are Nantahala and Pisgah national forests and Dupont State Forest. Hit the hiking trails and you’ll quickly see why Brevard is nicknamed “The Land of Waterfalls” — and considered one of the best fall vacations in America. (Photo by Steve Markos, National Park Planner) (National Park Planner - Steve Markos)
National Park Planner - Steve Markos
Walk or bike around and pass art galleries, museums, theaters, music venues and restaurants. Calistoga boasts amazing local wineries perfect after a hard day’s leaf peeping. You can even rent a property right on a vineyard. The natural hot springs make Calistoga a popular place for spa stays as well. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Calistoga, California Walk or bike around and pass art galleries, museums, theaters, music venues and restaurants. Calistoga and the Napa Valley boast amazing local wineries perfect after a hard day’s leaf peeping. You can even rent a property right on a vineyard. The natural hot springs make Calistoga a popular place for spa stays as well. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Charlestown has the added bonus of its beaches, making it one of the best fall vacations not only for foliage, but seaside relaxation as well. Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is great for walks in swamps, wetlands, grasslands and woods, perfect for the rapidly changing season. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Charlestown, Rhode Island Charlestown has the added bonus of its beaches, making it one of the best fall vacations not only for foliage, but seaside relaxation as well. Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is great for walks in swamps, wetlands, grasslands and woods and is perfect for the rapidly changing season. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Clayton sits at the foot of Black Rock Mountain near the Chattooga River, a good place for whitewater rafting. The gorgeous landscape is peppered with waterfalls. Enjoy other mountain views at Tiger Mountain Vineyard. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Clayton, Georgia Clayton sits at the foot of Black Rock Mountain near the Chattooga River, a good place for whitewater rafting. The gorgeous landscape is peppered with waterfalls. Enjoy other mountain views at Tiger Mountain Vineyard. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
New Yorkers love Cooperstown, with its dining scene, forested hills, and great trails. It's close to Otsego Lake and Gilbert and Glimmerglass State Parks, as well as the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Cooperstown, New York New Yorkers love Cooperstown, with its dining scene, forested hills and great trails. It’s close to Otsego Lake and Gilbert and Glimmerglass state parks, as well as the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
This quiet town near the Buffalo National River Valley is perfect for fall vacations. There are some wonderful diners to retire to: Try the pie at the Cliff House Inn for a sugar fix with views of the Arkansas Grand Canyon. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Jasper, Arkansas This quiet town near the Buffalo National River Valley is perfect for fall vacations. There are some wonderful diners to visit: Try the pie at the Cliff House Inn for a sugar fix with views of the Arkansas Grand Canyon. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Kent, Connecticut This lovely spot is popular with white-water rafters and hikers, who like their workouts with fantastic views. Check out Kent Falls and Lake Waramaug State Parks, where you’ll find some good viewing points of the falls. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Kent, Connecticut This lovely spot is popular with whitewater rafters and hikers, who like their workouts with fantastic views. Check out Kent Falls and Lake Waramaug state parks, where you’ll find some good viewing points of the falls. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Fall in the Berkshires is sublime, offering spectacular driving views and thickly wooded walking trails. It's one of the best fall vacations for a weekend getaway, particularly for East Coasters. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Lenox, Massachusetts Fall in the Berkshires is sublime, offering spectacular driving views and thickly wooded walking trails. It’s one of the best fall vacations for a weekend getaway, particularly for East Coasters. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
This valley town in southwest Vermont is a quiet-but-trendy spot, with plenty of art galleries and good restaurants. Visit Taylor Farm, then soar above the foliage on the Stratton Mountain Resort Gondola. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Manchester, Vermont This valley town in southwest Vermont is a quiet-but-trendy spot, with plenty of art galleries and good restaurants. Visit Taylor Farm, then soar above the foliage on the Stratton Mountain Resort Gondola. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Less than 300 miles from D.C., Milford is close to the Pocono Mountains, the Delaware River and a scenic network of falls. Milford's streets are lined with charming Victorian buildings. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Milford, Pennsylvania Less than 300 miles from D.C., Milford is close to the Pocono Mountains, the Delaware River and a scenic network of falls. Milford’s streets are lined with charming Victorian buildings. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
This alpine community sits near the Oregon border and offers fantastic hiking terrain. Enjoy caving, cycling and fishing as the magnificent mountain stands watch. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Mount Shasta, California This alpine community sits near the Oregon border and offers fantastic hiking terrain. Enjoy caving, cycling and fishing as the magnificent mountain stands watch. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
This friendly place is all about outdoor adventure, be it ziplining, canoeing, pony rides, or biking. Brown County State Park and Yellowwood State Forest offer autumnal scenery. It's also a great place to tie the knot: A number of cute little wedding chapels await the next happy couple. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Nashville, Indiana This friendly place is all about outdoor adventure, be it ziplining, canoeing, pony rides or biking. Brown County State Park and Yellowwood State Forest offer autumnal scenery. It’s also a great place to tie the knot: A number of cute little wedding chapels await the next happy couple. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Oakland, Maryland Roughly 180 miles from D.C., this tiny community gets plenty of visitors who come to enjoy the relaxed vibes and old-world atmosphere. Follow the walking trails, many of which are dotted with historical markers. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Oakland, Maryland Roughly 180 miles from D.C., this tiny community gets plenty of visitors who come to enjoy the relaxed vibes and Old World atmosphere. Follow the walking trails, many of which are dotted with historical markers. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
See why this area is popular with weekending New Yorkers. Take a hike and soak up views of the Catskills and the Hudson River. Save half a day for discovering the Opus 40 quarry sculpture park. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Saugerties, New York See why this area is popular with weekending New Yorkers. Take a hike and soak up views of the Catskills and the Hudson River. Save half a day for discovering the Opus 40 quarry sculpture park. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Located about 9 miles from Asheville, Weaverville enjoys its own gentle pace. It boasts cool air and mountain vistas. Drive along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, hit the trails at the Alexander Bike Park or take a picnic down to the shores of Lake Louise. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Weaverville, North Carolina Located about 9 miles from Asheville, Weaverville enjoys its own gentle pace and boasts cool air and mountain vistas. Drive along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, hit the trails at the Alexander Bike Park or take a picnic down to the shores of Lake Louise. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
Stunning fall kaleidoscopes await in the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Hike the Pine Creek Rail Trail and take in waterfalls, rugged cliff faces and regional wildlife. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania Stunning fall kaleidoscopes await in the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Hike the Pine Creek Rail Trail and take in waterfalls, rugged cliff faces and regional wildlife. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
West Glacier is the perfect base for discovering Glacier National Park, and fall is a particularly pleasant time to come: The trees are gently changing colors as the summer crowds drift away. If you’re heading west, this Montana getaway is one of the best fall vacations there is. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
West Glacier, Montana West Glacier is the perfect base for discovering Glacier National Park, and fall is a particularly pleasant time to come: The trees are gently changing colors as the summer crowds drift away. If you’re heading west, this Montana getaway is one of the best fall vacations there is. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Courtesy TripAdvisor
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This spot is just 360 miles from the District. Follow the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail or the nearby Appalachian Trail, both of which are spectacular in the fall. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Set in the White River National Forest, Aspen is most commonly known as a ski resort. But with the aspen trees turning golden yellow, it's also great in the fall. Take a hike in the Hunter Creek Valley, one of the locals’ favorite places to enjoy the changing colors. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Stowe, Vermont Everyone should experience fall in Vermont at least once. And what better way than a zipline, from which you can sample the local fall colors from above? Or just go the more conventional route along hiking trails. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Don't forget Vermont's equally gorgeous neighbor to the east. Come to Jefferson, New Hampshire, for the fresh air and scenic White Mountains. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Hit the hiking trails and you’ll quickly see why Brevard is nicknamed “The Land of Waterfalls” — and considered one of the best fall vacations in America.
Walk or bike around and pass art galleries, museums, theaters, music venues and restaurants. Calistoga boasts amazing local wineries perfect after a hard day’s leaf peeping. You can even rent a property right on a vineyard. The natural hot springs make Calistoga a popular place for spa stays as well. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Charlestown has the added bonus of its beaches, making it one of the best fall vacations not only for foliage, but seaside relaxation as well. Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is great for walks in swamps, wetlands, grasslands and woods, perfect for the rapidly changing season. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Clayton sits at the foot of Black Rock Mountain near the Chattooga River, a good place for whitewater rafting. The gorgeous landscape is peppered with waterfalls. Enjoy other mountain views at Tiger Mountain Vineyard. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
New Yorkers love Cooperstown, with its dining scene, forested hills, and great trails. It's close to Otsego Lake and Gilbert and Glimmerglass State Parks, as well as the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
This quiet town near the Buffalo National River Valley is perfect for fall vacations. There are some wonderful diners to retire to: Try the pie at the Cliff House Inn for a sugar fix with views of the Arkansas Grand Canyon. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Kent, Connecticut This lovely spot is popular with white-water rafters and hikers, who like their workouts with fantastic views. Check out Kent Falls and Lake Waramaug State Parks, where you’ll find some good viewing points of the falls. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Fall in the Berkshires is sublime, offering spectacular driving views and thickly wooded walking trails. It's one of the best fall vacations for a weekend getaway, particularly for East Coasters. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
This valley town in southwest Vermont is a quiet-but-trendy spot, with plenty of art galleries and good restaurants. Visit Taylor Farm, then soar above the foliage on the Stratton Mountain Resort Gondola. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Less than 300 miles from D.C., Milford is close to the Pocono Mountains, the Delaware River and a scenic network of falls. Milford's streets are lined with charming Victorian buildings. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
This alpine community sits near the Oregon border and offers fantastic hiking terrain. Enjoy caving, cycling and fishing as the magnificent mountain stands watch. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
This friendly place is all about outdoor adventure, be it ziplining, canoeing, pony rides, or biking. Brown County State Park and Yellowwood State Forest offer autumnal scenery. It's also a great place to tie the knot: A number of cute little wedding chapels await the next happy couple. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Oakland, Maryland Roughly 180 miles from D.C., this tiny community gets plenty of visitors who come to enjoy the relaxed vibes and old-world atmosphere. Follow the walking trails, many of which are dotted with historical markers. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
See why this area is popular with weekending New Yorkers. Take a hike and soak up views of the Catskills and the Hudson River. Save half a day for discovering the Opus 40 quarry sculpture park. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Located about 9 miles from Asheville, Weaverville enjoys its own gentle pace. It boasts cool air and mountain vistas. Drive along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, hit the trails at the Alexander Bike Park or take a picnic down to the shores of Lake Louise. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
Stunning fall kaleidoscopes await in the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Hike the Pine Creek Rail Trail and take in waterfalls, rugged cliff faces and regional wildlife. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)
West Glacier is the perfect base for discovering Glacier National Park, and fall is a particularly pleasant time to come: The trees are gently changing colors as the summer crowds drift away. If you’re heading west, this Montana getaway is one of the best fall vacations there is. (Courtesy TripAdvisor)

Jack Pointer

Jack contributes to WTOP.com when he's not working as the afternoon/evening radio writer.

jpointer@wtop.com

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