The Best Destinations and Hotels for Fall Foliage Along the East Coast

  • August 22, 2024
The Best Destinations and Hotels for Fall Foliage Along the East Coast

As summer draws to a close, here are some of the Northeast’s most beautiful destinations to consider for Fall Foliage. For travelers looking for a quiet and quaint town to take in the sights, these hotels provide stunning views and outdoor adventures to truly take advantage of the season.

Burlington, VT

Northern Vermont is known for offering some of the best autumnal views of New England's incredible fall foliage. Starting in mid-September, the lush greenery of Burlington transforms into a vibrant array of reds, oranges, and yellows. Positioned on Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains standing tall in the distance, Burlington is one of the state’s largest cities and is known for its vibrant and quaint charm, focus on all things local, access to a wide variety of year-round outdoor activities, a locally sourced culinary scene, and more. The city has something for every type of traveler to experience this fall, including:

  • Leaf peeping: Northern Vermont offers the best of New England's incredible fall foliage. Burlington's peak season falls later than most of New England's, meaning travelers can still catch the incredible colors through November.
  • Church Street: The city's pedestrian street that runs through the heart of downtown, offering locally owned shops and restaurants and a dazzling light display for the holidays
  • Incredible hiking at the state's two highest peaks Mt. Mansfield and Camel’s Hump, Mt. Philo
  • Walking + Mountain Biking: Catamount Family Center, Sleepy Hollow, and Bolton Valley offer a variety of terrain from easy to very challenging. Walk, bike, or hike along trails such as the Ethan Allen Homestead Trail or the Red Rocks Park Trail.
  • Famous for its local brews, Burlington's many distilleries and breweries are a must-see for beer lovers. In September, travelers can also join Oktoberfest at the Burlington Waterfront.
  • As a sanctuary for cider enthusiasts' travelers can visit for a glass of freshly pressed apple cider at one of the local cideries: Citizen Cider, Cold Hollow, and VT Cider Lab at the Essex Experience.
  • Apple picking at Shelburne Orchards and Adams Apple Orchard & Farm Market.
  • Pumpkin picking, hayrides, and corn mazes at Sam Mazza's Farm Market or The Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville, you can even join the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival.

Hotel Champlain– Burlington, Vermont

The newly renovated and rebranded Hotel Champlain encapsulates the authentic spirit and natural beauty of Burlington, Vermont. Located directly across the street from the iconic Lake Champlain, the hotel offers one-of-a-kind views and easy lakefront access for a front row seat to the Northeast Fall Foliage. With 258 rooms featuring a modern design and thoughtful, elevated conveniences, guests can book rooms with panoramic lake views to get the ultimate leaf peeping experience.

  • Burlington Bike Path – Take the scenic route and stroll along the waterfront to the Burlington Bike Path. Extending 14 miles, The Burlington Bike Path is the perfect place to experience the stunning fall foliage and only steps away from the hotel. Ride around town and down the Burlington Bike Path with complimentary bicycles.
  • Sailing on Lake Champlain – Take in the fall colors from the water. Book a day sail or a sunset cruise for gorgeous views of Burlington, Vermont’s Green Mountains and the Adirondacks of New York.
  • Church Street – See the fall colors within walking distance of the hotel down the bustling Church Street, lined with bursts of red, oranges, and greens. Guests can enjoy shopping, nightlife, entertainment, and the buzzy Burlington restaurant and bar scene.

Omni Mount Washington Resort – Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Opened in July 1902 by New Hampshire native Joseph Stickney as the most luxurious hotel of its day, the property stands as a grand masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture and continues to attract guests with its beautiful scenery, stunning renovations, and year-round activities. The resort is located at the base of stunning Mount Washington: at 6,288 feet, the highest peak in the Northeast.

Fall Foliage Highlights:

  • From late September to early October, Omni Mount Washington Resort offers a front row seat to one of the country's most beautiful leaf peeping destinations. Travel & Leisure lists the resort on their “best of” fall foliage lists.
  • Consistently listed as one of the best places to view fall foliage in the United States, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire offers spectacular views of the White Mountain National Forest covered in vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues. Additionally, a stroll down the magnificent porch, The Veranda, offers views of the woodlands and an excellent perch to see fall foliage.
  • Experiencing fall in the White Mountains is a phenomenon that attracts millions of international visitors annually.
  • Guests can view foliage from the sky on the Bretton Woods Zip Line Canopy Tour and Skyway Gondola or enjoy prime leaf peeping on a leisurely horseback ride, over a round of golf, and from a private balcony in one of the resort's new Presidential Wing rooms. The gondola also provides a 12-minute scenic commute to the new Rosebrook Lodge complete with restaurant and bar.

The Red Lion Inn – Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Offering up historic New England charm, cozy quarters and a prime location for leaf peeping, The Red Lion Inn makes for the ideal fall Berkshires getaway. Known for its idyllic autumn accommodations and experiences, such as hot spiced cider on its famed porch, below are a few fall happenings that make the iconic hotel worth a visit this fall:

  • Pumpkin Challenge – Every year, the Red Lion Inn becomes home to the local agricultural fair’s prizewinning pumpkins. Sitting at thousands of pounds on the front steps of the hotel, participants are challenged to guess the weight of the massive produce.
  • Ghost Tours – Known for its rich history, it is no surprise that Stockbridge is home to some famed local haunts… literally. Embark on tours of the Stockbridge Cemetery, one of the oldest in the country. For the bravest souls, head to “Haunted Hancock”, offering nighttime tours of nearby Hancock Shaker Village for ghostly sightings and spiritualist movement history.

Porches Inn at Mass MoCA – North Adams, Massachusetts

A creative epicenter in the heart of the Berkshires, North Adams is the ideal destination for musicians, art-lovers, and creatives of all kinds this fall. Located directly across the street from the area’s most famed contemporary art museum, Mass MoCA, Porches Inn offers accommodation at the foot of the action. The fall brings endless inspiring musical, artistic and cultural happenings, including below:

  • Residencies at Studio9 – Located on Porches Inn’s campus, Studio9 is a state-of-the-art recording studio and venue, expanding to include new music, recording, and artist residencies, inspiring deeper collaborations with artists and Mass MoCA.
  • Mass MoCA Exhibitions – The fall brings something new to discover every week with new art installations.
  • Fall Foliage Festival & Parade – Every year, on the first Sunday of October, 1Berkshire collaborates with the city of North Adams to host a festive, inclusive, and vibrant downtown parade celebrating all things autumnal in the Berkshires.

Hotel Downstreet – North Adams, MA

A growing destination for young creatives seeking refuge in nature to get inspired and connect with likeminded artists, North Adams is at the heart of the Berkshires’ creative movement. Hotel Downstreet is a hospitality hot spot in the center of town that breathes new life into a historic and cultural destination. Connection to and interaction with art drives the guest experience at Hotel Downstreet, inspiring visitors while celebrating the local community. Neighborhood adventures for guests to take part in include:

Destination Kohler: Kohler, WI

Overview: At Destination Kohler in Kohler, Wisconsin (just 2 hours North of Chicago), the River Wildlife wilderness preserve includes 500 acres of unspoiled land to enjoy year-round. Many miles of woodland trails and the meandering Sheboygan River provide abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

  • River Fishing: Some of the best fishing in the state is available in the fall as trout and salmon make their way upstream on the Sheboygan River.
  • Golfing: Sculpted along two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Whistling Straits is one of the great championship courses in the United States. Additionally, Blackwolf Run offers an award-winning 36 holes of championship golf.
  • Hiking: Miles of winding trails of varied terrain are maintained in a natural state for the preservation of native vegetation.

Scribner’s Catskill Lodge and The Rounds – Hunter, NY

The iconic and picturesque boutique hotel, Scribner’s Lodge, sits just a mile from Hunter Mountain, perfect for an autumnal escape. The eclectic mountain lodge is a refuge for urban explorers and families looking to enjoy the beauty of the Catskills. Visitors can hike the rugged and steep trails of the mountain while taking in the crisp fresh air and breathtaking foliage of upstate New York. Take a stroll through Scribner’s Garden with resident gardener and horticulturist, Andrew Koehn, and learn all about the seasonal produce and delight in some pumpkin carving activities.

The Rounds at Scribner's, newly opened as of this March, are a collection of 11 cabins artfully designed by Post Company perched on the northern boundary of the existing Scribner’s property. The twelve-sided structures inspired by hut systems in European mountains and Catskills topography provide a quiet luxury within the nature of the Catskills that creates an idyllic escape. The cabins are nestled within lush pine trees and rolling mountains and feature wraparound porches perfect for taking in the colors of upstate.

The Morrow Hotel – Washington, D.C.

The Morrow Hotel is a cornerstone tenant in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington D.C. – An under the radar, yet burgeoning neighborhood. The Morrow Hotel features 203 modern rooms/suites, artfully designed accommodations, three food and beverage venues from Michelin-starred Chef Nicholas Stefanelli, including main restaurant Le Clou, rooftop bar Upstairs at the Morrow, and moody and intimate lounge, Vesper. The hotel and surrounding NoMa area offerings are perfect for those seeking urban destinations to visit during this fall:

  • Upstairs at The Morrow - Enjoy the crisp fall air at The Morrow’s vibrant rooftop playground with panoramic views of the city that features everything from sunset sparkling wines to last-call tequila. The indoor-outdoor space features lounge-style couches, firepits (and heaters) and a wrap-around bar.
  • Picnic at the Hi-Lawn – Order a Michelin-starred Chef curated Picnic basket from The Morrow and bring it over to the NoMa neighborhood’s Hi-Lawn – a fun, laid-back and welcoming rooftop and green space, with seasonally-changing fare.
  • Leaf Peep at the National Mall - Once the sizzle of summer fades and autumn settles in, DC’s National Mall transforms into hues of yellow, orange and red, making it a picturesque backdrop for the nation’s monuments.

Canoe Place Inn & Cottages, Hampton Bays, NY

Opened in August 2022, Canoe Place Inn & Cottages is a treasured Long Island landmark and the site of America’s oldest inn. The hotel offers twenty guest rooms, five guest cottages, and luxury residences, Good Ground Tavern, a Mediterranean inspired indoor and outdoor restaurant helmed, and a 300-seat private event space. As the ‘First Stop Out East’, Canoe Place’s unique location at the entryway to the Hamptons offers an entirely reimagined experience for travelers this fall and beyond.  Perfect for a classic fall weekend, visitors out east can experience the following:

  • Custom wine tour: Experience some of the Hamptons Vineyards or The North Fork of Long Island’s finest wineries, cideries, distilleries and farmstands.
  • Equestrian Experience: The ultimate equestrian experience in nearby Bridgehampton, home of The Hamptons Classic, or enjoy horseback riding on the beaches of Montauk.
  • Foraging & Farm Tours:  Canoe Place will craft your bespoke culinary crawl Out East through farmstands and vineyards from Greenport to Montauk. They will create your itinerary of local eats and farms where you can pick your own lavender, berries or apples.

Sound View and The Harbor Front Inn, Greenport, NY

The lovingly restored Sound View Greenport, nestled on 14 acres of private waterfront land, epitomizes coastal charm and tranquility. From its breathtaking views of the Sound to its thoughtfully curated amenities, Sound View Greenport offers guests a retreat like no other. Property highlights include:

  • A signature, local seafood restaurant, The Halyard, which celebrates the region’s produce and brings it right to your plate – direct from foragers and farmers, growers and fishermen.
  • The iconic Piano Bar where artists from the North Fork, NYC and Sid Gold's Request Room fill the space with world class music every Wednesday night. Live local musicians are in-house every Tuesday night.
  • Low Tide Bar on Sound View’s private beach where guests and locals can enjoy a craft cocktail or a local brew. It’s the unofficial official best spot to catch a sunset on the North Fork.
  • An Uncommon Art Residency program for artist participants to display key works and host open working sessions, inviting the community into rare opportunities to witness the artist's journey, from inspiration to completion.

Located in the heart of Greenport Village, The Harbor Front Inn embodies the spirit of maritime heritage and modern comfort. Boasting unparalleled access to local attractions and all that the village has to offer, the Harbor Front Inn promises guests an unforgettable stay. Property highlights include:

  • Doorstep access to an array of homegrown restaurants, art galleries, and craft boutiques—dig deeper and you might learn to shuck your own oysters at Little Creek Oysters, or distill your own spirits at Matchbook Distilling.
  • A waterfront, heated pool overlooking the Peconic Bay – watch ferries and sailboats coast along the horizon and breathe in the salt air.
  • An Uncommon Art Residency program for artist participants to display key works and host open working sessions, inviting the community into rare opportunities to witness the artist's journey, from inspiration to completion.

The Omni Grove Park Inn – Asheville, North Carolina

For those looking to experience fall foliage, The Omni Grove Park Inn offers a mountain retreat along the Blue Ridge Parkway, known as the #1 most visited National Park in the US! Spanning 469 miles of picturesque vistas and hiking trails linking North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway is hailed as “America’s Favorite Drive,” showcasing the vibrant red, yellow, and gold hues of fall.

To honor this title, The Omni Grove Park Inn offers the “America’s Favorite Drive” package for its guests which includes:

  • Deluxe room accommodations, including the Mountain View Room, which offers 300-350 square feet, one king or two double beds, and views of Asheville’s skyline, the Donald Ross-designed golf course and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
  • Daily Morning Table Buffet at the Blue Ridge Restaurant per registered guest
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Guide, which connects The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and is just a short drive from The Omni Grove Park Inn
  • Overnight valet or garage parking for one car per room