America comes to life in autumn, with lively festivals celebrating the harvest and national and state parks covered in gold and crimson foliage. From pumpkin patches to prime leaf-peeping spots, we bring you the USA's best attractions for fall.
In 2023, the Mentone Fall Festival was announced. A brand-new incarnation of the Mentone Colorfest – a weekend-long event that's been running since 1983 – the Mentone Fall Festival celebrates the beauty of the season and the local arts and crafts scene. It's held in the little mountain-top town of Mentone, in leafy Mentone Brow Park. Visitors can expect eclectic vendors hawking handmade gifts and artwork, plus food trucks and live entertainment. The mammoth organised scavenger hunt is a highlight each year.
Denali National Park sees the most visitors throughout the summer months, but it has charm aplenty in autumn. Come September the high-season crowds have dispersed, Denali's trees are ablaze with red and orange, and the mountains are crowned with snow. The fall also means breeding season for moose, so keep a watch for these hulking creatures as they search for a mate. Be aware, though, that there are fewer facilities and tours available at this time of year.
Arizona-based Four Peaks Brewing Company puts on a stellar Oktoberfest every year at Tempe Town Lake, around 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix. The event has everything you'd expect from Oktoberfest: buzzing beer gardens, bratwurst and entertainment including polka dancing and live music. It's a family-friendly celebration, so make the most of the carnival rides, karaoke and kid-focused activities too.
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Few things scream 'fall' more than a pumpkin patch and this one doubles as a family-friendly attraction. As well as choosing the perfect pumpkin, kids can tackle the corn maze, enjoy a hayride or hang out with farm animals. There's also a 1,400-foot (427m) zip line, and the spine-tingling Horror in the Hollow event, where the Zombie Paintball Patrol attraction is a crowd-pleaser (best leave the littlest members of the clan at home for this one).
There's no better way to take a bite out of this delicious Californian county than by attending the Sonoma Harvest Fair. Taking place in the city of Santa Rosa, the event pays homage to the county's finest producers. The Tasting Pavilion is at the heart of the event, allowing visitors to sample Sonoma's mouthwatering wines and foodie offerings, from bread and cheese to sweet treats. Stay for the grape stomping and the food and drink competitions too.
Another brilliant Bavarian-style knees-up, Denver's Oktoberfest is often tipped as one of the best in the country. The Mile High City's offering lasts six days, taking over Larimer Street downtown. Things kick off with the ceremonial first keg tapping and from here quirky activities such as stein hoisting and keg bowling run alongside the usual belly-busting, German-style eats and free-flowing beer. Don't forget your lederhosen, either – there's a costume contest!
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New England is famed for its breathtaking fall foliage, drawing leaf peepers from the states and beyond to its forests and scenic byways. Connecticut has plenty of places to drink in the beauty of the golden season, and one top spot is Talcott Mountain State Park near Hartford. The forest-covered park is bright with ochre and russet in autumn, and the 165-foot (50m) Heublein Tower is the perfect place to take in views of the rainbow canopy.
The curious Rehoboth Beach festival keeps the legend of a local sea witch alive. Events centre around a huge costume parade which sees an inflatable witch's head – green face, hooked nose, black hat and all – marched through the streets, alongside a sea of costumed ghouls, pirates, princesses and more. There are oodles of family attractions aside from the procession, from pony rides and beach games to opportunities for trick or treating.
Florida's largest Oktoberfest hits the beach every year at Jacksonville. As you'd expect, there's keg-loads of German beers, stein-hoisting competitions and sausage-based foods, but there's a strong family element too, with a 110-foot (33.5m) Ferris wheel plus a 'Dogtoberfest' where your four-legged friend can take part in a cute costume competition. When the sun goes down, take advantage of Florida's warm weather and stick around for a music festival you won't forget.
While often overshadowed by the fiery foliage of New England, the state of Georgia is a wonderful destination for leaf peeping. Those in search of beautiful hikes and epic views should head to Lookout Mountain, which seeps into Tennessee and Alabama too. The highlight is Rock City Gardens (pictured), with its Enchanted Trail, caverns, cliffs and thundering waterfall – visitors will be granted views across seven states, all golden for the fall.
The Trailing of the Sheep Festival, one of America's most curious fall events, is dedicated to the culture and history of sheep farming in the state. The festival hinges on the Sheep Parade, which sees thousands of the woolly creatures herded down Ketchum's Main Street. Visitors can also get involved with cooking classes, enjoy a folklife fair with traditional dancing and music, and hear talks from authors and farmers.
Dubbing itself one of the largest street festivals in the United States, the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival in Evansville draws in a whopping 200,000 people each year. There are rides galore, from gentle carousels for the kids to heart-pumping thrill rides for older family members. Parades – including one for pampered pets – and a huge tug of war session are fun for families too, while street-food carts ensure no-one goes hungry.
Only 15 minutes from the state capital of Des Moines, this living history site is popular year round. Shining a light on the Midwest's agricultural history, the attraction hosts everything from a recreated frontier town to a 1900 'horse-powered farm' complete with farmhouse and vegetable gardens. Applefest kicks off the fall with activities such as apple bobbing and apple bowling, plus the chance to show off your baking skills in the annual Apple Pie Contest.
A treat for shopaholics, Topeka's Cider Days is a mammoth marketplace packed to the rafters with vintage treasures, fall decorations and gifts handmade by local artisans. Beyond the chance for some retail therapy, there's also live music, cider pressing, craft workshops and a 'Kidz Carnival' with family attractions.
It's only been running for a decade, but this Louisville event never fails to wow visitors. The city's Jack o' Lantern Spectacular runs for around a month from early October through to November and sees some 5,000 pumpkins carved with spooky spectres, animal faces and more, then lit up along a 0.3-mile (0.4km) trail. Fill up on local street-food eats at the event, and make sure you remember your camera.
One for foodies, Harvest on the Harbor showcases Portland's first-rate culinary scene. The event hosts the best of the city's chefs, restaurateurs, brewers and distillers, championing local, seasonal produce and allowing attendees to sample everything from craft beer to lobster canapés. If you fancy a sit-down dinner, you could also book onto one of the many mealtimes, from harvest-themed eats to lobster luncheons. Tickets grant you access to the food market too.
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad winds from Cumberland to Frostburg, logging views of forests, meadows and waterways as it strikes east. In fall, the journey is particularly scenic, as the woodland is bright with colour and the carriages take on an extra cosiness. Beer-lovers can book onto the Craft Beer Train experience and sup local brews as they chug through the countryside.
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Salem is famed for the witch trials of the 17th century and it wears its history on its sleeve today, with enduring landmarks such as the Witch House, the former home of a trial judge. Unsurprisingly, the city makes a big deal of Halloween with a month's worth of events dedicated to the supernatural. Visitors hoping to be spooked can visit the Psychic Fair and Witches' Market, wander through zombie-filled houses or immerse themselves in the Salem Horror Fest, a packed programme of creepy film screenings, talks and more.
A top way to take in Michigan's fall foliage is with the Grand Ledge Color Cruise and Island Festival. As the name suggests, the event grants leaf peepers the chance to get out on the water, with boat cruises whisking visitors along forest-hemmed rivers. Back on land, there are live bands, a petting zoo and the chance to get creative with pumpkins.
Often gracing lists of the USA's 'best fall festivals', this autumnal extravaganza takes place in Shakopee and proudly features the largest corn maze in the state of Minnesota. The festival really milks the season, running from mid-September right up to early November, with magic shows, a corn pit, straw sculptures and, of course, a pumpkin patch. Feast on roasted corn, brat dogs and wood-fired pizza if you're feeling peckish.
The Natchez Trace Parkway slices through dense forestland for more than 440 miles (708km), reaching into Mississippi and Tennessee. There are plenty of scenic pit stops along this historic trail, many of which come to life in the fall, when the surrounding forest is crimson and orange. A top spot is the Cypress Swamp at milepost 122, where a wooden boardwalk provides an easy hike through the trees. Later on in the season, the foliage burns red and the swamp floor is littered with rainbow leaves.
It's not apples, pecans or pumpkins that are celebrated at this quirky Missouri festival – instead, it's the black walnut that gets all the attention here. At this weekend-long celebration at the end of September, food vendors and craft stalls line the streets, while a carousel and Ferris wheel complete the family-friendly carnival. A colourful parade and live music, from 1980s tribute groups to bluegrass bands, add to the atmosphere.
Glacier National Park is a dream for wildlife lovers in the fall. As summer visitor numbers trail off, the park's animal residents are at their most active, with bears gathering food for an impending winter, and bugling elks searching for mates. Take to the quieter trails and campsites, drive the Going-to-the-Sun road without bumper-to-bumper traffic, and see the forests ablaze with orange for the season.
Nebraska City's AppleJack Festival is a jubilant celebration of the local apple harvest. Drawing up to 80,000 visitors, the event is dominated by food whipped up from the tasty fall fruit, from moreish apple fritters to the classic apple pie. Festival-goers can also browse craft stalls, stomp their feet to live music and enjoy a classic car show.
Halloween Town Pumpkin Patch has three locations in the Las Vegas area, each one jam-packed with all manner of fall attractions and, of course, a bounty of pumpkins. Little adrenaline junkies can get their thrills on the 1950s-style carnival rides, before picking up the perfect pumpkin at the sprawling pumpkin patch. In true fall fashion you can also feast on rib-sticking comfort food and decorate your chosen squash before taking it home.
One of the most talked-about pumpkin festivals in the states, the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival takes place in the dinky city of Laconia towards the end of October. The centrepiece is the glowing tower of Jack o' Lanterns constructed each year, but there's plenty more besides. Other festive highlights include a beer garden, horse-drawn hayrides and a chance to try your hand at pumpkin bowling.
As its name suggests, this state park offers lofty views from the namesake High Point Monument, which stands at 1,803 feet (550m) above sea level. From the top of the monument, hikers are rewarded with expansive vistas of the surrounding fields and forests, at their most spectacular when gold, amber and bronze for the fall. If you fancy a camping trip, some 50 tent sites line the shores of the Sawmill Lake.
If you've a head for heights, this soaring tramway guarantees heart-stopping fall views. The lift car sweeps brave visitors 2.7 miles (4.3km) over a yawning canyon, to the top of 10,378-foot (3,163m) Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest. From the viewing platform up top, you'll see a carpet of mottled yellow, orange and green as you look down on the landscape below.
The legend of the headless horseman, dreamed up by author Washington Irving, lives on in New York's Sleepy Hollow. And the curious town celebrates the fall in suitable style with its Halloween in Sleepy Hollow event. Come by the town throughout the season and get into the spirit with haunted hayrides, ghostly cemetery and mansion tours, and spooky costume parades. The Great Jack o’ Lantern Blaze promises to be a fantastic spectacle too.
An annual event in the small town of Whiteville, this late-fall festival celebrates the harvest of the humble pecan nut with plenty more family-friendly festivities besides. Feast on pecan pie to the sound of live local bands, get dressed up for the costume parade and play giant Jenga with the whole clan. Car nuts can look forward to the annual motor show, while the pecan-cooking contest offers visitors the chance to whip up tasty treats with the star of the show.
Fargo marks the golden season with an annual event packed will fall activities. Free for the whole family, the celebration runs towards the end of September and the 1,000-strong pumpkin patch is at the heart of the event. Beyond selecting the ideal pumpkin, families can get involved with fun carnival games, from Plinko to Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe. You can also get lost in the labyrinthine straw-bale maze or learn how to make treats such as caramel-apple slices.
This colourful family event celebrates the joys of fall for almost an entire week, putting the squat orange vegetable at the heart of the festivities. Past celebrations have included the making of a record-smashing giant pecan pie, while growers compete with one another for the largest squash at the annual pumpkin weigh-in. Parades, live bands, arts and crafts, and a pumpkin-pie eating contest add to the fun.
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The Castle of Muskogee, a family attraction in northeastern Oklahoma, goes above and beyond when it comes to its Halloween celebrations. The site's Halloween Festival runs from the end of September to late October, drawing in brave visitors with its hair-raising attractions. Ride the haunted hayride, keeping an eye out for zombies lurking in the dark, or explore the Casa Morte (House of Death) if you dare. For fewer chills, the Halloween train is suitable for the entire family.
The 620-foot (189m) Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular sight at any time of year. The natural wonder is one of the Pacific Northwest's most popular attractions and it takes on an extra magic come fall. Golden maple trees surround the falls, which can be viewed from the picture-perfect Benson Bridge, an easy paved hike from the parking area. Be aware that even after the summer ends, this striking waterfall pulls in the crowds.
The New England state of Rhode Island has plenty of scenic spots to drink in the fall foliage, but for something a little different, head to the Halloween Iron Pour in Providence's Steel Yard. As October draws to a close, visitors flock to see artists pour bright molten iron into purpose-built moulds, creating all manner of curious sculptures before their eyes. The performances are paired with live music, street food and craft beer.
As its name suggests, this festival is all about rekindling locals' love for the little city of Greenville. This large food and music festival signals the start of fall, with more than 45 restaurants serving up local and seasonal specialities and a chance to sup regional beers and wines. Stop by the Carolina Ale House Beer Garden and catch musical acts from indie pop to soul, funk and jazz.
This yawning gorge in South Dakota's Black Hills is a striking sight in the fall. It stretches out for 19 miles (31km), its rugged walls dropping for 1,000 feet (305m) each side, and the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway beats a scenic path through it. Be sure to stop off at natural wonders along the way, such as Bridal Veil Falls, a 60-foot (18m) cascade surrounded by woodland. This time of year the forest is bright with colour, from crimson to mustard to burned orange.
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Dollywood, a kitsch theme park owned by country star Dolly Parton, makes a special effort for fall. The Harvest Festival sees artisans from around the States, from chainsaw carvers to jewellery makers, descend on the park, plus there are free concerts from Southern gospel musicians throughout the season. Meanwhile, thousands of pumpkins are carved, lit and arranged in enchanting scenes for the Great Pumpkin LumiNights series.
Dallas Arboretum's 66 acres are a sight to behold the whole year through, but in the fall they truly come to life. The spectacular Pumpkin Village is the star of the show, featuring jaw-dropping topiary and some 90,000 pumpkins, squashes and gourds in artfully arranged displays. This year the theme is "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", so expect to spot Charlie, Snoopy, Woodstock and the gang amid the pumpkins.
For some of the greatest views in Vermont, head to Stowe Mountain Resort and the Gondola SkyRide, which carries visitors to the summit of Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in the state. The attraction is open from early June through to the end of October, and once fall takes hold the lush canopy below bursts into a blaze of orange, gold and yellow. Once up top, you'll find zig-zagging hiking trails and the sleek Cliff House Restaurant.
One of the best places in the country to see flaming fall foliage, Skyline Drive cuts right through Shenandoah National Park offering a three-hour driving route from one end of the site to the other. Hugging the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the road is studded with 75 overlooks, offering views across the fiery, forest-covered peaks. You can also head out from numerous trailheads, which provide access to some 500 miles (805km) of hiking trails – keep a watch for wildlife such as bears as you delve deeper into the woods.
Dubbing itself 'the next best thing to being in Munich', this Oktoberfest celebration is held in the Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth. Set in the heart of the Cascades Mountains, the town offers a stunning setting for the festivities, which unfold in typical Oktoberfest style with traditional German eats and gallons of beer. You'll also see performances from Musikkapelle Leavenworth, the beloved Bavarian Village town band, together since 1996.
Marking the return of fall and celebrating the bounty of beautiful foliage in West Virginia's Tucker County, the Leaf Peeper's Festival kicks off in the last week of September. The event offers the chance to take scenic chairlift rides over the Canaan Valley, ride through the fall colours on horseback and purchase gifts and baked goods from West Virginia makers. The Leaf Peeper's Car Show is also a firm favourite with event-goers each year.
Taking place in early October, the Bayfield Apple Festival is a toast to the fall harvest and the perfect excuse to feast on local produce. Some 60 Wisconsin food vendors showcase their offerings at the festival, which includes a chance to nose around some local orchards and wineries. Other fun highlights include the Grand Parade, an apple-peeling contest and a fish fry event on the Saturday night.
Fall is arguably the best time to visit this mountainous park, protecting the Teton Range and some 200 miles (322km) of scenic hiking trails. By September, the summer crowds have begun to peter out, leaving trails and lakes quiet, and the fall foliage puts on a fine display. Wildlife including black and grizzly bears and moose are particularly active around this time of year too, with the Oxbow Bend and the Moose Wilson Road key spots for a sighting.