The East Coast During Fall: 5 Incredible Stops On Your Travel Itinerary

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I don’t know about you, but I love a good trip once the Summer is over, and the nights are growing longer. Fall brings cooler weather, gorgeous colors, and the need to settle in and rest. But Fall is also a great time to travel, and here are 5 exciting places to visit on the East Coast during fall.

east coast during Fall planning ideas

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Fall is for pumpkin spice lattes, flannel shirts, pumpkin patches & apple orchards, ghost tours, and best of all, crisp air and colorful leaves. Celebrating these things on the East Coast will leave you feeling a bit spoiled, because you won’t see sights like these anywhere else.

With so much to choose from on the East Coast, you might need a month to explore everything on the East Coast during Fall.

Stop #1: Ashville, North Carolina

Folks drive from all across the United States to visit Asheville in the Fall, and for good reason: Blue Ridge Mountain Range is one of the best displays of Fall leaves in the entire country!

The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles long, so you’ll have no shortage of sights to
see on this trip.

This isn’t a road trip you want to take when you have a deadline, or somewhere you have to be. Take your time driving through the southern Appalachians, while enjoying the beauty of winding roads and colorful leaves. Due to hazardous road conditions, most facilities close November 1st, so visit in October if possible.

Stop #2: Acadia National Park, Maine

Whether you want mountainous or coastal views, Acadia National Park has you covered. With over 120 miles of hiking trails and storms rolling in over the Atlantic, your camera is going to get a
workout.

Average temperatures vary from 38F to 55F in October, so be sure to dress in layers and pack an extra blanket if you’re camping. October is when the Fall foliage peaks, making it the ideal time to
visit.

Stay up to date on foliage conditions by clicking here. Feeling adventurous? Hike the Precipice Trail while you’re in Maine. It’s one of the park’s most dangerous hikes, but the views are second-to-none.

Must-Have Road Trip Essentials

Stop #3: Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina

With an average October temperature of 78 degrees, Sullivan’s Island is a different kind of Fall experience. You won’t be bundled up here, and you may not see as many fall leaves, but you can relax on the beach without a care in the world.

Full of charm and beauty, this tiny 3-mile island is nothing like the great Appalachians – but it’s still worth a visit.

Sullivan Island’s motto is “come for the beach, stay for the seafood”, so you won’t be going hungry on this trip! You also won’t be bored: go kayaking, sailing, kiteboarding, or fishing. You could visit for a week and pick a new adventure each day!

Did you know?  Edgar Allen Poe used Sullivan’s Island as the setting for his story, The Gold Bug.

Stop #4: Block Island, Rhode Island

If you’re into history and natural land preservation, Block Island should be added to your Bucket List immediately. I love the peacefulness Block Island promises, especially in the Fall and Winter when tourists leave the beaches quite deserted. This 3-by-7 mile island has no shortage of beaches; they’re everywhere you turn.

There’s no shortage of things to do on Block Island: dining and shopping, arts and theatre, and tours of the island will keep you busy for a bit.

Picture perfect: The North Lighthouse was built in 1867. If you visit, be sure to snap a photo!

Stop #5: Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Settled in 1695 and incorporated in 1812, this tiny town was founded on land purchased by English settlers. A small-town rich in history, Fairhaven is a lovely seaside community nestled along the shores of Buzzards Bay.

Victorian and colonial architecture top my list of reasons to visit Fairhaven any time of year, but the autumn leaves and cool air add to the allure to visit in the Fall.

As you can clearly see, there is SO much you can do on the East Coast during Fall for a late-year adventure to see you through long winter months. From active stops, to places to chill & relax, you will find the perfect Fall travel stop on the East Coast.

More East Coast Road Trip Ideas During Fall

Need more ideas for visiting the East Coast during Fall? Be sure to check out these other East coast road trip ideas.

Fall East Coast Road Trips You Need To Plan

Ready to plan a Fall East Coast road trip? Check out these AMAZING resources to help get your plans in motion!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

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