Best Fall Foliage Getaways
Best Fall Foliage Getaways: 4 Hotels for an Autumn Weekend
Autumn is officially underway, with red and orange leaves overhead and the crunch of fallen ones underfoot.
While we love a little fall foliage as much as the next person, dedicated “leaf-peepers” take it further, planning entire stays around catching the season’s colors at their peak. Armed with up-to-date foliage reports (oftentimes complete with a handy color-coded map) from regional park services and state governments, these intrepid travelers come from far and wide to see the sights, and few places draw them quite like the East Coast.
We may have missed peak leaf-peeping season (forgive us, we’re city folk around here), but these four stays are perennial favorites worth a fall trip.
From heavy hitters in leaf-peeping circles (we’re looking at you, Vermont) to spots that may not be on every foliage aficionado’s list but should be, this list has you covered for a quick trip this weekend or a head start on next year.
The Omni Homestead Resort
This is the one where you may still catch peak color. The Omni Homestead is located in western Virginia, in the Allegheny Mountains, where peak foliage typically hits mid-to-late October and can stretch into early November. If you’re within driving distance and an avid leaf-peeper, plan your visit now.
The resort itself is historic, dating back to 1766, and its isolated setting means that you’re surrounded by acres of unspoiled forest. A popular way to take it all in is the Cascades Gorge Hike. Roughly a three-hour hike that’s appropriate for guests of (nearly) all ages, this naturalist-led trail passes by twelve waterfalls following the gorge. Intrepid explorers can also set out and discover the resort’s miles of trails for themselves on foot or by bike.
If you want to lean into the historic appeal of the property (and maybe give your legs a rest) while enjoying autumn’s colors, opt for a carriage or horseback ride. There are also Fall Foliage Wagon Rides, a quick half-hour tour of the property’s best colors, as well as an adults’ version, Brews & Views, which includes alcoholic beverages to enjoy following your tour.
Add in refined accommodations, award-winning golf, mineral hot spring pools, and sweeping views of the landscape from several on-site dining outlets, and you’ve got a sophisticated stay for late fall.
Kimpton Taconic Hotel
Vermont is known for its turning leaves, and Manchester is one of the most popular places to come see the display. Set between the Taconic and Green Mountain ranges, the small town draws leaf-peepers every fall, with peak season usually falling in mid-October.
Kimpton Taconic Hotel is a perfect launching pad for those hoping to explore the region, whether that’s setting out on scenic drives or simply enjoying the views from the property’s porch.
If you’re making a road trip up, Mount Equinox Skyline Drive should be your first stop. The 5-mile-long mountain road winds through the forest with sweeping views and scenic overlooks ideal for taking in the season. Hurry, though; the drive is only open through October 31.
The area is also home to many hiking trails (grab a locally made walking stick from the front desk), quaint shops and boutiques in town, and corn mazes and pumpkin picking at local farms.
If your idea of a cozy fall escape is a little less active, the hotel’s rooms make for a soft place to land. Book a king room with a fireplace in the main house or the more private Bennett Cottage and curl up with a book and a mug of hot cider. Start slow mornings with farm-fresh eggs and pancakes topped with Vermont’s famous maple syrup at the on-site restaurant, The Copper Grouse.
Hotel Mountain Brook
For our next two picks, we’re settling into the Catskills, the earliest-peaking region on our list, frequently reaching peak color around early October due to higher elevations.
Located in Tannersville, the highest-elevation village in New York State, is Hotel Mountain Brook. Set on the mountaintop, this quaint Adirondack-style bed and breakfast gives guests sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
Be sure to pack your hiking boots — like many of the picks on this list, this hotel is mere minutes from trails that explore the area’s mountains. The stay is also just a short walk into town, where you’ll find a variety of shops and restaurants to poke your head into.
While peak foliage may have already passed, there’s a lot here that still makes it a great stay for the season. The scale is boutique, perfect for an idyllic autumn escape, and accommodations deliver on the rustic-chic aesthetic. Superior room types feature vaulted ceilings, wood paneling, and gas-burning fireplaces, while two cozy cabins add porches, jet tubs, and sitting areas.
If your room doesn’t come with a fireplace, fret not: the hotel has its very own outdoor fire pit complete with s’mores-making packages for brisk evenings by the crackling fire.
The Roxbury
This last one’s a bit of a wild card, but in the best way. Due west of Hotel Mountain Brook, The Roxbury is a truly one-of-a-kind stay, where the leaf-peeping may have passed, but the spectacle is year-round.
The Roxbury is split into two distinct properties, with one set right on Stratton Falls, where a scenic waterfall trail is just steps from your front door. For more of a day trip, head over to Mine Kill State Park, home to hiking trails and the 80-foot Mine Kill Falls. While you’re out and about, stop by Hobart Book Village, full of charming bookshops and antique stores. If the colors have gone, at least the cozy vibes haven’t.
Back at the hotel, pick your adventure (literally). The Roxbury is often described as “magical,” and it’s easy to see why: no two rooms here are alike, and some even dip a toe into the truly otherworldly — Fantasy Cottage Galileo’s Gate will have you sleeping in the cosmos.
Rooms, suites, and fantasy cottages boast varying degrees of whimsy, from playful rooms to full-on fantasy down to the last detail; there’s something for everyone (especially those with a flair for the dramatic).
With an idyllic location, unique rooms, and cozy comforts like outdoor fire pits and The Crooked Cabana’s dry sauna and hot tub for chilly months, The Roxbury makes a case for visiting long after the last leaf falls.
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