10 Fall Destinations That Don’t Need an Instagram Filter

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Lobsters, lighthouses, and galleries—oh my! Maine’s most cosmopolitan city is the real deal when it comes to the proverbial “having something for everyone,” and often all on a single block. Take the city’s Old Port: While this historic ‘hood maintains all the photo-worthy charm one dreams of in a quaint New England destination—complete with cobblestone streets—look up and you’ll see a variety of restaurants, cafes, shops, and art galleries that contribute to Portland’s reputation as a forward-thinking cultural capital. Make your way down to waterfront Commercial Street and you’ll find some of the city’s best views of Casco Bay, a premier spot for sailing and home to the oft-photographed (and rightly so) Portland Head Light lighthouse.

There’s a reason why Jackson Hole, Wyoming—with its majestic Teton Range—has long been a hotbed of inspiration for photographers around the world. It’s nearly impossible to shoot the valley from an angle that isn’t awe-inspiring. One look at Ansel Adams’ famous photograph The Tetons and the Snake River—which took a trip on the Voyager spacecraft as a visual aid for any crew member who might need help explaining life on Earth to an alien life form—is reason enough to put this legendary ski town (with a gallery-filled downtown) on your fall travel bucket list.

Though it boasts a rich and varied topography—with flat plains on the east side of the city and rolling hills to the west—what truly makes Austin colorful is its people. This is a place to which creative types flock to bask in Austin’s natural beauty, nonstop live music scene, thriving film community (you’d do well to plan your fall travels around October’s venerable Austin Film Festival), and adventurous food scene (don’t worry—there’s plenty of barbecue, too). No wonder the city has long encouraged both residents and visitors to “Keep Austin Weird.”

Fall foliage fanatics know that Vermont is home to some of the season’s most vibrant colors. And if you’re going to make a weekend out of it, you’ll want to base yourself in Burlington. In the morning, you can hop in the car and traverse some of the area’s most picturesque vistas (the Green Mountain Byway is a prime spot for leaf peeping, and is located about 30 minutes away in Waterbury). Back in Burlington, the Church Street Marketplace is lined with a number of beautiful—and historic—buildings, and just a short walk from the breathtaking shores of Lake Champlain. Perfect for a leisurely stroll or sunset snapshot.

A “Victorian mining town” may sound like an oxymoron, but that’s exactly what Telluride is—and what makes it such a uniquely beautiful place. Occupying less than one square mile, to call Telluride a “walkable” city is a bit of an understatement. It also means that there’s little room for development, so the city maintains many of the quaint details that were first established when it was founded back in 1878. Colorado Avenue is where much of the action happens (it’s along this roadway that you’ll find the bulk of the city’s dining and shopping destinations). But for a truly unique view on the city, hop aboard the Gondola, a (free) public transportation system that moves people from Telluride to Mountain Village at 10,500 feet.

Like a microcosm of America itself, each of Boston’s many neighborhoods offer their own distinct personalities. History buffs in particular will find much to admire about this well-preserved colonial city, which was at the forefront of many civic evolutions. In addition to opening the country’s first public library, school, and subway system, it also built the first city park—Boston Common—which remains one of its most visited destinations (it’s hard to resist 50 acres of tranquility in the middle of a bustling metropolis). Also nearby is the Freedom Trail, which is a self-guided walk through more than a dozen key sites related to the American Revolution, including the home of Paul Revere.

Though it’s best known as one of the country’s busiest wine-growing areas, there’s much more to see, do, and drink in California’s Napa Valley than the latest pinot noir. And its beauty is only heightened in the autumn months, as the now grape-less vines turn vivid shades of gold and crimson. If you do want to check out one of the area’s many wineries while you’re there, planning to do so during a harvest stomp—where individuals use their feet and body weight to crush this year’s grapes—is a memorable (and an all-ages) affair.

Though a drive along North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway is sure to produce dozens of envy-inducing foliage shots, adventurous types would do well to take in Asheville’s natural beauty with an al fresco (and leisurely) bike ride through the Appalachian Mountains. Back in the city, it’s the people of Asheville who provide the most interesting scenery. In the past decade, Asheville has scored a number of national accolades for its one-of-a-kind personality, being named everything from the “New Freak Capital of the U.S.” by Rolling Stone to one of “20 Great Cities for Writers” by Flavorwire. But Good Morning America’s declaration of Asheville as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Places in America” might just be reason enough to start your planning trip.

The rumors of Seattle’s rainfall have been greatly exaggerated. Yes, it does drizzle—often. But it’s the earliest months of the year—namely, January through April—that bring the most showers, which makes fall the perfect time to visit the ever-lively Emerald City. Best of all, it offers much to gawk at for nature lovers and city dwellers alike as iconic cityscapes give way to tranquil waterways with snowcapped mountains perched in the background. Pike Place Market is, of course, a must-see spectacle for any visitor to the city (see what you can do to get in on some of that fish-throwing action), but one can just as easily commune with nature in Olympic National Park, which offers nearly one million acres of Mother Nature at her photogenic best (make it a true adventure by arriving there via a ferry).

Northern Michigan’s Traverse City has been experiencing a bit of an artistic evolution as of late. Though it’s long been known as The Cherry Capital of the World (the Grand Traverse Pie Company—with more than a dozen locations across the state, including two in Traverse City proper—should be on your to-do list), Traverse City has attracted some serious attention from Hollywood thanks to filmmaker Michael Moore, who has re-energized the town by both saving an historic movie theater (the State Theatre) and holding an annual international film festival there (the Traverse City Film Festival). Which is merely an added bonus and reason for visiting this port city that boasts some of the country’s most scenic vistas in one compact place in the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, offering 7.4 miles of pristine views of Glen Lakes, the Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Lake Michigan.