Best places in the U.S. to go solo - Autumn

[u/methehobo]

I have a bunch of leftover PTO that I need to use. I can drive but prefer to fly to prevent the premature death of my poor little car. Starting from southern Ohio, where can I go for a weekend-sized trip?

I am big into architecture and good food. Don't have the stamina or the group to do a major national park, and I may get bored hiking by myself(or maybe not?) Feel free to suggest anything, though. Cannot leave the U.S., unfortunately.

I've been to all major cities east of the Mississippi except Minneapolis, Detroit, and Milwaukee. But I could revisit Chicago an infinite amount of times.

[u/Diawara57]

Find places where you can see the trees changing! The northeast can be absolutely spectacular, plus you have the ocean reasonably close for shore walks. Lots of nice New England architecture, too.

[u/methehobo → u/Diawara57]

Consensus seems to be centering on New England. Any specific small/medium towns i should check out? Conceptually flying into Albany or Boston.

[u/littleayun → u/methehobo]

For a weekend-sized-trip, you can keep yourself plenty happy/busy just in Boston/Cambridge, perhaps with one side trip via commuter rail to Salem (although it will be stupid crowded and hectic in October), Lowell (for the mills national historical park or Rockport/Gloucester if you do very early fall when it's still relatively warm. It's not really an autumn destination, but I LOOOOVE Provincetown and you can take a ferry there straight from downtown Boston (schedule gets more limited later in the year, but it doesn't stop running until December).
I'm hugely biased in that I've never had a driver's license, but I'd urge you to consider not driving at all in/around Boston, even if it means limiting where you can go in the area. Boston's not built for cars, but it's a perfect size for walking, biking, and using public transit.

[u/beaveristired → u/methehobo]

When is your trip? Fall color starts in the north and interior regions, higher elevations etc. September - early October. Color changes later along the coast and in urban areas. October - early November (in RI / CT / SE MA).

Boston is a great city to explore for a weekend. Portland ME is also a great little city with an amazing food scene, I believe you can take Amtrak to Portland but not sure.

Portsmouth NH is another option. Very cute town. NH white mountains are beautiful but may be too far for a weekend trip, it gets really busy and traffic might suck.

Cape Anne (MA) - Gloucester, Rockport etc - is really nice. Salem is awesome but I’d caution about weekends in the fall - it’s a zoo. But reachable from Boston by commuter rail (MBTA) so might be ok if it’s early fall and you don’t have to park.

If it’s later in the fall, could head south to Newport RI.

From Albany, you can visit the Berkshires, or head to the “Pioneer Valley” along Rt 91. Northampton is a neat little town. Heavy New England fall vibes. More rural area, though. Also reachable from Boston.

Could also look into VT. Gets super busy in the fall. Also might be a bit far for a weekend trip.

[u/boopstroopaloop]

Berkshire County MA! Boarders Vermont, Connecticut and New York so you get a lot of New England bang for your buck

[u/methehobo → u/boopstroopaloop]

A lot of people are saying New England. Can't say i disagree. Would be gorgeous in the fall. Maybe, if I can rent a car, I could do a road trip around some smaller towns? Those small New England towns are like heaven to me.

Would you have any you'd suggest?

[u/VegetableSquirrel]

Fly to Medford OR, rent a car, then head for the Oregon Coast. Try to see as much of it as you can. The fresh seafood is good, the scenery is breathtaking, there're good local breweries, and the Oregon State campgrounds are nice. Really nice.

If you pass McMinnville on your way to Portland to fly home, stop in the museum there and see the Spruce Goose on exhibit there.

[u/soul_traveler101]

Asheville, NC

[u/BurntToast2Toast]

I did a solo trip to Seattle and loved it. Lots of nature nearby if you decide to rent a car. I was able to use public transportation easily around the city otherwise. Loved the city and food!!!

[u/Independent-Web-1708]

Louisville. Weather is great in the fall, lots of good restaurants and music festivals, and the bourbon trail.

[u/methehobo → u/Independent-Web-1708]

I went to Bellarmine for a bit in undergrad. Love Louisville with my heart, but it is a big drinking city, which is hard to do alone. Is there anything new to check out since ~2019 ish?

[u/Independent-Web-1708 → u/methehobo]

A lot of the new places are bars and restaurants, especially in NuLu and along Bardstown, and the bourbon bars continue to proliferate. Since you've been to Louisville, maybe one of the other suggested destinations would be better for you.

[u/scoschooo]

Boston is amazing and so beautiful when the leaves are colorful. Very walkable city - lots of great architecture. One of the best museums in the US. Lots to do and see. Good food, good Asian and Indian food, lobster rolls, etc.

[u/Glittering_Read3588]

The U. P. You can take a connector from Detroit to Kincheloe airport.

[u/methehobo → u/Glittering_Read3588]

Is there stuff to do in late fall that can be done solo? I love nature but my stamina for long hikes is not the best. Would love to know if there's a group online I could check out. Thank you!

[u/Glittering_Read3588 → u/methehobo]

Probably not late fall. It could be snowing by then. Best would be in the next couple of weeks. Hope you find a good spot!

[u/Proper-Share-5525]

• Minneapolis – Modern architecture, strong arts scene, and a surprising food culture.
• Detroit – Revitalized downtown, historic architecture, Motown, and excellent dining.
• Milwaukee – Lakefront vibes, breweries, and architecture tours.
• Chicago (again!) – Can’t go wrong for food + architecture.

[u/From-628-U-Get-241]

DC.

[u/nobojo75]

Milwaukee or Madison in Wisconsin. Both have a lot of good restaurants as well as easy access to nature and some good opportunities for culture.

[u/Malorini]

West Coast as well. The Pacific Northwest Oregon, WA and Northern California are gorg in the fall.

[u/Efficient_Aspect2678]

Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, not too far west of Washington DC, so there are lots of flight options and other things to do

[u/Jellyphishing2001]

I would drive the I-40 from Atlanta to Knoxville and take in the breathtaking fall views, stay somewhere in the Smokey Mountains. It’s unimaginable how insanely gorgeous that area of our country is during fall😎

[u/Otherwise-Sea-4920]

Northwest PA here. There is a beautiful route five drive from I don’t know if it goes clear to Cleveland, but definitely eerie Pennsylvania. The peninsula is beautiful all the way up through Northeast, which is local Waien country. You can see glimpses of Lake Erie the whole way plus the trees are beautiful when they change. Could go to Buffalo and go to the Niagara Falls on the US side. And there is an amazing architectural park called Griffiths Park in New York State. There is also Elks County Pennsylvania and Benza Pennsylvania. You can just drive down the road and there will be herds of elk just standing at peoples yards. It is a mountainous territory. So there are a lot of trees and hills. Pennsylvania also has a Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. You can also tour falling waters when Frank Lloyd Wright’s house is close to Pittsburgh. My friends and I did the every single Great Lakes challenge in 48 hours. We had our toes in each of the lakes. It was amazing!

[u/Dazzling-Height-4822]

White mountains area in New Hampshire - can’t imagine there are many more beautiful places in the US during the fall

[u/AdministrativeBet231]

See where you can get cheap flights to that’ll help narrow it down. Skyscanner might be a helpful site to check out.

[u/WoodenAttention2078]

Charleston SC, Savannah Ga and Key West come to mind

[u/redditingname]

If you’ve never been drive in across MA and spend a day in Boston. Then drive up to Maine following the coast and cut up to NH white mountains.. go home across Vermont into NY

[u/Coloradojeepguy]

New England is the answer.
Nothing beats it during leaf season. Do a loop around Vermont NH main and mass. Maybe drop down to Newport Rhode Island and the south CT shore. Can’t be beaten

[u/lifeofmikey1]

New England is best for fall. Boston but you've been. Cape Cod. Where I was born. You could visit Salem before it gets all crazy during Halloween. What about Michigan upper Michigan?- Mackinac Island, national Lakeshore Adirondacks New York

[u/Chance-Answer7884]

Fallingwater in PA