Grab Your BFFs: These 8 Epic Fall Mountain Towns Await

From the Poconos to Park City, here are our top picks.

tidy sum destinations certainly get mickle of wintertime hype . But fall is actually the good clip to visit these regions , in our base opinion . Along with colored foliage , you could expect striking hike , comfort food galore at cozy restaurants , inviting open fireplace ( preferably at your home forth from home ) , and , if you ’re lucky , clear , starry night skies .

For a welcome blend of autumnal beaut , relaxation , and action , keep reading for our favorite group getaways to the peak .

Princeton, MA

With 27 trails , eight chair lift , and a 2006 - foot summit , Wachusett Mountain provides some of the most vibrant fall color in New England from endless advantage points . revel over 17 naut mi of tramp trails withinWachusett Mountain State Reservationor skip the Achilles - level physical exertion and take the lifts up to the top of the mountain to take in a birds - optic view of the changing leaves . Groups can book their halt atGreat Wolf Lodge(did we mention the indoor urine park ? ) or the graceful 112 - roomColonial Hotel , both of which are close to the hill . If you’re able to get the timing right , round out your head trip ’s agenda with a visit to theFall Food Truck Fest , now in its quaternary year , on November 4 .

Asheville, NC

Did you know that Asheville is known for the longest fall season in the United States ? Which obviously comes with some of the best foliage - peeping around . While we ’re felicitous to advocate a few of our favourite ( Sovereign Remedies , Open Oven Brunch and Bakery , andBenne on Eaglefor food;Hike Bike Kayak Ashevillefor a kayak tour ; an afternoon drop wander aroundThe Biltmore Estate , America ’s enceinte home and the one - time summertime abode of the Vanderbilt house ) , why not let spontaneity find the sidereal day ?

To avail make tell approach less stressful , the terminus allow for detaileddrive guides , so you and your crew can design the ideal route trip base on your interests . enumeration sheep atThe Foundry Hotel , a dress shop hotel in Asheville ’s former steel foundry and house to the aforementioned Benne on Eagle , a pass hub for Appalachian - rooted soul cuisine . To make vacation provision easy , book their “ Leaf Peeping by Land & Lake ” package . Groups can feel a two - mile round trip cost increase through Bearwallow Mountain viaAsheville Wellness Toursto see vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains at its multi - hued fine , then hit the piss for a Lake Junaluska Kayak Tour led byHike Bike Kayak Asheville . Split gratuities for your knowledgeable tour guide by having one person from your group branching over the cash while everyone else quickly and safely pays them back throughZelle ® .

Hamburg, NJ

catch your guys and gal and travel some 80 minutes outside of New York City toCrystal Springs Resort , the Northeast ’s largest solar - power resort and home tothe magnanimous wine collectionin the NYC area . Tucked along the Appalachian Mountains , you could choose from theGrand Cascades LodgeorThe Minerals Hotelin adjacent Vernon Township , less than 15 minutes apart , for your diggings . Between the two hotel , the resort has a handful of dining pick , including superbRestaurant Latour . Helmed by executive chefChef Aishling Stevensand wine directorSusanne Wagner , the three- or seven - course of action tasting menu showcases the bounty of local farms and the establishment ’s foraging program with hit like Scottish Langoustine with wild fennel , curd , pickled watermelon vine , and chocolate mousse with quick cherry bar and coconut ice pick .

Fall group action high spot include glow golf game at crepuscule , axe throwing , pickleball social night , and getting pampered at theReflections Spaafter a morning on the trail marveling at the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s changing colors . If you and your amigos would like to work on your swing , reserve some teeing ground time at thegolf courseto put the icing on your alpine scarper .

The Poconos, PA

If you want another lam where you and your favored brother do n’t leave your hotel , may we suggestGreat Wolf Lodge Poconos ? Right next to the master prop , the resort recently unveiled 30 1,500 - square - foot villas designed exclusively for the Pocono Mountains hangout . Designed by Nate Berkus , The Woodland Villassleep eight to 20 people and case agreeableness like a private out-of-door patio , to the full fit out kitchenette , and included piss common pass ( you get body of water park passes include with your stay at the main hotel , too ) . Along with the noted urine common , there ’s a ropes course and mini golf game .

athirst ? Yeah , you do n’t take to leave for that , either . The property sport multiple dining outlets on - site includingTimbers Table & Kitchenwith scrumptious home - stylus bag andWood ’s End Creameryfor over - the - top methamphetamine pick concoctions . P.S. If for some understanding you ’re antsing to get off the place , speculation toBig Pocono State Park , which stays unfastened for hiking and mountain biking through early December .

Park City, UT

There ’s more to this Beehive State darling than the Sundance Film Festival and skiing . In the gloam , you ’ll be dazzled by tint of reds , orange , and yellows whether you ’re on the hiking trails likeSilver Lake Trailin Deer Valley or staring out the windowpane of your suite atWashington School House . To get your epinephrine pumping , design a expedition to theOlympic Parkand rapid growth down “ The Comet , ” a 3,000 - foot long bobsled experience .

Group meal are best enjoy at spots likeBartolo’s , High West Distillery and Saloon , orHana Ramen Bar . Or , journey to the base of Canyons Village where you ’ll findPendry Park City , where the rooftop venue , The Poolhouseis the frequent host of hot musical human activity . And for the fly fishers amongst us , we ’d be remiss if we did n’t point you towards local locales like the Provo River , Weber River , Strawberry Reservoir , Echo Reservoir , Rockport Reservoir , and Jordanelle Reservoir forsome of the best tent flap - fishingin the Rocky Mountains .

Jackson Hole, WY

Tuck in at the only hotel on Jackson ’s historical Town Square , The Cloudveil , an Autograph Collection hoteland get into the Western spirit with your nearest and dearest . Great for a crew that loves the dandy outdoors , the hotel ’s “ scout ” concierges can target you to the region ’s good leaf peeping and aspen groves , tell you exactly where to hike at Grand Teton National Park or Yellowstone National Park , and where to spot birds and wildlife at Ski Lake Trail in the Tetons . For another great lodging option , tryCaldera House , an eight - retinue hotel in Teton Village that ’s a stone ’s throw aside from the tram and a quick drive to Grand Teton National Park . When you ’re recovering from a farseeing Clarence Day of hiking or biking , you ’ll be thankful for the prop ’s spa , ignite outdoor eternity dip pool , and sweat room . Ditto for nearby eateries likeMangy Moose Restaurant and Saloon , a beloved watering hole since 1967 which often hosts live medicine .

Kenoza Lake, NY

Sullivan County ’s Catskills fall year - round , but there ’s just something about the region when paired with crisp fall air . outride atKenoza Hall , where groups will enjoy sprawling out in the property ’s cosy - chicbungalowsand eating far too many pear and Gorgonzola salads and grill trout almondine at the eating house . The guided “ morgen lauf ” ( dayspring walking ) on Saturday sunrise is a must - do , where you ’ll walk along the tranquil trails correctly on the hotel ’s background , as is a yoga division ( or airy yoga class , if you defy ) at theHemlock Spa . No Catskills adventure is complete without apple pick in the fall , so head to Stone Ridge Orchard or Majestic Farm to have some fruity sport . One daytime during your holiday , drive about 20 minutes toThe Eldred Preservefor a meal atThe Homestead Restaurant and Loungeand amble around the place ’s pastoral ponds . The smoked trout dip is enough to warrant the misstep .

Hot Springs, AR

train to be surprised in Hot Springs , which has a full-bodied history of malicious gossip ( just see theGangster Museum of Americaand the signs about Al Capone and his cronies around town ) , healing waters , and Major League Baseball saltation training . Yes , we eff it ’s a motley mixture , but any give 24-hour interval in this unique metropolis provides a spacious image of activities for your bunch . For one , it ’s the plate al-Qaida for the ( free!)Hot Springs National Park , which is a must - visit . You could also try your fortune atOaklawn , a horse racing gambling casino and resort , meander about the sereneGarvan Woodland Gardens(the chapel is a jaw - eye dropper ) , or catch live medicine while you sip a loaded Bloody Mary atThe Ohio Club — which happens to be the oldest continuously running saloon in the state dating back to 1905 , once frequented by Al Capone , Bugsy Segel , and Babe Ruth . An eclectic city indeed .

Other notable excursions include mine for crystal atAvant Mining Fisher Mountain Rock Shop and Public Dig , hiking or wheel onNorthwoods Trails , and tour the National Park Services’sThe Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center and Museumto learn more about these storied springs . stick around atThe substitute at Hot Springs , an upscale bed and breakfast ( say : three - course breakfast that feels worthy of a Michelin star ) that ’s a five - minute driving force from downtown , or head into the woods and upIn the Treesif you and your chemical group are smashing on trying that whole treehouse thing .