From pumpkins to leaf peeping, this East Coast city has the coziest fall vibes in the US

Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY
Updated ·4 min read

With summer officially coming to an end, it's time for fall travel to commence. As the leaves transform into vibrant shades of yellow and orange and the aroma of pumpkin-everything fills the brisk air, fall invites you on cozy getaways.

To help travelers figure out the best destinations for an autumnal trip, BetMGM Casino has released a new ranking of the coziest U.S. cities.

The company pulled 18 cities from an existing list from Travel & Leisure and then went one step further to measure them against five fall-related factors: things to do, such as farmers markets and pumpkin patches; natural landscapes like lakes; the intensity of fall foliage color; average rainfall, according to WeatherSpark; and average temperature using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Though the East Coast nearly swept the ranking, destinations in the South and Intermountain West still scored spots, making it easy for travelers from across the nation to book their fall escapes.

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Read below for the ranking of the eight coziest U.S. cities for fall 2024:

8. Orlando, Florida

Glass buildings, condos, and offices line the shores of Lake Eola at the heart of Orlando, Fla.
Glass buildings, condos, and offices line the shores of Lake Eola at the heart of Orlando, Fla.

Orlando may seem like a curveball with its warm weather, but its theme parks make the city worth a visit in the fall. From Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World, travelers can enjoy the parks in a way that's available only during the fall.

7. Denver

Scenic of Denver Colorado skyline. City Park and Rocky Mountains. Located in Denver, Colorado, USA.
Scenic of Denver Colorado skyline. City Park and Rocky Mountains. Located in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Denver, a city full of good food and outdoor fun, is especially enchanting in the fall. From pumpkin harvest festivals to turkey trots and beer festivals, travelers have their choice of autumn-themed festivities. Surrounded by pristine mountains and sprawling parks, the city is also ideal for seemingly endless leaf-peeping.

6. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia beach,VA,USA-May 7 2023 :Bronze statue of King Neptune is located in Virginia Beach.
Virginia beach,VA,USA-May 7 2023 :Bronze statue of King Neptune is located in Virginia Beach.

As fall approaches, Virginia Beach combines its charming coastal vibes with the fall season. The city celebrates autumn with oyster festivals, seasonal beers at local breweries, and pumpkin patches. There are also numerous places for leaf peepers, from First Landing State park to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Take a hike or bike ride to see the gorgeous leaves.

5. Portland, Oregon

View of Portland, Oregon overlooking the willamette river on a Fall Afternoon
View of Portland, Oregon overlooking the willamette river on a Fall Afternoon

Portland's natural beauty and food scene go full force in the fall. The city was found to have the most pumpkin patches in the ranking. As the air becomes a crisp 56 degrees, leaf peepers are beckoned to explore the outdoors, like at Multnomah Falls – the state's largest waterfall – and the myriad trails at Forest Park. Seasonal foods are also abundant, like a Cider Festival and apple cider donuts.

4. Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA downtown cityscape over Temple Square with autumn foliage.
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA downtown cityscape over Temple Square with autumn foliage.

Known for its pristine natural splendor, Salt Lake City is especially stunning in the fall when the mountains are painted in vibrant shades of yellows, reds and oranges. There are countless scenic drives and lakes, mountains and canyons to hike for leaf peeping. Then, take a rest at Fifth Water Hot Springs, which also boasts gorgeous fall foliage.

3. Minneapolis

A High Angle Cityscape of Minneapolis during Autumn under Golden Sunset Clouds
A High Angle Cityscape of Minneapolis during Autumn under Golden Sunset Clouds

Minneapolis scored third on the ranking for having the second-most colorful fall foliage. Leaf-peep at one of the city's many green spaces, like Minnehaha Regional Park or River Parkway. The city is also home to pumpkin patches and apple orchards.

2. Boston

Brighton Neighborhood in Autumn
Brighton Neighborhood in Autumn

Boston comes alive in the autumn, with great places to leaf-peep right in its city center. From the Public Garden to Boston Common, Boston gets draped in seasonal colors, which make its historical architecture even more beautiful and charming. Of course, since you're in New England, you'll have to go apple picking or visit a fall festival.

1. Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine, USA downtown city skyline at dusk.
Portland, Maine, USA downtown city skyline at dusk.

Boasting the most colorful fall foliage from mid- to late October, Portland, Maine, scored the spot for the coziest city in the U.S. Take a hike or bike out to the abundant trails around the area, like at Cape Elizabeth or Camden Hills State Park, to take in the intense fall colors. Honestly, you could just drive around to take in the scenery. The seaside town has the best of both worlds, with chilly beaches that are much more peaceful in the fall than summer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These 8 cities are the coziest in the US for fall travel