Crisp Air and Cozy Charm: The Top 20 Fall Getaways in the US Ranked

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:10 PM ET, Tue September 29, 2026

With climate change making summer unbearably hot in many parts of the world, demand for cooler weather getaways has multiplied.

The good news is fall is nearly here, and plenty of places still let you don a sweater, enjoy strolls in crisp autumn air, and immerse yourself in all the traditions the season has to offer.

If you need a little help pinpointing the best place for a cozy fall escape, you’ve come to the right place. A newly released study from BetMGM Casino ranks the top 20 locations across the United States for the ultimate cozy, fall getaway.

To create its ranking, BetMGM Casino analyzed America’s most commonly recommended autumn getaways, comparing factors such as seasonal weather conditions along with the availability of pumpkin patches, farmers’ markets, coffee shops, bookstores, and parks. Using these criteria, each location was awarded a score of up to 100.

Bar Harbor, Maine with Cadillac Mountain and Acadia National Park in the background

After all the scoring, one clear winner emerged: a place BetMGM Casino says “takes the crown” for cozy fall retreats. That place is the coastal town of Bar Harbor, Maine. (Not entirely surprising, given the all-around charm of Maine’s small towns.)

The town earned a Cozy Fall score of 66.9 out of 100, with the report explaining that Bar Harbor combines “some of the strongest seasonal conditions in the study with everything needed for a classic fall backdrop.”

The “seasonal conditions” that put Bar Harbor over the top in the ranking include average fall temperatures of 52°F (just one degree from the study’s ideal sweater-weather temperature), along with 16 inches of seasonal rainfall (which the ranking considers to be a good thing for cozy getaways), and highly vibrant foliage throughout much of October. Bar Harbor is also home to 15 coffee shops, cafes, and bakeries, as well as two bookstores, a variety of parks, and a farmers market.

Coming in just a few points behind Bar Harbor in the ranking, Lake Placid, New York (which earned a 63.3 out of 100) offers another compelling fall option.

As the ranking explains, Lake Placid pairs “classic Adirondack scenery with crisp fall conditions and a small but fitting selection of cozy amenities.”

The village averages a chilly 45°F throughout fall, and typically experiences a moderate 11 inches of seasonal rainfall. Lake Place also happens to be deemed the best destination in the ranking for an early fall getaway, with foliage forecast to reach peak vibrancy around October 6 – the earliest of all 20 destinations analyzed. Those waiting until later in October will likely find the leaves already past their most colorful.

If Maine and New York are too far afield for your fall escape, read on for 20 additional top-ranked options across the United States.