The back-to-school season has already begun in many parts of the U.S. but that doesn’t mean you need to forgo those vacation plans. There are plenty of long weekends in our future, along with some fantastic fall weather that makes exploring all the more enjoyable.
But where, exactly, should you go to find domestic vacation bliss this season? According to several travel experts we spoke to, fall 2025 is all about one place: Tennessee.
“There’s something different here in Tennessee during the fall season, when the humidity finally lifts and the crisp air sets in,” Chloe Buss, the regional director of field operations at AvantStay, told Travel + Leisure. “It’s the mix of warm sunlight with changing autumn colors that drives people to visit Nashville and the Smoky Mountains each fall. Throw in the beautiful scenery and cityscapes, along with great food, shopping, a dash of college football and bonfires, and all roads lead to Tennessee—now that sounds like a country song in the making.”
Here’s where else the experts say you need to go in the Volunteer State this season.
Great Smoky National Park
There’s perhaps no better way to spend fall in the United States than by exploring the nation’s national parks—especially if they include a fantastic kaleidoscope of fall colors. “In the Smokies, hike up to Rainbow Falls or go to Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook; both loved by locals and tourists alike,” Buss shared about exactly where to go to see the best fall foliage in the park. “As you explore the winding trails, cozy towns, and fiery colors of fall, the whole region starts to feel like home. One visit during fall and it’s as if you’re practically related to Dolly Parton by the time you leave.”
Jeff Powell, the creator and CEO of National Park Ventures, agreed, noting that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is “one of the most biodiverse areas in the U.S. It is home to elk, deer, otters, and over 1,900 black bears.” He also added this fun fact: “The park is even known as the ‘Salamander Capital of the World,’ with over 30 different species of salamanders. The area is also home to an astounding collection of native plants and flowers, including ferns, bee balm, native azaleas, galax, dwarf iris, and many more.”
Nashville
Come on, you’re not really going to go all the way to Tennessee and not spend at least a night or two in Nashville, are you? “As a Nashville native, fall is the absolute best time to experience Music City,” Whitney Haldeman, the founder of Atlas Adventures, told T+L. “While the summer heat can be a bit oppressive, autumn brings crisp mornings, golden light, and gentle energy.”
Yes, Haldeman promised all the usual buzz of live music and incredible food, but in the fall, “you also get fiery foliage along the Cumberland River, harvest festivals and perfect weather for a rooftop cocktail or an afternoon spent exploring neighborhoods like 12 South and East Nashville.”
Buss also recommended stopping at spots like Locust and enjoy its delicious Asian cuisine, or Buttermilk Ranch if you are craving something sweet. “Need some denim? Imogene and Willie never fail or if you are looking for a special gift, you’ll be able to find the perfect item for anyone in your life at White’s Mercantile, which is owned by the daughter of legend Hank Williams Jr.”
Buss also advised checking into The Gilmore, an AvantStay Hotel, which is the first and only boutique hotel in the 12 South neighborhood.
Natchez Trace Parkway
Those looking for even more foliage action can take a drive down the Natchez Trace Parkway, which Haldeman sayid is especially great “around mid to late October, when the leaves put on a show.” (She noted you’ll also get “bonus points if you stop for biscuits at The Loveless Cafe.”) The drive stretches for 444 fantastic miles from Nashville to Mississippi, and follows the “Old Natchez Trace,” which the National Parks System explains is a historic travel corridor used by Indigenous people, European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and even “future presidents.”
Leiper’s Fork
If you’re up for a detour on that drive, Haldeman suggested you “head to Leiper’s Fork, a tiny village outside the city with antique shops, artist studios and a laid-back, Southern-chic vibe.” And truly, she means tiny, as there are only about 650 residents who live here full-time. So while you won’t find a lot of people, you will find plenty of Southern charm in places like the Leiper’s Creek Gallery and The RedByrd Coffee Shop.
Townsend
Kim Mitchell, the director of tourism for the Greater Smokies Region, recommended popping into one more tiny town: Townsend. Right outside of Gatlinburg, it has just 550 full-time residents, and as Mitchell explained, it “provides a peaceful home base right outside Cades Cove with everything you could need for a vacation—be it couples, families, friends or solo travel—including fall colors, festivals, crisp mountain air, and Appalachian cuisine.” According to Mitchell, top spots include the Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro and Lodge, Peaceful Side Social, Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, and the Tuckaleechee Caverns.
