Nine Incredible Fall Experiences to Discover in the USA

As a destination, the USA defies summary. From Hawaii to Florida, its 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia encompass an almost implausible diversity of cultures, landscapes and attractions. From cities that lead the world in food, technology, and fashion, to its 52 million acres of protected national parks lands, there are more than a lifetime’s worth of discoveries to be made.

So, where to start? We can answer that.   

We know the USA like our own backyard

On an Insight Vacations guided tour to the USA, you’ll not only get to discover the best the country has to offer – from national parks to city sights – you’ll experience it all on a deeper, more insightful level.

Our Insightful Encounters introduce you to knowledgeable Local Experts, who are passionate about their areas of interest – and sharing them with guests. On hand 24/7, our dedicated Travel Directors are not only there to ensure your comfort, but to answer any questions you might have. Meanwhile, Insider Access gives you skip-the-line privilege at key attractions, and you may even have certain sights to yourself with before- or after-hours visits.

But we don’t just want to satisfy your curiosity. We also want to ensure you feel like a ‘Business Class’ traveller every step of the way. Which is why every U.S. itinerary features handpicked 4- and 5-star hotels, top-rated dining, plus personalised itineraries with Insight Choice and premium coaches with extra leg room.

What’s the best time to visit the USA?  

With its diversity of geography and climates, the USA is truly an all-year-round destination. But pushed to choose, we believe Fall is a perfect time to visit the USA. On the east coast, the deciduous forests of New England are ablaze with leaves of crimson and gold, while in the southwestern desert states temperatures are mellowing and up and down the west coast, farmers’ markets are rolling in pumpkins.

Read on to help you decide which U.S. Insight Vacations tour to put at the top of your wish list for this Fall.  

Fall in love with the USA with these nine experiences

1. Private tour of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon 

On our Yellowstone Discovery tour, you’ll join Local Expert, Adam Brubaker, a naturalist and photographer, for a private tour of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. Learn about the creation of its waterfalls, canyon, wildlife, and human and geological history as you walk through the park. As well as the iconic colors and approachable temperatures (with highs of 18°C), autumn is the perfect time to catch local wildlife at its most active: elk enter breeding season, bears prepare for hibernation, and bison begin to migrate to find winter feeding grounds. 

2. Tuck into an authentic Maine lobster dinner 

Maine lobsters are a world-famous delicacy, known (and prized) for their size, meatiness, and flavor, which they owe to their cold-water environment. Peak Maine lobster season is between late June and late December, when the lobsters are most active, so visiting during fall means you’re guaranteed some incredible local lobster. On Insight Vacations’ New England’s Fall Foliage tour of New England, you’ll tuck into an authentic Maine lobster dinner with your fellow travelers. 

3. Discover New York City’s architecture on foot with a Local Expert 

On our Best of East Coast USA tour, you’ll be able to curate your day with an Insight Choice option of a captivating walking tour through the heart of New York City with a Local Expert. Starting at the Grand Central Terminal, bask in the luminosity of Broadway in the Theatre District, and marvel at the architectural opulence of Radio City Music Hall, before exploring the legendary Art Deco Rockefeller Center. Not forgetting the celebrated Fifth Avenue, where you’ll discover both highlights and hidden gems in this renowned district. 

4. Private Visit to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis 

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on our Country Roads of the Deep South tour will delight music and history lovers alike, as you are taken on an exclusive after-hours private tour at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music – the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Stax Records and American soul music. The museum is part of The Soulsville Foundation, which aims to help young people prepare for life success and inspire future artists.

5. Stay at the Monmouth Historic Inn and Gardens, Natchez  

Travel back in time during your stay at the Monmouth Historic Inn and Gardens in Natchez, Mississippi on Country Roads of the Deep South. The grand mansion provides you with a view into the South’s past with antebellum-era styling and period-piece furnishings, while traditional meals will show you the best of southern hospitality. With flowers all year round, fall is a wonderful time to visit the gardens here as the foliage transitions to more dramatic colors. 

6. Desert View Inter-tribal Heritage Center on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience 

Encompassing scenic views, landmarks, history and culture, on our Enchanting Canyonlands tour you’ll trace the scenic South Rim of the Grand Canyon along Desert View Drive. See the historic Watchtower built by Mary Colter and follow the Colorado River to the stunning Painted Desert, which extends towards Navajo and Hopi Indian lands. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience supports the Grand Canyon Conservancy and the development of the Desert Viewpoint Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site, led by the 11 Grand Canyon tribal communities in partnership with the National Park Service to address the historic inequities faced by Native Americans. 

7. Visit Badlands National Park 

Ready for a rugged wild west adventure? Join our American Parks Trail tour. In the dramatic Badlands National Park in South Dakota you’ll find 244,000 acres of preserved, sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires, blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in America. The unique outstanding natural beauty of this landscape will have you in awe all year round, but visit in fall to see the colors change, crowds thin out, and make the most of temperatures mild enough to hike in before the chill of the winter sets in. 

8. Taste olive oil on a Pasolivo Ranch Tour 

Harvest season for olives in California takes place in September and October, making it the perfect time to visit the Pasolivo ranch on our Best of California tour. Found in the heart of the Paso Robles wine country, Pasolivo has been producing award-winning California olive oil and welcoming visitors to their orchards and olive oil tasting room for over a decade. Walk through the olive groves, learn about how olives are grown, milled, and pressed, and of course indulge in a structured olive oil tasting.   

9. Explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 

Admire the autumn leaves and blossoming fall wildflowers of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as you discover the history of the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Be transported to the 1760s as you learn the stories and lifestyle of the Cherokee with a Cultural Expert, with whom you’ll walk winding paths, taking in the traditional dwellings and sacred ritual sites. Watch, learn, and interact with villagers as they hull canoes, sculpt pottery and masks, weave baskets and fashion beadwork. All this is available on Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA. 

Discover the best of the USA in the fall with an Insight Vacations ‘Business Class’ tour