You’ve heard of Vermont as one of the top fall vacation spots for leaf-peeping, but the northeast isn’t the only place with foliage to die for. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—that’s the part that’s not shaped like a glove—is covered in national forests sprouting maple and oak trees, among many others. Along the coast, dramatic limestone cliffs and the aquamarine waters of the Great Lakes will make you think you are literally in a postcard. It’s remote, gorgeous, and off the beaten path. Take that, Vermont.

Wrentham, Massachusetts

It’s true: New England is one of the best places to travel in the fall, so we can’t leave it out entirely. But forget leaf-peeping. For that festive fall feeling, look no further than Big Apple Farm in Wrentham, Massachusetts. From hand-dipped candy apples to pick-your-own pumpkin patches, this working farm is the definition of rustic. The country store is teeming with edible souvenirs from apple butter and homemade jams to fresh-pressed cider and delicious fudge, but people really come for the donuts. And yes, there are hayrides, too.

Savannah, Georgia

As autumn rolls around, some people think of apple pies and changing leaves—and some people think of ghouls and ghosts. No place in the U.S. is quite as eerie as Savannah, Georgia. It isn’t just the Spanish moss hanging from the oak trees, although that definitely helps. Thanks to its centuries of history, scary stories abound in this town. Ghosts are frequently spotted at Marshall House, a former Civil War hospital. The Mercer House has seen three deaths within its walls, leading some to believe it is cursed. On the lighter side, you can go on a haunted pub crawl!

Paso Robles, California

Some might say that Southern California doesn’t have fall, but residents know that’s not true. It’s just that here, it’s a little bit different. In Paso Robles, the main attraction isn’t the trees—it’s the wine! You’ve heard of Sonoma and Napa, but this town of 30,000 in between San Francisco and Los Angeles is the seat of its own excellent wine country. Autumn is the harvest season, with the Harvest Wine Weekend falling during mid-October. Bonus: Fewer tourists and less pretense. Extra bonus: There are beer breweries here, too!

There’s a little slice of Germany hidden in the Washington forests, and its name is Leavenworth. This traditional Bavarian village looks quite festive any time of year, with its medieval-style buildings and maypole in the town square. But it really pulls out all the stops for its annual Oktoberfest. Running over three weekends, with the last in mid-October, this is definitely an all-out extravaganza. Kick it off at the time-honored keg tapping ceremony and then enjoy live music, games, and plenty of beer and schnitzel all day. Prost!

Dallas Divide, Colorado

The towering peaks of the Sneffels Range mean the Dallas Divide is stunning year-round—and the aspen tree groves at their feet make it one of the best fall trips in the state. Blankets of gold in late September give way to brilliant reds and oranges later in the season, always backed by snow-capped mountains. Yes, photo ops don’t get much better than this. Top it off with a stay in the historic resort town of Telluride; be sure to ride the gondola—the only free one in the U.S.

Hatch, New Mexico

Smell that? It’s delicious roasted peppers cooking on roadside stands. Yes, autumn is chile harvest season in the Southwest, and Hatch, New Mexico, is the center of it all. This epic foodie season kicks off in early September with the Chile Festival, but the entire season is a smorgasbord of chile-related foods all over the state. It goes way beyond salsa. In Hatch, try the Pepper Pot restaurant—Anthony Bourdain deemed the red chile enchiladas here the best of his life. Bet you never would have thought of the Southwest as one of the best places to visit in the fall!

Texas Hill Country, Texas

If you’re a leaf-peeper but also a procrastinator, there is still hope. In Texas Hill Country, the colors go strong through November, so even stragglers can catch the show. You can’t go wrong at a park that has one of the most famous fall trees in its name: Lost Maples State Natural Area will dazzle you. And you’ll never feel more in the spirit of the season than when you’re participating in the Gargantuan Great Grape Toss at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest. Bonus: This is the B&B Capital of the World, so you know what to do.