4 Under-the-Radar Getaways to Catch Fall Colors (and Look Damn Good Doing It)

There’s something about fall. The air sharpens, the light softens, and the leaves put on their final, fiery performance before winter takes the stage. While everyone flocks to Vermont or Upstate New York, we’re pointing you toward the roads less traveled—where the foliage is just as rich, the crowds are blissfully thin, and your wardrobe has room to breathe (and be admired).

Below, four under-the-radar destinations where fall delivers—visually and sartorially—and the shirts you’ll want to be seen in when it does.

1. Door County, Wisconsin

Think: The Hamptons meets Midwestern charm.

Set between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, Door County is quietly spectacular. The foliage here is a painter’s dream—fiery reds, honeyed golds, burnt ambers—set against still waters and white clapboard homes. Layer a classic oxford shirt under a wool overshirt. Add boots. Add bourbon. Watch the season unfold from a lakeside porch.

Style tip: Go textured. Flannel, twill, or brushed cotton adds warmth and depth.

2. McKenzie Pass, Oregon

A lava-sculpted highway carved through technicolor wilderness.
This isn’t your typical foliage run. Here, black volcanic rock juts out between golden pines, with bursts of scarlet maples playing counterpoint. It’s wild, cinematic, and oddly peaceful. Perfect for a crisp, structured poplin in a forest tone or charcoal check—polished enough for a detour to a craft distillery, rugged enough for roadside trailheads.

Style tip: Earth tones with a modern fit = explorer, not tourist.

3. Taos, New Mexico

Where fall wears adobe tones and the light is filtered through poetry.
Taos is a mood: part desert mystique, part high-altitude serenity, all magic. While Aspen flexes, Taos whispers. The golden aspens, the long shadows on red clay—this is the canvas. You are the contrast. Reach for an artful print or a monochrome look in deep navy or olive. Buttoned up or left undone over a tee, it all works here.

Style tip: Let your shirt be the standout in a minimalist palette.

4. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia

The southern stretch that delivers color without the chaos.
Sure, the North Carolina side gets the buzz. But Virginia’s portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway offers rolling mountains, quiet overlooks, and winding roads bathed in ochre, amber, and crimson. It’s made for slow drives, spontaneous hikes, and well-cut layers. Start with a soft cotton shirt, add a tailored jacket, cue the playlist.

Style tip: Keep it classic. A semi-spread collar and a confident cuff go a long way.