Introverts: 10 Leaf Peeping Escapes for Mindful Wandering
According to a 2022 Tripadvisor report, 60% of travelers will take leaf-peeping vacations versus 54% last year. Many fall destinations across the US are highly publicized, using top ten lists touting the best place to experience fall. These lists are great for extroverts who welcome people interactions but not so much for introverts who desire reflective spaces. The hustle and bustle of these popular fall escapes can cause introverts to become overwhelmed and anxious. Not the best recipe for mindful wandering.
To Thine Ownself be True, Shakespeare
Shakespeare was onto something. If you don’t know yourself, how can you take soul-stirring vacations? You won’t! The steps below will help you figure out how to travel mindfully if that’s a top priority. First and foremost, know your personality type because it is your true inner travel guide. If you don’t know your personality type, these questions may help you wander happier:
- Do you get animated and talkative when talking about things that interest you?
- Do you spend time in contemplation and solitude and often skip invitations to hang out with a few friends?
- Do you think before you speak?
- Are you often told you’re a great listener?
- Do you crave dining alone, solo travel, and long hikes in the woods?
If you answered yes to three or more of these questions below, continue reading; if not, you may want to review Fall Foliage Trips for Extrovert.
Pleaseee…All Introverts Are Not Alike
You know I’m an advocate in the first to stop stereotyping personality types, so here again, I’m stressing; all introverts are not alike! Some introverts express outgoing behaviors and are mistaken for extroverts. Some are cautious and weary of others as they feel nobody ever gets them for who they really are; (their inner selves). Yet many others have a depth and intensity associated with an introvert trait that ranks high on the introvert trail.
Set Travel Intentions for Blissful Wanderings
The top 10 best fall trips suggested below tap into an introvert’s personality ⏤ your travel vibe. But before you start to plan, set an intention as your travel intention should reflect your specific introvert characters, as they will guide you to the ideal getaway.
Setting an intention example, and of course, make it your own. This is how I do it. Upon arrival, I find a quiet place and set an intention using this simple prayer: Divine, show me, state what you desire, then release it. What shows up for you? Are you willing to act upon it, or do you quickly shut it down? Free will is real, and it drives your life. Something to ponder.”
Best Fall Weekend Getaways for Introverts To Avoid the Crowds
The trips listed below are uncommon, making them a fabulous choice for introverts looking for fall getaways that vibe with their personality. Fall is a season to be celebrated; the trees are in full fall bloom, calling you to breathe it all in. Why not book a trip to a national park, plan a staycation, go local, or take a road trip to wide-open spaces for the day? Take time to enjoy meditative walks, hike, and discover the charm that oozes from small towns. And delicious comfort food, homemade soup, chili, or stew, should also be on the travel menu. National Parks can be a wonderful choice for introverts, as their always is a new path to discover.
10 Leaf Peeping Escapes for Mindful Wandering
The listings below may be “tiny towns, treetop wonders, or glamping getaways, whichever you choose. I believe they’re worth exploring as they compliment your introverted characteristics soothing and comforting you… Start packing.
Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, population 500, is an idyllic town for viewing spectacular fall foliage. It overlooks the White Mountain National Forest with views Claude Monet would find beautiful. Touring covered bridges accentuated by autumn colors, or enjoy a drive in the country, touring the Kancamagus Highway, which traverses the heart of the White Mountains. Or ride a gondola up Loon Mountain and hike through Franconia Notch State Park. No doubt this time of year is the time to visit.
Glamping in a tree house in Arcada National Park, Maine, with Bar Harbor, Acadia, and Ellsworth nearby. An ideal fall getaway. You’ll feel like you’re a million miles away. This location is the perfect getaway for meditative walks or days in nature with 360 fabulous views.
A 5-start treehouse in Montana, a luxury escape on five acres of forest wonderlands, a two-story treehouse with all the luxuries, see it on As Seen ON: IG (@mttreehouse), Zillow, DIY Network, HGTV, Time, Outside Magazine. It’s worth a look.
Visit Payson, Arizona, to explore Tonto Natural Bridge State Park to experience a dramatic travertine arch. Take a short trail walk to a geological wonder that spans Pine Creek, complete with a waterfall and gorgeous trees. Signaling fall weather is here.
Little Sioux Orchard, Milford, Iowa is a delicious weekend away with everything apples; eat your way through half a dozen varieties. Stay nearby at the stately Oakwood Inn on lake Koboji, just another reason you’ll remember this getaway for years to come
Woodstock, Vermont, a quaint town – remember Woodstock, the music event of, well, the century? The area is also a great fall destination with plenty of mom-and-pop shops and the farms… Take a tour of local farmhouses, get your hands dirty, attend a maple syrup tapping party, or stay a few days on a working farm and experience farm life.
Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama, offers Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs. Traveling with a four-legged friend, no worries, you can explore the park with Fideo, and when you follow the park rules, you can pick up your official BARK Ranger badge! Overnight at Nates Cabin for a remote, rustic experience.
Southeast, Oaklahoma, along the border of Arkansas, think Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia’s heavenly views without the crowds. Robbers Cave State Park is a scenic leaf-peeping destination of the Sans Bois Mountain Range, part of the larger Ouachita chain of mountains. It provides breathtaking vistas with picturesque cliffs and creeks. Visit the famous Robbers Cave, Henryetta Oaklahoma, where Jesse James and Belle Starr hide from authorities.
Cedars Cove, Tennesse, is not only one of the most beautiful, it’s one of the most historic in the state, with a 2-hour drive from Nashville. The 11-mile drive is so worth it. Drive slow as you’ll want to take in the historic log houses, grist mills, a barn, plus three churches fully maintained for historical purposes. I’d avise your pick up the self-guided brochure that describes the area in detail. Overnight stays may be limited, so you may want to consider Nashville.
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, 28 miles south of Starkville, Mississippi, is not only a magical fall extravaganza. Pack your binoculars, as the area is also a refuge for migrating birds. Designated 1940s, hardwood and pine forests, lakes, ponds, and an array of wildlife make up this 42,500-acre outdoor recreation area. The weather is cool, and a walk through the pine forest is a magical experience as the colors are exceptionally vibrant.
I hope you enjoy this curated travel list developed with introverts in mind. Travel is a time for exploration and reconnection, so why not travel with your personality top-of-mind to enjoy richer and more fulfilling experiences?
Nina Zapala is reimaging personality typing with a spiritual understanding. Her upcoming book, Unpack Your Personality, moves away from vanity vacations and unbridled consumerism. This psychology-driven travel book is for seekers who dare to reimagine travel as a self-help journey, preferring enriching and intentional experiences versus mind-numbing busyness, superfluous selfies, and all-you-can-eat buffets. The idea is to return home from vacation with an expanded consciousness, not an expanded waistline or a suitcase full of dust-collecting tchotchkes.
