My current idea of a perfect fall vacation doesn't involve an airport.

Give me a cute little downtown, somewhere pretty to walk, and a local restaurant where the dessert menu changes because somebody's aunt brought in too many apples.

Apparently, I'm not alone.

Small-town getaways are having a moment, especially during fall. And when I think about what I actually want from a weekend away this time of year, it makes perfect sense.

Fall Looks Better in a Small Town

Cities are wonderful, but fall and small towns were practically made for each other.

This is the season for tree-lined streets, historic houses covered in leaves, pumpkins on porches, and little shops with mums sitting outside the door.

Add a farmers market or a town square for the full Hallmark movie experience.

You Can Actually Slow Down

One of my least favorite vacation habits is trying to squeeze 47 activities into four days because we're here and we have to see everything.

A small-town trip takes some of that pressure away.

You can wander around downtown without an itinerary. Stop for lunch somewhere that looks good. Browse an antique store for absolutely no reason. Then go back to your hotel at 4 p.m. and take a nap.

That's not wasting vacation. That's vacationing.

The Drive Can Be Part of the Fun

Fall is one of the few times I'll happily argue that driving somewhere can be part of the trip.

Pick a route with good scenery, build a playlist, and stop when you see something interesting. If there's a roadside farm stand selling apple cider donuts, the schedule has officially changed.

A road trip also means no security line and no aggressively weighing your suitcase before you leave home. Pack the extra boots.

Look for a Town With a Few Good Anchors

You don't need a destination overflowing with attractions.

For a two-night trip, I'd look for a walkable downtown and a couple of restaurants I'm genuinely excited about. Then I'd check what's nearby: hiking trails, wineries, orchards, historic sites, or scenic drives can give you something to do without turning the weekend into a military operation.

And please investigate the morning beverage situation beforehand.

A charming town without chai lattes is not a risk I'm willing to take.

A Few Small Towns Made for a Fall Weekend

If you need somewhere to point the car—or a little inspiration for your travel wish list—these towns understand the fall assignment.

Stowe, Vermont: This is the full New England fall fantasy. Stowe combines a charming village with Vermont's famous foliage and easy access to mountain scenery. Drive the scenic roads, get outside for a hike, then reward all that wholesome activity with something involving maple syrup. Peak foliage generally arrives around late September into October, although Mother Nature refuses to accept reservations.

Woodstock, Vermont: If Stowe sounds a little too busy, Woodstock offers another ridiculously pretty Vermont option. Think covered bridges, historic architecture, nearby farms, and the kind of downtown that makes wandering around with a hot drink feel like a legitimate afternoon activity. The surrounding countryside puts on quite a show once the leaves change.

Bar Harbor, Maine: Fall gives you a particularly good excuse to pair a cute coastal town with Acadia National Park. Spend the day hiking or taking in the fall color, then head back into Bar Harbor for seafood and a waterfront stroll. September and October also bring cooler temperatures than the height of summer—and plenty of autumn scenery.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina: For a Southern fall getaway, Blowing Rock is hard to beat. The little mountain town sits along the Blue Ridge Parkway, putting scenic overlooks and hiking within easy reach. Fall color typically rolls through the North Carolina mountains over several weeks because of the changing elevations, which gives you a wider window to catch it.

Jonesborough, Tennessee: Tennessee's oldest town brings historic buildings, a charming downtown, and plenty of Appalachian character. Fall also happens to be a particularly fitting time to visit because Jonesborough is famous for storytelling—the annual National Storytelling Festival takes place each October. Add the surrounding Northeast Tennessee mountain scenery, and you've got a fall trip that feels delightfully old-school.

Blue Ridge, Georgia: Blue Ridge is the pick when I want a mountain weekend with plenty to do between scenic drives. There's a walkable downtown filled with shops and restaurants, nearby hiking and waterfalls, and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway for maximum fall-leaf energy.

Clayton, Georgia: Clayton is a great choice if you want something a little quieter. Downtown has local shops and restaurants, while the surrounding Rabun County mountains give you easy access to waterfalls, hiking, scenic drives, and wineries. It's the kind of place where I'd happily spend the morning exploring and then disappear onto a cabin porch for the rest of the day.

My advice for any famous fall town: don't assume “small” means “spontaneous.” Popular weekends can fill up quickly, so book your room early if you're chasing peak foliage.

Don't Overplan It

The beauty of a small-town weekend is that you don't need to come home exhausted from your vacation. Book somewhere cozy. Make one or two reservations if necessary, then leave some empty space in the schedule.

Maybe you'll find a festival you didn't know was happening. Maybe you'll spend two hours in a bookstore.

Maybe you'll sit somewhere pretty with a hot drink and do absolutely nothing.

That last one sounds particularly good to me.

Maybe Smaller Really Is Better

I still want the big trips. Paris isn't getting deleted from the list because I discovered scenic country roads.

But there's something appealing about a fall getaway that doesn't require months of planning, a complicated itinerary, or recovering from your vacation once you get home.

Sometimes I just want to throw a sweater in a bag and drive somewhere charming for the weekend.

If there's an apple cider donut waiting for me when I get there, even better.