This Cheap U.S. City Hyped As One Of The Midwest’s Most Beautiful Fall Getaways

Given America’s stunning coastlines from the Golden State’s vibrant shores to the Gulf’s hidden gems, not to mention the Atlantic’s endless paradises stretching all the way from Key West to Maine, one could argue that the Midwest is the most overlooked region for an unforgettable vacation.

At Travel Off Path, we get it. Cornfields aren’t exactly screaming an open invitation for a good time, are they?

However, come fall, unlike some of America’s most beautiful beach towns, the Midwest takes on a whole new vibe, almost as if this sprawling heartland becomes a living museum of autumn splendor.

Travel experts at Midwest Living have surely been licking their chops until now, ready to unleash their favorite locales for the prettiest getaways — and they did just that by releasing ‘30 Midwest Fall Color Getaways‘ to choose from.

There’s one that stood out the most since I’ve had the privilege of making back-and-forth trips since I was a wee little lad. (Sorry, I’ve been writing a lot of U.K. articles lately…)

The bottom line is that St. Louis may be an unbearable, muggy, and hot mess during the summer, but one of America’s cheapest cities turns a new leaf quite literally in the fall, becoming one of the Midwest’s most delightful escapes.

Discover Urban Delights & America’s Most Recognizable National Park

Is St. Louis an iconic city? Depends on who you ask. Though there’s no denying the famous Gateway Arch belongs in the conversation.

Now, let’s be honest — St. Louis has built a habit of finding themselves on the wrong side of headlines. As such, no place is more thankful to Memphis for taking the crown of America’s ‘most dangerous’ city.

This sketchy reputation is exactly what’s held “The Lou” back for so long. While it’s too well-known to be considered a “hidden gem” per se, a lot of people have scoffed at vacationing here due to its unsightly crime reports over the years.

But I’m here to tell you that St. Louis has long been a favorite getaway of mine, and most crime occurs in pockets tourists wouldn’t dare venture.

You’ll love the city’s underrated signature cuisine, wallet-friendly attractions (many of which are free), surprising culture, and boundless nature beyond the city limits sign.

The last time I was in STL, I kept gravitating back toward the city center, which features the aforementioned Arch, trendy and vibrant neighborhoods like the West End, unbelievably beautiful Forest Park, and the best area to dine in town — The Hill.

For real, though— if you thought Olive Garden was the top spot for a Tour of Italy on U.S. soil, then you haven’t had The Hill’s famous Toasted Ravioli grace your lips.

But the best hangout is the low-key grassy knoll park under the Arch, overlooking the flowing Mississippi River.

While the Arch itself is unmissable, you may not be aware that this is actually the site of a National Park, serving as a popular gathering spot for locals to enjoy the crisp autumn air and colorful foliage.

Though tourists love being able to ride the elevator up the archway for sweeping river/city views ($20 admission).

The Mecca Of Budget Travel: St. Louis Has Top-Notch Free Attractions

I’m sure there’s something free to do in every city, but you’re likely to walk away reminding yourself of the old adage, “you get what you pay for”.

Maybe it’s a walking tour to nothing extravagant or a museum exhibit that turns out to be a snoozefest.

St. Louis, though? They say hold my Budweiser.

Forest Park alone should top your St. Louis wishlist. Boasting over 45,000 trees, we’ll let you do the math for what’s in store during the midst of the park’s kaleidoscopic transformation in the coming months, when peak leaf-peeping season is late October and early November — but if you’re here earlier, don’t miss the long-standing tradition of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race held September 19th.

The park is also home to multiple free-to-enter attractions, and not the kind I previously mentioned.s

We’re talking world-class museums and the very well-kempt St. Louis Zoo.

In total, there are four must-visit landmarks within Forest Park that won’t cost you a penny:

• St. Louis Zoo
• St. Louis Art Museum
• Missouri History Museum
• St. Louis Science Center

Up For A Road Trip? Jaw-Dropping Nature Is In Close Reach

Forest Park shouldn’t be skipped, but if you want to level up your trip even more with supreme, raw beauty away from the city grind, you gotta head into the Mark Twain National Forest.

Encapsulating charming small towns, ample hiking trails, and winding back roads where another car may not pass for hours, this region left a lasting imprint on my mind’s eye on my last trip.

Locals may disagree, but if you ask me, I’d say the best gateway is the little-known town of Potosi, about an hour and 15 minutes southwest of St. Louis.

Not only is the town a delight to visit with a quaint main strip of boutiques, you’ll find one of my favorite places to fuel up for the day, a travel-themed coffee shop/bookstore holding a perfect Google rating — A. M. Edition.

For history buffs, you’ll also find the burial site of Moses Austin, the founder of Potosi, and even more notably, the father of Stephen F. Austin.

But the most identifiable name is Mark Twain. The forest in his honor is a playground for adventurers looking for undisturbed photo-ops in immense foliage accessible from numerous entry points in and around Potosi.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.