Editor's note: This article was written by a Townsquare Media Northern New England contributor and may contain the individual's views, opinions, or personal experiences.

I'll just start out right now by saying I'm shocked.  Maybe it's naïveté or ego, but when it comes to fall travel destinations, New England isn't all that this year.

I'd like to say I'm fine with that because it means less traffic, not as many slow campers and mobile homes, and fewer lines, but I feel guilty even thinking that.  Tourism is crucial economically, and when it comes to pride, we love to show off our autumn love.

According to Travel and Leisure Magazine, around 65% of Americans are traveling for a fall getaway or full-on vacation for 2022, and when it comes to sweater weather, Americans don't want it this year.

Yup, the magazine says Las Vegas is the most popular destination this year.  Okay, I get it for those quick holidays where you just let loose in the adult playground of America.  It's a fun place for a couple of days.  I've been twice in my life and had a blast. There are lots of freebies when you do the Vegas thing, too so that's a perk. Plus, it's hard not to find a hotel, so it's an easy, one-stop shop vacation.

Las Vegas Welcome Sign With Palm Trees at Sunset
cenix
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Okay, so is New England next for our incomparable changing of the colors and gorgeous drives, quaint towns, apple cider donuts, and pumpkin festivals, while sporting chunky sweaters or our favorite tall boots?

Beautiful fall foliage in the northeast USA
Sharan Singh
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Nope, we didn't even make the list this year, according to Travel and Leisure.

Americans’ appetite for vacations is not fading with the end of summer. Despite inflation, cities like Las Vegas, New York, and Orlando top US travelers’ lists this fall, destinations across Europe and Asia are also beginning to trend year-over-year for many Americans planning their next trip.
The magazine adds that warm-weather destinations seem to be extra popular as well, although after Hurricane Ian, all of those Florida destinations like Key West and Miami Beach that topped the list have most likely been postponed, as our thoughts continue to be with Florida.
Makena State Park, Maui, Hawaiian Islands
Digital Vision.
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Meanwhile, Honolulu and Maui made the list, as well as the Turks and Caicos and Cancun, Mexico.
Hmmmmmm.
This study is national, so we're talking quite the pricey trip for out-of-staters to vacation out here, especially as leaf peeping isn't the easiest fete, nor inexpensive.  As we know, it involves traveling to our quaint towns and villages for the true leaf peeping experience filled with drives and hikes. Most of the destinations above cater to all-inclusive stops, as well as relatively easy access.
We're still seeing fans of fall as we do every year, so it may just be that this pricier trip just isn't in the cards for many in 2022.

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