I grew up in New England. Fall is the best time to visit — but first-time tourists often make 4 avoidable mistakes.

I grew up in New England, and regularly come back to visit in the fall.

Jordan Charbonneau I grew up in New Hampshire , attended college in Vermont, and return to New England regularly.

Fall is the best time to visit this region, but tourists often make preventable mistakes.

I suggest staying careful and stocked with supplies on hikes, and double-checking GPS instructions.

As a child in New Hampshire, my favorite season was always fall.

Autumn meant mountains alight with fiery foliage, crisp air, and no mosquitoes.

It was always the perfect time to squeeze in one last camping trip, visit my grandparents at their cabin in Vermont, and watch the changing leaves from scenic hikes and drives.

I no longer live in New England, but I still visit regularly — and every year, I watch other tourists make the same mistakes on their trips.

Don't just stick to social media for destination inspiration I think Rangeley, Maine, is an underrated place to visit in the fall.

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images Several popular spots — including Bar Harbor, Maine; Woodstock, Vermont; and Salem, Massachusetts — get a lot of love on social media.

Although they are beautiful towns , there are many others to explore off the beaten path.

Attending college in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, I'd watch the leaves change on virtually tourist-free dirt roads that snaked their way over rolling hillsides with views of colorful forests patch-worked with ponds, lakes, and pastures.

Wander around any rural part of New England, and you'll find some spectacular places with fewer crowds.

A few of my top recommendations are Newport, Vermont; Rangeley, Maine; Sturbridge, Massachusetts; and Colebrook, New Hampshire.