I never had any desire to visit the Midwest — until a fall trip to Door County changed my entire outlook on travel

I love traveling up and down the East Coast, and I have always wanted to see the Pacific Northwest — but I can't say I ever dreamed of visiting the states that fill out the center of the United States.

However, I changed my mind the second I saw photos of Door County, Wisconsin, during autumn. I was awestruck by images of lush trees that seemed to go on forever in the most vibrant hues of red, yellow, green, and orange.

Growing up in Virginia, I was no stranger to fall foliage — but I had never seen anything quite like this. I felt an immediate pull to the area, and within a few weeks, my flight was booked for a trip in late October.

On my first day in Door County, I woke up to views of Lake Michigan from my balcony at The Water Street Inn, a circa 1896 hotel that looked like it was right out of a Hallmark movie.

I kicked off the day with a ride aboard the Door County Trolley to get a closer look at the leaves I had been dreaming of for weeks. It's one thing to see that kind of beauty in a picture, but seeing it in person was surreal.

It had rained that morning, so the wet streets reflected the colors of the maple trees towering over them, with brightly colored leaves covering many of the roads in blankets of orange and gold.

In the days that followed, I spent my time strolling through diverse nature preserves and parks, such as Whitefish Dunes State Park and The Ridges Sanctuary.

I climbed to the top of the Cana Island Lighthouse, which is over 150 years old and towers just beside Lake Michigan.

I explored the picturesque downtown areas of Fish Creek and Egg Harbor, and took part in Door County's most time-honored tradition: the fish boil.

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What began as an efficient way to feed hungry fishermen a century ago has turned into an incredible way to bring the town together on a regular basis for an unpretentious, delicious meal by the fire.

Watching people cook in giant steel pots, talking to new people, and sharing bites of things like whitefish, potatoes, and corn with others was a special experience that made me feel like part of the community.