Traveling to enjoy optimum shades of fall colors, or leaf peeping, has become increasingly popular. Peak fall foliage dates are communicated way in advance to give people a chance to plan their perfect self-guided autumn tour to enjoy the fall scenery.
As the US has four seasons throughout the country, there are numerous places to enjoy the shades of fall colors. Some areas, however, are especially well positioned to display the spectacular sight of leaves changing colors from summer green to wine red, deep purple, burnt orange, and golden yellow.
The combination of these colors blazing across a forest or a mountaintop in a kaleidoscope of autumn colors is truly breathtaking. Couple this seasonal event with an interesting destination and you’ve got the makings of your perfect leaf-peeping getaway.
How do you choose your optimum leaf-peeping adventure? We asked frequent travelers to share their favorite places to see fall foliage in the United States.
There is no lack of U.S. fall foliage destinations here. From the classic fall scenery of New England to the less well-known, but equally impressive autumn foliage of New Mexico, these autumn leaves in America will stay with you long after the last autumn leaves have fallen.
THE BEST PLACES TO SEE THE SHADES OF FALL COLORS IN THE UNITED STATES
Central Park, NYC
Central Park in New York City is beautiful any time of year, but there is something about fall that makes it very special. The City that Never Sleeps is one of the top spots for fall colors in the United States.
The waning summer heat gives way to a slight chill in the air that heralds the coming of winter, and the accompanying changing colors of the leaves are beautiful to see.
The leaves begin to turn around the third week of September with peak autumn colors around mid-October.
Spectacular sights include the waves of color reflecting in the still waters of the many lakes and ponds, and the tunnels of color created by the trees forming canopies over walkways in The Mall.
Belvedere Castle, built by the same designers and architects that built Central Park itself is resplendent against a backdrop of blazing fall foliage. The Ramble, a lush woodland, and the Conservatory on 116 Street, one of the most underrated places to see in NYC, are also at their most beautiful this time of year.
Of course, Central Park is New York City’s backyard or front yard, so you can witness the glorious fall foliage and then immerse yourself in everything the city has to offer.
World-class entertainment, over a hundred museums, cuisines from every corner of the earth, and the world’s best hot dog are mere steps away from Central Park.
Central Park might indeed be the site of the best shades of fall colors in the United States.
Check out the best places to stay in New York City based on what you want to see and do.
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Breckenridge, CO
Ah…Breckenridge. This charming town located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains is the ideal place to witness fall foliage in the United States.
It sits at almost 10,000 feet above sea level and offers an explosion of fall colors. The town is among the first areas in Colorado to see autumn’s brilliance as the leaves change.
Most colors will peak by mid to late September but you can still see fabulous colors into the beginning of October.
Looking for the ideal location for optimal leaf peeping? Drive the Boreas Pass, a 23-mile route that begins in Como and goes north to Breckenridge. This is one of the best fall foliage road trips in the USA.
Activities in the area include horseback riding, hiking, fishing and, of course, leaf-peeping amid the beautiful Rockies.
For a wonderful experience make sure to join the Oktoberfest festivities around the middle of September, one of the best fall festivals in the United States.
If you want to linger a little longer – and you will – reserve a room with a view at The Lodge at Breckenridge. This hotel is one of the world’s highest-altitude hotels at 10,200 feet! Imagine the
Lake Geneva, WI
If you’re wondering what to do throughout this fall, then why not visit Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for a long-lasting autumn foliage view in the U.S.!
Undoubtedly, the shades of fall foliage in Lake Geneva are all about vibrant colors, briskness, and refreshing weather, which never fails to delight its visitors.
The best time to visit there is especially during mid-September-mid-October when the color of the leaves varies strikingly. At that time, you’ll witness the trees and bushes that will begin to appear yellow, followed by turning orange.
Further, it’ll transform into a red-vibrant color and stay the same till late November, when the entire surrounding will finally look like Caramel-brown brilliance.
Likewise, there are numerous ways to appreciate the shades of fall hues in the Lake Geneva region, whether traveling by bicycle, boat, or rail.
Lake Geneva is 50 miles from downtown, Milwaukee, and is roughly 80 miles from the city of Chicago. The best drive in the area is through Snake Road, a three-mile-long, twisting street off Highway 50 on the northeast border of Geneva Lake.
Another comfortable ride is through the Rustic Roads, nearby Lyons. Otherwise, if you prefer a slower pace, a hike on the 21-mile Geneva Lake Shore Path provides very close views of fall foliage along with a look at the splendid estates on the waterside.
There are many hotels available if you’re wondering where to stay in Lake Geneva. A few recommended hotels include- The Abbey Resort, Chateau Royale Inn, Geneva Guest House, and many more, which offer the best amenities.
Wisconsin is great to visit any time of year but in autumn you can enjoy 33 fun Wisconsin fall getaways.
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Smokey Mountains National Park, TN
One of the best places in the US to see spectacular shades of fall colors is The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Famous for being a popular “leaf peeping” destination, thousands flock to this remarkable national park to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and take in the sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains fall colors of orange, red, and yellow. There is nothing quite like the autumn foliage around the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Any time is good for hiking in the Smoky Mountains but the best times to see the fall colors in peak conditions are generally from late October to mid-November.
While driving on the parkway or the Newfound Gap Road is a popular choice, you can also hike through the park and immerse yourself in the technicolor display of colors.
Other fun options are hiking out to Inspiration Point on the Alum Cave Trail, hiking to Baskins Creek Falls, or walking up to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. If you’re looking for a challenging hike with fewer people, you can do the 11.6-mile hike to Gregory Bald.
Most people choose to enter the park from the Sugarland entrance in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. If choosing to enter the park in Gatlinburg, the closest airport is in Knoxville, TN, about 50 minutes away.
Another option is to drive from Asheville, NC, a hip southern city that offers prime leaf viewing options as well.
Truly this is one of the best national parks for fall foliage.
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Napa Valley, CA
Looking for leaf-peeping destinations on the US West Coast? Consider the Napa Valley in Northern California!
Fall arrives later here than in other parts of the Golden State, so if you’ve missed other hot spots like the Eastern Sierra or Lake Tahoe, you can still catch beautiful shades of fall colors in Napa Valley.
Drive Highway 29, or the less trafficked Silverado Trail, up the valley. You will be treated not only to fall foliage on trees along the way, but the vineyards look gloriously scenic as well, dressed in yellow, orange, and red.
For an up-close look at Napa Valley’s fall colors, visit some of the more scenic wineries. Some are perched up on hillsides and offer fabulous views of a patchwork quilt of fall colors when the vineyards are at their peak.
And for an epic aerial view, go ballooning over the valley!
As at any other time of the year, eating is one of the most fun things to do in Napa Valley in the fall. Area restaurants feature fall favorites like butternut squash soup and pasta or pizza with seasonal squash and herbs. Yum!
Peak fall colors in Napa Valley generally occur mid to late November. Napa Valley is just a 90-minute drive from San Francisco, which has an international airport.
You will also find many tours from San Francisco if you do not want to drive.
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The Berkshires, MA
The Berkshires of Western Massachusetts are known for scenic beauty, outdoor adventure, world-class performance centers, and a burgeoning arts community. While it’s lovely year-round, perhaps autumn is the most spectacular time of all to visit.
Late September marks the beginning of fall foliage season in the Berkshires. It usually peaks close to Columbus Day Weekend in mid-October.
If you arrive by car along the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), you’ll enjoy watching the peak shades of fall foliage unfold before your eyes as you get closer to your destination.
Once you arrive, here are some stunning route suggestions you might consider for “leaf-peeping” in The Berkshires of Western Massachusetts:
- Travel Route 183 from Lenox to experience the magnificent view over Lake Mahkeenac, also known as the Stockbridge Bowl.
- Starting from Clarksburg, follow Route 2 for a view of vibrant fall foliage at the famous Hairpin Turn.
- To see apple orchards, rolling farmland, and other quintessential New England scenes, drive through Williamsburg and head south on Route 7.
- Take Route 8 from North Adams to Mount Graylock for an incredible birdseye view from the highest point in the Berkshires.
- Drive to the pinnacle of Mount Sugarloaf in Deerfield, where you’ll see a colorful panoramic view from South Sugarloaf that includes the beautiful Connecticut River.
Besides the fabulous autumn colors, you’ll find several excellent art museums along the way.
The Clark in Williamstown, The Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge are all worthwhile stops.
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Acadia National Park, ME
Visiting Acadia National Park during autumn is spectacular when it is abundant with foliage colors.
One of the best things to do in Acadia National Park is drive on the Park Loop road that winds across the park.
The park loop road is a 27-mile long loop that traverses through a diverse terrain of ponds, rocky cliffs, mountains, and beaches making it a memorable drive. There are 4 entrances to the park that are connected to the Park Loop road.
If you love adventure then a great way to explore the fall foliage in Acadia National Park is to hike the trails across the park.
Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak on the East Coast and hiking or driving to the summit gives a breathtaking view of the park, the lakes, and the mountains in colors of red, yellow, and orange.
Jordon Pond is another must-visit site to see the colorful trees around the pond. And don’t forget to eat at the Jordon House restaurant amidst the scenic vistas.
And if you can splurge, then don’t miss taking a scenic flight over the park. It is truly worth it.
The best time to visit is from mid-September To October with peak by mid-October. The weather gets crisp and fewer crowds as compared to summer. It is advisable to carry jackets and winter wear.
Vermont!
Vermont is without a doubt one of the very best places in the United States for fall foliage, and one of our family’s favorite places to visit. Both late September and throughout October are typically the optimal times to see the most colors. This is also a great time to enjoy the many Harvest Festivals.
One of the most picturesque, quintessential New England towns that is also a great starting place for your shades of fall foliage vacation is Woodstock, Vermont.
Not only is it precisely what you would imagine of a lovely New England town, but you can also enjoy apple picking in September and pumpkin picking in October. It’s also great for romantic fall getaways.
Few things are as delightful in fall as enjoying an apple or pumpkin-flavored treat while taking in the gorgeous colors of Vermont. If you visit Woodstock, be sure to visit Billings Farm and Quechee Gorge and stay at the Norwich Inn.
In addition to Woodstock, many of Vermont’s ski resorts offer fall festivals in September and October. Some are Oktoberfest-themed, but often they include a list of events, food and music, and activities for kids.
Taking a chairlift ride to the top of the mountain to get a panoramic view of Vermont’s foliage is one of the best ways to see the colors of the fall leaves in Vermont.
You can also take in the views while hiking or mountain biking. Some of the resorts allow lodging on-site.
While many of the Vermont ski resorts host events in October, like Sugarbush and Okemo resorts, a few to check out in September include Burke Mountain and Mount Snow.
Vermont is a wonderful place to visit to enjoy the spectacular fall foliage in New England.
Want to learn more about where to find the finest autumn colors? Check these out!
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Updated September 2024.
