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Top 20 Fun Fall Foliage Destinations Across America
As summer greens fade, autumn gives way to
golden, copper and rusty hues that transform every landscape
into a sight to behold. The crisp air beckons travelers outdoors
and all ages succumb to the beauty of nature. Whether it's
a leisurely stroll through the country, a hike beneath colorful
canopies, or a visit to the pumpkin patch, here is a list
of our favorite ways to celebrate the season.
Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte - Nature and the towns of
Gunnison and Crested Butte are bursting with spectacular color
and a wide range of activities throughout the month of September.
Whether blazing trails by foot, mountain bike, horse or automobile,
there is something to please adventurers and explorers of
all ages. Kebler Pass is just one segment of the West Elk
Loop Scenic and Historic Byway, but is a popular fall drive
on its own.
To find out more about this
area call (800) 814-8893 or visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.
Telluride - San Juan Outdoor
School offers adventures of all kinds, but you'll find that
hiking the beautiful San Juan Mountains is a quintessential
wilderness experience. There is no better way to explore the
brilliant fall foliage, than to hike through exquisite mountain
valleys aglow with reds, oranges and yellows. You'll walk
through high alpine basins amidst the vibrant aspen trees
while enjoying the crisp autumn air and crystal clear streams.
Expert naturalist guides will teach you about the natural
and cultural history of the Telluride area.
For more information visit: www.tellurideadventures.com
or call (866) FUN-TRIDE
Inn at Lost Creek - A
boutique hotel located in Telluride’s Mountain Village,
this inn offers substantial savings through fall, as aspens
glitter with gold, Gambrel oak turns deep red and the high peaks
of the San Juans display a palette of brilliant “3D” autumn color. The free Telluride gondola near the Inn at Lost
Creek runs daily until late October for easy transit between
Mountain Village and the historic town of Telluride.
For reservations call: 888-601-5678
or visit www.innatlostcreek.com.
Vail - As the mountainsides erupt in a cornucopia of color, pleasant fall temperatures permeate the valley floor and restaurants and hotels compete for visitors. All of these factors combine to make visiting Vail an affordable escape from the city. Hotel rates also drop considerably in the fall and the Vail Valley Chamber & Tourism Bureau offers many great package deals.
Find out more at www.visitvailvalley.com
Idaho
Sun Valley - is a glorious place to be in the fall, with the yellow cottonwoods set against a brilliant blue sky. Moreover, it is a very inexpensive time to enjoy all that Sun Valley has to offer, and the summer crowds have all headed home. The best deals all year are available during this time (called "slack" by the locals). Restaurants offer a variety of slack specials, such as fixed price menus at big savings or one for two entrees.
Massachusetts
Provincetown - Watch the leaves turn this autumn in this tiny town on New England's summertime favorite, Cape Cod. The Cape is just as appealing in fall and from mid-September through December, you can enjoy a picturesque getaway at the luxurious Brass Key Guesthouse. In summer, this overnight would cost you $265, so why not save a bundle and go in October instead? Phone (508) 487-9005 or visit www.brasskey.com or Massachusetts Fall Foliage
Michigan
Rothbury - The Double JJ Golf and Ranch Resort is West Michigan’s only four-season vacation destination. Their Back Forty “Fall Festival” offers hayrides, pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting farm, craft barn and afternoon performances with “Cider” the Trick Horse and Wild West Stunt Shows. Older guests will enjoy “Scary-Oke Karaoke,” costume contests, The Rocky Horror Show Live on Stage, Haunted Barn, Panic Room and Haunted Hayride.Call 800-DOUBLE-JJ or log on to www.doublejj.com for information Traverse City - From here, a drive in any direction will reward leaf-peepers with spectacular color. To the north, there are wonderful hilltop views of Grand Traverse Bay from M-37 along the Old Mission Peninsula. On the west, M-72 follows a series of roller coaster hills to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. A drive south on U.S. 31 leads through Interlochen and Honor to the town of Beulah and lovely Crystal Lake, while M-72 on the east climbs the stunning hill country above Lake Skegemog to Valley Road, which winds through the charming valley of the Rapid River.
Montana
Monte Dolack Gallery - Montana’s fall foliage is bursting with color at the Monte Dolack Gallery. The vibrant landscape images depict Montana’s beauty at the peak of autumn. Join them for a float down the Blackfoot River among the golden cottonwoods or stroll along the banks of the world famous Rock Creek. Bring a piece of Montana home with you. The gallery has a variety of posters, prints and lithographs to choose from.
Phone: (800) 825-7613 www.dolack.com.
Nevada
Paradise Valley - The Santa Rosa Range is a small ranch community, well shaded with gargantuan cottonwoods and other deciduous trees, which put on a beautiful fall show. Call 775-623-5071 or visit www.winnemucca.nv.us
Great Basin National Park - Wheeler Peak Road is a memorable drive overlooking vast canyons striped and dotted with changing foliage. Less known, but just as spectacular, is Snake Creek Road in the southern end of the park. The road follows Snake Creek, which is thick with very old cottonwoods, and climbs into the aspen and pines. At the end is an alpine meadow, a grove of aspen, and a trailhead into the high country. Visit www.nps.gov/grba
Carson City - Nevada's capital is adorned in golden autumn colors each October, and generally reaches its peak around Nevada Day, the state's birthday now celebrated with a 3-day weekend, the last in October. The Nevada Day Parade has a natural backdrop of golden foliage over much of its route past Carson City's historic Capitol and Victorian buildings. The event makes a great fall getaway weekend.Call (775) 687-7410 or visit www.carson-city.org
New York
Lake George - Foliage is lovely along the lake and Canoe Island Lodge offers one of the area's best Oktoberfest weekend on Columbus Day weekend. Canoe Island Lodge is located in Diamond Point on the shores of Lake George and also own their own island.
518-668-5592, www.canoeislandlodge.com
North Creek - Heading more into the Adirondacks lies the Copperfield Inn located in this village. The Copperfield offers AAA Four Diamond accommodations and delicious cuisine in their Garden Parlor Dining Room. They offer the Foliage Escape Weekend package through October 24 and a Fall Midweek Getaway. Spa services are available.
518-251-2500 or www.copperfieldinn.com
Potterville - In the center of town The Wells House takes up the block known in days past as the hotel for Adirondack travelers. Newly owned by a local couple, The Wells House is reconstructed and refurbished. It offers a family friendly restaurant coffee shop and ice cream parlor on the other, and a three story structure displaying impeccable guest rooms and suites with both upstairs and downstairs porches. The Wells House is opening again and is already slated to be the beginning of a major revitalization of this beautiful town in the Adirondacks.
Visit www.wellshouseny.com
For more information visit New York State Fall Foliage Report
North Carolina
Asheville - North Carolina features one of the country’s most extended fall foliage seasons. Due to the differences in elevation, there is no single “peak” week or day for fall color. It actually changes week-to-week. The Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau provides updated weekly fall color throughout the season and suggestions for scenic drives and outdoor recreation.
Reports can be found at www.exploreasheville.com
Ohio
Mohican State Park Resort - choose the "Malabar Package," including one night of lodging, one breakfast for two and admission for two adults to Malabar Farm, former home of novelist Louis Bromfield. Nearby towns feature fall festivities such as hiking, antique shopping, feasting on the autumn bounty of vegetables and fruits and whiling away restful days before digging in for winter.
Visit www.malabarfarm.org
Maumee Bay State Park Resort - is a good choice for travelers who enjoy viewing wildlife as much as fall foliage. The area's prairie fields are frequented in the fall by migrating trumpeter swans. The park's two-mile boardwalk offers a slightly different view of fall including wide-ranging wildflowers and abundant wetland wildlife. Trees such as red and white oak, pin oak, black cherry, dogwood and sumac trees turn various shades of red while ash, beech, birch, hickory turn yellow and gold. And some, like buckeye, red maple, sweet gum and sassafras turn a mixture of hues.
Visit www.atapark.com or call (800) 282-7275
Oregon
Salem - is a place of natural beauty and a place where travelers can relax and enjoy their vacation. Known for their superb hiking trails, the natural beauty of Salem shines in the fall as the trees change color and the Dahlia's bloom for all to see.
You can find additional information on the area at www.travelsalem.com or www.freysdahlias.com
Tennessee
Sevierville - Each fall the Great Smoky Mountains National Park comes to life with blazing color. Orange, red and gold paint the peaks and valleys where mountain settlers once made their cabin homes…many of which still stand in the protective embrace of the Park. Sevierville, Tennessee, is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and offers a great “base camp” for leaf peeping.
For more information visit www.visitsevierville.com
Wisconsin
Door County - Check into a charming room at the White Lace Inn and after a wonderful breakfast the next morning; tour the peninsula by car from Sturgeon Bay to Gills Rock and beyond. Hop a ferry to Washington Island and view the spectacular colors from the water. The White Lace Inn offers 18 rooms and suites, some with fireplaces, some with whirlpools and some with both.
Visit www.WhiteLaceInn.com or call (877) 948-5223
More Great Fall Foliage Resources…
Fall Foliage Network - www.foliagenetwork.com
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Fall Color Updates |
