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The United States offers a diverse array of stunning destinations to experience the beauty of fall, with many places renowned for their vibrant foliage and unique seasonal activities. Peak foliage times can vary from mid-September to early November, depending on the location and elevation.

Here are some of the top places to visit in the U.S. during the fall:

Northeast

• New England (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut): This region is widely considered one of the best for fall foliage.

  • Stowe, Vermont: Known as the "Fall Color Capital," Stowe offers spectacular reds, oranges, and yellows, with endless mountain roads and hikes. You can enjoy scenic drives, kayak down the reservoir, or explore mountain biking paths. The fall foliage season generally lasts from early September through late October.
  • White Mountains, New Hampshire: The White Mountains transform into a vibrant autumnal spectacle, with birch, beech, maple, and oak trees shifting to brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. The Kancamagus Scenic Byway ("the Kanc") offers 34.5 miles of incredible views. Peak colors usually occur between mid-September and early October.
  • Acadia National Park, Maine: This national park combines New England's autumn colors with coastal views, especially vibrant in October. Cadillac Mountain and Bass Harbor Lighthouse are popular spots.
  • The Berkshires, Massachusetts & Connecticut: This area provides another excellent fall destination with beautiful foliage.
  • Boston, Massachusetts: Boston offers a mix of history, culture, and breathtaking fall scenery. The Public Garden, Freedom Trail, and Harvard Yard are particularly beautiful with autumn colors.
  • Salem, Massachusetts: For a spooky fall experience, Salem offers haunted happenings, ghost tours, and visits to the Salem Witch House and Old Burying Point Cemetery.

• New York:

  • The Finger Lakes Region: Upstate New York's Finger Lakes offer both stunning fall foliage and over a hundred world-class wineries. Letchworth State Park is a highlight.
  • Hudson Valley: Located close to New York City, the Hudson Valley offers beautiful autumn colors, typically peaking from late September to mid-October.
  • Adirondack Mountains: This expansive sanctuary, spanning over six million acres, provides ample space to enjoy autumn foliage without crowds. Lake Placid is a popular location with vibrant colors around Mirror Lake and High Falls Gorge. The Adirondack Balloon Festival in September offers a unique way to see the foliage.

Mid-Atlantic & Southeast

• Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia & North Carolina: This 469-mile scenic drive connects Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering mile after mile of postcard-worthy beauty, especially between October and November.
• Shenandoah National Park, Virginia: This park offers nearly 100 miles of central Appalachian views, making it an accessible and scenic fall destination in the eastern U.S. Skyline Drive is famous for breathtaking autumnal vistas, and fall colors generally emerge in October, peaking midway through the end of the month.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee & North Carolina: The Great Smoky Mountains offer a long season of beautiful fall colors, typically from mid-September to early November. Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove are top spots for panoramic views. The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival is a 12-week event with fall-themed displays and activities in towns like Gatlinburg.
• West Virginia: The state is home to national parks like the New River Gorge National Park, offering great hiking and foliage. Other destinations include Seneca Rocks, Blackwater Falls State Park, and Monongahela National Forest.
• Fallingwater, Pennsylvania: This architectural marvel is also a notable fall destination.
• Bucks County, Pennsylvania: Hickory and birch forests transform into a palette of bronze and gold, with reds and oranges from maples and oaks.

Midwest

• North Shore of Lake Superior, Minnesota: This area is ideal for "leaf peeping," with historic Highway 61 offering scenic drives and stops like Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls State Park.
• The Black Hills of South Dakota: The region takes on a golden hue in autumn, with the Black Hills Parkway, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, and Needles Highway offering fantastic foliage drives. October and November are also ideal for seeing bison in Custer State Park.
• Door County, Wisconsin: This is a hidden gem for fall foliage, with maples, birches, and aspens bursting into fiery reds, golds, and oranges along Lake Superior's shoreline.
• Wisconsin Northwoods: Another great option for fall colors in Wisconsin.

West

• Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming: The mountainous west of Wyoming delivers drama in the fall, with aspens, cottonwoods, willows, and black hawthorns draping the landscape in color against the Tetons and Snake River. Colors peak from late September to early October. Fall is also a good time for wildlife viewing as elk enter breeding season and bears prepare for hibernation.
• Telluride, Colorado: Known for its golden and yellow aspen trees, Telluride offers a unique fall experience. Kayaking around Alta Lakes, hiking to Bridal Veil Falls, and exploring Mountain Village are popular activities.
• Columbia River Gorge, Oregon: This scenic area offers explosions of gold and orange with evergreens, alders, and maples against a mountainous backdrop. Fall colors reach their zenith in late October.
• Willamette Valley, Oregon: This region is another great place to enjoy fall colors.
• Lake Tahoe, California: With its golden Aspen groves, Lake Tahoe is a top fall destination, offering hiking, biking, paddling, and golf. Hope Valley is a premier destination for fall foliage.
• Sedona, Arizona: Famous for its red rock cliffs, Sedona transforms in the fall as trees along Oak Creek Canyon turn brilliant shades of gold from mid-October through early November.
• Leavenworth, Washington: This Bavarian-style village is enchanting in the fall, with golden larches and bright maples. Peak colors usually arrive in early to mid-October.

When planning your trip, it's advisable to check foliage trackers and local conditions as peak times can vary.