Two weeks ago I visited a childhood friends in the mountains. It was the beginning of October but the leaves on some of the trees were already starting to change. With the cooler weather that has come this week, I keep looking around and thinking the trees should be more colorful here than they are. The combination of cooler weather and pumpkins everywhere surrounded by green trees makes me long for beautiful fall foliage that we see in photos every year around this time. The beautiful color-filled small towns of New England, pretty stoops and changing leaves in the cities, and orange, yellow and red spotted mountains are all so enticing. Last year I had the chance to be in New York in October and it was as perfect as the pictures look. I would love to take a fall foliage trip and spend time in some of the other beautiful towns and cities known for their fall charm. I have gathered a few places known for their leaf peeping below. Are there any great ones that are missing?
New England
I have seen photos of so many gorgeous places in New England that I would love to visit. From the main cities of Providence, New Haven, and Boston, to the small town main streets and quaint countrysides, all of the colors are incredible. I love seeing the brightly colored photos from these places and imagining that the streets here are filled with that many vibrant hardwood trees. Some great places to start are Stowe and Burlington, Vermont; Providence, Rhode Island; New Haven, Connecticut; and the Berkshires, Massachusetts.
Boston
We couldn’t go through New England fall foliage without singling out Boston. With so many sites to see and so much history, it is always a great place to visit. But, it looks especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves on the trees in the Public Gardens and Boston Commons are changing. Not to mention the fall foliage against the gorgeous buildings at Harvard, along the Charles River and in Cambridge.
Nashville, Tennessee
We will get to cross this one off the list this year and I’m so excited to see what it has in store! I have never been to Nashville, so I am looking forward to seeing the changing colors in the smaller surrounding towns where we will be staying, but also the city in it’s autumn splendor. Any ideas for things we shouldn’t miss?
Aspen, Colorado and the Maroon Bells
Aspen, Colorado is known, as you would expect, for it’s aspen trees. With such an abundance of aspens in the town, the golden yellow color is everywhere! It fills the trees and reflects in the water, creating a beautiful contrast with the snow-peaked mountain.
Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains
Growing up in North Carolina I have been to the Blue Ridge Mountains many times in the fall, and every time the views amaze me. The rolling mountains are spotted with every color tree you could imagine, with the telltale mountain silhouettes in the background. The small mountain towns know how to decorate for fall and they do it well – covering every lamp post with dried corn stalks, placing hay bales and pumpkins on the corners, and decorating storefront stoops with all of the pumpkins, gourds, mums and scarecrows you could imagine. The beautiful scenery always makes me glad I live so close and can take quick weekend trips to see the peak colors.
Napa Valley
I have heard from so many people that autumn is the best time to visit Napa Valley (if you are looking into it, it is also the most expensive time). The vines change colors, just like the trees, and look absolutely gorgeous and glowing. How could you resist a wonderful glass of wine amidst cool air, a beautiful sunset, and stunning scenery?
Adirondacks, New York
This photo of the Adirondacks itself makes me want to head up for a weekend in the upstate New York mountains. The still lake and the bright leaves with the mountainous backdrop looks like such a calming retreat. I can imagine snuggling up in a big sweater and sipping on a warm cup of hot cider as I look out onto this scene. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect fall getaway?
New York City
Last year I was lucky to have a trip to New York scheduled in mid October. As you might remember from this post, I met a group of college friends there for a half marathon, and spent the rest of the weekend hobbling around the city in beautiful weather with lovely views. The trees were changing, dropping their colorful leaves on the sidewalks, and the brownstones were decked out with pumpkins and fall decorations. For such a big city, it had great fall charm.
Door County, Wisconsin
I know Door County sounds so specific, but I have read about and heard about so many people who love Door County, Wisconsin for it’s fall foliage. Looking at the photos, I can’t blame them. It looks like the perfect place for an afternoon fall drive to do some of the best leaf peeping around.
Upper Penninsula, Michigan
This is another place that I have heard a lot about. I have never been to the Upper Peninsula (or the UP, as Michiganders call it ;) ), but have wanted to ever since I studied abroad and went on trips with a girl who went to school in Michigan. It really sounds like a wonderful place year round (though I don’t think I could handle the winters), but the fall looks especially incredible. Look at those colors!
Anywhere I missed on our fall foliage tour? Where would you go?
All photos via Pinterest or Google Photos.
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