Best places to see fall foliage across the US

I can’t believe Fall is already here. Although I will miss those sunny days and beach trips, I am excited to enjoy the crisp air of fall and fall foliage. Every year I try to fulfill my fall bucket list and enjoying the fall foliage always stays on top of my list. This year I have collaborated with few travel bloggers to bring you the best places to see fall foliage across the US.

Best places to see fall foliage across the US

In the fall season, the northern part of the United States gets covered with vibrant orange, red, and yellow leaves. I have compiled the list of best places to see fall foliage across the US. Here are the recommendations from various bloggers.

Door County, Wisconsin

Wisconsin state has intense fall colors sites throughout its geography. I would highly recommend checking the fall color report before you plan your visit. Door County is a top-rated destination for a weekend trip during the Fall. I personally like the Peninsula state park in Door county. You can do a hike or drive through the park and enjoy the view. Some other fun activities are attending a fall festival and enjoy local food, coffee by the bay, kayaking, picnic in the park. Wine tasting in the door county is also famous during the Fall.

Hudson Valley, New York

One of the best places in the US to see fall foliage is the New York’s Hudson Valley and the nearby Catskill Mountains. The Valley stretches north from NYC to Albany, either side of the Hudson River. Peak color is typically the middle two weeks of October. However, the fact that the Valley runs north-south and the elevation change in the Catskills extends the season and color can be seen before and after the season. There are many wooded areas, and some famous places are the Mohonk Mountain Preserve and Minnewaska State Park. There are many other fall activities (you can read more about Fall in the Hudson Valley here) including apple and pumpkin picking, visiting cider houses, antiquing and hiking.

Recommended by James from Travel Collecting

Acadia National Park, Maine

New England is known for its beautiful fall foliage, and Acadia National Park in Maine is no exception. Most of the park is located on Bar Island, with most visitors staying in and around the adorable town of Bar Harbor. While the park is incredibly busy during the summer, visiting for the fall foliage ensures you miss the crazy tourist season and have all those pretty colors to yourself!
The fall foliage peaks in Acadia in October, though the friendly Park Rangers can tell you more specifically year by year if you call in at the end of the summer. My favorite activity to take advantage of Acadia’s beauty is hiking, regardless of the season. The Beehive Hike is particularly fun and has bonkers views of the gorgeous forested island and the Atlantic ocean.

Recommended by Kaisa Lee from Glam Granola Travel

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

If you are looking for a fall foliage trip that also includes an important educational component, come visit Gettysburg a self-driving tour. This National Military Park is an important monument to American history, and its best seen by car since the battlefield is so large.

If you visit in late October and early November, you’ll be met with gorgeous autumn colors which add depth and somberness to the already important setting.

Stop and visit the museum before you begin your tour. In the gift shop, you can buy an audio guide to listen to as you drive through the park, which explains the events that happened during the battle.

Recommended by Stephanie Craig from History Fangirl

Amherst, Massachusetts

Amherst is one of our favorite spots for viewing fall foliage. We’ve visited several times in October, and the New England fall colors have been exquisite. Each year, the timing of peak color changes slightly, but the second half of October is often a good bet. Our favorite viewing location is the top of Mount Sugarloaf State Park in nearby South Deerfield. We always climb to the top of the observation tower for the best view. There are so many other fun activities for visitors. Amherst Common is a quaint city center that is perfect for poking around. We had delicious donuts at Atkins Farms and explored a few area museums and farms. There are so many things to do in Western Massachusetts, and Fall is the most perfect time to visit.

Recommended by Catherine D’Cruz from We Go With Kids.

Besides Fall foliage don’t forget to enjoy pumpkin-flavored dishes, fall crafts, and apple picking. Each person has their own way to enjoy fall, what’s your favorite? Share your favorite activity of the Fall season in the comment.