It is a no-brainer fact that fall foliage, or the turning of green leaves to yellow, is a fascinating phenomenon. Thousands of folks head out to witness this captivating change of events and spend some cozy days. Ahead, we have covered up the 6 best fall foliage in the USA. Read on to find the top places to indulge in these “leaf-peeping” events.
Where in the Top Fall Foliage in USA: Best Autumn Colors in USA
The following places have the best foliage in the US:
- Acadia National Park
- Adirondacks
- Charlottesville
- Connecticut River Valley
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Bucks County
- North Conway
However, the question may pop up: what entitles these places to the best foliage sites in the US? This guide will provide you with quick help on the 6 best fall foliage sites in the US. On top of that, you will also learn about the things you can explore there as a tourist. Let’s dive deep into the details:
What are the Best Weeks for Fall Foliage?
The best weeks for fall foliage are from the second week to the fourth week of October. These are the peak times when leaves shift their colors in the entire country. However, this time varies, depending on the state you are living in. For instance, the Northeast sees the leaf peeping in mid-October, the South in late October, and the West in early or mid-October.
Top 10 Fall Foliage Destinations in the USA
The following are the top 10 fall foliage destinations in the USA:
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
Autumnal scenery freaks should ideally choose Acadia National Park in Maine for pretty autumn foliage. Located on the wild shore of the Atlantic Ocean, the park is a spectacular example of the brilliant reds, oranges, and golds of the forest biome. Tourists can enjoy the park trails while getting a close view of Cadillac Mountain – the highest peak on the eastern coast.
The beauty of the park is that it has a historic carriage road which was built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and allows visitors to explore the prettiness of the place. While this foliage is located at an ideal location for birding, it also has many spots that allow travelers to take Instagram-worthy clicks.
2. Adirondacks, New York
New York State’s Adirondack region is arguably one of the most popular places to be during the autumn season for a view. Home to 6 million acres of wilderness, this vast area contains a spectacular variety of trees that transform this landscape to resemble an artist’s palette during the autumn months.
You can explore the area whether through the challenging High Peaks or flat lakeside paths, ablaze with red, orange, and gold hues. The towns surrounding the Adirondack Park, especially the ones surrounding Lake Placid and Saranac Lake are ideal for the foliage view.
3. Charlottesville, Virginia
One of the most beautiful places where one can admire the autumn colors is Charlottesville, Virginia. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this beautiful city is hugged by a burst of various colors during the autumn season. The main highlight of the place is Shenandoah National Park which offers a breathtaking 150-mile-long scenic Skyline Drive on numerous trails.
And if you come out of this heaven on earth, you can tour the Monticello Estate, the home of President Thomas Jefferson, and the lovely gardens of the University of Virginia with a strong autumn appeal. Downtown Charlottesville also adds a picturesque look with its brick-jointed streets, local cafes, and a wide range of cozy accommodations.
4. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
Virginia and North Carolina’s Blue Ridge is one of the most scenic routes in the United States and is filled with opportunities to see foliage on the Appalachian Mountains. This parkway runs 469 miles of curvatures, winding through mountainous terrains, lush forests, wild hills, and slopes.
The drive in this county is famous for the good views where you can see the trees changing to red, orange, and gold, particularly in the fall season. Numerous overlooks, hiking trails, and picnicking areas facilitate along the route and make it perfect for nature lovers. Interesting stopping points are the Blue Ridge Music Center, where you can learn about the area’s rich heritage, and the historic Mabry Mill, where you can see the most photographed spots.
This parkway also connects to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia where visitors can soak in additional opportunities.
5. Bucks County, Pennsylvania
A perfect definition of an American Mid-Atlantic autumn escape, Bucks County is located in Pennsylvania, an hour’s drive away from Philadelphia. With a golden tint in the background, this region only becomes more picturesque with the covered bridges of Van Sant Covered Bridge in the foreground. People can go through the delightful town of New Hope, known for its artists’ colony, shops, and cafes, all decorated with reference to the autumn.
This county is meandered by the Delaware River, which provides boat rides and strolling along the riverfront. There is another colonial-style shopping center nearby called Peddler’s Village. Hobby wine drinkers can use the Bucks County Wine Trail to visit the wineries that produce different drinks amidst the beautiful foliage. Farms and orchards are in plenty in the county facilitating pumpkin picking, hayrides, and corn mazes among other activities.
A fun fact about Bucks County is that it has one of the most bridges in the state, with 12 covered bridges – all being 150 years old.
6. North Conway, New Hampshire
Situated in New Hampshire’s spectacular Mount Washington Valley, North Conway is an autumnal scenery in New England. Apart from looking at the leaf peeping, passengers can take a vintage tour around the famous Crawford Notch on the famous Conway Scenic Railroad, while soaking in the views of the White Mountain. More than that, you can get set on an aerial tramway in Cannon Mountain or drive on the 34.5-mile-long Kancamagus Highway. Owing to this matchless beauty, New Hampshire’s White Mountains are ranked No. 6 for best fall foliage.
The town is itself a shopaholics’ paradise of over 200 tax-free outlets and boutiques. People who love adventures can hike Cathedral L ledge to view the valley’s scenery or go for more climbing at Echo State Park. Obviously, with such beauty found in the area, you can find various photogenic points to bless your Instagram timelines, especially the covered bridges like the Swift River Bridge.
Conclusion
Quickly put, if you are looking for the best fall foliage in the USA, there are various places where you can go to fulfill your excursion. The top 6 sites are Acadia National Park, Adirondacks, Charlottesville, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bucks County, and North Conway.
A plus point of these areas is that they not only offer the best leaf peeping in the country but also a lot of side adventures such as trailing, shopping, etc. All you need to do is pack a bag and be ready for this exploration – don’t forget to put a camera in your pack to capture these scenic views.