16 Destinations for Spectacular Fall Colors

When the air turns crisp, the Evergreen State starts to glow with gorgeous reds and golds. Fall colors appear in the quaint German-themed mountain town of Leavenworth from late September through early October. Start your leaf hunt in downtown at Waterfront Park’s Blackbird Island, where you’ll spot brilliant red maples along the trails by the Wenatchee River banks. Then, take a scenic drive up to Lake Wenatchee State Park to explore nearly 500 acres dotted with a rainbow of fall colors.

Most visitors photograph Branson’s fall colors on a road trip, but a more unique experience can be had on the Branson Scenic Railway. The vintage train ride picks up passengers at the historic 1905 depot in downtown Branson and whisks travelers through the Ozarks. When the 2-hour ride is over, Branson Landing is where you can do some shopping and grab a bite of seasonal fare along the banks of the White River.

Troutdale (just east of Portland), places you within minutes of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway, where you'll find 90 waterfalls—most of them accessable via a quick hike through misty forests—just waiting to be explored. This spectacular National Scenic Area offers the highest concentration of waterfalls in the country. And when orange and golden hues of autumn appear in late September, a trip here makes for a truly magical experience. If you have several hours to spare, take the Gorge Waterfalls Tour by Wildwood Adventures to see the best sights!

From the autumn décor adorning adorable downtown shops to the Smoky Mountain overlooks, Gatlinburg is an idyllic autumn destination. The Smoky Mountains start smoldering with fall colors as soon as late September, and leaves peak in mid-October or early November. Find yellow birch, red and russet oaks, and purple-red dogwood on spectacular display with a drive up Clingsman Dome Road, admire the leaves from the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or take the scenic loop up to Cades Cove.

The capital of Wisconsin has an abundance of attractions to make any autumn travel extra cozy. When the leaves start to transform into golden hues, take a leisurely walk through Olbrich Park and the Botanical Gardens. Their collection of local Midwest plants covers 16 acres of thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces. Make the most of the University of Wisconsin’s campus with a drive through the Arboretum. The scenic drive has walking trails and gardens for taking that perfect fall-inspired selfie.

The Denver area boasts one of the longest-running autumn colors seasons in the country. From late September to mid-October, find golden aspen groves in the higher elevation areas of Golden Gate Canyon State Park or Georgetown, both just a short drive from Denver. From early October through mid-November, Denver proper is awash with autumn hues—leaf spot while wandering through the city’s hundreds of parks or cycling down the 40-mile, tree-lined Cherry Creek Bike Trail.

There’s no shortage of fall color activities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Take a river cruise or rent a canoe or kayak to row down the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, which are lined with fiery leaves come September and October. Or, drive up one of the scenic byways for dramatically-hued views, including Minnehaha Parkway and the River Road along the Mississippi. The three-mile trail through the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is also a must-see. Home to the widest varieties of trees in Minnesota, the arboretum pops with color in the fall.

Pittsburgh promises a magnificent fall display each October. Downtown, you’ll find amber, red and orange foliage photo ops at Point State Park. Riverview Park and Frick Park also burst with golden and fiery hues. Be sure to make the hour-and-a-half drive down to Ohiopyle State Park via the Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway to experience one of the area’s most stunning shows of autumn color.

The state best known for saguaros and scorching summers is also a striking backdrop for autumn hues. In late September and early October, head to Flagstaff and hike the incomperable Aspen Loop Trail near Snowbowl through the caramel and amber-dotted San Francisco Peaks. Try the Inner Basin Trail for a dreamlike journey through a golden forest, or head to Wilson Meadow to catch a glimpse of the wildlife and wildflowers against the bright yellow aspen backdrop. Stay up-to-date on the changing leaves and color ranges with the Flagstaff LEAF-ometer.

Visitors from around the world use Boston as a starting point for exploring all of New England's fall spectacles. But this historic town is still king of autumn, so why not stick to the city limits for your unforgettable fall experience? One of the best ways to do this is via Urban AdvenTours, offering bike rentals for a little exploration on your own, or an expertly guided trip through the fall foliage. And if you're in town around Halloween, check out the local vendors and the giant pumpkins from local farmers on display at the Boston Public Market—now offering outdoor "Pop-Up" market stands.

Head up Mill Mountain to stand beneath the largest freestanding, man-made star in the world and prepare to be awed by the sweeping views of the Roanoake Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains painted in glorious autumn colors. By the middle of October, the entire valley is prime for leaf peeping. Soak up the beauty of this fall wonderland with a road trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway—one of America's favorite drives. Stop by any of the dozens of orchards in the area to pick fresh, crisp apples right from the trees. And be sure to spend some time exploring the historic town of Salem, the oldest settlement in Virginia, just next door.

Just an hour from downtown Milwaukee, Lake Geneva is an enchanting fall wonderland of orchards, country roads, quaint shops, festivals and wineries. Here, you can stroll down the 21-mile shoreline path that winds through the historical estates of the Wrigleys, the Schwinns and other business tycoons—the grand gardens become even more magnificent as the leaves turn scarlet and yellow. Zip-line over the trees for a bird’s eye view of fall colors or take a leaf-spotting tour via a lake cruise.

Sonoma and Napa counties are best known for their wineries, but the town of Petaluma just 30 minutes from Sonoma offers a spin on tastings. At McEvoy Ranch, you can enjoy award-winning olive oils made from trees growing on their property. The musky flavor of the olive fruit pairs very well with fall weather. Kids don’t have to feel left out of the fun, especially if you treat them to a day at Petaluma Pumpkin Patch to pet farm animals, pick the perfect pumpkin for carving, or get lost in a corn maze.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most stunning scenic drives in North Carolina regardless of the time of year you visit. But autumn is when it’s at its most spectacular with orange, red and gold leaves surrounding picturesque trails and lakes. When you’re done cozying up to parkway surroundings, make your way over to the Adventure Center of Asheville for ziplining, a Treetop Adventure Park and KidZip. Reservations are recommended!

The Southwest is often overshadowed as an autumn destination by other regions that are better known for their colorful foliage. Taos is a remote mountain town with charming qualities that become even more obvious when the weather cools. Experience one of the country's most beautiful autumn drives along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. Afterwards, take a stroll through historic downtown and see Taos Plaza, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and famous art dwellings like Blumenschein House.