Best Places to See the Fall Foliage Before It’s Gone
The best places to see the Fall foliage before it’s gone is on the East Coast. The Fall foliage is an annual phenomenon that has taken fall travel to a new level. From Maine’s Acadia National Park to New Paltz & more, there are so many hidden gems and reasons to get out into nature. If you love the outdoors and adventure, add fall foliage frolicking to your bucket list.
The fall foliage changes slightly in terms of timing, so you’ll want to look at this post closely to set yourself up for success. Nothing is worse than planning your fall foliage trip when the leaves are still green, or, for that matter, the leaves have already fallen. When it comes to chasing Autumn’s magic, there are a few tips for planning your adventure and experiencing the best places to see the Fall Foliage before it’s gone.
Best Places to See the Fall Foliage: What is It & How Does it Work?
I couldn’t possibly have you hunt for the best places to see the Fall foliage without teaching you exactly what is happening. It’s a fascinating phenomenon that shows you just how beautiful and intricate nature is.
- What Is It? The dominant pigment in leaves, chlorophyll, is what gives leaves their green color. As the fall season approaches, with shorter days and colder weather, chlorophyll production begins to slow down before eventually coming to a halt.
- How Does It Work? The green, chlorophyll-filled leaves start to showcase new hidden pigments, hence starting the fall foliage. Carotenoids produce yellow and orange hues, anthocyanins produce red, purple, and blue hues, and lastly, tannins produce brown colors.
The intensity of the Fall foliage depends on three key factors, which makes it a scientific hunt to find the best places to see the fall foliage.
- Sunny days and chilly nights (increased sugar concentration enhances the tone), so visiting mild climates is your best bet.
- Soil moisture (not too dry and not too wet), so you’ll want to monitor the weather forecast for heat waves or rainy seasons.
- Timing of the first frost (the earlier the first frost occurs, the more likely the leaves will die off quickly). Therefore, visiting areas that aren’t too cold but also not too hot is why fall foliage hunting is a Goldilocks battle.
Images By: TheBrooklyniteAbroad.com
Best Place to See the Fall Foliage: New York State
Because New York is arguably the best place to see the Fall foliage, we have a whole section dedicated to all the towns you cannot miss on your bucket list. The fall foliage at its full peak lasts on average 2 weeks, not taking into account the week or two prior, where the leaves are in transition.
Keep in mind these dates are from 2024 and are subject to change with the not-so-lovely climate change. This guide will help you plan to stay ahead of a heavy tourist season. For more accurate timing and speedy updates, check out the Fall Foliage reports. They send updates every week, and it’s great for planning last-minute adventures.
- Adirondacks, Catskills: Week of Oct 2-15
- Chautauqua Allegheny & Central NY: Week of Oct 9-22
- Great Niagara, Finger Lakes, 1000 Islands Seaway, Capital Region/Saratoga, Hudson Valley: Oct 16-29
- Long Island: Oct 30 – Nov 5th
- NYC: Nov 5-16
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Places to See the Fall Foliage Before It’s Gone: Maine
Forget coastal summer weekend getaways. The time to visit Maine, especially for the best views of the foliage, is during the Fall. Northern New England peaks around late September to early October, while coastal and southern Maine generally reach peak color mid- to late October. Here’s the holy grail of the best places to see the fall foliage before it’s gone.
- Acadia National Park: Drive the Park Loop Road for a combination of coastal views with fall foliage. You can also hike trails like the Bubbles Nubble Loop or the Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop for a different perspective. The Schoodic National Scenic Byway is another great option for seeing the road less traveled.
- Rangeley Lakes Region: Known for its serene lakes surrounded by colorful forests, this is a top destination for a peaceful fall getaway where you can hike, canoe, and go for a scenic drive.
- Ogunquit: Located in Southern Maine, this charming coastal town is perfect for a day trip with beautiful views of the fall foliage around late October.
- Other Scenic Highways to check out for the best views of the Fall foliage is: Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway & Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway (Route 113)
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Places to See the Fall Foliage in Full Color: Vermont
If there’s something more iconic than Vermont’s maple syrup, it’s witnessing one of nature’s coolest phenomena. One of the best places to see the fall foliage is in fact Vermont. For its cool weather, outdoorsy adventures, and quaint atmosphere, Vermont has a little bit of everything. Here are the top recs for seeing the fall foliage in Vermont.
- Cute towns like Stowe, Woodstock, Manchester, Waitsfield, Bennington, Vergennes, and Newport regularly make “top towns to visit” lists for fall, thanks to their quintessential New England charm. There’s a reason they are rated #1, so start planning your trip and get excited.
- For the perfect road trip, drive through some scenic highways that may be en route to your destination or a little detour. Check out Northeast Kingdom, Green Mountain Byway & Pleasant Valley Road
- For the adventure buffs, hike up Vermont’s highest peak in Mount Mansfield, with panoramic fall views, especially via the Mount Mansfield Loop Trail from Underhill State Park.
Images By: TheBrooklyniteAbroad.com
Places to See the Fall Foliage If You Love Adventure: New Hampshire
New Hampshire offers a very similar vibe to Vermont. They are right next door, and if you have the chance to, visiting both during your Fall foliage trip knocks off two states off your bucket list. Here’s the list of the best places to see the Fall foliage in New Hampshire.
- White Mountains Region: From driving or hiking at Franconia Notch State Park to Crawford Notch State Park, and maybe even Artist Bluff, be sure to visit these areas mostly in early October.
- Dixville Notch: This quiet and quaint are has some serious vibrant fall foliage around late October. Visiting Table Rock Overlook should be at the top of your bucket list.
- Connecticut River Route near Lebanon: With cultural stops along the way, a chance to visit Dartmouth College, and covered bridges, this is a true Northeastern Fall foliage road trip in full swing.
- Kancamagus Highway (NH‑112): Dubbed “the Kanc,” this 34-mile stretch through White Mountain National Forest is legendary for its fall color.
- Moose Alley (Route 3 to the Canadian border): Wild and remote, this region is filled with bursting fall colors, and you might even see some moose if you look close enough.
- Lake Winnipesaukee Loop: A scenic 75-mile drive around New Hampshire’s largest lake, with quaint towns and dramatic shoreline color.
Images By: TheBrooklyniteAbroad.com
Places to See Fall Foliage in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has so much to offer. From Salem and Boston to the iconic Mohawk Trail, the foliage is in full swing here, beginning around late September through mid-to-late October.
- Mount Greylock: Drive to the state’s highest peak for breathtaking fall panoramas, especially scenic from the Veterans War Memorial Tower and Bascom Lodge. Mohawk Trail: One of the oldest scenic routes in New England, this drive through the northern Berkshires is legendary for its autumn display.
- Historic Deerfield & William Cullen Bryant Homestead: Wander charming historic towns and estates wrapped in fiery fall hues.
- Mount Sugarloaf & Walden Pond: Enjoy panoramic views atop Mount Sugarloaf or soak in tranquil reflections at Walden Pond in Concord.
- Mohawk Trail (Route 2): One of America’s oldest scenic byways, stretching through the Berkshires. Look for Hairpin Turn near North Adams and stops like Western Summit and Shelburne Falls.
- Mount Greylock Scenic Byway: Drive up the highest peak in Massachusetts for mesmerizing views.
- Route 112 (Southern Berkshires): Drive through rolling farmland, quaint villages, and forested stretches.
Images By: TheBrooklyniteAbroad.com
Best Places to See the Fall Foliage in Pennsylvania
Since there are many different regions in Pennsylvania, it’s helpful to note which area is peaking when to plan your travels ahead of time! This is one of the closest destinations from NYC and perhaps the most underrated? So visiting this season is an absolute must. The Northern ridges peak around early to mid-October. Central ridges/valleys peak around mid-October. Lastly, the valleys in southeast/south-central regions, near Philadelphia, peak around mid-to end of October. For iconic places to visit for the best fall foliage views, see the full list below.
- Allegheny National Forest & Laurel Highlands: With rugged landscapes and forested vistas, see vibrant fall Foliage up close and personal.
- Lancaster County Countryside: Lancaster is a seriously cool part of Pennsylvania. Experiencing Amish country life truly offers a completely new perspective. From rolling farmlands framed with rustic barns to colorful foliage everywhere you look, this is quite literally the definition of the best places to see the fall foliage.
- Charming towns like Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon) and Wellsboro are a must for getting that small-town vibe and escaping the hectic city life.
- The Pocono Mountains, with great drives, including Route 209 through Delaware Water Gap, you are destined to make a stop and take in the fall foliage views.
- Scenic highway spots such as Route 6 (U.S. Route 6 across Northern PA), Scenic Road & Scenic Byway (Route 711/381) are great for combining foliage and history, perfect for road trips.
Best Places to See the Fall Foliage in Virginia
For my Southern folks, you do not need to drive to the Northeast to get the best fall foliage views. There are a ton of places to visit right in your backyard. Foliage usually starts around mid to late October (roughly October 12–28), giving you plenty of time to start planning.
- Shenandoah National Park, specifically Skyline Drive, is a must. With a 105-mile scenic route and over 70 overlooks, you are truly inundated with sweeping mountain foliage views. Check out the Blue Ridge Parkway as well, since it extends from Skyline Drive.
- Grayson Highlands & Mount Rogers Area: These higher-elevation trails are exactly what you’re looking for. You might even see wild ponies during your visit.
- The Priest Wilderness & George Washington National Forest: This less-crowded hike has so much to offer and a perfect stop on your road trip.
Best Places to Visit the Fall Foliage on the Broader East Coast
Many locations farther south, such as parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, experience peak foliage from late October, extending into early November. Perfect for trying to cherish the last bits of fall.
- North Carolina: The Blue Ridge Parkway (especially near Asheville and Grandfather Mountain) has breathtaking mountain views.
- South Carolina: Table Rock State Park and the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC-11) have colorful displays through the Blue Ridge foothills..
- Georgia: Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway and Amicalola Falls State Park in the North Georgia mountains are ideal for vibrant foliage and waterfall hikes, with peak color typically in early November
Tips for Seeing the Fall Foliage: Top Places & Scenic Roads
- Book accommodations in advance, especially if visiting during weekends, which tend to be very busy.
- Dress in layers: Temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day.
- Bring a camera and extra batteries: You’ll want to capture the beautiful scenery.
- Consider a scenic boat tour: Enjoy the coastline adorned in autumn colors while possibly spotting wildlife.
- Embrace the outdoors: Hiking and kayaking are great ways to experience the fall foliage.
- Download your maps ahead of time: GPS may not always be reliable in more remote areas.
- Southern Appalachian foothills peak later than the Northeast, making late October to mid-November ideal for fall color road trips in this region.
There You Have It
Chasing the foliage has become such a fun part of the fall season. Now that you know the best places to see the Fall Foliage before it’s gone, you are set for a fun Fall adventure. It reminds me of the crisp, cool nights, crunchy leaves, and relaxing atmosphere. If you love the fall foliage, then this is for you, and if you’ve never seen the fall foliage, then this is really for you. I’d love to know where you are planning to visit this fall season, and have a fun trip!
what do you think?