With autumn in full swing leading into Columbus Day weekend, people across the United States are taking advantage of the ideal fall weather and looking for the best places to enjoy the natural wonders of fall foliage. Take the time this weekend whether hiking in national parks, driving scenic routes or strolling through quaint towns, to relish the splendor of foliage season.
Travel + Leisure recently unveiled its list of “America’s Best Towns for Fall Colors.” Here are the top five picks from the list from the experts at our travel PR agency:
“No. 1 Oakland, MD — Oakland took top honors as the best town in America for leaf-peeping, thanks primarily to the blazing colors found just nine miles north of town at Swallow Falls State Park. As the Youghiogheny River flows through rock gorges, the oldest stands of eastern hemlock and white pine—more than 360 years old—blanket the area in gold, orange, and red. For five days in early October, residents turn out for the annual Autumn Glory Festival, including two parades, concerts, and band competitions. Oakland also embraces the Halloween spirit, hosting a hayride along the lakefront that passes scenes of zombies and ghosts.”
“No. 4 Stowe, VT — As the air gets crisp in Stowe, the sugar maples come alive in intense shades of gold, orange, and scarlet blanketing the surrounding Green and Worcester mountain ranges. In general, the best time to capture these brilliant hues is the end of September through mid-October; the Trapp Family Lodge (“the family that inspired The Sound of Music”) makes a charming base of operations, especially during the popular Stowe Oktoberfest.”
“No. 8 Snowmass Village, CO — Snowmass Village and nearby Aspen—which bears the name of Colorado’s most ubiquitous tree—are visited only briefly by autumn. But catch it while you can because it’s one of the best times to explore this area, with seasonably mild days and not-too-cold nights, and the predictable celebrity sightings when the Aspen Film Festival rolls into town. The preferred local ways to experience fall color are biking and hiking, whether it’s along the exceptionally beautiful Crater Lake Trail near Maroon Bells or the moderate Smuggler’s Loop at Hunter Creek.”
“No. 12 Salem, MA — Come to Salem for the leaves and stay for the frights. Mid-October is typically peak time for foliage in this historic seaside town, and in addition the entire month is given over to Salem Haunted Happenings, complete with tombstone tours, medium-led séances, and ghost stories performed inside the 17th-century mansion of the judge who presided over the witch trials in 1692. Salem’s tree-lined streets are a tourist draw year-round but are especially lovely in the fall, when autumn colors frame the centuries-old homes.”
“No. 13 Skaneateles, NY — Set alongside one of New York’s Finger Lakes, Skaneateles is a favorite of leaf-watchers in the region, beginning in late September and running through mid-October. A 50-minute boat tour is a perfect way to get the full effect of a Finger Lakes fall, as the water’s reflection amplifies the foliage’s reds, oranges, and yellows. Or drive the length of the lake, beginning in Skaneateles and continuing down E. Lake Road to the Ripley Hill Nature Preserve in Spafford.”
Sound off in the comments and let us know your favorite spots to take in fall’s beautiful scenery!