Places to Go for Fall Foliage
I truly believe that fall is one of the most magical times of year to travel. I love the crisp fall air, leaves turning amazing colors, and plenty of seasonal activities. Here are the places I recommend from my own road trip, and I hope you’ll love them too.
Looking for a late fall foliage vacation idea? I recommend Central Texas where I live. Fall foliage starts peaking in November (as opposed to early October like in many other places mentioned here). So if you missed out on colorful displays elsewhere, Texas is the perfect destination for a last minute fall vacation!
Niagara Falls, New York
Chris and I both absolutely love Niagara Falls, and have been many times. This place feels like a dream destination during the fall foliage season! The first time I visited was in the fall over 30 years ago while I went to college nearby, and I still keep coming back. Why? Because, honestly, few places feel as awe-inspiring in autumn as Niagara Falls. You can feel the roar of the waterfall while admiring the fall colors of the leaves: reds, golds, and burnt oranges.
This time, we arrived just as the leaves were reaching their peak. For me, the contrast between the misty blue water and the fiery fall foliage was absolutely breathtaking.
We loved walking in Niagara Falls State Park. We followed paved paths to overlooks and admired fall foliage all around. I loved standing near the American Falls.
One of my favorite moments was strolling along the Niagara Gorge Trail. The winding paths offered great views of the river below. The autumn air was crisp but enjoyable.
If you don't feel like walking much, take advantage of a scenic drive along the Niagara Parkway. You can pull over (in designated places) and enjoy river views from there.
What I loved best:
Next day after breakfast, the absolute best experience was the Maid of the Mist. This exciting boat ride takes you right into the heart of the falls. Seeing that up close was unreal!
Hackettstown, New Jersey
When we lived in NYC for ten years, this Warren County was one of my favorite fall foliage vacations in New Jersey. Why? First, I loved how easy it was to get to on a day trip from New York City.
Moreover, I loved that we could visit Donaldson Farms during the fall harvest season. It was fun for kids and grown ups too.
Hackettstown’s historic downtown has attractive brick buildings, local shops, and cafes.
What I loved best:
Another gem nearby was Stephens State Park. Hiking along the Musconetcong River with fiery red and golden leaves overhead was very romantic. This was a spectacular New Jersey weekend getaway this fall.
Kinston, North Carolina
We actually visited to Kinston, North Carolina because of their unique planetarium, but ended up enjoying awesome fall foliage too. Kinston is actually a cool place in North Carolina to visit, just 40 minutes from Greenville.
First thing, be sure to check out the trails along the Neuse River where trees were changing colors from reds to golds.
In the afternoon, Downtown Kinston itself was another gem. We loved discovering Kinston’s food scene (of course!) and stopping by Mother Earth Brewing.
Dinner at King’s Restaurant was my personal highlight because we had great Southern comfort food!
In addition, sitting in Lovick's Cafe just watching the day unfold was fun.
Manchester, VT
Ever since our first romantic getaway to Vermont over three decades ago, Chris and I have been returning to this scenic place you can see in my photos.
You'll find Manchester, VT in the Green Mountains in southern Vermont. You can go on scenic hikes in crisp mountain air while enjoying watching the colorful leaves.
What I loved best:
One of the coolest stops in town was Hildene, the historic Lincoln family estate. The gardens around the mansion are well worth the trip. Admission is $25 for adults, $8 for Youth (ages 6 to 16), and free for kids under 5.
We usually stay at the Equinox Resort because they have romantic Old World-style rooms as well as spacious townhouses for families. But I have to warn you that you need to book months in advance for Columbus Day weekend in October when fall foliage is peaking in this area.
Trinidad, Colorado
With just approximately 10,000 residents, Trinidad is a cool small town for a family weekend getaway in southern Colorado. In fact, for me it was one of the most underrated fall vacation gems I’ve discovered.
You'll find it in the foothills of the Rockies near the New Mexico border, about 3 hours south of Denver.
I loved that historic downtown Trinidad is very walkable. You'll see Victorian buildings, local shops, art galleries, and local restaurants. The Purgatoire Riverwalk offers lovely fall foliage views.
If you are a Wild West history buff like me, check out the A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art and the Trinidad History Museum.
For peak fall foliage, head to Fisher’s Peak State Park (just outside of town) from late September through early October. You may see golden aspen trees as late as in the second week of October, depending on how cold the nights get this year.
What I loved best:
For me, Trinidad, Colorado is one of the best places to go for fall foliage. You'll also have easy access to The Highway of Legends Scenic Byway so you can enjoy fall foliage displays from the comfort of your car if you prefer. This 82-mile route (Colorado Highway 12) stretches between Trinidad and Walsenburg. For me, seeing the fall colors pop against those dramatic Colorado landscapes was pure magic.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
