I love to travel across the world to see all the wonderful Fall Foliage. Here are some of the top fall destinations around the world to visit!
Maine, USA
Autumn is the most popular time to visit Acadia National Park in Maine. And yes, the Fall colors are just as beautiful as the photos! Peak fall foliage typically happens in mid-October, but it is important to keep an eye on the status of the Fall colors throughout Maine as you plan your trip. If you decide to go during the peak Autumn season, be aware you will not be the only one exploring the Park. The parking lots will fill quickly, the overlooks will be jammed, and the visitor center will be overrun. If you keep this in mind and do not stress you will enjoy your time in Acadia!
Go early! Get there before the sun rises, get your parking spot, and plan on walking most of the day. When visiting in mid-October the parking lot to the trails and overlooks were nearly filled by 10 am.
A good game plan is to park in the Sand Beach parking lot and hike the Beehive Trail for the sunrise. Explore the beach, and then head over to Jordan Pond or the next popular hike: The Bubbles.
Vermont, USA
A road trip through Vermont is a great opportunity to enjoy one of the best places in the world for fall foliage. With vibrant hues of red, yellow, and orange, Vermont in the fall becomes a fairytale destination; for those who love celebrating all things autumn.
The best way to experience Vermont is to road trip around the state. Stopping in places like Stowe for great hiking and the most charming town. Killington is great for fall foliage in the mountains, Woodstock for a town that really comes to life in the fall; and the Northeast Kingdom for crisp evenings and gorgeous lakes like Lake Willoughby.
The best time to visit Vermont for fall foliage is during the month of October. Each year peak foliage changes. So keeping an eye on the peak foliage tracker closer to time is your best bet. Some years’ peak foliage is in early October, and other times it is at the end of the month.
For a great place to stay during your road trip, this little Airbnb near Stowe has lovely views! And there is a sugar shack on the property! Some great places to eat during your road trip include Skinny Pancake in Burlington, Mad Taco in Montpelier, Piecasso in Stowe; and definitely go to Cold Hollow Cider Mill for the best apple cider donuts and hot cider.
And to really enjoy the fall colors, opt for beautiful hikes like Stowe Pinnacle, Sterling Pond Trail in Stowe, and Killington Peak in Killington. Vermont is a complete dream in the fall and perfect for a fall lover’s bucket list!
Recommended By: Kat at World Wide Honeymoon
New York, USA
Fall in New York City is magical. Picture golden and red hues etched around Manhattan’s famous skyline. Besides having great fall colors visiting the city during this time will allow you to enjoy fewer tourists. Additionally, New York is big on being festive so you will find autumn decorations and fall seasoned foods on most menus.
Fall colors in New York generally happen around mid-October. Sometimes fall colors can go into early November depending on the weather. When visiting in autumn, a stroll through the famous Central Park is a must! A local’s favorite is to walk through “the Mall”. This is a favorite place to take photos during the fall in Central Park.
Other parks to check out that will also have lovely fall colors are Washington Square Park, Prospect Park, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Bryant Park. In Greenwich Village, there are also lovely tree-lined streets with beautiful brownstones!
The best way to get around to the parks is by using the subway. You could also use Uber or Lyft. Consider staying at the New Yorker right by Pennsilyvain Station making it really easy to get around. If you want to really splurge and be close to Central Park and Fall colors, the Plaza Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels.
Recommended By: Sam at Find Love & Travel
Virginia, USA
Shenandoah National Park lies across the top of the northern part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, USA. The entire national park turns ablaze with reds, oranges, and golds in fall. The peak time for fall color is typically mid-late October. The main focal point of the national park is Skyline Drive, which traverses the top of the ridge. Because this is the highest point in the park, the trees along the drive typically change color first.
There are multiple viewpoints along the ridge looking out over the forests on the hills below. Hikes also descend the hills to lower altitudes. This means that the autumnal colors in the panoramic views usually peak a few days after those at the top of the ridge. The great thing about this is that the fall season in Shenandoah is longer than in most places.
There are four entrances along the length of the national park. The two northern-most entrances are closest to Washington DC, which is just over an hour away. Because it’s so close to DC, weekends in October can be very crowded. Mid-week is much better if you can visit then. The southern entrance is close to Charlottesville, VA.
There are two main lodges in the middle of the park. Big Meadows is at Mile 51 and Skyland Resort is at Mile 41 on Skyline Drive. Both have cabins, dining facilities, and shops.
Recommended By: James at Parks Collecting
Tennessee, USA
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. With over 12 million visitors in 2019, it is easy to see why this park is so popular. September through November is the Fall season. Warm days with cool nights are the main theme throughout the Autumn. By November, the lows are usually near freezing. The fall colors here are especially breathtaking due to the diversity of over 100 species of trees! If you are bold enough for the 8-mile hike to Charlies Bunion, you will be rewarded with extraordinary panoramic views of the Smokies. This was a challenging hike, to say the least, but worth it in the end!
Michigan, USA
Beginning in late September through the beginning of October, Michiganders head north to soak in the brilliant rainbow of reds, oranges, yellows, and purples as fall begins to envelop the state. The entire state is lucky to experience the beauty of fall; but the best place to see nature’s vibrant display of beauty is in the Traverse City area.
Traverse City trades out its beachy vibes for mugs of warm cider and a gorgeous kaleidoscope of colors against the turquoise waters of Lake Michigan. There is no bad place to enjoy the season’s changing in the area. But for a picture-perfect day, hop in the car and start your fall leaf-peeping adventure heading north on M-22. The famous highway hugs the Leelanau Peninsula through tunnels of fiery trees and pops of beautiful blue waters.
There are many great little towns to stop and visit along M-22. But my favorite spot is just an hour outside of Traverse City—Inspiration Point, Arcadia Overlook. The Arcadia Overlook is the highest point on Lake Michigan; providing visitors the ultimate spot to take in the forest of color. On a clear day, this is the best view in the state—miles, and miles of fall color coupled with the beauty of Lake Michigan.
After a full day of leaf-peeping, you’re sure to be hungry! Don’t miss the great selection of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants in Traverse City.
Recommended By: Rebecca at Veggies Abroad
Washington, USA
For one of the most unique displays of fall foliage, head to the North Cascades National Park in Washington State. The park bursts aflame with beautiful autumnal colors. Come mid-September through early October- in fact, what’s really unique about autumn in the Pacific Northwest is how all-encompassing the colorful foliage is, from the towering deciduous trees, like maples, to the shrubs and wildflowers along the ground to even some conifers that turn a vibrant hue (a unique alpine tree called “larches”).
The North Cascades are an excellent place to road trip through, given its enormous footprint (1,070 square miles!)- you can start towards the eastern side of the park and make your way west along the North Cascades Highway, making stops to gawk at scenic viewpoints, like the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake. Stay towards the park’s western side in the charming town of Winthrop, an 1800s gold rush town, which retains many of its antique boardwalks and Wild Western facades. While you’re in town, be sure to stop by the Methow Valley Ciderhouse for live music, a fun atmosphere, and delicious cider.
The town also is an excellent springboard for some of the park’s best hikes to experience the foliage, like the ever-popular Heather Maple Pass Loop, with stunning views of the North Cascades and seemingly endless groves of larches, or the Blue Lake Trail, which leads you to an alpine lake, surrounded by trees with spectacular colors. With its cozy mountain vibes and epic foliage, the North Cascades is an unmissable spot come fall!
Recommended By: Jessica at Uprooted Traveler
Nova Scotia, Canada
One of the best destinations for fall foliage is the Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada. The best way to experience the fall foliage is by driving the Cabot Trail, a 300km long road that loops around the National Park. The peak time for the fall colors is during the 2nd and 3rd week in October.
The Cabot Trail is incredibly scenic. The winding road curves around the rolling hills and offers an incredible display of reds and oranges. There are multiple spots to pull over and admire the view. To truly appreciate the beauty, spend at least 3 days driving around the Cabot Trail. Start the road trip in Baddeck, and drive around the trail in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction from there. As you make your way around the Cabot Trail, spend each night in a new location. The best towns to stay in are Ingonish and Cheticamp.
There are 26 hiking trails throughout the National Park that vary in length and difficulty. So there is a hike for any fitness level. The hiking trails with the best views are the Franey and Skyline. There is also a Gondola that can be taken to the top of Cape Smokey Mountain in Ingonish for spectacular views.
For food, find a local restaurant that plays live fiddle music traditional to Cape Breton. These musical events are called Ceilidhs (kay-lees). The Doryman Pub and Grill in Cheticamp is one of many restaurants that have live music.
Recommended By: Natalie at Natalie Explores
Alberta, Canada
Driving southeast from the corner of Calgary, Alberta will take you to the Anne and Sandy Cross Conservation Area; a heavily-forested area with hiking trails and lookout points that offer views of the Rockies and a panoramic view of Calgary. The Anne and Sandy Cross Conservation Area is a hidden gem that even locals generally don’t know about, making it an exclusive experience.
Perhaps the best time to visit the ASCCA is during “golden week”; the brief several days where all the leaves have changed over but have not yet detached from their branches. The honey-colored foliage keeps the air feeling warm, even when winter is on its way. This tends to faithfully occur in the third or final week of September, making it almost risk-free to plan for it.
Recently, the nature reserve has brought on more traffic than usual, making a $10 CAD fee required to enter. Bring your fee in cash, plus a basic day bag. The best time to go is in the early afternoon when the air is at its warmest and the sunlight makes for stunning photos! You’ll still have plenty of time to make it to the Priddis View & Brew Bistro for dinner!
The nearest overnight accommodations are the Garden and Parkview Sweet Home. Located in the neighborhood of Bridlewood in Calgary, which makes for a short trip out to the ASCCA (about ten minutes).
Recommended By: Kaidon at Planes, Trains, and Karcz
Lake District National Park, England
The Lake District National Park in northern England is beautiful at any time of year! But it really comes into its own when the fall foliage springs into life. The hillsides and valleys are flooded with russets and golds as the deciduous woodlands put on their annual color-changing display.
The best time to go leaf-peeping in the Lake District is late September through to the end of October; which is outside the peak tourist season so hotel prices will be cheaper. You can visit the Lake District by train, which stops in Kendal, Windermere, and Penrith, and there are plenty of local bus routes taking you into the heart of the park. Taking the no. 555 bus from Keswick to Kendal will give you front row seats to some of the best fall colors in the park. Driving of course gives you more flexibility, as well as access to the more remote valleys far from the crowds.
Top fall foliage spots inside the national park include the shores of Ullswater and Buttermere, which are both great places for hiking. Stay at The Bridge Hotel in Buttermere or the Inn on the Lake at Ullswater to make the most of your time in the area. The latter has a restaurant with amazing views of the lake, as they also serve afternoon tea if you want that quintessential English experience.
Recommended By: Heather at Conversant Traveller
London, England
Autumn is my favorite season. The weather is just warm enough to enjoy leisurely strolls which generally head in the direction of coastal paths and green spaces without freezing to death. The season is a wonderland of autumnal colors, crunchy brown leaves and if lucky, rays of sunshine kissing your cheeks! There are some wonderful places to enjoy autumn foliage around the world but one of my favorites is Hyde Park in London.
The Royal Park is full of sweet chestnut, London plane, and old oak trees which begin to lose their leaves in September. The dramatic display of changing colors is due to the shorter days which send the trees into a winter sleep! The best time to visit is late October when the golden yellows, reds, and browns are at their most breathtaking; it’s best to visit early morning when the sun can be seen shining through the leaves and the park is quieter.
Hyde Park has some fantastic walking paths and cycle routes that maze around the grounds and along the Serpentine – the lake in the middle. It’s easy to reach as it sits in Central London with multiple bus routes and underground stations passing close by. There’s also a lot of history to be enjoyed dating back to Henry the VIII and numerous statues, fountains, and memorials. Within the park and some of the best places to sit back and admire the magical colors are the Lido Cafe and the Serpentine Bistro which both overlook the lake and serve delicious foods to warm your soul.
It’s best to enter at Marble Arch Station and walk straight down to the Serpentine through the endless rows of trees, once at the bottom circumnavigate along the lake passing the Peter Pan statue and the Princess Dianna Memorial. You’ll pass the Lido Cafe which makes a lovely stop to grab some refreshments before coming full circle, if you’re feeling extra adventurous continue on through Green Park to reach Buckingham Palace!
Recommended By: Abi at I’m Going On An Adventure
Sierra Nevada, Spain
One of the best spots for fall colors is without a doubt the underrated region of the lower Sierra Nevada in southern Spain. In mid-November, you will have the best chances of seeing a feast of yellow and orange colors covering the mountains.
You can see fall colors around the city of Granada and even the world-famous Alhambra fortress and castle is a great place to explore at this time. The gardens are at their best! However, if you really want to emerge yourself in the beauty of fall in this region, we suggest you go for a hike.
An easy hike with playful colors that you can reach by bus from Granada is Los Cahorros de Monachil trail which takes you along a river, across multiple hanging bridges, water holes, and waterfalls before a fun section through a gorge. Another great hike is the classical Vereda de la Estrella which rewards you with a spectacle of fall colors with the perfect backdrop of the 3000-meter peaks like Mulhacen and Alcazaba.
For this hike, however, you will need a car as the trailhead starts way past the town of Güejar Sierra. The best place to base yourself in the city of Granada itself as it offers great accommodation, like the Ohtels San Antón Granada. The quaint neighborhood of Albaicín offers a multitude of traditional restaurants and tapas bars to enjoy.
Recommended By: Linn at Andalucia Hiking
Seol, South Korea
While many people would choose to visit Seoul during spring, drawn by the stunning cherry blossom and many other colorful flower blooms, Seoul’s fall foliage doesn’t disappoint either.
As fall approaches, Seoul transforms into a picture-perfect destination, with yellow Ginko trees flanking most streets and neighborhoods. Strolling through the Palaces’ gardens in downtown Seoul is a must and no matter which one you choose to go to, you will find plenty of photo opportunities. Rent a hanbok and on top of having free access inside the palaces, you will also get to make some incredible memories.
Depending on the year the peak of foliage season is towards the end of October and the first weeks of November. A climb at Namsan Tower, a stroll on the streets surrounding Namsan Mountain, Yeonan-dong, or any of the bigger or smaller parks around town, will all offer romantic sights you won’t easily forget.
By choosing to stay in the city center, anywhere close to Seoul Station or the City Hall, you will have easy access to most of these beautiful fall attractions. All these areas also offer plenty of local restaurants with delicious and affordable Korean food worth trying. Korean ice soup season might be over, but there will be plenty of other things to try as well.
Recommended By: Ingrid at Ingrid Zen Moments
Kyoto, Japan
One of the things Japan is famous for is its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, but it is also a great destination to visit in fall if you’re looking for stunning foliage. It may even be prettier than the pink blossoms.
You can find fall foliage all across the country, but since Japan stretches out over thousands of miles, the peak times to see the colorful leaves vary widely. South Japan is often the most popular place to visit when traveling to Japan (think Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara), and the best time to see the best colors is between late October and mid-November.
Kyoto is especially beautiful in the fall since there are many temples to explore. The beautifully colored leaves add so much to the atmosphere. Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the rest of the Higashiyama district along with The Philosopher’s Path should be on your list of places to visit in Kyoto in the fall.
Higashiyama is the traditional part of Kyoto, and while very beautiful, it’s more expensive to stay and eat here. It’s better to cross the river, back to Central Kyoto, to find a restaurant and hotel. It’s still very close to all the best places to see fall foliage (just a few minutes on foot), but it’s much cheaper.”
Recommended By: Nele at The Navigatio
Arrowtown, New Zealand
Visiting Arrowtown in mid-late Autumn (April and May) is gorgeous as all the trees change into vibrant oranges, yellows, and browns.
Arrowtown is a short trip from Queenstown so is easy to get to by car and/or public transport. The best part is as soon as you arrive in Arrowtown, you’ll see the gorgeous foliage.
But it’s definitely worth doing a walk along the Arrow River Trail and up Tobins Track to get close to the trees, and take in some different views. These are two of the easier walks in Arrowtown.
If you can, try and visit Arrowtown in late April when the annual Autumn Festival is on where there are lots of fun stalls and activities going on. If you’re looking for a place to stay, the Millbrook Resort is a luxurious place down the road, otherwise, a popular option is to book an airbnb in Arrowtown.
When it’s time to eat, for a small town Arrowtown has some great options. If you love craft beer with your meal, head to the Fork & Tap. If you need something on the go, Arrowtown Bakery, and if you like a fancy sit-down meal, Slow Cuts is popular.
Recommended By: Jub at Chur New Zealand
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