Fall Foliage Usa Map

Fall Foliage Map of When the Leaves Will Change Reader's Digest from www.rd.com

When the leaves start to change and the air becomes crisp, it’s time to plan a trip to see the fall foliage in the USA. With so many destinations to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive travel guide to help you discover the top attractions, hidden gems, and must-see sights along the way.

Top Attractions

The USA is home to some of the most stunning autumn landscapes in the world. Some of the top attractions to visit include:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina
The Adirondack Mountains in New York
The White Mountains in New Hampshire
The Rocky Mountains in Colorado
The Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina

Hidden Gems

If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, consider visiting these hidden gems:

The Finger Lakes in New York
The Upper Peninsula in Michigan
The Ozark Mountains in Arkansas and Missouri
The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in New Mexico
The Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire

Food Scene

Fall is the perfect time to indulge in seasonal treats like pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider donuts, and hearty soups. Some of the best food scenes to explore include:

The farm-to-table restaurants in Vermont
The seafood shacks in Cape Cod
The BBQ joints in the South
The craft breweries in Oregon
The wineries in Napa Valley

Budget-Friendly Tips

Traveling during peak foliage season can be expensive, but there are ways to save money on your trip. Consider these budget-friendly tips:

Travel during the weekdays instead of weekends
Stay in a vacation rental instead of a hotel
Visit state parks instead of national parks
Bring your own food instead of eating out every meal
Use public transportation instead of renting a car

Outdoor Adventures

The fall foliage season is the perfect time to get outside and explore the great outdoors. Some of the best outdoor adventures to have include:

Hiking in the mountains
Biking along scenic routes
Kayaking or canoeing on lakes and rivers
Fishing for trout and salmon
Ziplining through the trees

Historical Landmarks

The USA is full of rich history, and there’s no better time to explore it than during the fall foliage season. Some of the top historical landmarks to visit include:

The Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts
The Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania
The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas
The Statue of Liberty in New York City
The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

Family-Friendly Activities

If you’re traveling with kids, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy. Some of the best include:

Picking apples and pumpkins at a local farm
Taking a scenic train ride
Visiting a corn maze or hayride
Going on a ghost tour
Attending a fall festival or county fair

Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences

If you’re looking for something truly unique, consider these off-the-beaten-path experiences:

Visiting the abandoned town of Centralia, Pennsylvania
Exploring the abandoned Bannerman Castle in New York
Taking a hot air balloon ride over the fall foliage
Going on a ghost hunt in Savannah, Georgia
Visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan

Natural Wonders

The USA is home to some of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world. Some of the top ones to see during the fall foliage season include:

The Grand Canyon in Arizona
The Niagara Falls in New York
The Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
The Redwood Forest in California
The Acadia National Park in Maine

Vibrant Nightlife

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean the fun has to end. Some of the top cities for vibrant nightlife during the fall foliage season include:

Las Vegas, Nevada
New Orleans, Louisiana
Miami, Florida
Chicago, Illinois
New York City, New York

Local Markets

One of the best ways to experience the local culture is by visiting a farmers market or craft fair. Some of the top ones to check out include:

The Union Square Greenmarket in New York City
The Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington
The Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan
The French Market in New Orleans, Louisiana

Beaches and Mountains

If you’re torn between relaxing on the beach or hiking in the mountains, why not do both? Some of the top destinations for beaches and mountains include:

The Outer Banks in North Carolina
The Big Sur coastline in California
The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina
The Acadia National Park in Maine
The Olympic National Park in Washington

Cultural Immersion

If you’re interested in learning about different cultures, fall is a great time to do so. Some of the top cultural immersion experiences include:

Attending a powwow at a Native American reservation
Taking a cooking class to learn how to make regional dishes
Visiting a historic plantation in the South
Exploring a Chinatown neighborhood in a major city
Attending a fall harvest festival in a rural area

Art and Music Scene

The fall foliage season is a great time to explore the art and music scene in different cities. Some of the top destinations for art and music lovers include:

The Art Institute of Chicago in Illinois
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City
The Getty Center in Los Angeles, California
The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio

Walking Tours

One of the best ways to see a new city is by taking a walking tour. Some of the top walking tours to consider include:

The Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts
The Historic District in Savannah, Georgia
The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana
The National Mall in Washington D.C.
The Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California

Architectural Marvels

If you’re interested in architecture, there are plenty of marvels to see during the fall foliage season. Some of the top ones include:

The Empire State Building in New York City
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
The Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois
The Space Needle in Seattle, Washington
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina

Historical Sites

The USA is full of rich history, and there are plenty of historical sites to explore during the fall foliage season. Some of the top ones include:

The Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts
The Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania
The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas
The Statue of Liberty