10 Fantastic Fall Foliage Destinations
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
It’s leaf peeping time! No matter where you live, you can typically find more than enough places to enjoy a great fall hike or scenic drive. Fortunately, fabulous fall foliage destinations can be found throughout the country, even in hot states like Arizona (just drive 2 miles north up to the beautiful Flagstaff region)!
Leaf peeping is a fun & enjoyable activity, not to mention one that gives you the opportunity to explore new areas and possibly even get a great workout in if you can find a great hiking trail or park loaded with foliage. I love hiking, biking, boat rides, and pretty much every other outdoor activity this time of year. The temperatures are great for longer exercise. It’s a great way to stay active and enjoy beautiful scenery at the same time.
While New England is most famous for its’ extraordinary fall season, there are plenty of other areas around the country that see gorgeous color changes. These include the Mid-Atlantic, the mountainous areas of the Southeast, the Midwest, and even a few areas in the Southwest.
Even if you live in hot climate, you can usually find a trail somewhere in your state. Take Phoenix for example. Drive 2 hours north and you are in one of the prime fall foliage areas in the West. I loved every second of living in Flagstaff which sees one of the best fall seasons in the country in my experience. If you are looking for a wonderful fall getaway, it is one of my top picks.
The changing temperatures and vibrant color changes make it a truly exciting time of the year. An autumn getaway is a must for hikers, photographers, nature lovers, and anyone else who loves fall! Hiking and biking are great budget friendly means to immerse yourself in the beauty of the season. Here are a few of my favorite leaf peeping destinations around the country.
The Minuteman Bikeway
Location: Boston, Massachusetts area
Why It’s Great: I’ve never seen brighter orange and red foliage. It’s conveniently located near the city & the trail is easy and flat enough for beginner cyclists (or walkers). And, you can’t beat a Trader Joe’s & Starbucks located directly on the trail (near the halfway point)!
A fall ride on the Minuteman Bikeway is one of the top way to take in the beauty of fall in New England, widely thought of as the top leaf peeping region. The trail is 10.5 miles in total with the opportunity to see diverse fall colors in every direction if you plan your ride during the peak season. I’ve biked a lot of beautiful trails, but none have competed with this one at the peak of fall. Every tree is a gorgeous color.
Orange, yellow, and red foliage lines the entire path. The path follows an old railroad, and therefore, is very flat and smooth. This is great for those who want to simply enjoy the colors and a leisurely ride, rather than a hard workout. Rail trails are former railroad routes now used for public recreation. There are a lot of these in Massachusetts and they are all beautiful this time of year. The Rails to Trails Conservancy has placed the Minuteman in their Hall of Fame List.
The path travels past 4 historic New England towns – Bedford, Lexington, Arlington, and Cambridge. Along the route, you will come across interesting historical sites such as the Uncle Sam Memorial in Arlington. The Minuteman Path is just an incredible way to soak in the scenery of the season and enjoy the fresh, cool weather. Plus, you’ll get a nice little workout in.
