Many people love the fall season thanks to trees putting on a dazzling show for the changing colors of leaves. Fall colors are spectacular in destinations like Vermont in the United States, Melbourne in Australia, and Lombardy in Italy, motivating many people to travel to take in the scenery.
If you thought your traveling adventures ended with the summer, think again, the fall season brings unique leaf-peeping opportunities, and now you have no excuse to plan your next trip. So if you are wondering where to see the changing leaves this autumn, here are some of the best places to see fall foliage worldwide. And, to make your planning even easier, each location includes accommodation recommendations to ensure you have the best stay.
Lake Towada, Japan
Lake Towada, Aomori, is one of Japan’s most famous fall foliage spots. The reflection of Mt Towada and its seasonal foliage on the lake’s still surface makes this scenic spot a spectacular experience. On these shores, you can enjoy the bright yellow of the beech trees and the red shades of the Momiji maple trees. The trees here change their colors slightly earlier than their southern counterparts, with peak viewing season usually from the middle to the end of October. While there, take refuge in the mountains, booking a stay at the Prince Hotel Towada.
Grandfather Mountain, United States
The fall season is a favorite for many as the crisp cooler temperatures usher in the leaf color show that lasts for many weeks on Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. The first fall colors appear on Grandfather Mountain in mid to late September. The peak color toward the summit is usually early October. The lower sections of the park peak in mid-October. Color views into the much lower valleys extend into late October. The vistas from the top are lovely, but you can also get a good view from the bear and elk habitats. Wildflowers, plants, shrubberies, and fungi can be seen on the trails. Booking your entry and tickets in advance is recommended; fall can be a busy time. And for accommodations, you can upscale your experience by booking a luxury cabin rental in the area.
Halnaker Tree Tunnel, England
You will feel like stepping back in time when you pass through this beautiful tunnel of trees around the Halnaker Windmill, an iconic Sussex landmark near Chichester. The name of the Halnaker Tree Tunnel is Mill Lane. This unique tree canopy is in the depths of the South Downs National Park and looks spectacular in October and November since it erupts into vibrant fall colors. The trees you will see here are oak, field maple, hazel, and black bryony. You can find the Halnaker tree tunnel by heading to the sleepy hamlet of Halnaker, about 3.5 miles north of Chichester. An adventure like this calls for magical accommodations like the Nightingale Cottage Bed & Breakfast, which offers beautiful rooms and homemade, locally sourced breakfasts.
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, United States
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is one of the best drives in Utah for leaf-peeping. Near famous destinations like Salt Lake City and Park City, this scenic byway stretches 42 miles along state Route 150 and is one of Utah’s most renowned mountain driving routes. This mountain range is one of the few in North America that runs east to west rather than north to south. Usually, the road is open to regular traffic from mid-May to mid-fall. While visiting the area, you can book a stay at a nearby mountain view property rental.
Loire Valley, France
Autumn brings wine harvests, gorgeous foliage, festivals, and concerts galore to this lushly rural region, whose natural landscapes are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Loire Valley is easy to visit on a day trip from Paris. In addition, this region in France has the perfect temperature in the fall season. The changing leaves set against the Chateau backdrop is one of the best things about visiting the Loire during autumn. Plus, it is one of the less crowded times of the year when you enjoy touring the famous chateaus and stopping in at the Loire’s famous vineyards. For a little more luxury, book a stay at a real castle in the Loire Valley with exceptional amenities and enough space for the whole family.
Silvan Reservoir Park, Australia
Autumn in Australia does not begin in earnest until March. While you might not identify the region of beaches and surf with spectacular autumn colors, the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne do not disappoint. Silvan Reservoir Park, located at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, is gorgeous in autumn when the deciduous trees turn scarlet and golden. Sit in the groomed picnic places and walk around the open lawns surrounded by a beautiful eucalypt forest. Plan your stay at Como Cottages, perfect for couples, families, and groups.
Bagni di Masino Forest, Italy
Everyone in the Milan area or traveling to Lombardy in the fall should make a point to visit Bagni di Masino Forest for some fresh air and natural beauty. Bagni Masino is perfect for a relaxing forest stroll, making it a great fall getaway. The mystical forest is 23,000 acres in size and is particularly beautiful in the fall. The stunning beech tree forest and the ancient trees, some of which are over 200 years old, will astound you. Getting to the forest is easy. Visitors can leave their car in Bagni di Masino in Valtellina and continue on foot on the paved trail. There are many places to stay near the area, but you can book a wellness suite at the Hotel Le Cime for a spectacular mountain getaway.
Stowe, United States
The first week of October is the best time to visit Vermont to see the leaves change colors. Stowe is a lovely town in Vermont with a significant reputation for its quantity of sugar maples that come alive in the autumn. Hiking, biking, and driving are all made simple in Stowe during the peak of fall foliage season (early September to late October). Stowe Recreation Path is a must for fantastic river and mountain views on a fall day. Stowe’s golf courses are another fun way to experience fall beauty. You may also take the Gondola SkyRide to the top of Mount Mansfield and hit the hiking trails for breathtaking views. In Stowe, book your stay at one of the many mountainside rentals available in this charming city.
Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region, United States
Mount Agamenticus is a year-round hotspot for fun and beauty in “The Pine Tree State,” covering over 10,000 acres throughout York. Autumn is the most pleasant season for a trip to Mount Agamenticus in Maine. The mountain’s trails give you plenty of space to explore either by foot or on a bike, and the hemlocks, black gums, maples, and oaks are stunning standouts in a spectacular forest coastline. Its varied landscape offers a home to many flora and fauna species year-round, and during the fall, you can witness the annual hawk migration. In addition, red-tails, Northern Goshawks, Peregrine falcons, and even eagles pass over Mount A on their way south. To complete your stay in Maine, book an excellent ocean view home rental with modern amenities and the comfort of a cozy cottage.
Shenandoah Valley, United States
This park in Virginia is one of the top spots in the United States for leaf peeping. The regular fall season in Shenandoah National Park encompasses September and October. Visitors travel from all over to see all that Shenandoah National Park has to offer when the trees begin to swap their green leaves for reds, oranges, and yellows.
You can enjoy your leaf-peeping adventure by car, hiking, or even booking a guided horseback ride. If you feel like driving, go to Skyline Drive, a National Scenic Byway traverses 105 miles in Shenandoah National Park with outstanding vistas from 75 overlooks. Are you interested in some hiking? The Old Rag circuit hike is an iconic place for leaf peeping, popular among hikers because of the 360-degree views. While visiting the Shenandoah area, you can book a stay at a vacation home suitable for a big family trip.
Mont-Tremblant, Canada
The magnificent Mont-Tremblant fall colors bring many visitors between mid-September and late October. The spectacular views of Mont-Tremblant’s wooded mountains are renowned by photographers worldwide as some of the most amazing natural landscapes, reflecting the whole color spectrum of fall with crystal-clear, blue sky. A gondola trip to the peak of Mont-Tremblant is the best way to get a panoramic glimpse of the fall leaves. After exploring the 360° observation tower and boutique at the peak, you may hike or ride a zipline back down the mountain. In Mont-Tremblant, choose to stay at a chalet with a hot tub for your family’s enjoyment.