Summer is still here, but before you know it, cooler winds will blow through many parts of the country as fall arrives. Now is the time to plan for a fun fall trip to see and photograph some incredible fall foliage. The only trick is to time it right the weather plays a big role in exactly when leaves change color. But its good to have a top destination in mind when the time comes for a scenic and fun weekend getaway.
Adirondacks, New York
Upstate New Yorks picturesque highways draw visitors who enjoy the explosion of fall colors in this mountain region, which features more than 2 million acres of protected forest preserve. A host of tree varieties, including birch, maple and oak, paint the region with unforgettable color.
When: Mid-to-late October.
Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee
One of the most popular national parks in the United States, the Smoky Mountains boast more than 100 species of trees. This impressive diversity of flora provides fall visitors with an amazing display of red, orange, gold and purple.
When: Early October through early November.
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
The U.P. draws vacationers in the summer for fishing, hiking, biking and paddling, but fall brings color-seekers. The area has more than 20 forested state parks and borders three of the Great Lakes. Sylvania Wilderness, in the Ottawa National Forest near Watersmeet, encompasses 34 lakes and one of the few remaining old-growth forests in the Midwest.
When: Mid-September to mid-October.
Aspen, Colorado
Aside from its reputation as a world-class skiing and vacation spot, Aspen displays impressive fall colors thanks to its eponymous Aspen tree. The leaves, which turn yellow-gold, reflect the sunlight as they rustle in the breeze.
When: Mid-September through early October.
