Here’s a good article from the folks at Farmer’s Almanac on the best places to view the Fall foliage.
Here is a list of our picks for the most idyllic spots in the U.S. for viewing fall leaves! Some are off the beaten path, some are on more popular, scenic routes for you to enjoy, whether on foot or by car. We’ve also included the dates for peak foliage viewing for each location.
Best Places For Fall Leaves In The Northeast (Zone 1)
New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C.
Rangeley Lakes Region, Maine
For fall foliage, New England can’t be beat. And anyone who has visited Maine knows that Acadia National Park, and the coastal towns along the ocean, provide everything a leaf peeper could ask for. But move inland a bit and you’ll find that Rangeley, in the Western part of the state, offers the perfect mix of brilliant colors; the reds and greens embedded in the mountains provide a perfect backdrop to the contrasting deep blue of the lakes, creating a truly breathtaking fall foliage experience. Peak Viewing: October 1-17
Letchworth State Park, Western New York
Letchworth State Park, located about 35 miles southwest of Rochester, is renowned as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” and is considered one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. Visitors come to this 14,340-acre park to view the dramatic 600-foot cliffs, and during fall foliage season, the colors add even more spectacular drama. Peak Viewing: Autumn leaves in the region peak during the third and fourth week of October. For up-to-the-minute color information, check out the New York State Fall Foliage Report.
Kancamagus Scenic Highway, Lincoln, New Hampshire
The Kancamagus Scenic Highway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, known by the locals as “The Kanc,” provides some of the most spectacular fall foliage viewing in New England. The Kanc’s 35-mile scenic pass that connects Lincoln to Conway (Route 112) has some tricky hairpin turns and no gas stations, so be prepared. It does have plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the grandeur of the vistas. Peak Viewing: Sept. 28-Oct. 9
