Thanks for all these tips—will digest and get our plans finalized.
Mid October seems late for the New England states. But you still might be ok. However, the Poconos in PA are at peak at that time. Here is a great place to stay:
https://hotelfauchere.com/blog/fall-foliage-milford-pa/
It’s a small boutique hotel with a fabulous French restaurant in the small town of Milford. There are plenty of driving adventures that can be taken from Milford. PA has a wide variety of trees, which makes for a very colorful fall foliage tour.
Thanks! We have enjoyed Pennsylvania when we’ve visited previously. Will consider this.
We’re in midcoast Maine and foliage season is definitely here. Not peak yet, but maybe another week.
Foliage change is later this year because Sept so warm as it is this week in and around NYC. DH is up for visit with friends in Burlington VT and it is rainy and cool this week. The Berkshires in a week or so should be good and as one of the above posters said don’t overlook the Hudson Valley. Special places are Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz and you can also check out visiting FDR homestead and library in Hyde Park across the river, Dia Beacon for a bit or a lot of contemporary art. Further north of Albany you have Saratoga Springs which is great place to visit anytime and especially when all the homes are decorated for Halloween and another special hotel, the Sagamore in Bolton Landing. Lake George itself, the actual lake itself is beautiful. Just avoid the tourist trap town of Lake George Village if you head that way.
I don’t think that the NYTIMES has even begun reporting foliage reports yet unless I missed it.
https://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/
One of the recent NYT articles refers to this map. See the date slider at the top.
I know I’m biased having lived in northern NH for seven years…but I honestly believe the leaves in northern NH, Maine and Vermont are the most gorgeous…just because the abundance of trees is there…and the mountain vistas gorgeous.
Sure, there are pretty foliage trips elsewhere…but I’m not sure you can top the beauty of fall sugar maples mixes with birch and oak…and evergreens…on mountains.
If it were me…this is a trip I would plan for next fall. You could get terrific and lovely lodging more easily…and really see New England foliage.
I agree, thumper. Northern New England is the best for leaf peeping - combo of the number and variety of trees.
Aspens are nice but too uniform. The maples are the master of Autumn.
Ok—thanks for these additional suggestions. We have never made a trip just to look at fall foliage but it’s really starting to sound like next year may be a better choice.
Plus, if you plan ahead…you can also enjoy northern New England which is SOOOO opposite Hawaii! Really such a lovely place and so many beautiful things to see.
Yes, we haven’t spent much time on the east coast since our honeymoon, decades ago. I would be free to leave by about mid-September next year. We did enjoy our time there — were there June/July with perfect weather.
We had friends who visited from CA…they arrived in late September…and came to CT first. Drove to Woodstock VT where they spent a night, then to Whitefield NH (they stayed with friends…but the Mountain View Grand is there). Then they drove to Maine. BUT you could easily go to the Mt Washington and stay a night or two there too. Then drive to Maine…and work your way from Camden area down the coast. I know they spent a couple of nights in Kennebunkport, and Portland.
They flew in and out of Boston.
They said it was a terrific trip!
Shenandoah valley in Virginia.
https://www.visitshenandoah.org/poigroup_category/things-to-do/
Yes, along the Blue Ridge Pkwy is beautiful, too. Lots of trees there, too.
It’s hard to predict the best route. Most of us, frankly, will often say. “Yes, we saw some foliage.” We realize it’s catch as catch can. (Ha, it’s nature.) Mid Sept seems too early. Now may be too early to make definitive plans for next fall. The colors and timing can vary. Don’t we usually get into early/mid spring before the predictions come out?
There just isn’t some perfect date. And friends can go out one day, rave, then as thumper (I think) noted, it rains hard or the temp drops and just like that, it’s past peak.
You might make CYA plans. NH, NY, Blue Ridge, then settle on one when the reports come in, in time to cancel the orher(s.)
Hmmm, maybe if I can get a decent fare and lodging, we will try this year AND next fall. We will see.
You can go further south to see leaves this year, and do a New England “tour” next year.
Just drove up I 81 yesterday (PA to NY) - up to it ends, then turn right prior to going into Canada and continue on for another hour or so.
In PA there are pockets of small change with the leaves, but the vast majority hasn’t even started yet. Once in NY it’s starting to change more, but it’s not at peak in southern or midstate NY. Up in the 1000 Islands it’s pretty - not sure it’s at peak in most places, but some areas are there or close to it.
Not sure about the Adirondacks.
When we head back next week I think it will be prettier.
In general, I totally agree with those who say the northeast has it the prettiest leaves. I’d be trying hard to go there and making reservations as last minute as possible because peak prediction is usually off on any given year - esp trying to make it months ahead of time… PA is ok, but NY and New England have us beat IMO. The west and south are decent, but not nearly as pleasing to the eye. The brilliant reds and oranges mixed with yellow and green (from pines or late trees) is spectacular.
@HImom if you’re really hankering to see some fall color this year how about a short trip to visit your son’s area (D.C.?) maybe driving north through Virginia/West Virginia or PA and then plan a New England trip next year.
Fall is a really, really beautiful time and change of weather pace. The color, the coolness/crispness, visits to an apple orchard, fall festivals - you could do a week and really get great fall flavor.
All the sites say the higher elevations are best for viewing. Partly because it’s cooler up there and partly for the vistas.
A friend is travelling south from Maine right now, just called me and I asked. She said random vibrant trees and still lots of green, fwiw.
Definitely lots of green here in far northern NY - west of the Adirondacks next to the St Lawrence River. A few trees are stunning, but most are in denial that winter is coming I think. They’re quite green.
I know where we live in PA (south central) essentially nothing had turned yet. A tree or two maybe, but that’s stretching it.