It is getting to be that time of year again. The leaves start falling, the weather gets a bit cooler and football season is starting back up which means fall is around the corner. This means it is the perfect time to take that Fall Foliage trip you have been looking forward to all year. Luckily, you will see that you don’t even have to travel out of the country to find great spots for such a trip. There are so many areas where you can experience this phenomenon with deciduous trees putting on their dazzling display of colors. Here are some of the best places for a fall foliage trip here in the United States.
Aspen, Colorado
It has to mean something when a world-famous town is named after a tree. This means Aspen is an ideal spot for the full leaf viewing experience. The leaves in Aspen turn a rich yellow hue during this season and glisten in the breeze when the sun hits them. The gold tones that arrive in autumn also make for a picture-perfect contrast with the evergreens and sheer mountain peaks. The season is Aspen is relatively short and begins mid-September peaking towards the end of the month. A great place to stay would be the Limelight Hotel which is a very modern mountain lodge that fronts Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
The Catskills, New York
This destination tends to be at its most vibrant during the fall when the colors of yellow, orange and red electrify the thickly wooded hillsides. Along with the beautiful sights, many of the region’s historic villages host festivals and craft fairs that are located alongside the bountiful farmers’ markets and pick your own orchards. Prime time for fall foliage in the Catskills is usually the last two weeks of September through mid to late October. If you are looking for more of a retreat experience, a great spot to try is the Inn at Lake Joseph which is a sixteen room country resort on a 250-acre private lake, but don’t forget that the Catskills are also well known for their charming Bed and Breakfast spots.
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Taking a trip to Michigan might be great for its wide variety as it’s forest system is the largest in the eastern US encompassing close to four million acres. Also in the Upper Peninsula, you will have your choice of its twenty-plus forested state parks. Some of the highlights of this densely forested peninsula include ash, aspen, beech, birch maple, and oak amongst others. Plus the tranquil waters which range from azure to navy help to visually enhance the tree’s brilliant fall colors. The ideal times to head over to the Upper Peninsula are mid-September and mid-October as it peaks in October. The northernmost part of this area known as Keweenaw is also known for its historic lighthouses so if you’re looking for a place to stay the Sand Hills Lighthouse Inn is a great and cozy spot.
Originally published at garyvanzinderen.net