Enjoying the spectacular fall foliage season

ENC News 03 Oct 2024

As the temperatures drop and the trees turn shades of bright yellow, burnt orange, and brilliant red, you’ll want to spend as much time as you can outside before hunkering down for winter. Of course, there’s nothing like a country drive to admire the gorgeous fall foliage, but urban areas have their own autumnal charm.

Imagine leaf-crunching your way through New York’s Central Park, or taking a relaxing walk around Elk Neck State Park in Maryland’s Eastern Shore to see the gorgeous colors.

New York, New York

Autumn in New York. “Why does it seem so inviting?” asks the song. One reason may be the pastoral bliss one can find in Central Park. Visit the Ramble, just south of Belvedere Castle, and wander the meadow that gets covered with red leaves from the black tupelo trees.

The Ramble lies in the heart of Central Park and is famous for its winding paths to walk.

The Ramble is often noted for its bird-watching opportunities, where birdwatchers can catch a glimpse of some of the approximately 230 species found in the woods. You can stop to take a look at the Gill, the man-made stream that runs through the Ramble.

Boston, Massachusetts

To catch the best of the local foliage in the early fall there, walk through the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, part of the chain of green spaces that make up Boston’s Emerald Necklace.

Stowe, Vermont

It’s no wonder Stowe is called “Fall’s Color Capital.” One of the best small towns in the U.S. to see fall foliage, the charming spot typically showcases dazzling hues from mid-September through mid-October.

The surrounding area is a fun place to hike and bike, with trails of varying levels of difficulty. And if the Vermont weather gets chilly, you can still take a scenic drive along the Mount Mansfield Auto Toll Road.

Mississippi River Valley, Minnesota

Pack a picnic and take a drive along the mighty Mississippi, backed by hillsides packed with ash, oak, and maple trees in shades of gold, orange, and red. The colors tend to peak between mid-late September and early October. Pull off at one of the area’s two state parks, Frontenac or Great River Bluffs, for their scenic overlooks.

Frontenac has easy hiking routes, like the Sand Point Trail, and a calm, sandy beach.

Great River Bluffs preserves steep-sided bluffs rising 500 feet (150 m) above the river and the narrow valleys between them.

Santa Barbara, California

It’s long called itself the American Riviera, and, like its French counterpart, this beach town enjoys a vibrant summer season. But you often get better weather in fall than summer there.