Let The Leaf Peeping Begin

It’s almost Autumn. Time to take the winter coats out of the mothballs, jump into a pile of leaves, roast some chestnuts, and get away to see the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellow colors of fall foliage. Here are some perfect places to where you can drive, fly or take the train, and enjoy jaw-dropping views of fall color with comfortable accomodations from which to enjoy the views..

Boston, Massachusetts

For the ideal New England city getaway, consider Boston, Massachusetts. Steps from iconic Fenway Park in Kenmore Square is Hotel Commonwealth, near the Public Garden and Boston Common where the ornamental Japanese maple trees burst into color. Guests can bike, jog or kayak and view the display of foliage along the Charles River. As the Commonwealth is the Official Hotel of the Boston Red Sox, take in a final Red Sox game at Fenway.

Hudson Valley, New York

Opening just in time for fall foliage (September 30, 2022) is Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection in Hudson Valley, New York. Set on 140 secluded acres amidst orchards, animals, heirloom gardens, and fields of wildflowers, guests can enjoy on-site hiking trails, world-class cuisine and unique experiences including joining cooking school and taking ardening and floral design lessons. Nearby is the Hudson for a sailing cruise. The intrepid can climb the famous “Gunks.”

Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia

Nothing is more scenic in autumn than Virginia’s bucolic Blue Ridge Mountains when they morph into a sea of autumnal shades of orange, red and yellow. Located on 12,000 acres in the heart of these mountains is Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, a year-round mountainside retreat where guests choose a standalone cottage or sumptuous suite. Besides leaf peeping, year-round activities include horseback riding, hiking, RTV tours, clay shooting, tomahawk throwing and more. Primland’s championship golf course is surrounded by colorful fall foliage with breathtaking views at every turn.

The Ozarks, Missouri

For ideal leaf-peeing in the Ozarks region, Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, is an award-winning wilderness resort set on thousands of sprawling lush mountains acres which, during utumn, pop with vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. There are plenty of activities for the entire family including bowling, go-kart racing, and hiking and horseback riding nearby. Big Cedar Lodge offers a Fall Foliage tour on a 62-foot luxury yacht with dinner, live music, and eye-popping fall foliage.

Payette National Forest, Idaho

The Payette National Forest in McCall, Idaho, is the second largest area of protected wilderness in the continental United States. Here, Shore Lodge an historic resort, offers 500 miles of public trails. For those who prefer not to walk, Fall is the best time to take the backcountry trails on an ATV. After a day in the outdoors, guests can relax in some of the country’s most incredible naturally occurring hot springs. The area offers jaw-dropping scenery and endless opportunities to explore the outdoors in its coat of bright colors. Here, perched at an elevation of 5,000 feet, the sky’s the limit.

Savannah, Georgia

Nestled between Chippewa square and Lafayette square in Savannah, Georgia, Perry Lane Hotel is the ideal stay for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Savannah during autumn. Just a short walk from the hotel, guests can admire centuries-old Southern live oaks heavy with Spanish moss, and relish in the crisp fall air at Forsyth Park. After a long day of walking the famous city squares and River Street, guests can return to enjoy the cool breeze at the hotel’s Peregrin, Savannah’s best rooftop bar.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Set on 317 secluded acres bordering Santa Fe National Forest and minutes from downtown is Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection, a luxurious retreat in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Here, guests experience nature-driven adventures through visual arts, ancient healing arts, and culinary journeys. The Lodge also offers horseback riding, fly fishing casting lessons, or just sitting back and taking in dramatic views of the Tesuque Valley.

Wasatch Mountain Range, Utah

The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection in Park City, Utah is a luxe contemporary mountain retreat in Utah’s Wasatch Mountain Range. Set on 3,500 private acres surrounded by dramatic soaring peaks, high alpine fields, lush hillsides and a spring-fed creek, the resort helps guests reconnect with the natural environment. Immersive outdoor autumn adventures include hiking, fly fishing, clay shooting, horseback riding and more. Award-winning cuisine is created with ingredients sourced from an onsite organic farm. There’s an on-site High West Whiskey distillery, a 30,000-square-foot indoor equestrian center and up-close animal encounters at a horse rescue sanctuary.

Snowmass, Colorado

With cooling afternoons and crisp, starry nights, fall is the perfect time to enjoy the colorful mountain landscape of quaking Aspens and spruce trees in Snowmass, Colorado. Besides leaf-peeping, guests at East West Hospitality enjoy guided nature walks, fly fishing, or playing the 36-hole challenging disc golf course. Available also is mountain biking, and nearby are several golf courses, as challenging as they are picturesque. For those who prefer a luxury condominium, One Snowmass offers residences with massive windows offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, plaza, and down-valley. And for intrepid adventurers, one of the most fun ways to see the foliage is with an offroad Can-Am tour through White River National Forest with Uncharted Society. This tour is a great way for first-timers to try out off-road ATVs with expert local guides in the stunning Colorado Rockies.

After months and months of Covid isolation and Zoom meetings, you deserve a getaway during the most beautiful season of the year. So go online or pick up the phone to book your spot and watch the leaves change into brilliant hues of eye-popping colors this autumn. And to make sure you know when the vibrant colors of fall will peak in each destination in America, use this Fall Foliage Prediction Map.