Fall was always my favorite season when I lived in Boston. The air is crisp and the landscape seems ablaze with shades of red and orange. But while New England is considered iconic for its autumnal foliage, there are many other parts of the country that get just as cozy—and perhaps not as crowded with leaf peepers.
In places from Michigan to California, the leaves turn from green to beautiful hues of yellow, crimson, and amber, and many destinations also mark the occasion with festive harvest celebrations alongside hiking trails that are perfect to explore as the weather cools.
Here are the best places outside of the New England I’ve experienced that shine bright in fall, offering canopies of colors, seasonal celebrations and food, and much more. Just know that timing fall foliage peaks can be unpredictable and these periods are often short-lived. Most take place between late September and mid-October, depending on weather, so time your visit then for the best luck.
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Snohomish County, Washington
Just an hour and a half outside of Seattle, Snohomish County offers easy access to the outdoor recreation and natural beauty that the Pacific Northwest is known for, though many outside its residents don’t realize it.
Snohomish County is the start of the 325-mile stretch of Highway 2, but you don’t need to do the entire route to appreciate the beauty of the scarlet dogwood and maple trees that start to turn in late September.
Snohomish County forms part of western section of Stevens Pass and is ideal for slow travel, dotted with charming small towns like Snohomish (nicknamed the antique capital of the Pacific Northwest) and Sultan, plus riverside parks, and trails to waterfalls.
Rest in an A-frame cabin in the woods at Index Cabins then grab coffee at the quirky, Bigfoot-themed Espresso Chalet, which was the filming location of “Harry & The Hendersons,” before picking your hike of the day.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
While well-known Colorado mountain towns like Telluride are certainly great for leaf peeping, you don’t have to venture far from Denver to savor rich fall colors.
Colorado Springs is located an hour south of Denver and is famous for being home to the Air Force Academy, the 14,115-foot high Pikes Peak, and sandstone formations at Garden of the Gods.
The vistas of Colorado Springs, which sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains, also makes for a stunning backdrop for foliage. Take, for example, the yellow colors of cottonwood trees against the towering red rocks at Garden of the Gods, or the golden aspen groves around Pancake Rocks.
If hiking is not your thing, hop on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which climbs almost 7,800 feet. From it, you’ll watch as the scenery changes from aspen forests to snow-capped granite.
Stay at Hotel Polaris, a mid-century modern hotel located right outside of the Air Force Academy.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Fall in Michigan is just as picturesque as New England, with equally stunning colors yet smaller crowds. And you don’t have to venture far from a major city to enjoy it.
As Michigan’s second-largest city, Grand Rapids is an underrated destination year-round, and it offers hiking trails flanked by colorful trees, the Frederik Meijer Gardens, which boasts the state’s largest chrysanthemum displays that bloom in the fall, and scenic drives past covered bridges and lakeside views.
Since Grand Rapids is the self-proclaimed apple capital of Michigan, there are also plenty of opportunities for autumnal activities like apple picking or drinking ciders. The city hosts a variety of events during the season, from ArtPrize to Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival.
Take advantage of the urban surroundings and stay at the historic Amway Grand Plaza in the heart of downtown for easy access to restaurants and museums in between scenic drives.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Oregon’s Willamette Valley is considered one of the best U.S. wine regions besides Napa and Sonoma, but this Pacific Northwest destination also puts on a stellar show each fall season. Not only do the trees along the area’s hiking trails show off vivid yellow and red colors, but so do the vineyards.
I recommend McMinnville as your base to explore the valley. It's home to locally-owned restaurants and boutique hotels like Atticus Hotel, where guests can get complimentary barista drinks 24/7.
Then, head to the eastern side of the valley to hike to the cascading Silver Falls, framed by yellow maple leaves. In between hikes, visit wineries like Antica Terra, which is where I enjoyed my favorite tasting experience in the area, largely due to the fact that it was paired with exceptional food.
The valley also celebrates the harvest season throughout October with farms setting up pumpkin patches, petting zoos, and corn mazes.
Big Bear Lake, California
Yes, there are seasons in California, even Southern California. Big Bear Lake is only about a 2-hour drive from sprawling Los Angeles, but at an altitude of over 6,700 feet above sea level, the mountain town is a locals’ favorite for leaf peeping.
Here, the aspens, cottonwoods, and maples typically start changing colors a bit later than other colder locales, in mid-October to early November.
There are quite a few different ways to admire the foliage around Big Bear, starting with an easy stroll around the village, which also happens to be the hub for shopping and dining.
Biking along Alpine Pedal Path offers another nice view of the trees against the namesake lake itself. And there are miles of hiking trails, from the easy, mile-long Towne Trail to the more strenuous Gray’s Peak Trail.
Cozy cabins and lodges are the way to go when staying in Big Bear, like the recently restored The Burgundy, and the annual Oktoberfest is family-friendly and great for the kids.
The Shortcut
Find the same shades of crimson, gold, and orange as New England in Michigan, plus classic fall activities like apple picking in the state's apple capital.
Colorado does fall a little differently with yellow cottonwoods against red sandstone, which is a combination New England can't give you.
Think the West Coast doesn't have seasons? Think again. Even warm places like California get fall color. Head to Big Bear for lakefront hues, or further north to Washington and Oregon for blankets of leafy color.
