Come late September, when the heat of summer draws to a close, and the air turns crisp and cool, the outdoors can still be quite an inviting place!  Taking advantage of the fantastic shows of color from the fall foliage all over the United States is an ideal reason to take a quiet and relaxation vacation, or go for a weekend getaway to regroup.

The most ideal times to view fall foliage will vary from region to region, but there is generally a vast array of reds, golds, and oranges to be viewed from late September through early November.  In every corner of the country (except for tropical Florida), dramatic shows of color paint the landscapes, creating vivid portraits for the world to enjoy.  Hopefully this guide will inspire you to venture out in the autumn air, and visit some of the most beautiful fall foliage spots that the United States has to offer!

The east coast of the United States is renowned for its picturesque fall foliage displays.  In states like North Carolina, especially the Asheville area, you can see bright and vivid colors starting early in the fall.  The southern Appalachians are gorgeous, as are the Great Smoky Mountain areas.

Farther inland, other southern states also feature impressive displays of color in the autumn months.  Around the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia, the sights are particularly beautiful.  And Alabama, which might be a surprising place to view fall foliage, there are a myriad of places to see the colors.  At Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, there are beautiful views at Peavine Overlook and Peavine Falls.  At Bankhead National Forest, you can take a fall foliage cruise on the Free State Lady riverboat.  And at Monte Sano State Park near Huntsville, you can either take a scenic drive down US 72 or view the foliage at the Warpath Ridge Trail.

New England and the northeast have always been a premier spot to visit in the fall, and the shows are especially spectacular in the mid to late fall months.  In Connecticut, there are several viewing spots and scenic drives to take, including Macedonia Brook State Park, where you can visit scenic overlooks at Cobble Mountain.  At Mohawk State Park in Cornwall, there are brilliant views of the Berkshires, the Catskills, and the Taconic Mountains.  Some of the scenic drives through Connecticut include the Connecticut Heritage Loop in the southeast, the Traditional Northeast Loop in the northwestern part of the state, and the Yankee Roots Loop in the northeast.

In Vermont, the scenic drives are the most popular way to enjoy the colorful foliage.  Try the Mount Snow Area drive; or take a driving tour of the Connecticut River Valley, the Rutland County Route, and pretty much all of western Vermont, which includes the city of Burlington.  The remainder of the northeast and New England, including Massachusetts, Maine, and upstate New York all have gorgeous fall foliage as well!

In the western United Sates, the fall foliage is not any less spectacular to see, and they are incorporated into some pretty spectacular backdrops!  In California, the foliage at Yosemite National Park, in Napa Valley, and the eastern Sierras is vivid and varied, and quite beautiful.  And the other western states, like Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Idaho have the benefit of the Rocky Mountains being incorporated into their colorful fall landscapes! 

The Pacific Northwest might not immediately bring to mind the vibrant colors of fall, but the Hood River Valley in Oregon will change your mind in a minute!  The Cascades of Washington explode with color this time of year, in a region that is better known for grays than reds.  Take scenic drives along Highways 2 and 20 through the Cascade Mountains for the real show.  Stop along the way to hike, and visit the charming mountainside towns.

Taking a trip to view the explosive colors of fall will give you the chance to see different sides to some of the most beautiful regions of the country.  In addition, you can explore, hike, fish, and picnic along the way.  Take the time to visit the little towns on your route, and return each evening during your trip to a warm and comfortable vacation rental.  Viewing the colors of fall is an experience that should be had by everyone!