Peak fall foliage 2024 will be here before you know it! Fall is the best time to plan a vacation to the Midwest or Eastern United States. Plan your fall foliage 2024 road trip using the locations below, and add Halloween festivals, apple cider stops, and cozy cabin stays to your trip for the perfect vacation this year!
Mackinac Island, MI: Mackinac Island is one of Michigan's most visited destinations in the summer and fall. Ride bikes around the car-free island, take a horse-drawn carriage ride, and eat fudge while admiring all the fall colors!
Manistee River Trail, MI: If you're looking for a more adventurous vacation, consider backpacking the Manistee River Trail in Michigan! It's 20 miles long and perfect for a beginner backpacking experience. Experience some of the most beautiful forest Michigan has during peak fall foliage 2024!
Bloomington, IN: If you've never visited Bloomington, Indiana, Fall is the perfect time for your first visit! Walk around historic Indiana University, try to pick between the dozens of restaurants in town, and plan a hike at Hoosier National Forest!
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Red River Gorge, KY: Red River Gorge is an adventurer's dream destination. There's limitless hiking, camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, and kayaking in this area of Kentucky. This forest is even more beautiful in the fall and will be the perfect place for a fall camping trip or cabin stay during peak fall foliage 2024.
Harper's Ferry, WV: Harper's Ferry is a small, historic town in West Virginia along the Appalachian Trail, and is considered one of the most beautiful stops along the entire AT. Enjoy the Harper's Ferry fall festival, historic tours, and historic shops during your stay!
Great Smoky Mountains, TN: Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular and most accessible national parks in the US. Plan your stay during mid to late October to see the mountain range lit up in yellow, orange, and red! There are dozens of things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge during your stay.
Boston, MA: Although Boston is one of the largest cities in the US, it's a very walkable and historic city with lots of fall foliage! Visit historic cemeteries, go on a haunted ghost tour, or go on a Fall Foliage 2024 Cruise! Boston is beautiful and chic vacation destination with tons of walking tours, restaurants, and shopping.
Stars Hollow, CT: If you're a Gilmore Girls fan, Stars Hollow is the dream Fall vacation destination! Stars Hollow is a real town in Connecticut, voted one of the best historic destinations in the state. See the town decked out in Fall decorations during the month of October!
Manchester, VT: Manchester, Vermont is a popular fall destination with historic inns, farms, shops, and fishing spots. The Green Mountains in Vermont have some of the most beautiful vistas, and will be the perfect spot to stay at an inn or a cabin for fall foliage 2024!
Hocking Hills, OH: Hocking Hills, OH is home to some of the most beautiful forests, caves, and ravines in the central Midwest. Hocking Hills is a hiker's dream. The area is also known for its treehouse cabins, which will be even more magical during peak fall foliage 2024.
If you're planning a fall foliage trip, check out these state parks to visit: 5 Best Minnesota North Shore State Parks You Need to Visit This Summer - Elevated Travel (ashlynelevatedtravel.com)
Acadia National Park, ME: Acadia National Park has over 50,000 acres of forest that will have peak fall foliage in mid-October. While visiting Acadia, you can also enjoy whale watching tours, scenic drives, and historic inns and shops in Bar Harbor.
Bucks County, PA: Bucks County, Pennsylvania is a beautiful section of southeastern PA that borders New Jersey and the Delaware River. Visit Bucks County for the Bucks County Wine Trail, Revolutionary War history, and luxury B&Bs and historic inns. Peak fall foliage 2024 will be during the last two weeks of October!
French Lick, IN: French Lick West Baden is a resort nestled in Hoosier National Forest in Southern Indiana. When you're not hiking or admiring the fall foliage, enjoy 3 golf courses, 2 spas, and a Vegas-style casino! If you're not interested in golf, consider taking a Fall Foliage Wine Cruise during your stay at French Lick.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI: The entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan could be considered a fall foliage 2024 destination. The crown jewel of the UP is the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore that borders Lake Superior. Visit northern Michigan in early and mid October to see the best fall foliage!
North Shore, Minnesota: The "north shore" of Minnesota is the section of Minnesota between Duluth and the Canada border. In this remote, densely forested area of the state are some of the most beautiful forests in the entire county. Explore Minnesota through a lighthouse tour, dozens of micro-breweries, and historic inns.
Poughkeepsie, NY: Poughkeepsie is a small town in upstate New York at the base of the Catskill Mountains. Explore the historic town and hike the Catskills for some of the most beautiful fall foliage in New England!
Salem, MA: Salem is understandably one of the most popular Halloween destinations. Regular fall festivals pale in comparison to Salem's Halloween fest. Reserve your lodging and tickets during the summer to guarantee your spot in Halloween central!
The Poconos, PA: The Poconos Mountains feature beautiful fall foliage every year. Drive down scenic U.S. Route 6 to see stunning fall foliage in 2024 and consider staying in historic small towns like Milford or Hawley. Plan your visit around the Hawley Harvest festival!
New York City, NY: While it's easy to assume that upstate New York has the best fall foliage, don't forget that Fall is the perfect time to plan your vacation in NYC. Explore everything the city has to offer in between the sweltering summer heat and the gray slush of winter. Explore the city, Central Park, and museums during peak fall foliage 2024!
The Ozarks, Arkansas: The Ozark Mountains are the perfect place to vacation if you want to disconnect and get away from it all. Camp or rent a cabin in late October to see peak fall foliage here. Visit the small town of Ponca near Buffalo National River Area to see some of the best fall foliage in the Ozarks!
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