The Valley may not be much for nature’s fall colors, but Mother Nature is putting on a show elsewhere around the country. Some of these spots are still perfect for this year, while others are past their peak but perfect for next year’s planning. Here are some prime locales—and places to stay—for viewing stunning foliage.
COLORADO
Denver offers one of the longest periods of fall colors of any city in the country, as the glowing gold leaves of the aspen tree make for stunning fall foliage. A stay at The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa—known as “the Grand Dame of Denver”—is a perfect home base. The iconic Mile High City landmark is centrally located in the heart of downtown. BrownPalace.com
At 9,600 feet above sea level, the charming and historic town of Breckenridge is a perfect place to put on your radar for next year—photographers from all over the world travel to the area in the autumn to capture the colorful foliage of the aspen trees set against the majestic backdrop of the towering peaks. GoBreck.com
MASSACHUSETTS
The Berkshires is a popular destination for summer travel, but for those in the know, it’s a beautiful place to visit for New England’s picturesque fall foliage. You can also hike October Mountain, Bear Mountain Trail, or Mount Greylock (which is Massachusetts’ tallest mountain and offers breathtaking views overlooking five states). The area is also famous for its Route 7 proximity, a stretch of road that has been captured endlessly for many a fall photoshoot. Here, the hideaway Wheatleigh Hotel, the smallest of the Leading Hotels of the World, is the perfect place to view the seasons change in a glamorous setting. Wheatleigh.com
MONTANA
Mother Nature shows off her true colors in the wilds of Montana. Fall brings a pageantry of gold, orange, and fiery reds, making for an out-of-the-box leaf-peeping destination. Enjoy acres of unspoiled wilderness and over 30 signature fall adventures in the heart of the Blackfoot Valley at The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough. Enjoy the property’s glamping season up until mid-October (dedicated camping butler included), or enjoy all the comforts and privacy of home in a luxury Wilderness Estate all season long. PawsUp.com
There’s also the adults-only The Green O, also in Greenough. Here, take in the Montana landscape from an elevated Tree Haus, glass-walled Light Haus, Round Haus, or a Green Haus with a living roof, all with floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed views of the Montana wilderness. There are also more than 100 miles of designated hiking, mountain biking, horse, and ATV trails. TheGreenO.com
NEW YORK
Bask in Upstate New York’s fall foliage at Our Habitas-on-Hudson. Located outside the charming village of Rhinebeck and a stone’s throw away from the Hudson River, this tranquil estate is nestled amid scented forests and rolling fields. There are cozy cabins and inviting communal spaces, perfect for sharing stories and laughter with fellow travelers. OurHabitas.com
OREGON
Once a fishing site for Indian tribes and legendary explorers Lewis and Clark, Cathedral Park in Portland still provides a tranquil refuge for visitors. Photographers flock to the park in fall to frame autumn leaves juxtaposed with the gothic spires of the St. Johns Bridge. Also, tucked in Washington Park, high in the West Hills, the Portland Japanese Garden is stunning in fall, showcasing fiery-hued Japanese maples woven among a curtain of native evergreens. TravelPortland.com
TENNESSEE
As the only resort that resides within the borders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park in Gatlinburg is a perfect place to get an up-close and personal view of the dazzling fall colors mingling with the fog plumes of the Smokies. During the day, there are a plethora of hiking trails within the resort and beyond if you long to hear the crunch of fallen leaves beneath your feet. WestgateResorts.com
VIRGINIA
Experience the splendor of fall foliage in Western Virginia at Peaks of Otter Lodge in Bedford. This charming property, nestled in the Appalachian woods, offers a range of accommodations, including main lodge rooms and private cabins overlooking Abbott Lake. Surrounded by the iconic "Peaks of Otter" mountains, you can easily access trails for mountain hikes. During autumn, the forested scenery around Peaks of Otter Lodge undergoes a breathtaking transformation, showcasing nature's vibrant color palette. For a convenient adventure, the property provides the Sharp Top Mountain Shuttle, which offers rides to the 4,000-foot summit and sweeping views of the Peaks of Otter landscape. PeaksOfOtter.com
VERMONT
The beauty of fall in Vermont is the ultimate bucket list item for sightseeing and outdoor adventures. With forests covering the surrounding Green Mountains and a high percentage of vibrant maple trees, The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in Manchester Village is the perfect getaway to experience the explosion of color once the leaves start to turn. EquinoxResort.com
