Best Places to view Fall colors

It's time to say bye-bye to summer and give a warm welcome to fall and upcoming winter. I know it's hard to say bye to summer, but with a cold breeze, fall brings a lot of colors into life. When I was in India I had seen the fall colors only on TV. I was feeling it's animation or computer graphics, but when I moved to the United States, I realized it's really true beauty that God created with colors.

Today I am going to share my 10 favorite places to see fall colors. So get ready to spend your fall weekends with your loved once by viewing lovely colors and hot coffee.

1. Door County, Wisconsin 

October 2nd and 3rd week is the best time to visit Door county to view fall colors. I would suggest to find out the dates for a fall festival in egg harbor, Door county and visit at that time. They have food, fun, music, and lovely stalls to explore.

2. Smoky mountain 

I feel the Smoky mountain national park is the place to visit in all season. It has great hiking trails, zip lines, and camping. You can experience cabin living also. But I like fall colors specially. In the smoky, leaves start changing colors from last week of September to the first week of November. According to elevation difference lower elevation tree leaves change colors first.

3. Aspen, Colorado 

Fall is one of the most spectacular times of the year in Aspen. The Peak foliage season is typically the 3rd & the 4th week of September. Aspen is located in the White River National Forest. 

Here are some of our favorite spots to enjoy scenic autumn in Aspen:
1. The iconic Maroon Bells are an ideal location to capture the splendor of fall leaves on camera.
2. Cathedral Lake, American Lake, Hunter Creek, and Crater Lake are all wonderful hikes to enjoy nature's show.
3. Scenic Driving Roads Maroon Creek Road, Castle Creek Road, and Independence Pass are all available for those that prefer to enjoy the golden Aspen's from the comfort of their car.

4. Shenandoah national park 

If you are living in or around Washington, DC and worried where to go for a breathtaking view of fall colors. Then don't worry 90 minutes from DC you will find a Shenandoah national park, which has amazing views and hiking, camping and many other fun activities. Best time to visit is late October. 

5. Columbia river gorge, Oregon 

Fall foliage in the Pacific Northwest ranges from vibrant red, orange and yellow to more muted russet tones; and glorious pockets of color hide here and there among robust evergreen forests. 

Indeed, the drive to our Columbia river gorge cabins can be a scenic event unto itself. The Historic Columbia River Highway, lovely any time of year, is glorious right now. Travelers from the Portland area, head east along the southern bank of the Columbia River, where there are numerous hikes to destinations such as Latourel Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Wahkeena Falls. Scenic overlooks are always worth the stop. Another good way to see the foliage along the Columbia River Gorge is to take a scenic cruise. Portland spirit river cruises offer afternoon scenic cruises and evening dinner cruises in an authentic sternwheeler. 

Then there is the fruit loop, a 35-mile scenic drive through farmland, orchards, and forests in the Hood River Valley. Apple and pear trees, lovely in spring, are colorful in the fall. Stop by u-pick farms for baskets of fresh fruit, fresh and hard apple cider, and pear wine. Various farms offer hayrides, pumpkin patches, and live music through the end of October and into early November.

6. Upper Peninsula, Michigan 

The Upper Peninsula is home to all but one of Michigan’s waterfalls. There are more than 300 falls scattered across the Upper Peninsula ranging in size from under 5 feet to 48+ foot vertical drops. Almost all require hiking to reach, but there are paths (several barrier-free) to some of the most popular. The best time to see them is in spring when even the smallest falls roar to life. But while you visit these falls in October you can see the leaves turning into yellow, orange and dark red color. That looks amazing. Pictured rocks national Lakeshore is also very famous to view fall colors as well.

7. Glacier national park, Montana 

In Fall visitors have to be more self-sufficient when they are in the park. Generally, the park is a lot quieter and wildlife is more active. On the west side of the park, the trees begin changing color mid-September, and on the east side, fall color appears more towards the end of September and beginning of October. The last color change is when the larch trees, mainly on the west side of the park, turns a gold color in mid October. Sometimes the best road for viewing the larches is on Hwy 2 around the southern boundary of the park.