Top 10 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in America

1

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Best for: Beach lovers and wildlife enthusiasts

The Outer Banks area is famous for shipwrecks, wildlife (it's one of the few places where you can still spot wild horses roaming freely in North America), and long stretches of sand that invite lazy summer days. This picturesque barrier archipelago off the coast of North Carolina is also a great fall getaway. Autumn ushers in a patchy patch of color. Not-so-crowded beaches and great fishing are also on the list of off-season selling points of the Outer Banks Road excursion.

Highlights

You can take a horseback riding excursion on Hatteras Beach.

The trails at Currituck Banks National Estuary Preserve take visitors into marine forests and wetland areas.

2

Niagara Falls, New York

Best for: Families with children

Niagara Falls is a top spot to witness Mother Nature perform her magic. This family destination in New York State has vibrant forests, fast-flowing waterfalls, and unique vantage points (such as Goat Island and the Rainbow Bridge) to delight your eyes at the fall foliage. Due to its special microclimate characteristics, the tree changes leaves later than the rest of the region, making visits in mid to late October an important time. 

High Light:

The Cave of the Winds, a tour that takes you up close to the falls, is a top-rated attraction for good reason. (Just remember to bring a hooded raincoat.)

Board the Maid of the Mist for an up-close look at Horseshoe Falls.

3

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Best for: Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts

Yellowstone National Park is beautiful all year round. With that said, photographers and nature lovers alike claim that this is one of the many national parks that look more prominent in autumn. And there is plenty of visual evidence to substantiate that claim. When autumn comes, the mountains are covered with a strip of colors, diminishing crowds and abundant wildlife.

High Light:

Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most exciting attractions on the planet.

If you're lucky, you might see a male elk.

4

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

One of the most iconic and photographed tourist attractions in the Americas, Grand Canyon National Park is the definition of a bucket list destination. Activities like helicopter rides or train rides show the canyon in all its glory and are fun for the whole family. What is the best time to go? For our money, it should be in the fall—specifically, in late September to early October, when the leaves turn a color resembling layered strips of red stone. Mild temperatures and fewer crowds are just an added bonus.

High Light:

A helicopter ride offers an unforgettable perspective and truly shows the colossality of the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon Railroad departs from the historic train depot in the town of Williams and runs along a scenic route to the Grand Canyon's South Rim—one of the best train tracks in America.

5

Whitefish, Montana

Best for: Nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts

Big Sky Country is undeniably charming. And Whitefish—the gateway to Glacier National Park—certainly fits that category. Now it's time to take a trip on Montana roads; The "secret season" brings clear blue skies, sunshine and captivating colors. Aspen trees and tamarack trees turn golden yellow in early October. Whether you enjoy hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, or cycling, active activities will be indispensable. Craving some R&R? Book a therapeutic massage or a restorative yoga class.

High Light:

Glacier National Park is the last outdoor playground.

Whitefish Mountain Resort Bike Park consists of more than 20 miles of trails.