WHERE TO SEE: There are plenty of places and roads in the Central Region to tour to view fall color. Some minor highways include Highway 19 south of New Florence to Bem; all of Highway 94 and 100; Highways 179, 240, 5, 7, 87, 17. For a more relaxed tour, head to the Northeast Kingdom in late September and drive along the small roads north. In the Adirondacks, Lake George is a popular resort town full of cheesy roadside attractions and waterfront fun. Folks who choose the Catskills for their fall foliage experience should stay at the funky Lazy Meadow Motel, which is run by the B52’s Kate Pierson near artsy Woodstock.
However, between now and peak, you can still enjoy good color along the roads, lakes and rivers in Missouri. Arkansas runs a few days behind Missouri in color turn. Route 43 east, off Route 7, is the lower road to Williamstown and passes through lovely farmland. Or view the foliage the old-fashioned way — from a railroad car.
It’s a two lane, curvey, hilly road, and there isn’t typically a lot of traffic on it. And you can always stop by any of several wineries that you will pass along the way (on the side of the road or in Augusta or Hermann). The farther up the valley you head the more interesting AR 8 becomes, winding around mountain bases and knobs, a great road for motorcycle cruising!
Step back in time as you tour this awesome display set in a recreated “Hometown America” – including a drive-in movie, fire station, barbershop, gas station, Cadillac dealership and more. Located off the Katy Trail and about a 15 minute drive from Columbia. Les Bourgeois offers fine dining in their bluff-top bistro overlooking the Missouri River, or for a more layed back atmosphere, the A-frame is a wonderful place to enjoy the fall foliage and a local vintage in a T-shirt and shorts.
Inviting you to drive along an autumn-colored byway, to while away an afternoon picking the perfect pumpkin, to lose yourself in a tall tale from long ago. Answer the call to family fun and relaxing autumn adventures. Colors, both bold and subtly shaded, flood the countryside. Those in search of the perfect fall drive will be rewarded by a bounty of colors and other fascinating sights.
One more tip – take a Missouri travel guide book. You can’t go wrong and you can pick these up almost anywhere or order them online. Drop us a line if you need help finding one or just need a recommendation on where to see the best leaves this year. And if you like the site and this article, let us know with your comments below. Thanks!
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