It is huge deal for so many businesses and why you should call as early as possible to get the best deals on the Bed and Breakfast’s through the Fall Foliage areas.  Throughout the Northeast, these place abound in road that take your straight through the rich beauty of leaves changing at their best.  New York is one state that has a great number of wonderful B&Bs that cater almost exclusively to the changing of the leaves.

Places like Mt Arab and Tupper Lake are already reporting changes and practically full Bed and Breakfasts.  But don’t despair.  We found that by calling them, sometimes you can find a stray cancellation or two and make this year a fantastic one for viewing the leaves.  And since things book up pretty quickly in these parts, it just makes sense that if you like to see the leaves, and love to have a cozy cabin to call home base, you need to reserve now in order to get the best, or one at all.

In the Lake Placid area of New York, the leaves are changing slower, if at all.  Reports right now are of less than 20 percent.  In Franklin County there’s about a 20 percent change.  Around the Belleayre Mountain and Saugertie region in Ulster County, there is more change.  I suppose that’s because of the elevation and the temperatures at night.  In Delaware and Greene Counties it’s a tad less.

Speaking of Fall, the Alleghenies, especially around the Altoona area is just wild with color.  They have a Visitors Bureau that keeps us updated and tell us that each year visitors call them asking for the latest tips.  There is a self-guided tour called the Fall Foliage Mystery Tour that is popular and starts in October.  Even with the unseasonably cold Summer, they are seeing some nice changes coming about in the Pennsylvania area.  The folks at Penn State University Park said to pray for dry weather for the next two weeks for some really spectacular colors.

Fall colors come from shorter days and cooler temperatures.  Trees produce chlorophyll – that stuff that keeps the leaves green.  Then when they start slowing because of shorter days of sunlight, well, the leaves get more and more colorful, losing their green.

What is cool is you can make the trip to the Altoona area from Washington D.C., Baltimore and Pittsburg on a tank of gas.  Pretty nice when there are so many choices close by.  What’s more is that the foliage in the area lasts extremely long.  Starting with the sassafras, then into the sugar maples, and then finally the oaks.  Nature puts on a show and this year, most everyone is ready.

Surrounded by the singular beauty of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has long been a mecca to artists, writers, and nature lovers. The stunning Art Deco buildings of its downtown, the Gilded Age elegance of the Biltmore Estate, the rich legacy of its Appalachian craft industry, and above all the timeless beauty of the area’s magnificent mountains and forests imbue the city with a proud architectural and cultural heritage that is steeped in history.

Rental cabins in the North Carolina mountains are perfect for enjoying the lush green forests, sparkling lakes, majestic mountains, and charming towns of this fabulous destination. The lovely mountains of North Carolina are a year-round vacation paradise with colorful spring wildflowers, mild summer temperatures, fabulous fall foliage, and snow-capped mountains in the wintertime.

There are few things more beautiful than the North Carolina Mountains during the fall with the leaves turning bright orange, yellow, and red. The vibrant colors serve as a beautiful backdrop to the imposing Biltmore Estate.

The Biltmore Estate consists of an immense mansion built by the Vanderbilt family in the late 1800s. It is the largest home that is privately owned in the United States and the descendants of the Vanderbilts still own the home. It is amazingly large at 175,000 square feet. The available tours of the home are simply incredible and it is unbelievable to tour the home and realize that more than 130 years ago architecture, design, and the like were so advanced.

The North Carolina mountains are great for family vacations. In the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, visitors can enjoy a wealth of activities, from hiking, fishing, and whitewater rafting to golfing, visiting historical sites, and shopping for arts and crafts. In the winter months, guests of cabin rentals in the North Carolina mountains will find plenty of winter sports such as downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and ice skating.

Fall is a fantastic time to spend out of doors, and each fall the Smokies are filled with folks wanting to take in nature’s color and beauty. The peak weeks in the color season will account for some of the highest visitation seen at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year, but you don’t have to rub elbows with all those people if you don’t want to. The park abounds with opportunities for fall color viewing in quieter, less visited settings.

The best piece of advice I can offer you is to avoid the major roads in the park during the peak of the fall color season. This would include Cades Cove and Little River Road, as well as Newfound Gap Road (Highway 441) from Gatlinburg to Cherokee. The majority of fall color spectators will use these routes, and you will no doubt find yourself stuck in long lines of slow moving traffic – hardly a relaxing experience. If you want to view the fall color from your car window, choose less visited areas of the park for your drive. All of the following routes are visible on any map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Fall officially begins September 23 and, though it’s a little early to know for sure, foliage should put on quite a show this year. Though it has been dry lately, usually a negative when it comes to fall color, the next few weeks will determine just how much fall color we will have.

We need bright sunny days and cool nights–without too much frost or freezing temperatures–to trap the sugars in the leaves, which give us the best reds and most vibrant colors throughout the month of October. However, small pockets of color will remain into November–something to consider when deciding whether to fight the unbelievable crowds in certain areas of the Park.

The Asheville fall leaf color show featuring the colorful foliage of the North Carolina mountains attracts visitors from around the world. With the 5,000-foot elevation change within 50 miles of Asheville, our lush Blue Ridge Mountain range puts on one of the longest-running leaf color displays in the country. Another reason for an autumn visit: the many events and art festivals that abound during October, including LEAF. After enjoying nature’s grand show, head to downtown Asheville to enjoy the many local restaurants and shops.

North Carolina has over 120 species of trees, most of which are presented in the mountains. These trees provide brilliant colors each fall season. Different color pigments are present in all leaves: xanthophylls and carotenoids (yellow), anthocyanins (red), and chlorophyll (green). The yellow and red colors are usually hidden by the darker green color during the spring and summer months. But after the summer solstice in June, the trees are alerted that the days are getting shorter. This curtails the ability of the leaves to need and use sunlight and chlorophyll. As the covering of chlorophyll is reduced, the other pigments can eventually show themselves. This conglomeration of reds, yellows and greens give the leaves their purple, brown, and orange hues.

The 6-million acre Adirondack Park and Forest Preserve, which covers over one-third of the total land area of New York State, encompasses a diverse terrain of mountains, valleys, forests, lakes, rivers, and towns. It is the largest park in the continental United States, bordered on the east by Lake Champlain and Lake George, separating the Adirondacks from the Green Mountains in Vermont. Bordered to the south by the Mohawk Valley, to the west by the Tug Hill Plateau, and to the north by the St. Lawrence River, hundreds of species of shrubs, herbs, and flowers grow freely in the spectacular region.

Estimating “the peak” is a daunting prospect since the whole season in any given area only lasts about three weeks. When the leaves will change is purely speculation and prediction and it’s about as reliable as predicting how much snow we will have for Christmas.

The “middle” of Foliage Season is roughly around the first week of October. In the northern part of the High Peaks one could comfortably say “peak” will be then, although there may be splendid colors in late September and even through the end of October in the lower elevations and along Lake Champlain.

Museums around the Adirondacks outline its fascinating history of logging, farming, mining, and tourism and how each has shaped the area. Several towns were established in order to tap into the timber and iron ore resources, while in the central Adirondacks, pioneers created the first settlements by clearing huge areas of land for farming. Winter is a good season to venture to the Adirondack Mountains, when nearly every winter sport is at your fingertips. Warmer seasons mean access to 2,000 miles of marked trails in the Adirondacks, as well as a chance to splash around in the numerous bodies of water within the park.

Centered amidst the northern beauty of the Adirondack region, Lake Placid is a solid choice as host for the Ironman Lake Placid Triathlon. The Lake Placid course presents challenging sections on both the bike and run courses that gave last year’s nearly 2,000 competitors a workout to remember. Famous champions include Thomas Hellriegel, Heather Fuhr, Melissa Spooner, Steve Larsen, and Cameron Widoff.

Featuring magnificent views with direct access to over six million acres of the natural splendor and recreations of the Adirondacks, the High Peaks region is the place to start for a uniquely fun and memorable vacation. Not only will you be able to take in all of the beauty and charm the Adirondacks has to offer, but you will also be guaranteed activities that are sure to please your entire group.

The Whiteface Lodge, located in a beautiful woodland setting in the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Mountains on Lake Placid, is offering a couple of different lodging specials for the romantically inclined, and you don’t have to be on a honeymoon to enjoy them. Both packages are available through Dec. 17.

The Romance-Honeymoon Package, which starts at $473 per night midweek and requires a three-night stay, includes a bottle of champagne upon arrival, daily breakfast buffet, a French Lavender Sea Bath (for two), and one Couples Massage. Guests also receive an Essence of Vali Soothing Sleep Mist. The same package – a two-night stay – is available on weekends, Friday and Saturday nights, for $523 per night.

The Adirondack forests are filled with hundreds of pristine lakes and ponds, endless miles of rivers and streams just waiting to be explored. Known for our picturesque hiking and walking trails, abundant boating and paddling opportunities, premier fly and bass fishing, and world-class golf you will be embraced with true Adirondack hospitality.

Popularity of the Adirondacks as a destination soared in the late 1800s when the nation’s most wealthy and influential citizens built their great camps in the region. The social elite would “vacate” the stifling summer heat of Northeast cities for the cool Adirondack air.

The rich history of figure skating in Lake Placid can be traced back nearly a century. From the Lake Placid inception of U.S. Figure Skating in 1921 to the Smucker’s Stars on Ice opening their 20th season in the 1980 Arena for the 13th consecutive year, the legendary skating in Lake Placid has spanned the years and stood the test of time.

Most of us remember Lake Placid as home of the Winter Olympics in 1980. But Lake Placid has been a popular vacation destination in both summer and winter for decades. But this far north, they get more than their fairshare of cold winter weather, even without the extreme altitudes. You can boat on the lakes (no motor boats) during the warm summer months, ski and ice skate in the winter, enjoy fall colors in Autumn – it’s a great place to get away from it all.

This grassy roof and those goats have drawn tourists and locals alike. Read about Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant’s over 58 years of rich history in this town and county! We sincerely hope you have enjoyed your Door County fall color tour with us. We will be updating the color report when we feel there is a need. A 5-mile-long driving tour at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge provides wildlife lovers with a wonderful opportunity to see a variety of animals, including bald eagles.

For example, all have similar population concentrations that fluctuate based on international tourism. Door County is on a peninsula and Aspen is in a valley. Anderson Dock, where tourists in the 1890’s disembarked from Lake Michigan steamers, now is home to the Hardy Gallery. Area artists and special events make the Hardy a must-see on vacation itineraries.

Guests spend their days exploring the miles of cross-country ski trails in Peninsula State Park, ice skating, snow shoeing or taking a sleigh ride from the front door of the White Gull. Kurtz Corral matches rider experience with horses and provides beautiful trails through meadows and woods. Warm up after your ride with lunch at Door County Coffee, the aroma of coffee roasting makes it hard to inhale deeply enough.

This is the perfect time to see the beautiful colors of Door County. Stop at the Fish Creek Market for picnic makings then hike the park, it is stunning any time of year but the crunch of fall leaves underfoot and the brilliant foliage overhead are exhilarating. Climb the tower for a spectacular view over the bay. For those who like fishing on hard water, the frozen waters of Green Bay offer great ice fishing opportunities as shanty villages sprout in the harbors. For tips on how and where they’re biting, call the Fishing Hotline at (920) 743-7046. Fish and Wildlife Service monitor the harvest of migratory bird species by randomly selecting a sample of HIP registered hunters and asking them to participate in a harvest survey. Those selected will be asked to record daily hunting and harvest information in a small diary provided to them.

Just when peak tourism season is ending everywhere else, we get a real boom from all those savvy travelers who have been able to admit to themselves that Virginia really does have the best autumn around. Why it Happens: As autumn approaches, a variety of factors cause changes in leaf pigment production. Green gives way to the varied hues, already in the leaves, which are seen during foliage season.

No two autumn leaves are the same. Similarly, everyone who loves fall (whether they call themselves a leaf-peeper or not) has their own way of appreciating the most colorful of seasons. Numerous other parks also have great fall views, and in Texas, autumn represents some of the best weather of the year. So no matter where you are in Texas, some beautiful scenery awaits in a state park near you. Macs, Cortlands, Delicious, Golden Delicious, Macouns, Greenings are the varieties that do best year in and year out in our Vermont autumn growi ng season. And beginning late September and into October, there are apple events ands apple fall festivals all over the state, culminating in Dummerston’s Apple Days, which usually coincides with Columbus Day weekend.

Dogwood leaves on the ground offer a change to capture some very unique colors for your texture stock. And at the same time the leaves turn red, so do the dogwood berries. Some visitors like to stay in the central part of the state for 3 or 4 days and go on day trips around the state finding the best color at the time. Different species of trees have different-colored leaves. Sugar maples and American beech trees usually have yellow and orange leaves, for example, while dogwoods, sumacs and maples have red leaves.

It’s difficult to view the scenery with your eyes stuck on the flat-gray surface of the road. So let someone else do the driving for you on your fall foliage tour. A high-clearance vehicle is not necessary, but the road is steep and has washboard surfaces in some spots. This road is closed during the winter, and is not advised during heavy storms. So find yourself exploring the stunning hues of a Vermont fall from our mountaintops, back roads, downtowns, waterways, and trails during midweek this fall.

Year in and year out, the last two weeks in October are usually the best time to view fall colors on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. However, due to the wide variations in elevation and the incredible diversity of tree species, it is not unusual for “leaf lookers” to start seeing the first hint of fall color in the the Southern Appalachians higher elevations ( above 5,000 feet) in late September and early October.

In October, as nighttime temperatures drop and light frosts occur, fall color usually starts showing up on exposed ridgelines and works its way down to the mountain valleys by the end of October. Good color can often linger in the valleys and protected south facing slopes well into November.

Instead of hiking or driving through the fall foliage, how about taking a boat and grabbing a pole to see Lake Champlain’s Fall Foliage. Lake Champlain is every water lover’s dream come true. The spectacular foliage, gentle breezes and comfortable temperatures make it hard to resist sailing, boating or windsurfing these waters. As deep as 400 feet in some places and home to over 60 species of fish, including bass and salmon, anglers cast their lines year-round into one of North America’s greatest fishing locations. And then there are the historic lighthouses, the uncrowded beaches, the lakeside restaurants, and the historic communities hugging its shoreline. You can’t miss with a fall foliage trip in upstate New York.

The place place to see North Carolina and Tennessee Fall Foliage is in the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a ridge upon ridge of endless forest that straddle the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Its one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern United States. World and renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, and the depth and integrity of its wilderness sanctuary. Each year, the park attracts over nine million visitors.. Once a part of the Cherokee homeland, the Smokies today are a hiker’s paradise with over 800 miles of trails.

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!

This kaleidoscope of colors then cascades in a southerly direction as the the days and weeks progress, with visible changes as far south as Georgia. We can honestly say that there is no place on earth with as much variety of fishing opportunities in freshwater fishing. With literally hundreds of lakes of all sizes, and miles and miles of trout streams, plus the fishing in the Wisconsin River, you could fish every day of the open water season and never hit the same water twice.

Marie, Ontario reports color change at about 10% and expects full color by the end of the month. In Wisconsin, this information is provided by the Division of Tourism at (800) 432-8747 and on the Web at www.travelwisconsin.com/search/FallColorReport.html . A detailed report can be found on the Web at www.fs.fed.us/news/fallcolors/ .

But though the setting is rural make a reservation, especially on weekends. Anderson’s has a well-earned reputation for quality. The trees in Madison have been turning for the past two weeks. Being Madison, however, we possess a diverse and liberal-minded collection of free-thinking trees, so they’re all turning individually, independently, paying heed to no larger agendas except for their own biological urges. If you call 800-354-4595, you can get a weekly fall color update from the U.S. Forest Service — keep in mind this is a national number so you’ll have to fight your way through a phone tree (pun intended) to get state- or region-specific information.

The city is the second oldest community in the State of Wisconsin. Its rich heritage and traditions are a delight to visitors and local residents alike. This Landsat-7 satellite image shows the area around the communities of Minocqua and Woodruff in north-central Wisconsin. A mixture of different forest types are present in the area; deciduous species are visible in pale green, yellow, and orange, due to the colorful fall foliage at this early October date. Most weeping willows in the United States are male clones and thus produce no fruit. Despite the lack of sexual reproduction this plant has escaped cultivation.

This information was obtained from the West Virginia Division of Forestry and West Virginia State Parks makes no guarantee that visitors to these areas will see peak color at the predicted times. Please call your park of destination before your visit to confirm the best possible showing time for fall color. Cedar House Inn’s location provides guests with more than enough outdoor opportunities to experience northwestern Georgia. Chattahoochee National Forest is located just to the north while Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, and the start of the Appalachian Trail aren’t too far off either.

The site features three antebellum homes, four museums, and living-history demonstrations. It also includes slave quarters, a military encampment, fortifications and almost a mile of the original earthworks from the siege of Petersburg. Going by car gives you a greater appreciation for the vastness and wide array of parks, forests, cities, museums, beaches and cultures the United States has to offer. Its 235-acre historic district has one of the four still-operating Carnegie halls, live theater, preserved Civil War sites and North House Museum, where exhibitions shed light on the town’s first 200 years. For more information, go to lewis burg-wv.com.

We ride a few miles on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail and then cycle several miles through upstate New York farm country, before crossing the Taconic Mountains again on our return to Great Barrrington. This ride is about 40 miles with sustained climbs and descents at the beginning and end. Currently, there are no promotions listed that specifically target those interested in foliage. At that time, state Route 100, which runs up the center of the state, is packed with tourists, as are the towns of Manchester and Dover. For a more relaxed tour, head to the Northeast Kingdom in late September and drive along the small roads.

Virginia’s wineries are full of color for fall – burgundy, rose, and whites shine bright at nearly 140 wineries across the state. Take a new twist on color tours and combine fall foliage with wine travel in Virginia. In both cases, you will see some great fall colors from the comfort of your locally rented raft or kayak. Some visitors like to stay in the central part of the state for 3 or 4 days and go on day trips around the state finding the best color at the time.

The colors begin changing in the Ozark Mountains in early October and runs through the beginning of November, providing lots of great getaway opportunities. During the season, weekly updates on fall color are available here or by calling 1-800-CALL WVA. However, Acadia can compete in color palette with the best of mountain New England. Reds and golds backed by the bold blue Atlantic are scenes to remember.

The extremely dry & hot conditions throughout the summer are not exactly the right ingredients for a vibrant autumn season. The good news, though, is that the Great Smokey Mountains National Park consists of 100’s of species of deciduous trees in a variety of elevations. Here are some pictures of past autumn colors in the Smokey Mountains.

We used to make fall pilgrimages to a place called Cades Cove. Reds and purples come from anthocyanins, a pigment that is formed when sugars in leaves break down in bright autumn sunlight.

Try some of these suggested autumn drives and hikes to enjoy fall leaf colors in areas of the park that are a little less crowded. Autumn hikers have crisp, dry air to sharpen their senses and a varied palette of fall colors to enjoy.

During the first two weeks of October the leaves are at their peak colors above 4000 feet. The remaining weeks of October present the Smoky Mountains’ very best color. Cook trekked across North America to capture the alluring drama of fall foliage from the soaring scarlet of vine maples to the golden quivering aspen leaves.

On the North Carolina side of the Park and is a little harder to reach than popular spots like Cades Cove. If you are coming from the north and places like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, take Highway 321 north to Interstate 40, and then east towards Asheville. I drove home from Glacier National Park this summer (that’s about 27 hours from the west side of the park). The issue *is* cost of gas for said drive. There is a state park lodge (Mohican Lodge) that is in the middle of the park. Another place that people go to enjoy the beautiful scenery is Hocking Hills.

Though most of the trees surrounding the cabin were bare by mid-November, some of the properties around us and much of nearby Rutherfordton still offered breath-taking fall colors. Since the trees surrounding the cabin are now bare, we are enjoying the view of the Southern Appalachians from the serenity of the deck. By the end of the month the trees will have shaken off a majority of their leaves and a winter wonderland awaits you.