5 Places to see the fall foliage

You don’t have to travel far to see the seasons change and to experience the phenomenal fall foliage up close and personal. Exploring some of the best changes to the season is easy (and fairly cheap!) and a great way to see some of the natural beauty of the US. 

1. Aspen, Colorado
Why not go to a town that is actually named after a tree? You know it’ll give you exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to the leaves changing color. Aspen leaves turn yellow and when the light hits them just right, it leaves a golden hue across the city making it the picture-perfect place to experience. 

2. Green Mountain Byway, Vermont
All of the trees that line this winding route create one of the most beautiful and iconic sceneries you will see in your life. The maple, birch, and beech trees turn a variety of shades of red, orange, and yellow and you will be left speechless—or saying ‘holy cow’ over and over and over again.

3. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
Not only is this one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, the trees changing colors for the season is one of the most spectacular sights here. The park has over 100 species of native trees that turn all sorts of colors like gold, orange, crimson and even purple.

4. Upper Peninsula, Michigan
If you didn’t know, Michigan’s forest system is the largest in the eastern US with almost four million acres (yup!). Head to any of the incredible forested state parks and you will see some spectacular trees around the three Great Lakes. We’d suggest bringing a coat too, it does get a bit chillier around this time of year up there!

5. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
The lake isn’t just fun in the summertime. Experience some of the most beautiful landscape and colors surrounding the Ozark Hills while bundled up on a boat around the lake. The scarlet, mahogany and golden hues of the leaves turning is jaw-dropping.