Leaf peeping is the act of intentionally admiring spectacular fall foliage.
Living in the HOT middle of summertime Texas has me longing for cooler temperatures so I can walk outside without catching fire.
And I’d really like to wear the hand-knitted hat I just finished.
Maybe more importantly, planning trips is one of my favorite pastimes.
My Approach to a Leaf Peeping Plan
What’s your definition of the best fall foliage? I think it’s subjective. Because really, don’t we all have our own idea of what “best” will be?
I’ll start our search for this autumn by googling “best place to see fall foliage.”
Google being the wizard it is, presented me with Travel + Leisure‘s article, 21 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the United States. From Maine to Oregon, their twenty-one picks give a good variety of locations across the USA.
Seventeen of the places on their list are in America’s Northeast.
I’ve wanted to go to New England for a while now, partly because it includes 4 of the states I’ve yet to visit.
More importantly, I’ve heard it’s amazingly beautiful!
Looking at a Map
How you transport yourself to leaf peep may be the biggest determining factor for choosing your best locale.
Is there a place you’ve always wanted to go?
Will you be driving? Hiking? Both?
Are there time restraints? Or other activities you’ll be combining with your leaf peeping, like a wedding or a music festival?
Look at a map and see if there are any notable, leaf peeping spots nearby.
For this trip, my husband and I will be combining our getaway with visiting family and stopping by several churches in New York and Vermont that are of genealogical interest.
Looking at the Calendar
The step after narrowing down an area, is deciding the best time to go.
One thing all the leaf peeping articles have in common is a disclaimer that states best-time-to-go suggestions are suggestions. Results may vary.
I think we’ve all lived long enough to know Mother Nature does as she pleases. And let’s face it, this is as season sensitive it gets. And with our wild weather of late, just about anything can happen.
Committing to a trip like this, especially when it includes travel plans, is tough.
Who wants to spend time and money traveling to far-flung places only to find green leaves everywhere? Or to discover you need a rake to clear all the dead leaves from your path? Nobody.
For me, that’s why when I plan trips of any sort, I add “also fun” items to the itinerary.
Back to my example, in New England, the range for ideal autumnal foliage viewing is mid-September to the end of October.
However, check individual sites, like New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway. Hence, you’ll likely find a shorter window of time. This scenic byway’s historical peak times are the first two weeks in October.
A little deeper dive online reveals people, locals in many cases, who calculate how abundant the displays will be based on readings, such as temperatures and rain falls. Which may be the key to your finding the best fall foliage in 2024.
Finding Our Best Fall Foliage 2024
For leaf peeping in New England, my husband and I will first fly to New York City. After spending a day or two sightseeing, we will board an Amtrak train to Saratoga Springs. From there, we will rent a car and head east.
I’ll be posting details, as I hammer them out, along with our itinerary, on my website Texans Touring. No worries, you don’t have to be a Texan to pick up tips and deals!
Join me there, if you like.
Ciao for now!
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