Plan Now for a Fall Foliage Trip

Autumn is on its way, and the beautiful fall colors will be here before we know it. So now is the time to plan your family travels to see the brilliant foliage covering the northern and mountain regions in late September and October.

The first thing, of course, is choosing from the many places famous for foliage. The mountains and scenic valleys of New Hampshire and Vermont are high on everyone’s list, but they are not the only places to consider.

The mountains of western Maryland and West Virginia are also spectacular in the fall, and Brown County, Indiana, is known for its color. Although they don’t have the reds and oranges of maple leaves, the mountainsides of Utah and Colorado are gold with aspens in the fall.

Once you’ve decided where to go, it’s important to reserve lodging as soon as you can. In prime foliage-viewing areas, travelers reserve for the following year when they check out, retuning year after year to the same hotel or inn. Especially if traveling with a family and needing a suite or larger room, reserve as soon as possible.

August is also not too early to reserve places on foliage cruises and train trips. Space is limited, especially on train excursions, and you don’t want to be disappointed when you get there. If you’re hoping to take a dinner cruise on MV Mount Washington on New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee, or the Spirit of Ethan Allen on Vermont’s Lake Champlain, for example, you may find weekend dates already booked if you wait until September.

Another reason for planning your foliage trip in August: Thinking about sightseeing in the brisk autumn weather is refreshing on a hot summer day!