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Best Cities to See Fall Foliage

These four American cities deliver the most stunning scenes of autumnal color

As the summer heat fades and the days get shorter, our minds turn to thoughts of fall. Cue the cozy sweaters, crisp evenings, pumpkin spices, and spooky movies.

For many of us, it’s also time to plan our final outdoor excursions before settling into a long hibernation. That’s right — it’s leaf-peeping season once again.

We think these four towns are ideal for traveling to see the fall colors. Not only do they offer scenic hikes in the vibrant wilderness, but other attractions and luxurious amenities to relax after a day on the trails.

Global Air Charters is ready to reserve your airframe to any of these picturesque destinations this autumn. Call our flight coordinators today to start planning your perfect fall getaway.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gatlinburg is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most popular national park in the country. The yellow birches and pin cherries at the park’s highest elevations will start turning in early-to mid-October. Drive along Clingmans Dome Road or Blue Ridge Parkway to see them up close. The Alum Cave Trail offers great views.

The rest of the park will experience peak color from mid-October to early November. The sugar maples, scarlet oaks, and sweetgum trees will erupt in a riotous display of reds and yellows. You can wake up to stunning mountain views with a suite at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek.

Several of Gatlinburg’s main attractions offer sweeping views of the foliage. Anakeesta Mountaintop Park has ziplines, chairlifts, and lookout towers with panoramic views of the Smokies. The Ober Mountain Aerial Tramway covers 2.1 miles from downtown, climbing nearly 1,500 feet to the skiing area.

Suggested Arrival: Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport (KGKT)

Lake Placid, New York

Nestled deep in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, Lake Placid is a dream destination in autumn. It’s a great alternative to the more popular fall destinations in nearby Vermont, offering all the colors with less of a crowd. The trees will start turning in late September and reach their peak by mid-October.

The 2024 Flaming Leaves Festival takes place October 12-13 at the Olympic Jumping Complex. Enjoy live music, food and beer vendors, and watch the USA Nordic National Championship ski jumping competition.

Whiteface Mountain offers the best hiking trails in the area. On the other side of Lake Placid, you’ll relax at Whiteface Lodge. This upscale Adirondack resort offers spa treatments, fine dining, and towering granite stone fireplaces for unwinding with a nightcap.

Suggested Arrival: Adirondack Regional Airport (KSLK)

Jackson, Wyoming

The peak of fall colors in the Teton Range of Wyoming typically comes about early to mid-October. This is perhaps the best time to visit Jackson. It’s the shoulder season after the summer crowds visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks have already departed.

Grab your camera and drive to the famous Oxbow Bend. The morning light over the tranquil Snake River in front of Mount Moran is stunning in the fall color. On the way back to Jackson, the hiking loops at Taggart Lake offer ideal views of the Tetons.

Suggested Arrival: Jackson Hole Airport (KJAC)

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth is a charming Bavarian-style village high in the Cascade Mountains. Autumn is the best time to visit. The produce stands are overflowing with tree-ripened fruit. The local wineries have completed their harvest. And its 2,500 miles of recreational trails are at their most scenic.

Lake Wenatchee is a perfect spot for hiking and horseback riding in the fall foliage. Tumwater Canyon has trails that run along the whitewater rapids. Hiking in Spider Meadows, you’d swear you were in the Swiss Alps.

Afterward, head back to town for schnitzel and a few local lagers. It’s an ideal European escape only a few hours from Seattle.

Suggested Arrival: Pangborn Memorial Airport (KEAT)