Best destinations on the east coast to view foliage

As the days get shorter and the air gets crisper, the leaves start to turn to colors of red and gold. Every year Americans decide to take to the road to catch the best glimpses of color. Where are the best east coast destinations for viewing fall foliage? If you ask five people you will get five different answers. Here are just a few of my favorites.



Vermont

Vermont is the favorite choice of leaf peepers everywhere. Knowing this, accommodations need to be booked well in advance and if possible avoid the weekends and the most popular spots. Head to the areas that are quintessentially Vermont and off the beaten track.

Depending on how far north you want to go that can mean going to the delightful town of Wilmington in the south or up to Barnet in the north. You will want to also check on the availability of activities beyond leaf peeping in the area.

Fall festivals, church fairs, apple orchards, and cider mills are all favorite places to spend some quality time. To find out how the leaves are doing visit Vermont's tourism site and for up to the minute news on where the color is best in New England visit yankeefoliage.com

Pocono Mountains Pennsylvania

f you think that the Pocono's are just about honeymooners you need to rethink that attitude. The Delaware Water Gap offers great opportunities to see some bright colors in an already scenic location. The Water Gap circles through over forty miles of old growth trees and you can spend a day hiking in places like Bushkill where the hundred foot main falls have been attracting visitors for over 100 years.

Mid-October the Pocono's host the Shawnee Autumn Timber Festival at the Shawnee Mountain Ski area in Shawnee on Delaware, Penn. Check their website for more information.

Shenandoah Valley Virginia

Staunton Virginia is a favorite spot of leaf peepers who want to take part in their Fall Foliage Bike Festival. Enjoy the sight while biking over ten miles or one hundred miles of trails designed for all levels of expertise. Check out their website for details.

While you are in Staunton you can see a performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse where some of the best Shakespeare in the country is offered or visit the house where Woodrow Wilson was born.

Up and down the Shenandoah Valley you will find fall, harvest and pumpkin festivals. Check out their website for dates and times of all the events this area has to offer.

From Mid-September to mid-November the leaves along the east coast of the United States will be offering their best color. Visit any of the areas suggested or find one of your own but be sure to make your reservations early.