You’re planning a road trip to see the autumn leaves, do some antiquing, enjoy a Bed & Breakfast experience. But when is the best time to book? Or to take that hike for optimal colored leaves? Here’s how to plan ahead.
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
Albert Camus
There’s a chill in the air, and you notice a couple leaves changing color here and there. We all love to have a picnic, go on a road trip or take a few snapshots of the gorgeous autumn colors but worry that we might miss the fall foliage peak times.
Here’s how to know when the leaves will be at their most vibrant.
See the Fall Foliage Prediction Map for the US
Whether you’re planning wedding photos or a road trip of covered bridges, they have a map showing the peak season for colored leaves throughout the US so you can book that wonderful Bed & Breakfast in advance.
SmokyMountains.com has a sliding scale to show you the expected fall foliage throughout the season from September to November.
Besides their prediction map, they also share the science behind the changing leaves and why certain leaves are a particular color.
The changing colors are a time of wonder for all ages. Let’s enjoy them while we can – the first big wind storm and they’ll all be gone.
Want more? See our bucket list of things to do in Autumn.
Awesome Autumn Ideas
The air is crisp and cool, the leaves are changing into vibrant colors, daylight is shorter. Time for our bucketlist of things to do in Autumn! We have dozens of ideas with recipes and tips on how to do them.
Want more? See all of our autumn recipes.
Awesome Autumn Recipes Celebrate the Flavors of Fall
See our autumn recipe collection with favorites like pumpkin pies and everything pumpkin spice, and a list of recipes by ingredient for fruits and vegetables harvested in the fall.
Want even more? See our new autumn ideas.
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