Autumnal Outings
by Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large
Having grown up in the Northeast I find that my spirit follows the seasons. As the heat of summer begins to fade and as the days inevitably grow shorter and cooler, I can't help but start to feel a touch melancholy. Like clockwork I begin thinking about when I will have my next carefree moments. It's as if somehow the long summer days give me more time to play. Or perhaps, like many Americans, summer marks the time I map out and enjoy an annual vacation. So as the kids head back to school, I find the need mark down a few excursions on my calendar and beat back the blues.
A day trip or weekend away is my remedy. There is no greater sight than seeing the autumn leaves turning (especially if you ask me in the summer-- I can admit that I'm seasonally fickle). I relish the seasonal blur of robust reds, glowing yellows, and shimmering chartreuse.
Nowadays, I live farther from the leaves of the Northeast that I grew up seeing which has forced me to research some options. The good news is there is leaf-peeping to be had around the nation, and some of the spots are in unexpected places. As no two leaves are the same no two seasons are either. Each varies depending on the year and how cold or warm it has been, how wet or dry. Leaves across North America can start turning at the very end of August and in some places may stretch through early November. Although it depends on where you are, September and October are usually prime time for leaf-peeping.
Whether you are packing up the kids and making a family day of it or looking for a some solitude or a romantic getaway, here are some places to keep in mind for finding fall foliage:
- Georgia
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Tennessee
- Canada
Here are a few tips for avid and amateur leaf-peepers alike:
- Experts say that the concept of "peak" season is in the eye of the beholder. Make it last forever by pressing the best leaves you find.
- Make it educational: See how many leaves you can collect and research what trees they came from.
- Check fall foliage reports for current conditions. For accurate, timely information try the following: www.fs.fed.us/news/fallcolors/, or call the foliage hotline at 800-354-4595 (the USDA Forest Service). You can also try www.foliagenetwork.com.
- For more destination-specific information visit your state's official Web site.
- Make reservations in advance. Many hotels fill up fast, as viewing the changing leaves is a popular activity.
- If you're taking a drive, make sure that your car is road-ready. Check the fluid levels, pack a map and a cell phone, and always have a spare tire and a flashlight handy.
- Consider taking an autumnal train ride in Canada on Via Rail to see the leaves. In the U.S. try Amtrak or even your local commuter rail.
- Consider a fall foliage cruise. Many leave from New York City and cruise the Atlantic coast of New England and Canada.
This fall consider an excursion: Go apple-picking in an orchard, enjoy a road-trip to nowhere, venture through local vineyards, take a hay ride, or go horseback riding. Just get out and enjoy the places, sites, and smells so that you discover for yourself what fall is all about.
If you have a question or topic you would like me to cover in a future column, please e-mail Amy Ziff at askamy@travelocity.com And remember to look here for your topic each week!
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