Travelogue by Brendon Pack
As a travel enthusiast who has spent countless seasons chasing the perfect autumn moment, I can tell you that few experiences rival standing beneath a canopy of golden maples or walking through streets lined with burgundy oaks.
The pursuit of peak fall foliage has taken me across the continent, from the rugged mountains of New England to the rolling hills of the Midwest, and I’ve discovered that some of the most breathtaking autumn displays aren’t always found in the most obvious places.
After years of leaf-peeping adventures, and a fondness for my hometown of Seattle’s Fall foliage, there are four cities have consistently delivered the kind of fall magic that makes you cancel your original travel plans and extend your stay: Burlington, Vermont; Asheville, North Carolina; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Boulder, Colorado.
Each offers a unique interpretation of autumn’s artistry, wrapped in distinct cultural experiences that transform a simple foliage trip into an unforgettable journey.
Vermont is a splender in the Fall.
Burlington, Vermont: The Classic New England Dream
Burlington embodies everything romantic about a New England autumn. Perched on the shores of Lake Champlain with the Adirondack Mountains as a backdrop, this college town transforms into a postcard-perfect scene between late September and mid-October.
The city’s tree-lined streets burst with the classic Vermont palette of brilliant reds, burning oranges, and golden yellows that have made this region famous worldwide.
What sets Burlington apart isn’t just the spectacular foliage, but how seamlessly the natural beauty integrates with urban charm.
Church Street Marketplace becomes a corridor of color, where 19th-century architecture provides the perfect frame for the autumn canopy overhead. The pedestrian mall buzzes with local artisans selling maple syrup, handcrafted goods, and warm apple cider that tastes like liquid autumn.
For the best foliage viewing, I recommend the Burlington Bike Path, an 8-mile paved trail that winds along Lake Champlain. The contrast between the fiery trees and the deep blue water creates moments so stunning they seem almost surreal. Early morning rides offer the added magic of mist rising from the lake while the first light illuminates the colorful hillsides.
The nearby Champlain Valley provides easy access to iconic Vermont experiences. A short drive to Shelburne Farms reveals 1,400 acres of rolling pastures dotted with heritage trees displaying their full autumn glory. The farm’s historic buildings and grazing sheep create scenes that embody the pastoral perfection many associate with fall in Vermont.
Burlington’s culinary scene embraces the season with enthusiasm. Local restaurants showcase harvest menus featuring everything from butternut squash soups to apple-infused cocktails.
The city’s craft brewery scene, anchored by the original Magic Hat brewery, offers perfect spots to warm up after a day of leaf-peeping while sampling local flavors that capture the essence of Vermont autumn.
Asheville, North Carolina: Where Mountains Meet Southern Charm
Asheville surprises many travelers who assume the best fall foliage exists only in northern climates. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this artsy southern city offers a completely different but equally spectacular autumn experience. The foliage season here extends later into the season, often peaking in mid to late October, making it perfect for travelers who missed the earlier northern displays.
The city sits at the perfect elevation to showcase the diversity of Appalachian forest ecosystems. Lower elevations burst with the warm yellows of hickories and the deep reds of dogwoods, while higher elevations display the brilliant oranges and scarlets of maples and oaks. This elevation gradient means you can experience multiple “peaks” during a single visit by simply driving to different altitudes.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s favorite drive, becomes absolutely magical during fall foliage season. The section near Asheville offers pullover after pullover with panoramic mountain views that stretch to the horizon in waves of color.
Craggy Dome and Grandfather Mountain provide elevated perspectives that allow you to truly appreciate the scale of the autumn transformation happening across thousands of acres.
Downtown Asheville adds urban sophistication to the mountain autumn experience. The Arts District comes alive with fall festivals, craft shows, and music performances that celebrate the season. Local galleries showcase autumn-inspired works, while the city’s renowned food scene incorporates seasonal ingredients into innovative southern cuisine.
What makes Asheville particularly special for fall travelers is the combination of outdoor adventure and cultural richness. You can spend the morning hiking through golden forests on the trails around Mount Mitchell, then spend the afternoon exploring the Biltmore Estate, where 8,000 acres of meticulously maintained grounds provide formal garden settings for autumn colors that feel both wild and refined.
The craft beer scene in Asheville truly shines during fall, with local breweries creating seasonal ales that incorporate regional ingredients like locally sourced apples, mountain honey, and even foraged nuts. Sitting on a brewery patio surrounded by mountain views while sipping a pumpkin porter creates the perfect end to a day of foliage exploration.
Green Bay, Wisconsin: Midwest’s Hidden Autumn Gem
Green Bay represents one of the Midwest’s best-kept secrets for fall foliage enthusiasts. While many travelers overlook Wisconsin in favor of more famous foliage destinations, this charming city offers authentic autumn experiences without the crowds and inflated prices found in more popular locations.
The Fox River corridor that flows through Green Bay creates a natural gallery of fall colors. The river’s meandering path is lined with mature hardwoods that create tunnels of gold and red, particularly beautiful when viewed from the Fox River Trail. This 25-mile paved path offers cyclists and walkers intimate access to some of the region’s most beautiful foliage displays.
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary provides 700 acres of diverse habitats where visitors can experience the full spectrum of Midwest autumn ecology. The sanctuary’s mix of wetlands, prairies, and forests creates a tapestry of fall colors unique to this region. The observation tower offers elevated views across the sanctuary to Green Bay itself, where the water provides a dramatic backdrop to the colorful shoreline forests.
Peninsula State Park, just an hour’s drive from Green Bay, elevates the Wisconsin foliage experience to world-class levels. The park’s 3,776 acres showcase the dramatic bluffs and forested valleys that make Door County famous. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse provides one of the most photographed autumn scenes in the Midwest, where historic architecture combines with spectacular lake views and brilliant foliage.
Green Bay’s authentic Midwest charm shines during autumn. The city’s neighborhoods feature tree-lined streets where century-old maples create natural cathedrals of color. Local festivals celebrate the harvest season with genuine community spirit, offering visitors chances to experience authentic regional culture alongside the beautiful scenery.
The culinary scene embraces hearty Midwest autumn traditions. Local restaurants serve comfort food that perfectly complements crisp fall weather, while the growing craft brewery scene offers warm, welcoming spaces to discuss the day’s foliage discoveries with friendly locals who are genuinely excited to share their favorite hidden spots. Or, you can always just talk Packers football.
Boulder, Colorado: High Altitude Autumn Drama
Boulder offers a fall foliage experience unlike anywhere else in North America. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rocky Mountain foothills, the city’s autumn display focuses primarily on aspen groves that create some of the most photographed fall scenes in the country. The aspens’ distinctive golden color creates monochromatic displays that are both subtle and absolutely stunning.
The contrast between Boulder’s high desert environment and the golden aspen groves creates visual drama that feels almost otherworldly.
Unlike the mixed hardwood forests of eastern destinations, Colorado’s fall foliage offers a more minimalist aesthetic that emphasizes the pure, clear gold of quaking aspens against deep blue skies and red rock formations.
Chautauqua Park provides easy access to some of Colorado’s most accessible and beautiful autumn displays. The trail network winds through aspen groves and offers panoramic views of the Front Range where entire mountainsides shimmer gold in the autumn sunlight. The park’s historic buildings and meadows provide foreground interest that makes every photograph look like a professional landscape shot.
The timing of Boulder’s foliage season differs significantly from other destinations, typically peaking in mid to late September. This creates opportunities for dedicated foliage travelers to extend their season by starting in Colorado and moving eastward as autumn progresses across the continent.
Boulder’s outdoor culture embraces autumn with enthusiasm. The city’s extensive trail system provides access to different elevations and microclimates, allowing visitors to find peak color even when conditions vary. Local outfitters offer guided tours and equipment rentals that make it easy to explore the high country safely during the sometimes unpredictable autumn weather.
The city’s downtown area combines outdoor adventure culture with sophisticated dining and shopping. After a day in the aspens, visitors can enjoy farm-to-table restaurants that celebrate Colorado’s harvest season or browse galleries featuring local artists inspired by the region’s dramatic seasonal changes.
Planning Your Perfect Foliage Journey
Each of these four cities offers distinct advantages for different types of travelers. Burlington provides the quintessential New England experience with reliable timing and classic scenery. Asheville combines foliage with southern hospitality and extends the season for those who travel later. Green Bay offers authentic experiences without crowds, while Boulder provides unique high-altitude beauty with earlier timing.
The key to successful foliage travel lies in flexibility and research. Peak timing varies annually based on weather patterns, and the best experiences often come from being willing to adjust plans based on current conditions. Local visitor bureaus provide foliage reports, but nothing beats connecting with local photographers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts who know the secret spots and current conditions.
Whether you choose one destination or plan a foliage road trip connecting multiple cities, these four locations offer the kind of autumn memories that will draw you back year after year. Each provides its own interpretation of fall’s fleeting beauty, reminding us why so many travelers plan their entire year around these few precious weeks when nature puts on its most spectacular show.
