Plan Now for Fall Foliage Trips
August 25, 2007. Savvy fall foliage pilgrims know that now is the time to book luxury vacation rentals. Those who wait much longer will find the choices considerably limited, at least for weekends. Here are some ideas for destinations with great autumn colors:
White Mountains, New Hampshire – Take the scenic route on the Kancamagus Highway for more photo opportunities than a memory card can handle. Popular spots include Crawford Notch State Park and Mt. Washington, the highest peak in New England. Area ski resorts probably won't have enough snow to ride on yet, but their village condos often have great off-season rates.
Stowe, Vermont – Also a year-round destination, Stowe offers stiff competition for New Hampshire. If the White Mountains have the most rugged scenery, Stowe has the most picture-perfect New England town, complete with village steeple. The gondola ride to the top of Mt. Mansfield is also a bonus.
Shenandoah Valley – This is our top pick for residents of the Baltimore-D.C. area who don't want to venture too far from home. Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway both offer numerous vistas to take in the changing seasons.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – With approximately 900 miles of trails, this national park has plenty of great autumn hikes. The drive through the park has a plethora of scenic views, too. Best of all, the fall is the best time to observe the park's reintroduced elk population. It's rutting season, so they'll be active, and the males will be bugling.
