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Catskill Mountains, New York
lightphoto//Getty Images The fall foliage in the Catskill Mountains typically peaks around the second week in October, which is great timing for a pre-holidays getaway. Stay in one of the popular nearby towns, like Catskill, Woodstock, or Hunter.
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Stowe, Vermont
Tom Narwid//Getty Images It doesn't get more idyllic than this view! The picturesque village of Stowe is located at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak. Visit from mid-September through the end of October and prepare to be dazzled by vibrant displays of red, orange, and yellow sugar maples.
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North Conway, New Hampshire
ejesposito//Getty Images Revel in the rugged White Mountains by taking a scenic drive along the Kancamagus Highway, which offers more than 34 miles of breathtaking scenery and fall foliage. Or, take a vintage train from North Conway through the Mount Washington Valley and over the rugged Crawford Notch for a unique and laid-back leaf-peeping experience.
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Charlottesville, Virginia
krblokhin//Getty Images Nestled at the bottom of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is a treasure trove for fall color, but one of the best spots to check out the fall foliage is Shenandoah National Park. Another way to soak up is the scenery is by visiting one of Charlottesville's beautiful vineyards, like the one seen here.
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McKenzie Pass, Oregon
Bartfett//Getty Images Take the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway for the most gorgeous autumnal drive. If you've got the time, you can spend three to five hours on this 82-mile loop and see the largest lava flow in the Northwest, red and yellow maples, aspen stands, pines and firs, snowy volcanic peaks, and more.
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Franklin, Tennessee
DenisTangneyJr//Getty Images This small city just south of Nashville is home to plenty of civil war history, antique shops, and, come early November, beautiful fall foliage. After exploring the city, head out for a country drive and make sure you pass over the double arch bridge on Natchez Trace Parkway—the view of the trees from that height is spectacular.
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Taos, New Mexico
northforklight//Getty Images Bounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this small New Mexico town offers a prime Southwest experience. Visit the town's many local galleries and historic adobe buildings, then adventure out and walk along the Rio Grande for plenty of leafy views. The trees may not change as dramatically as in New England, but that doesn't make them any less pretty.
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Stockbridge, Massachusetts
DenisTangneyJr//Getty Images Stockbridge is the quintessential charming New England town. It's home to the Norman Rockwell museum, cute inns, and plenty of scenic rural drives. October is peak fall foliage season in the Berkshires (famous for the glorious, vibrant hues), and travel guides recommend driving U.S. Route 7, which runs between several pretty towns.
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Palisades Cliffs, New Jersey
Doug Schneider Photography//Getty Images Can you believe this view is available just minutes from midtown Manhattan? One of the best ways to admire New Jersey's Palisades Cliffs is actually from the New York shore! Begin Jersey-side by exploring the Palisades state park. Once you've gotten your fill, head across the river to Hastings-On-Hudson to enjoy a sweeping view of the cliffs.
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Eastern Shore, Maryland
threespeedjones//Getty Images The Eastern Shore of Maryland contains so much beauty that it's difficult to narrow it down to one location. Inland you can find Elk Neck State Park, known for its gorgeous fall hikes. Reeds and tall grasses along the wetlands begin to dry out and fade to beautiful red, tan, and orange hues that match the surrounding trees.
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Cheaha State Park in Alabama
sdbower//Getty Images Alabama is always beautiful, but especially in the fall. What better place to view the season's glittering yellow poplars, scarlet dogwoods, orange maples, and golden hickories than from the highest point in the state? Add beautiful Cheaha State Park to your fall bucket list, ASAP!
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Tallulah Gorge in Georgia
Sean Pavone//Getty Images Visit one of the Southeast’s most popular canyons, where you can hike on trails overlooking breathtaking waterfalls and surrounded by glimmering yellow oaks and red-tinted maple trees.
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Lake Conway in Arkansas
Carrie Thompson//Getty Images Backwaters never looked so beautiful! During late November, the already stunning landscape of Lake Conway in Central Arkansas transforms into the vibrant display of red, orange, and yellow you see here.
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Glacier National Park in Montana
jodiecoston//Getty Images Every fall, the larch trees in Montana's Glacier National Park turn a dazzling, luminescent yellow. Local tip: The best road for viewing the larches is on Highway 2 around the southern boundary of the park.
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Saranac Lake, New York
DenisTangneyJr//Getty Images The Adirondacks have one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the Northeast, lasting from mid-September through mid-October. Visit this picturesque village for some of the region's best leaf peeping, plus plenty of beautiful lakes, mountains, and hiking trails.
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Horseshoe Curve in Pennsylvania
Mike Danneman//Getty Images One of the most unique ways to enjoy Pennsylvania's autumn spectacle is by taking a train ride along the famous Horseshoe Curve in Altoona. You can also take in the gorgeous view by riding the funicular at the Railroaders Memorial Museum.
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Calistoga, California
Charles Wollertz//Getty Images Trade in mulled apple cider for wine this fall with a visit to Napa Valley. Enjoy the changing colors of the vineyards while you sit and sip.
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Camden, Maine
leekris//Getty Images This picturesque seaside town was voted one of the best places in New England to view fall foliage by Frommer’s and Travel and Leisure. You can admire the spectacular fall color palette while on a boat cruise at Camden Harbor.
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Mount Washington in New Hampshire
DenisTangneyJr//Getty Images Take in the multicolored beauty of New Hampshire's White Mountains in the fall by cruising down the Kancamagus Highway. Don't worry, there are plenty of stops for photo-ops!
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The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina
Pierre Leclerc Photography//Getty Images The Blue Ridge Parkway boasts 469 miles of stunning scenery, parkland, and mountains. It's also home to more than 100 different species of trees that take on all the magical colors of fall in late October.
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Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
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