Summary
- Fall on the East Coast in towns like Weaverville, Jim Thorpe, Camden, Woodstock, Lenox, North Conway and Harpers Ferry is truly breathtaking.
- In late September, the leaves explode with vibrant colors, creating a stunning display of reds, oranges and golds in these enchanting east coast destinations.
- From riding the Conway Scenic Railroad to viewing the fall colors in the White Mountains, each town offers a unique and picturesque fall experience.
Bustling megacities, pretty towns with small populations, quaint historic mountain villages and beautiful coastal landscapes with plenty of amazing stargazing spots all make for fantastic destinations on the East Coast as the region prepares for the grand finale of the year – fall!
Fall on the East Coast enjoys legendary status in the minds of travelers, locals, and amateur photographers searching for the perfect fall photo. When the vibrant colors of fall explode across the scenic East Coast landscape in late September, the stunning foliage comes to life in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold.
While hundreds of parks and cities reflect the season’s vibrant colors, these East Coast cities are among the best to visit this year for their spectacular fall colors.
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7 Weaverville, North Carolina
Surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this picturesque town offers the perfect autumn setting
Located just 10 miles from the picturesque city of Asheville, Weaverville is part of the Asheville metropolitan area, offering even more scenic beauty. The Blue Ridge Parkway, nicknamed “America’s Favorite Trail,” is 15 minutes from Weaverville’s Main Street.
The city lies in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The fall foliage displays a kaleidoscope of colors for weeks and has one of the longest fall color seasons in the country.
During most of October, fall colors are easily seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway at elevations ranging from 2,200 to over 6,000 feet. Visitors can expect light traffic during the fall, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Lake Louise is a 2-acre man-made lake that glows with orange, red, and gold colors during the fall.
6 Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
A panoramic railway and a fall foliage festival celebrate an explosion of color in the “Switzerland of America”
Jim Thorpe (known as East and West Mauch Chunk until 1954) lives in the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania. The reference to all the beauty and fun in Ouray, Colorado, as “the Switzerland of America” is justified. But Jim Thorpe is Also called “The Switzerland of America”.
The town’s old-fashioned charm is enhanced in the fall, when the Pocono Mountains transform into a canvas of brilliant fall foliage. The Fall Foliage Festival, held every weekend from October 5-20, 2024, is a celebration of this natural beauty and features free live music, art, and a variety of delicious foods.
Lehigh Gorge State Park includes over 20 miles of the D&L Trail, ideal for hiking, biking, and admiring the stunning fall colors. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway is an unforgettable 45-minute round-trip ride through the stunning fall foliage of the Pocono Mountains via rivers, bridges, and tunnels (October 1 – November 3, 2024).
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5 Camden, Maine
There is nothing more beautiful than viewing the vibrant fall colors of this city from a historic wooden boat in the bay
Known as a summer resort for wealthy residents, mostly from Boston, New York City and Philadelphia, Camden is located on Maine’s Penobscot Bay, part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Fall is a stunning season for leaf-turning and sunset sailing in Camden, as boats continue to sail through mid-October. Viewing the city’s brilliant fall foliage from the bay at Camden Harbor is one of the highlights of the season. Many Camden hotels gear up this time of year to provide a picturesque fall getaway for the city’s many fall visitors.
With over 10,000 acres and several hiking trails, Camden Hills State Park is another fantastic place to see Camden’s colorful fall foliage. Lake Megunticook in Lincolnville, a few miles from Camden, is another beautiful place to experience the fall colors.
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4 Woodstock, Vermont
Under the brilliant glow of Vermont’s fall foliage, this city is the perfect getaway for adventure, relaxation and rejuvenation
Called The “The quintessential New England village,” Woodstock is centrally located in the heart of New England at the foothills of the Green Mountains. The allure of Vermont’s reds and oranges in the fall is a destination on travelers’ bucket lists from all over the world, and nothing is more beautiful and picturesque than Woodstock.
From romantic couples and avid photographers to nature lovers, Woodstock is one of New England’s most popular foliage-viewing destinations. Visitors planning to visit Woodstock should make hotel and restaurant reservations as early as possible.
A drive to Sleepy Hollow Farm and a hike in Quechee Gorge are popular places to see Woodstock’s fall colors. October mornings in Woodstock are quite chilly, with lows in the low 50s, so travelers should dress accordingly.
With over 100 vendors selling jewelry, paintings, pottery, clothing, handbags, crafts, photography and more, the annual Woodstock Apples and Crafts Artisans Fair is Woodstock’s largest event each fall (October 12 and 13, 2024).
3 Lenox, Massachusetts
With fall festivals and art exhibitions, the Berkshire Hills provide a golden backdrop to everything in this beautiful city
Home to Tanglewood, one of the world’s most popular music festivals and one of the most popular things to do in the historic Massachusetts town of Lenox, this small town in the Berkshires is a popular summer destination for tourists that stays lively in the fall, too. The region’s natural, rustic beauty has helped Lenox develop into an artists’ colony.
One of the best things about visiting Lenox in the fall is seeing the rolling Berkshire hills form a golden backdrop of brilliant foliage colors. October is when the foliage is at its peak, and the trees change color all month long, so you always have plenty of time to enjoy the colors.
Kennedy Park and the nearby Mount Greylock State Reservation are the best places to experience the brilliant colors, and you can also enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking. The 1,100-acre Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is another fall highlight that amazes with brilliant colors during this time of year.
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2 North Conway, New Hampshire
The White Mountains transform into a canvas of bright reds, oranges and golds.
New England is world famous for its stunning fall scenery, and North Conway is definitely one of the most beautiful towns to visit. Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, North Conway is a quaint, picturesque village within the town of Conway and is a popular destination for climbers and hikers year-round.
In autumn, the highlight of seasonal activities is the Conway Scenic Railroad, offering train rides departing from the village’s Victorian station and passing through the spectacular autumn colours of the surrounding mountains and forests.
Another fantastic way to experience the region’s fall colors is by driving the incredibly beautiful 35-mile Kancamagus Highway, which connects North Conway and Lincoln and passes right through the White Mountains. With several scenic overlooks, the normally hour-long drive takes much longer with multiple stops along the way.
1 Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
This historic city feels almost like heaven when it is wrapped in bright autumn colors
Harpers Ferry is a historic American Civil War town and the most scenic town in West Virginia, with an abundance of historic sites and outdoor recreation opportunities. This picturesque 19th-century town in the Shenandoah Valley is designated as a National Historic District, and the architecture of the homes and businesses reflects the town’s history.
Fall is a popular time to visit Harpers Ferry. The surrounding mountains are ablaze with vibrant oranges, reds and yellows, creating a magical sight. The Harpers Ferry Battlefield, dating back to 1862, is well preserved and a must-see for visitors.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park covers approximately 3,500 acres in West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia. Its 22 miles of hiking trails are breathtaking in the brilliantly colored fall foliage. Despite its history, Harpers Ferry stands out for its timeless natural beauty. The stunning foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounds it on three sides, casting long shadows on the colorful foothills.
