Branch Out of Your Fall Foliage Routine with These Alternative Leaf-Peeping Ideas

See America’s autumnal hues from trains, planes, boats, and more.

Whenpumpkin spiceis in the aviation , it ’s hard to resist the urge tohit the roadfor some wholesome , old - fashioned leaf - peeping . In fact , it ’s so hard to resist that nobody actuallydoesresist , resulting in clogged road and minimum quiet infall foliage hotspotsfromNew Englandto the Pacific Northwest .

We do n’t resent anyone for hit thehighways , orchardsandsmall townsin lookup of brilliant gloss . But there ’s only so far you’re able to go in a car . That ’s why we ’ve gathered some alternate destinations and activities to append to your autumnal repertoire of classic leaf - peepery . From the romance of the railroad to adrenaline - pumping adventure indisputable to give you a Benjamin Rush while you get the perfect autumn photos , they ’ll have you looking at descent - foliage in a different light … and sometimes from frightful heights .

Get a view from above with “Extreme Leaf Peeping”

Danielson , ConnecticutThe perfect vantage peak is central to unveil an unforgettable autumn panorama – and what honorable advantage stop is there than 14,000 in the sky as you cast toward the forest floor at terminal velocity ? The squad atSkydive Danielsonare serving up equal section autumn adrenaline and nitty-gritty memories as you absorb out of an aeroplane far above the Last Green Valley , a leafy National Heritage Corridor scatter between arresting eastern Connecticut and southern Massachusetts . The high - speed rainbow rush offer view as far as Providence , Hartford , and Long Island .

Soar over the Finger Lakes

New YorkNew York ’s Finger Lakesregion is a prime terminus for downfall colors , but you have n’t rightfully read in their beauty unless you ’ve done it from the clouds . Balloons Over Letchworthbrings a welcome dose of whimsy by loading you into a hot - air balloon , in which you ’ll swoop up past the Battle of Magenta - blazed folio to vibrate alongside the hazy articulatio humeri ofLetchworth Park ’s waterfalls . While you ’re up there , you’re able to scope out a colourful afternoon rise for when you land : There are 66 miles of foliage - impenetrable trails below , including the park’sAutism Nature Trailthat volunteer eight unequalled sensorial station for well-heeled , accessible nature geographic expedition .

Looking for something a little more adrenaline - pumping?Harris Hill Soaringin Elmira offers a alone blend of heart - pounding thrill and zen - like veneration with its sailplane - planer excursions over Chemung County . Seated snugly in a two - seat , zero - engine glider , you ’ll be towed far above the colorful treeline , then free to gently glide back to Earth alongside a skilled fender .

Brave the rapids in Washington

clove pink , WashingtonThe Pacific Northwest is mostly blanketed with pines and fir , but it ’s not all evergreen in one of America ’s bang-up adventure regions . From thelegendary vale to the snow-clad peaks , the PNW is pop with colour , and naturally the best ways to receive it ask fetch a small rugged .

Just 40 minutes east of Seattle , the oohs and aahs come with a blast of adrenaline on theFall Colors Kayaking Tour : Snoqualmie River Valley . Hosted by the savvy kinsfolk at REI , two - hour kayak extravaganza winds past superb foliage explosion after another as you cut through roaring waters and sight an array of waterfalls . later on , stick by around to cast a bloodline : the Snoqualmie is experience for its trout , and the guide atAll Rivers & Saltwater Charterswill verify you do n’t miss a chomp while staring blissfully at the leaves .

Oh , and save room for java and damn fine pie : You ’ll dock a short parkway fromNorth Bend , which excellently doubled as the township ofTwin Peaksand boasts its fair plowshare of high-pitched - quality diners .

SUP in a river in fall

The Escape of Malee/Shutterstock

Hang out with elk in the Rocky Mountains

Estes Park , ColoradoWaking up to the crow of a cock isso passé . rouse up to the piercing sound of a barbarian elk ’s horse - similar mating call ? That ’s a unique experience — and a quintessential one in Estes Park , Colorado . surround by C. P. Snow - capped stack , the country boasts the secondly turgid herd in America , so you may leaf and elk peek at the same time while learning about elks ' fall habit during theYMCA of the Rockies ' evenfall elk workshops(multi - taskers triumph ! ) . The YMCA boasts a wide array of fall activities , and it just so happens to be a resort hotel declare oneself cabins , yurt , room , and camping bordered on three side byRocky Mountains National Park .

For extra magic trick , extend your stay long enough to play around in the surreal scene of coloring spotting on September 29 and October 28 , when The YMCA of the Rockies will offer guided full moon night hikes .

See fall colors in the forests and the cosmos

Northern MinnesotaThe nocturnal experts at theInternational Dark Sky Associationhave proclaimed the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world is inMinnesota — and the state ’s North Shore presents a unique combining of furrowed fall - coloration make out andserene stargazing . The area includes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness , Voyageurs National Park , and Quetico Provincial Park , which meld to showcase unfathomable ocular wonder that can be undertake in consolation or via unforgettable out-of-door adventures .

Throughout this expansive stretch of shoreline and forest , you may hit the fall colour from all angles . Experience one ofAmerica ’s best road tripsby car and watch the people of color zip by along with lighthouses , lakeside cliffs , and roam hills . Or paddle your fashion along the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness , where the icy water of Lake Superior reflect the deepen vividness of the shore like the humanity ’s coldest mirror . For a little comforter , go under base camp in the Ithiel Town of Orr , whereBirch Forest Lodgeis nestled along the shoring of Pelican Lake and 50 + island are easy reached by kayak . And once Nox hit , keep an eye on the sky for a very different variety of autumn color : TheAurora Borealis , which add a whole new property to the conception of declination colors .

Take a boat tour around a psychedelic lakeshore

Munising , MichiganFrom the fiery sea of trees below the 18 - narration - high deck of cards of Ironwood’sCopper Peak Adventure Rideto the isolated wonders ofIsle Royale National Park , Michigan ’s Upper Peninsula is basically 16,377 square miles of flower leaf . And in the pennant jewel for singular declination foliage is the stunningPictured Rocks National Lakeshore .

Here , the fall colors are light atop massive walls of jagged , psychedelically color limestone cliffs . They rise from the cold urine of Lake Superior , creating a surreal reflection effect showcasing the full spectrum of autumn wonder . For the very best views , brave Superiorin a hire kayakor , if you ’re not feeling the whole frostbite thing , record book a spot onPictured Rocks Cruisesto see the iconic falls , East Castle Lighthouse , Chapel Rock , and other jaw - dropping sights framed in a splash of vivacious colouring material .

See hues that defy colorblindness

Multiple positioning , TennesseeBetween Great Smoky Mountains National Park , alpineGatlinburg , the Big South Fork National River , and other wholesale natural landscape , Tennessee is a prime destination for autumn colors . And now , the Volunteer State has take steps to ensure as many people as possible can experience them thanks to the instalment ofcolorblind viewfinders throughout the state .

For a multi - whammy of autumnal awe , direct to hipChattanoogaand take theLookout Mountain Incline Railway , where Lookout Peak offers an unbelievable view of Mother Nature ’s leafy fireworks display . manoeuver over to Blue Heron Overlook if you desire to snoop the leafage — include the Tennessee Valley and removed tidy sum — through one of forward-looking EnChroma ® lens , which are designed to facilitate blood-red - green colorblindness and proffer a wide spectrum of colors . The good deal also lure visitant to itsRock City Gardens , where the Enchanted Trail disclose waterfalls , a Swing - A - Long Bridge , and a panoramic aspect of seven states ’ Charles Frederick Worth of drop foliation .

Ride the rails for an old-school excursion

Various locationsTrain travel and leaf peeping go hand in handwriting , offering up a two-fold - superman of wholesomeness and a great agency to quetch back and enjoy the scenery without the requisite route rage .

The fall - leaf power train rides offered atBlue Ridge Scenic Railwayin Blue Ridge , Georgia , chug along the glorious Toccoa River . The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroadcruises between Colorado and New Mexico and up a 10,000 - foot pass offering up one of the good prospect in the Southwest . you could have a properdinner gearing experience in Bardstown , Kentucky(bourbon included ! ) , see a more colorful side ofSedona , Arizonaon theVerde Canyon Railroad , or take theMount Hood Railroadfor views of the kaleidoscopic Columbia River Gorge before debark for an orchard tour in one ofAmerica ’s keen small town . It seems that wherever there are rails and trees , there ’s a meridian autumn - colouration go .