5 Fall Foliage Destinations Worth a Trip This Year

Fall foliage has a way of making us want to drive several hours just to look at trees. And, plenty of us are already figuring out where we want to do that this year.

New data from Priceline revealed the destinations Americans are searching for ahead of fall foliage season in 2026.

Where We're Going to See the Leaves

Priceline's complete top 10 includes:

1. Adirondacks, New York

2. Columbia River Gorge, Washington

3. Aspen, Colorado

4. Bucks County, Pennsylvania

5. Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

6. Tunnel of Trees, Michigan

7. North Lake Tahoe, Nevada

8. The Berkshires, Massachusetts

9. Stowe, Vermont

10. French Lick, Indiana

Here are the ones we’re putting on our list this fall. 

1. The Adirondacks, New York

The Adirondacks took the top spot in Priceline's fall foliage searches this year. And, with six million acres to work with, the region has plenty of room to put on a show.

Fall color usually starts to appear in the higher elevations in September before spreading across the region. By October, the scenic drives, hiking trails, and lakes are surrounded by shades of red, orange, and gold.

The Adirondacks also make it easy to turn leaf peeping into an actual getaway, and Lake Placid and Lake George are some of the best towns to explore.

2. Aspen, Colorado

Aspen came in third on Priceline's list. This Colorado destination is famous for the trees that gave it its name, and the fall season turns entire mountainsides bright gold.

One of the best-known places to see them is around the Maroon Bells, where golden aspens frame two of Colorado's most recognizable peaks. Independence Pass is another option if you’d rather enjoy the scenery from the car.

Aspen may be synonymous with ski season, but autumn gets there first, and it doesn't need any snow to show off.

3. Tunnel of Trees, Michigan

Michigan's Tunnel of Trees landed at No. 6. The 20-mile stretch of M-119 winds through the woods near the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Trees crowd both sides of the narrow road, creating the leafy tunnel that gives the route its name. And there are no center lines along much of the narrow road. Instead, it twists through the forest and small communities with occasional glimpses of the lake below.

In the fall, all those trees are the main attraction, and trying to get somewhere quickly would defeat the purpose.

4. The Berkshires, Massachusetts

The Berkshires came in eighth, giving Massachusetts a spot among this year's most-searched foliage destinations.

Western Massachusetts is full of mountains, country roads, and small towns surrounded by changing leaves. The region is also home to the Mount Greylock Scenic Byway, which will take you to the highest point in Massachusetts.

Then, you have towns like Lenox, Stockbridge, and Great Barrington when it’s time for lunch or pie.

5. Stowe, Vermont

To no surprise, Vermont made the list. Stowe ranked ninth, and it remains one of those places that looks like somebody designed it specifically for October.

Mount Mansfield stands tall and proud behind the town. Scenic Route 100 runs right through the region. And hiking trails offer plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with the leaves, rather than admiring them through a windshield.

There's also the Stowe Recreation Path for a gentler walk or bike ride through the countryside. Sometimes, the obvious choice is obvious for a reason.

These Leaves Won't Wait Forever

Fall foliage trips come with one small complication: the scenery has its own schedule.

Peak color varies by location, elevation, and weather, so it's worth checking local foliage reports before booking a trip around one particular weekend.

But, Priceline's search data gives us a pretty good place to start. We could head for golden aspens in Colorado, drive beneath Michigan's Tunnel of Trees, or go for a full autumn postcard in Vermont. Just don't wait until December. By then, we’ll be admiring a completely different set of trees.

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