Your guide to the best places for fall colors this year

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Autumn comes alive

As summer winds to a close, temperatures are beginning to drop and Mother Nature is gearing up for her annual spectacle of fall color. We selected the best destinations around the U.S. to see fall foliage, and then our readers voted for their favorites.  Scroll to see the top 10 winners.

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No. 10: Asheville, North Carolina

Fall color sweeps across the landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains around Asheville beginning in early September and tends to stick around for six weeks. The city makes an excellent base for autumn leaf peeping adventures to Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell State Park and Pisgah National Forest.

Photo courtesy of iStock / JimVallee

No. 9: Finger Lakes, New York

Many Finger Lakes communities celebrate the fall arrival of color with seasonal festivals and events, including the Bristol Mountain Fall Festival and the Naples Grape Festival.  Though many of these events have been canceled for 2020, the gorgeous scenery can still be enjoyed.

Photo courtesy of Joyce Bambach / Pocono Mountains

No. 8: Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

The Pocono Mountains are ablaze with hues of red, orange and yellow come autumn, thanks to the area’s 127 species of indigenous trees, plants and shrubs. Leaf peepers can hop in the car for a scenic cruise along Route 507 near Lake Wallenpaupack or climb aboard a fall foliage train.

Photo courtesy of iStock / ABDESIGN

No. 7: Ozark Mountain Region, Arkansas

A variety of different tree species, including maple, hickory, sycamore and oak, paint the landscape of the Arkansas Ozarks in warm fall colors each September and October. This mountainous landscape attracts leaf peepers who want to get outdoors for an autumn hike in the mountains.

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No. 6: Stowe, Vermont

Vermont is well-known for its fall foliage, particularly in the Green Mountains. For the best leaf peeping, make the drive along the Green Mountain Byway between the towns of Waterbury and Stowe. Mount Mansfield, the state’s highest peak, sits along the way.

Photo courtesy of Destination Door County

No. 5: Door County, Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s best fall foliage can often be found in Door County. Leaves reach their peak of color between late September and mid-October, when visitors from around the country come to drive its tree-lined roads or hike its trails.

Photo courtesy of iStock / haveseen

No. 4: White Mountains, New Hampshire

The annual display of fall color in the White Mountains of New Hampshire typically takes place each September and October, attracting millions of visitors from around the globe. One of the best places to take it all in is along the 34-mile Kancamagus Highway as it cuts through White Mountain National Forest.

Photo courtesy of Rusty Glessner / Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau

No. 3: Laurel Highlands, Pennsyvlvania

Fall foliage in the Laurel Highlands usually peaks in mid-October, making the Pennsylvania region an ideal fall getaway destination. Go for a drive along Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway with a stop to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater framed by colorful leaves, or take a scenic hike in Ohiopyle State Park.

Photo courtesy of iStock / SeanPavonePhoto

No. 2: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Autumn is one of the most popular times to visit the Smoky Mountains, thanks in large part to the spectacular fall foliage and cool temperatures. Gatlinburg travelers have their choice of several tramways and chair lifts for taking in an aerial view of the landscape before or after a trip into Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Photo courtesy of iStock / BobPalosaari

No. 1: Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Just about the entire Upper Peninsula puts on a display of fall color that peaks during the last two weeks of September and the first week of October. A favorite fall experience for leaf peepers is the drive on M-26 along the shores of Lake Roland and past the trees of Copper Country State Forest.