As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, the green chlorophyll fades, revealing the natural colors of the leaves on sugar maples, red maples, quaking aspens, sumac, and many other trees. The show starts in the northern parts of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York in late September and then moves south into Pennsylvania, Maryland, the Virginias, and the Carolinas.

Most of the areas farthest north have already seen their best, but I think “peak” is a bit of a personal thing. Sure, a sunny fall day is perfect for soaking up the vibrant colors, but a cooler, damp day can be just as stunning. Peak season brings lots of tourists and leaf-peepers, which can mean crowded roads, fewer places to stay, and long waits for food. Plus, not all trees change at the same time, so if you only plan your trip to see the peak, you might be a little disappointed. Enjoying a latte, glass of wine, or cider, and a donut on a porch overlooking a grove of trees shedding their leaves is just as special. If you think you missed “the peak,” don’t let that stop you from getting out and enjoying a fall road trip.

Maine is where the foliage show begins. The far north and western mountains turn in late September, the colors peak across the state in early October, and the show reaches the coast by mid-month. If the north is past its best, the coast is often just getting going. While many seasonal spots close after mid-October, local fairs and harvest festivals keep the weekends lively.

Acadia National Park is the coastal star. The 27-mile Park Loop Road winds past granite shoreline, ponds, and hillsides of red and gold, and Cadillac Mountain is one of the first places in the country to catch the morning sun. Make sure to check the reservation rules before you go, and then warm up with a popover at Jordan Pond House.

When it comes to fall food in Maine, pumpkin whoopie pies, cider donuts, and a cozy spot at a roadside lobster shack are a must! If you’re looking for something more relaxed, take a trip inland to the Rangeley Lakes or Moosehead Lake, where the water sparkles with the colors of the maples and birches. Just a heads-up: drive carefully at dawn and dusk, especially around Moose.

A couple of years ago, we rented a cabin near Strafford, a charming, small town in southeastern New Hampshire. Strafford is the perfect place to start exploring the Lake Winnipesaukee area. Plus, it’s close to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and to Kittery, Kennebunkport, and Old Orchard Beach, Maine. It was just before Columbus Day weekend, the leaves were vibrant, and the traffic was light. After Columbus Day, most of the seasonal businesses close for the year (That’s when you can really find out where the locals hang out).

If you’re looking for a drive that mixes history, beautiful views, and fresh seafood, head north along the eastern side of Lake Winnipesaukee. Wolfeboro, just over half an hour away, is known as “The Oldest Summer Resort in America.” Plus, you can visit The Wright Museum Of World War II (open until the end of October).

From Wolfeboro, keep going north to Moultonborough, where Castle in the Clouds offers some of the most breathtaking views around. The mansion and its surrounding buildings tell the story of a 20th-century entrepreneur who made a fortune in shoes, used it to build this Arts and Crafts-style complex, and then lost it all.

The drive around the lake takes you through charming villages with cafés, restaurants, and shops. Even though you’re inland from the Atlantic, you won’t have to travel far to find a delicious lobster or seafood dinner.

We were blessed with fantastic weather for most of our week, but the last few days brought a cold front with rain and cooler temperatures. We missed the peak colors, but that didn’t matter. We enjoyed some delicious ribeyes on a grill, a cozy porch, and we had plenty of firewood (The campground generously gave away what was left of its seasonal stockpile to those of us who were still there until the end of the week).

Just in case Jeopardy! brings it up again, New York’s Adirondack Park is the biggest state park in the contiguous United States! If you’re a fan of changing leaves, this park, which covers six million acres, boasts one of the longest color seasons in the Northeast. The higher areas start to change first, followed by the valleys and lakeshores, so you’ll usually find color in the park for weeks. Lake George, Lake Placid, and Saranac Lake are the “postcard” spots, but the best views are often found on a quiet two-lane road or a scenic pull-off. For anglers, Angles offers thousands of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams to fish for bass, trout, and walleye, and an October morning on the water with the hills turning is truly magical.

Lake Placid is a charming village that’s great for a day or two, offering food and lodging. It’s also where the Winter Olympics were held in 1932 and 1980, and it has a fascinating history. When the leaves have fallen, there are plenty of fun activities like snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and winter sports.

Not far away, in Wilmington, on the way to Whiteface, is North Pole, NY, the home of Santa’s Workshop. This has been around since 1949 and is considered one of the country’s first theme parks. It closed last summer for some major updates but will be back open on weekends through December.

Just a quick hop from Lake Placid, you’ll find Saranac Lake, which started as a spot for fresh-air treatment for tuberculosis. You can still see many buildings from that era. Today, it’s most famous for its winter carnival. If you’re a fan of places with a history, like we are, the Hotel Saranac is a real gem. It opened in 1927 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s had its share of challenges, but it got a complete makeover eight years ago. We’ve stayed there a few times since and loved every visit.

Nearby, Tupper Lake has the Wild Center, a science-based attraction that shows off the natural beauty of the Adirondacks in a fun and interactive way. The buildings have lots of exhibits that tell the story of the area, and there’s even a walkway that takes you up above the trees. These are just a few of the cool spots in the Lake Placid area. In a future issue, we’ll explore other popular places in New York’s beautiful four-season playground.

Just a heads-up: most campgrounds in the Northeast close for the winter around mid-October, so start thinking about next year. Some switch to a simpler, more rustic schedule with fewer amenities for those who love camping. The weather can be unpredictable. For example, on September 30, 2022, we climbed to the top of Whiteface in the Adirondacks, and it was sunny, calm, and surprisingly warm. But just one week later, this very spot was covered in snow. So, you never know what you’re in for!

Whether you’re looking for color this month or already dreaming of a winter escape, the Adirondacks are perfect for travelers who want to slow down and soak in the surroundings. Think of this as your go-to guide to start planning your trip.

Upnext - Pennsylvania to the Carolinas to follow the color.

What it does: It gives every 10-foot square on Earth its own three-word "address," so you can say exactly where you are, or exactly where you're going, with no street signs or address needed.

Why you'll want it on a fall road trip: Find and share the best overlooks, trailheads, and campsites that often have no street address. "Meet me at the pull-off past the red barn" doesn't always work. Three words do.

Cost: free. There's a paid version for businesses, but you don't need it.

You don't need to create an account to find and share addresses. Saving favorite spots may ask you to sign in, and that's optional.

That square is only about 10 feet wide, so the address is the same for everyone standing in it. Step outside the square, your 3 words will change.

Handy trick: you can also just read the three words aloud over the phone. Whoever's on the other end types them into their app and sees exactly where you are.

Found a great fishing hole or a perfect foliage pull-off? Tap Save and give it a name like "Best fall view." Next time you're in the area, or when you want to tell a friend, it's saved. The app can also keep lists, such as "Adirondack trip."

Next time you're out for a drive, stop at a spot you like, open the app and tap Locate me. Send me your three words. I'd love to hear where you've been.

There are obviously many places in the US where the fall colors rival the Northeast. One such area is Door County, Wisconsin. In comparison to the areas mentioned above, Door County is rather flat, but there are plenty of places to climb up and get a good view of the countryside. Often referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest," Door County occupies a peninsula that juts out into Lake Michigan. It’s a very unique and scenic area with a special vibe all its own.

There are 11 lighthouses, quaint coastal villages, pumpkin farms, gift shops, wineries, friendly pubs and supper clubs. No visit is complete without partaking in a Door County fish boil. It’s a rather compact area with two main roads running north and south. In the summer, it can get very busy, but this time of year it’s pretty quiet. Winters there are brutal (or so I’m told), so many business owners close up and head south. We’ll talk more about it in a future issue—You may want to add Door County, Wisconsin to you Itch list.

To everything there is a season.
For many, the season to travel is later in life, when time is more flexible and the passion to explore is greatest. While there are hundreds of podcasts and newsletters that focus on travelling, we’re hoping “Still Got The Itch", strikes a chord with those of you who have been dreaming of going somewhere special, but have let life put it off. This is a work in progress, but if you like what we’re doing, please hit subscribe. It don’t cost nothing. If you have a story to share, we would love to hear it - email [email protected].