Travel

Photos show what 10 popular fall destinations look like during the peak and offseason

Talia Lakritz
2023-09-07T15:52:02Z
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A split image of Central Park in New York City during the fall (left) and winter.
Central Park in New York City during the fall (left) and winter. rabbit75_ist/Getty Images ; matejphoto/Getty Images
  • Door County, Wisconsin, an award-winning fall destination, is covered in snow during the winter.
  • The fall colors in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, disappear in the wintertime.
  • Multnomah Falls in Oregon features orange leaves in autumn, but not as the seasons change.
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There are many places across the US to enjoy beautiful fall colors as leaves burst into reds, oranges, and yellows.

However, the autumn displays don't last long. Before you know it, the trees lose all of their leaves, resulting in less vibrant scenery.

Here's what 10 famous fall foliage destinations look like during the peak season — and the drastic difference once the seasons change.

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The mountains surrounding Stowe, Vermont, burst with bright colors in the fall.

Stowe, Vermont, during the fall.
Stowe, Vermont, during the fall. Songquan Deng/Shutterstock

In the winter, the scenery is still beautiful, but more muted.

Stowe Community Church on a cold frosty fall morning in Stowe, Vermont, USA.
Stowe, Vermont, in the winter. DonLand/Getty Images
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Door County, Wisconsin, was named the best destination for fall foliage in 2019 by USA Today.

Fall foliage in Door County, Wisconsin.
Door County, Wisconsin. Christopher J. Franklin Photography/Getty Images

Source: USA Today

During the winter months, Door County is blanketed in snow.

Door County, Wisconsin, covered in snow.
Door County, Wisconsin, covered in snow. Steven Puetzer/Getty Images
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The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through Virginia and North Carolina with vibrant autumn colors.

Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway, in the fall. jaredkay/iStock

In the off season, the trees are white with snow, instead.

Blue Ridge Parkway.
Blue Ridge Parkway, in the winter, DanaForeman/Shutterstock
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At Whitaker Point in Kingston, Arkansas, the golden glow of sunset matches the color of the autumn leaves.

The sun rises over Whitaker Point, known as Hawksbill Crag, in Arkansas as the fall colors begin to set in on the trees
Whitaker Point, also known as Hawksbill Crag. ksnyd_10/Shutterstock

The views are still stunning in the spring.

Early Spring At Hawksbill Crag Arkansas
Whitaker Point, also known as Hawksbill Crag. Ross Ellet/Shutterstock
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Fall scenery is reflected in Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith, New Hampshire.

Fall foliage on Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith, New Hampshire.
Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith, New Hampshire. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

Lake Winnipesaukee freezes over as the seasons change.

Meredith, New Hampshire, on Lake Winnipesaukee
Winter in Meredith, New Hampshire. hale irwin/Getty Images
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The leaves surrounding Multnomah Falls in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge turn orange in the fall.

Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon with beautiful fall colors.
Multnomah Falls. Hlewk/Shutterstock

During the winter months, the snowy waterfall still flows, although it can partially freeze over.

Multnomah Falls frozen in winter
Multnomah Falls in the winter. Dendron/Getty Images

Source: Travel Portland

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Autumn in Maine's Acadia National Park is full of reds, oranges, and yellows.

Orange red and yellow colors of the trees and plants in Acadia National Park in October
Acadia National Park in October. Don Donelson/Getty Images

The views are still incredible in the offseason, but they're not as colorful.

Acadia National Park in winter.
Acadia National Park in winter. Douglas Rissing/Getty Images
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The Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York make for a scenic autumn drive.

Fall foliage in the Adirondacks
The view of autumn trees along a curve in the road in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Diana Robinson Photography/Getty Images

The winding mountain roads become lined with snowy trees when winter arrives.

Snow covered trees along route 10 in Arrietta in Hamilton county in the Adirondack Forest Preserve in New York State
Snow-covered trees in the Adirondack Forest Preserve. Bob Grabowski/Shutterstock
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Travel + Leisure named Eastern Shore, Maryland, one of the best places to see fall foliage in the US.

Rural roadway on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in autumn.
Rural roadway on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in autumn. threespeedjones/Getty Images

Source: Travel + Leisure

As the weather gets colder, Eastern Shore's bare trees allow more sunlight to filter through.

A forest in Maryland's Eastern Shore region
Springtime on Maryland's Eastern Shore region. Joesboy/Getty Images
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Walking through New York City's Central Park in the fall feels cinematic with bold-colored leaves.

Central Park in the fall.
Central Park in New York City in the fall. rabbit75_ist/Getty Images

Wintertime in Central Park is also picturesque.

The mall in Central Park, New York City, USA during a snowstorm. Image is grayscale toned with blue hue to invoke coldness.
Central Park, New York City, during a snowstorm. matejphoto/Getty Images

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