As the weather cools down, fall is one of the best times of year to get outside and explore — especially when the trees start putting on their annual show in many parts of the country. Across the U.S., forests, mountains, lakes, and small towns come alive with fall color. From New England classics to mountain landscapes in the West, here are 10 of the best U.S. places for leaf-peeping in 2026, according to a new report by Priceline using hotel search data to rank popular foliage destinations.

10. French Lick, Indiana

In southern Indiana, the hills and forests around the historic small town of French Lick put on a colorful show each autumn. Hop on the French Lick Scenic Railway to see the fall landscape without having to worry about driving. Or jump in the car and head to nearby Patoka Lake, a great place to catch the changing leaves, whether you’re hiking along the shoreline or taking in the views from the water. Another prime foliage spot is Hoosier National Forest, just outside French Lick, where miles of wooded trails wind through the rolling hills around town. For a shorter outing, you can also explore the numerous trails that wind through the 3,200 acres of French Lick Resort.

9. Stowe, Vermont

Few places do fall quite like Stowe. The Green Mountains are packed with colors in October, and you don’t have to venture far from town to find them. Take the Stowe Recreation Path for an easy way to see the foliage on foot or by bike, then drive up Route 108 toward Smugglers’ Notch State Park for another scenic look at the season. The town itself is well worth exploring, especially when the leaves are at their peak. For a quintessential Vermont experience, stop at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, where you can grab a cider and enjoy the surrounding countryside. You can also hop on the Gondola SkyRide at Stowe Mountain Resort for a bird’s-eye view of the fall colors.

8. The Berkshires – Massachusetts

The Berkshires are a classic fall getaway for good reason: By October, the area’s hillsides are covered in vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, with plenty of small towns scattered throughout. Drive along Route 7, which winds through 16 miles of some of the region’s best scenery, or head to Mount Greylock in the town of Adams, the highest point in Massachusetts, for panoramic views of the surrounding fall colors. The drive up Mount Greylock’s seasonal auto road is another option if you’d rather take in the views from the car. Also in Adams, try the Cheshire Harbor Trail, which climbs through colorful forest to the summit.

7. North Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Fall brings a different kind of scenery to North Lake Tahoe, with golden aspens popping against the deep blue of the lake and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains rising behind it. One of the best ways to take it all in is along the Mount Rose Highway, the highest all-season pass in the mountain range, where the higher elevations offer sweeping views of autumn colors. For an easy stop to stretch your legs, head to Incline Village and explore the trails around the north shore.

6. Tunnel of Trees – Michigan

Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees is exactly what it sounds like: a narrow, winding road surrounded by thick forest that becomes especially colorful in the fall. The 22-mile scenic route on M-119 follows the Lake Michigan shoreline between Harbor Springs and Cross Village, with opportunities to stop for a hike, take in the views, or explore the small towns en route. For the best fall colors, plan your drive for mid- to late October, when the hardwood forests are typically at their most colorful.

5. Bretton Woods – New Hampshire

Tucked into the White Mountains, Bretton Woods is surrounded by forests that explode with color each fall, with Mount Washington — the tallest peak in New England — rising above it all. You have many options for seeing the colors: Take a scenic cruise along the Kancamagus Highway or through Crawford Notch State Park, ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway or the Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola, or explore the trails around Mount Willard.

4. Bucks County, Pennsylvania

The rolling hills, country lanes, and small historic towns of Bucks County are especially beautiful come October, when the trees turn bright shades of red, orange, and gold. Take a leisurely drive on River Road, wander through the charming town of New Hope, or explore one of the county’s many parks and trails for an easygoing experience of fall in Pennsylvania. For some of the best views, head to Nockamixon State Park, where the colorful forests surround a lake and make for a particularly beautiful autumn backdrop.

3. Aspen, Colorado

It’s no coincidence Aspen is one of Colorado’s top fall foliage destinations. The town is named for the quaking aspen trees that cover the surrounding mountainsides in the Rockies, creating a spectacular display of golden and yellow leaves each fall. Take a scenic drive along Independence Pass or Castle Creek Road, hike through the aspen groves, or head to the iconic Maroon Bells for some of the state’s most breathtaking autumn scenery. Peak foliage typically arrives in late September.

2. Columbia River Gorge – Washington

The Columbia River Gorge in Washington is one of the top places on the West Coast to experience fall foliage, with forests of maple, oak, and cottonwood trees turning shades of red, orange, and gold each autumn. The dramatic landscape combines hillsides, cliffs, waterfalls, and sweeping views of the Columbia River below, and the area offers many ways to experience the colors of autumn, from winding roads along the gorge to viewpoints like Cape Horn Lookout and Beacon Rock.

1. The Adirondacks – New York

For classic fall scenery, it’s hard to beat the Adirondacks. In fact, Priceline named the 6 million-acre mountain region in upstate New York the top fall foliage destination in the U.S. for 2026, and it’s easy to see why. Scenic drives wind past fiery forests, with quiet lakes reflecting the vibrant foliage, and charming towns like Lake Placid and Saranac Lake to explore along the way. Several spots, including Whiteface Mountain, offer incredible panoramic views of the fall foliage via the famous 5-mile Veterans’ Memorial Highway, which you can drive nearly to the summit.