USA Today 10 Best finally released the 10 best places to see fall colors in the United States—but shockingly, the Adirondacks aren’t number one. Believe it or not, the Adirondacks didn’t even make it into the top five.
To uncover the best places to see fall colors in the U.S., USA Today relied on nominations from an expert panel that were then voted on by their readers. And while the Adirondacks did manage to make the list (thank goodness!), most of the top spots were claimed by four other nearby/East Coast destinations.
10 best places to see fall colors in the U.S.
- Upper Peninsula of Michigan
- Roanoke, Virginia
- Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
- Potter-Tioga, Pennsylvania
- White Mountain, New Hampshire
- Blue Ridge Mountain, Georgia
- Adirondacks, New York
- Hocking Hills, Ohio
- Mountaineer Country, West Virginia
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan was praised for its nearly 7 million acres of forest and 10 fall color routes spanning 1,500 miles. According to USA Today, “there are endless opportunities for a peaceful autumn drive [in the UP] to soak in the scenery. ”
Top fall foliage destinations near NYC
According to USA Today’s fall foliage rankings, these nearby destinations all outshined the Adirondacks for autumn color—and here’s how far each is from NYC.
Roanoke, Virginia
🤩 Highlights include McAfee Knob on the Appalachian Trail, the Pine Tree and Purgatory Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the 100-foot-tall Roanoke Star.
🚗 ~7 hour drive from NYC
Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
🤩 Highlights include the Allegheny Mountains, the Great Allegheny Passage and various fall festivals.
🚗 ~5 hour drive from NYC
Potter-Tioga, Pennsylvania
🤩 Highlights include Pine Creek Gorge, Colton Point, Leonard Harrison State Parks, Cherry Springs State Park and the Flaming Foliage Festival.
🚗 ~4 hour drive from NYC
White Mountain, New Hampshire
🤩 Highlights include Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and the Kancamagus Highway.
🚗 ~6 hour drive from NYC
Of course, we still think the Adirondacks are a wonderful escape to explore some of the country’s best fall foliage, from its postcard-perfect hikes to its unforgettable scenic byway.