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Looking for the best fall destinations in the United States?
Typically, the Northeastern United States is considered the best region of the country to see shades of red, orange and gold as the fall leaves change color.
States like Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire are known for the most beautiful fall foliage in the country.
However, traveling to the Northeast during peak season can be expensive and out of the way for many Americans.
Here are five underrated fall destinations around the country to check out instead:
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Located on the border between Tennessee and Georgia, this national park is one of the best places to see colorful foliage in the southern US this fall.
Like other national parks with beautiful fall foliage, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers many scenic vistas and scenic trails where you can see the fall colors in all their glory.
Compared to the Northeast, where the peak fall occurs from late September to mid-October, this occurs later in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Mid-October to early November is the best time to spot the changing colors here.
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2. Napa Valley, California
For those on the West Coast, California’s Napa Valley is a surprisingly good destination for fall foliage viewing.
Although Napa Valley is best known for its wine production, it is also one of the best destinations in California to see fall colors.
August through October coincides with grape harvest season in Napa Valley, making this the most popular time to visit. If you can go in early October, you can also enjoy the best fall foliage.
Napa Valley is about a 1.5-hour drive from San Francisco, so it makes a great day trip or weekend getaway in the fall.
3. Door County, Wisconsin
Just north of Green Bay, Door County is a peninsula in Wisconsin that juts out into Lake Michigan. While Michigan’s Upper Peninsula gets a lot of recognition for its beautiful fall foliage, Door County remains under the radar.
However, this is one of the best places in the Midwestern United States to see fall leaves. In addition to fall foliage, you can also do other classic fall activities in Door County, like apple picking and farmers markets.
The best time to see fall colors in Door County is from late September to mid-October.
4. New River Gorge National Park
Another one of the best underrated national parks for seeing fall leaves this year is New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia.
This is actually the newest national park in the United States, not being designated until 2022. As such, it is still an under-the-radar destination, but one that is well worth a visit.
Fall is the most beautiful time of year to visit New River Gorge National Park, and you can see some amazing vibrant colors. The best time to go for peak colors is mid to late October.
5. New York, New York
Big cities may not be the first place you think of when it comes to fall foliage, but New York is actually one of the best places in the country to see beautiful fall colors.
Although New York State is better known for its fall foliage, New York City is also an excellent option.
Although it is very urban, there are actually many great places in the city to see fall leaves. One of the most famous places is the iconic Central Park in New York, but other parks such as Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn also have beautiful autumn leaves.
Plus, a stroll through the leafy, tree-lined streets in picturesque neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights, the Upper East Side, and the West Village offers a glimpse of beautiful fall colors.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
