Golden foliage at the Chicago Botanic Garden

It might have just officially turned to the fall season but Chicago is already ablaze with lovely red and orange leaves and cool temperatures.  Walks along the lakefront will get you a glimpse of autumn color but if you really want to experience the total glory of Chicago’s fall, grab a bike and ride through the North Branch Trail System to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Read More »

Fall foliage at Hot Springs National Park

Hop a vintage stream liner for a scenic fall tour through the Ozarks Mountains with Vacations by Rail’s 8-day tour of Memphis, Eureka Springs, Hot Springs and the Ozarks Mountains.  Enjoy the brilliance of fall colors with close up views of Hot Springs National Park and Garvan Woodland Gardens, which features a 210 acre botanical garden as well as natural springs, waterfalls and cascading streams.  The tour’s natural wonders is complemented with historic city tours of Memphis and visits to famous restaurants and landmarks. Read More »

The Kancamagus Scenic Byway

New Hampshire may have some great skiing, and some family-friendly theme parks, but the state really shines during fall foliage season.  Are you looking for New England’s best foliage?  Then, definitely take a trip to my favorite leaf peeping spot in New England – the Kancamagus Scenic Byway which goes right through the White Mountains.  This byway, which stretches from Lincoln, NH on the west to Conway, NH on the east, is about thirty-five miles.

If you start in Lincoln, consider stopping at Clark’s Trading Post, which has a great trained bear show (only through mid-October), and a huge gift shop filled with New Hampshire kitch.  The Lincoln Village Shops, right at the start of the Kancamagus Highway, is also a worthwhile stop. Read More »

Golden leaves

If only the palm trees changed color in the fall.  Alas, this is a desert, and one must travel, quite literally, UP, to see that iconic vision of autumn:  fall foliage.  Fortunately in Los Angeles, everything is a day trip away.  One of the best local places to see the landscape in its glory is Mt. Baldy.

The tallest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles, Mt. Baldy is a popular ski resort area.  During the summer and early fall months, the Mt. Baldy Ski Resort’s lifts operate to bring hikers and visitors to the summit sans snow.  That is certainly one way to see the grandeur of the changing foliage of Southern California.  Bonus, the restaurant at the top of the ski lift is open and has Happy Hour every Saturday night, and it even throws a full moon hiking party.

If you are afraid of heights or you want to experience the vistas on foot, a hike on the Icehouse Canyon trail is very popular (and sometimes very crowded).  Parking at the trailhead requires an adventure pass, which sounds awesome.For up-to-date information on Mt. Baldy, contact the visitor center at (909) 981-3344.

[Photo by Scott Lidell via sxc.hu]