"With crunchy leaves, crisp breezes, and apple picking on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to plan a quick and easy family getaway to experience the best of fall. Of course, the thing that defines the season above all else is fall foliage. Whether you’re a hardcore leaf-peeper who’s passed on that passion to the next generation or a more casual tree gazer keen to enjoy some pretty scenery, good food, and seasonal activities with the kids, we’ve rounded up the ultimate leaf-peeping trips for families.
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All our favorite spots are relatively easy to reach by plane, train, or car and are filled with stuff for the whole crew to do together. Best of all, we included a few off-peak gems that won’t be too crowded or pricey. The only thing left to do? Pack some cozy knits and a camera (yes, an iPhone counts) to capture those sweet family memories surrounded by fall colors.
When Are Peak Fall Colors?
Green leaves or bare trees would put a damper on a family leaf-peeping trip, so it’s good to keep in mind the estimated weeks for peak fall colors where you plan to visit. For example, according to Accuweather data, the best time for a Northeast fall foliage trip in 2024 will be between late September and mid-October. While peak colors in the more southern states like Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri will be mid-October through early November.
Fall Foliage Map for 2024
While New England is known as one of the best leaf-peeping destinations, this year, weather experts are predicting the Midwest will have the most vibrant fall foliage based on the summer and early fall weather patterns. So there will be more unexpected destinations to see peak fall foliage in 2024.
Best Leaf-Peeping Spots for Families
However, not everyone is a short drive away from Midwest destinations in Minnesota, Michigan, or the Ozarks, so we’ve rounded up the best leaf-peeping spots for families nationwide—plus, one prime Canadian fall foliage destination a short flight from the Northeast.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Known as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg puts on a vibrant show from early October to mid-November. Older kids will love mountain biking and more challenging treks while tykes teeter around the walking paths and crunch in piles of leaves. If the kiddos aren’t up for hoofing it long distances, consider a self-guided driving tour. For frame-worthy family photos and sweeping foliage views, ascent to the top of the 407-foot-tall Space Needle observation in downtown Gatlinburg.
Where to stay
A family-friendly glamping resort, Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains, puts nature front and center. Guests get to partake in nostalgic camping traditions like s’mores by the fire while trading sleeping bags for tricked-out tents with comfy mattresses, en-suite bathrooms, and wood-burning stoves.
Asheville, North Carolina
Editor’s Note: Current travel advisories recommend avoiding all non-essential travel to Asheville due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Be sure to check local advisories before planning a trip. We hope all affected can recover quickly.
With more than 100 species of deciduous trees and one of the longest leaf seasons of any destination, Asheville draws fall foliage chasers from near and far. The funky North Carolina city turns on the fiery-hued charm in autumn. In addition to hiking trails in the surrounding mountains and state forests, the local parks (Tempie Avery Montford Community Center and Bent Creek Community Park both have playgrounds) are great spots for the kiddos to burn off energy and get a quick hit of nature. Hungry? Most of the breweries are surprisingly kid-friendly with picnic tables, live music, and food to appeal to young palates.
Where to stay
Housed in an old factory that forged steel for the Biltmore Estate, The Foundry Hotel Asheville, Curio Collection by Hilton serves up history alongside industrial-chic design and a great location in the heart of the Block neighborhood. The seasonal leaf-peeping package takes the guesswork out of chasing stunning crimson views.
Newport, Rhode Island
Another summer destination that’s a blast (not to mention way more budget-friendly) in the off-season, Newport possesses an unbeatable mix of coastal charm and urban excitement. It’s a small, walkable city that’s easy to navigate on foot (or stroller). When fall rolls in, the Gilded Age mansions and sailboats are complemented by colorful foliage. A few of the best spots to peep the changing leaves include Goddard Memorial State Park, Bowen’s Wharf, and the iconic Newport Cliff Walk. Aside from the autumnal splendor, Newport has a jam-packed event calendar. Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival (October 19-20) is a family favorite.
Where to stay
Newport Harbor Island Resort provides a more tot-friendly alternative to staying in bustling downtown Newport. The revamped retreat supplies indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, fire pits, and a 22-slip marina, plus bikes and a shuttle service make accessing top attractions a breeze for families.
Stowe, Vermont
Situated at the foot of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, Stowe is one of the most iconic autumn destinations in the country. The endless opportunities for outdoor recreation set against a backdrop of crimson, orange, and gold leaves make it the quintessential fall family getaway. Parents won’t have any trouble pushing a stroller along the Stowe Recreation Path but might want to opt for a carrier on Stowe Pinnacle Trail. Bank on a car nap and soak in the views from the Auto Toll Road while LOs sleep soundly in the back seat. For a birds-eye view of the treetops, go on the Gondola SkyRide at Stowe Mountain Resort.
Where to stay
Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge promises to keep kids busy and earn parents plenty of points. In addition to cozy rooms and suites, the family-friendly Stowe basecamp offers indoor and outdoor pools, a retro arcade/game room, and the new BluebirdKIDS program.
Park City, Utah
Park City is a winter wonderland destination that draws droves of skiers and snowboarders. The best-kept secret? The beloved Utah mountain town delights travelers in the fall with vivid foliage that’s visible from Main Street (where you’ll find many outdoor apparel shops and family-friendly restaurants) to City Park playground to the myriad hiking trails that wind through the alpine wilderness. McPolin Nature Trail, Bloods Lake Trail, and Silver Lake Trail are some of the top picks for tiny legs and leafy surroundings. Don’t miss face painting, rock climbing, and live music at the Park Silly Sunday Market.
Where to stay
A slope side resort designed with families in mind, Montage Deer Valley boasts a kids club, heated outdoor pool, a pub with arcade games and a bowling alley, and in-suite camping setups. Because fall is shoulder season, rates are way more reasonable.
Catskills, New York
Rich autumn hues are on display across the mountain peaks, rolling hills, and open expanses in the Catskills from early September through October. In this picturesque corner of Upstate New York that’s just two and a half hours from the Big Apple, outdoor adventures vastly outnumber movie theaters and shopping malls. So it’s the perfect getaway for active families or parents trying to get kiddos to swap screen time for fresh air and nature-centric play. There are hundreds of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, plus scenic drives, Oktoberfest festivities, apple picking, and farmers markets.
Where to stay
Situated at the doorstep of Windham Mountain, Wylder Windham invites families to fuel up for the day with coffee and fresh croissants at Babblers, play lawn games, engage in friendly competition on the pickleball courts, do tree swings, laze in hammocks, sweat it out in the saunas, and admire in the leafy views.
For a budget-friendly family glamping experience, check out Autocamp Catskills where you can sleep among the trees in thoughtfully appointed Airstreams or cabins, each with their own campfire spot for late-night s’mores. Check out the fall colors from a kayak or canoe on nearby rivers or check out any number of hiking trails to walk among the fall colors. Plus, during the month of October, you can enjoy an on-site pumpkin patch perfect for fall family photos.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Located just one hour and 45 minutes from Denver, Breckenridge brings the slopeside family fun. Winter may be prime time for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, but shoulder season earns accolades for its foliage-framed landscape. Shades of orange and gold transform the mountainsides into a living work of art. It’s a superb backdrop for alpine adventures as well as park hopping, al fresco dining, visiting the giant, wooden Isak Heartstone statue, and, of course, snapping frame-worthy family photos.
Where to stay
One of the best family hotels in Colorado, Gravity Haus Breckenridge delivers a major dose of mountain magic for families (including fur babies—dogs are welcome). Featuring kid-approved bunk rooms, hot tubs, and a great on-site restaurant, it’s an ideal Breck base camp for the whole crew.
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
The best leaf-peeping prospects in the Midwest range from national forests to leafy small towns. One of the most picturesque fall escapes also happens to be a top contender in the family fun department. With water and theme parks, mini golf, and magic shows, Wisconsin Dells has plenty to entertain travelers of all ages. On the outdoorsy side of things, Mirror Lake State Park is a top spot for a foliage fix with miles of forested hiking trails. Another way to see the rock formations and russet leaves? Rent a kayak or book a guided boat tour.
Where to stay
Most families know Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells as a place to go to splash, swim, and slide. The indoor water park, arcade games, and magical quests are four-season drawcards. In the fall, the list of highlights also includes jumping in piles of crunchy leaves, trick-or-treating, and costume contests.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg is a year-round destination for history and educational family fun. Autumnal trips are about a lot more than bringing the kiddos to learn about the Civil War at popular attractions such as Gettysburg National Battlefield and Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center. The red, orange, and yellow leaves are a major reason to visit in the fall. Older kids and teens can get in the spooky season spirit thanks to ghost tours. Nearby Biglerville hosts the National Apple Harvest Festival in October. Expect scarecrow-making contests, hay rides, and homemade apple pancakes.
Where to stay
The Best Western Gettysburg receives high marks from families who tout the clean, comfortable rooms, reasonable rates, friendly service, and walkable location (it’s a five-minute stroll from Gettysburg National Cemetery and Dobbin House Tavern) as reasons to book.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod is a storied summer escape. But when the droves of seersucker-clad vacationers depart after Labor Day, things really slow down, the sandy beaches clear out, and the leaves erupt into a bounty of burnt orange, red, and gold. The crisp coastal air and Atlantic waves complement the changing leaves that are visible from the scenic bike paths and hiking trails in Nickerson State Park and Cape Cod National Seashore. The seafood shacks dish out piping hot bowls of clam chowder. Many of the hotels and resorts in the area do special seasonal programming. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that prices dip as the temps drop.
Where to stay
The newly-renovated Red Jacket Beach Resort boasts a prime oceanfront location and many family-friendly amenities—from a private sandy beach and heated zero-entry outdoor kids’ pool to bunk bed-style suites and cottages that accommodate up to 12 people.
Québec City, Canada
Families keen to do an international trip that doesn’t require long-haul air travel or a major time zone change should look to our neighbors to the north. Québec City is a great idea for a fall family getaway because it’s a short flight from most major East Coast cities and has rich French culture, spectacular foliage, and heaps of activities. Families can admire the stunning shades of yellows, oranges, and reds while hiking in the parks, picking apples at the local orchards, cruising the St. Lawrence River, or strolling the cobblestone streets of Old Québec.
Where to stay
The imposing European-style Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is an iconic and exceedingly family-friendly landmark that wows in every season. Fall stays mean ample opportunities for leaf-peeping, kid-specific activities such as treasure hunts, and cozy accommodations for unwinding at the end of the day.
Lindsay Cohn, Contributing Writer
Lindsay is a freelance writer and avid traveler who has visited 46 countries across six continents—and counting. She writes articles for The Everymom about all things travel, from the best family-friendly destinations to tips for traveling with kids and beyond. When she’s not writing, you can find her doing yoga, spending time with her sons, and planning the next trip on her bucket list.