What state has the best autumn leaf viewing?
(I ma a leaf-peeper)
Pennsylvania (the eastern portion) is lauded as a very good place for fall colors. I think New York, Connecticut, & Vermont are also very nice.
In Minnesota, on the North Shore of Lake Superior, go to the Lutsen Ski Resort, ride the cable car to the top of Moose Mountain, and look over the north slope (away from Lake Superior)
Even before the leaves change it’s spectacular.
Depends on how much travelling you want to do. I’ve lived in Wyoming (Jackson Hole area and Cheyenne), Southern Oregon, and Connecticut. All have their beauty, but the most spectacular autumnal displays I’ve seen were in Vermont, Lake Champlaign/Burlington area.
Don’t forget to try the cider if you go up that way… mmmm… Very tasty indeed!
Sadly, an infestation of a critter called the forest tent caterpiller has made the colors in Northern Minnesota a bit dulled, and should again next year, before the population naturally recedes. Drought in the east and other parts of the nation have had a dulling effect as well. If you are looking for Oaks and Maples that have had the required amount of seasonal rain for a vibrant color, Northern Iowa, Southern Minnesota, and a good chunk of Wisconsin will be THE place in the nation to be.
I may be Minnesota-centric, but in any other year I would say the Northern East coast is the best place to go, due to the hardwoods and colorful softwoods. With Northern Minnesota a good fall back.
Thanks for the suggestion RAWDuke. I’m a Duluthian (at the moment, anyway) so I may just try that out.
Things are going slowly here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but I’m guessing in a week or two the leaves will be spectacular. Theyr’e starting to turn now, and yesterday Mr. Athena and I saw a tree that was hot, flaming pink. It was so bright it looked fake! Short drive from Duluth as well.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in East Tennesse.
My pleasure, BlackKnight!
The drive up the North Shore is worthwhile any time of the year, and even if the worms have ruined the fall colors it’s a nice trip.
What makes you a momentary Duluthian?
Northeast Pennsylvania, I know, I live here.
My mom always loved to see the fall leaves along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. That’s why, later this month, we’re going out there to spread her ashes there.
That was more depressing than I meant it to be. I’m just saying, she really liked them and felt very at peace there.
For some really pretty viewing head North on the Adirondack Northway (I-87) from Glens falls, NY and keep driving. It will take you straight up through the Adirondacks and it’s gorgeous.
brown county in Indiana. There are also hundreds of small shops nearby and if that does not make you want to come there is also a Buddhist temple nearby
I throw in a vote for us here on the west coast. In a few weeks the eastern Cascade slopes of Washington will be bursting in color. I live above the Green River Valley south of Seattle and we get a pretty nice explosion of color in the fall here too.
Although not a State, the south of Quebec is beautiful (I can’t wait to go home for Thanksgiving just to see the leaves!). Although I suppose Northern Vermont/Maine is similar 
Western NY has BEAUTIFUL fall foliage - I miss it so much here in Louisiana where the leaves appear plastic year round.
Around the town I used to live in (Livonia, NY - about 45 minutes south of Rochester) they have all sorts of state parks (Letchworth, Stony Brook, Buttermilk, and one other whose name eludes me at the moment) where you can walk through a gorge and view the scenery. They also have nice hiking trails, which don’t require skill or too much endurance. I highly recommend it!
Of course, I’ve gotta speak up for my home state, which is gorgeous in the fall (but at least in the Burlington latitudes we haven’t really seen the change yet… soon).
Also, upstate NY is an incredible place, or go out to the finger lakes… I remember going to Ithaca college back when I was exploring school options, and being pretty blown away by the autumnal display there.
Come to VT though. Ya won’t be disapointed.
I’m going to school here, but probably won’t be staying in the area past that. (Not that there’s anything wrong with the area, it’s just that I’m not sure how many job opportunities there would be for me around here.)
Another voye for the Blue Ridge here, especially Skyline Drive in Virginia.
The Mid-Atlantic fall display will be somewhat subdued due to the drought…