DESTINATIONS

IN PURSUIT OF BEAUTY
Fall’s Leafy Vistas

Every year as the temperature cools and days grow shorter, America’s back roads become a showcase for one of nature’s most visually appealing spectacles. The changing of the leaves from summer greens to a rainbow of oranges, yellows, and reds attracts millions of leaf peepers every year. New England is the old standby, but check out any of these routes for a memorable autumn drive.

MICHIGAN
Sandwiched between Lake Superior to the north and Lake Michigan to the south, the state’s Upper Peninsula is one of the better-known regions for leaf peeping in the country. Head north on Highway 41 from Menominee on the south shore and wind your way to the Keweenaw Peninsula for the best views. The highway goes through the famous Tunnel of Trees, enveloping drivers in the season’s bright gold and orange. Want to get out and stretch your legs? Stop off at one of dozens of easily accessible waterfalls along the way. (Visit www.michigan.org)

PENNSYLVANIA
The Keystone State has plenty of gorgeous places in between its well-known metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to take in the fall foliage. Check out Route 6 near the town of Tunkhannock (about 20 miles west of Scranton), a stretch of road deemed by National Geographic “one of America’s most scenic drives.” Heading west along the Susquehanna River, the country highway offers a brilliant view of the tree-covered Endless Mountains, which will be a vibrant orange by mid-October. Pull off the road at the Wyalusing Rocks, a dramatic lookout spot that sits 500 feet above the Susquehanna. (Go to www.visitPA.com)

VIRGINIA
The Skyline Drive, a 105-mile route along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park, is a sight to behold in any season, but autumn is particularly impressive. Take in the vibrant colors from one of the 75 overlooks that line the drive, offering panoramic glimpses from more than 3,000 feet up. If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a bike or a canoe in the park for a moderate fee to get a different perspective on the foliage. The best time for leaf color here is usually the second or third week of October. (For more information, visit www.virginia.org/fall)

ARIZONA
Noted far more for its barren deserts and rocky Grand Canyon than for its seasonal show of leafy grandeur, Arizona’s autumnal displays might surprise you. Oak Creek Canyon, far smaller than its world-famous cousin, is a prime example of a hidden gem for leaf watching. Drive north on U.S. 89 from Sonoma, and you’ll head straight into the 13-mile river gorge. The road winds its way along the floor of the narrow canyon and offers close-up glimpses of the gold and orange leaves and the sheer red rock of the canyon walls. (For more info, visit www.ArizonaGuide.com)

NEW HAMPSHIRE
The New England countryside is the gold standard for leaf peeping, and the 34-mile route along Kancamagus Highway that Backroads of New England declared “New England’s most superb scenic drive” certainly affirms the region’s lofty reputation. Cutting a path through White Mountain National Forest, the road has plenty of places to take in the woodland’s changing colors for the million or so people who gather here in the fall. An alternative White Mountain route is Mount Washington Auto Road. Head for the upper reaches of the Northeast’s highest peak for spectacular views. (For info, go to www.VisitNH.gov)
—Bill Donahue