TripAdvisor's Top 10 Fall Foliage Destinations

There's no shortage of picturesque cities and towns across the U.S. for travelers in search of beautiful fall foliage.

However there are a few destinations that stand out from the rest.

TripAdvisor has revealed its top 10 fall foliage destinations based on the quantity and quality of reviews as they pertain to foliage in addition to the quantity and quality of reviews for nearby accommodations and attractions.

Looking for Leaves? Head to New England 

Stowe, Vermont is sandwiched in between Mt. Mansfield State Forest and CC Putnam State Forest 45 minutes east of Burlington and is the No. 1 stop for fall foliage according to TripAdvisor. 

A nature lover's paradise year-round, visitors to Stowe can experience the great outdoors without having to rough it.

The Stowe Mountain Lodge, Green Mountain Inn and Topnotch Resort are beloved by TripAdvisor users, offering an excellent combination of comfort and scenery.

Travelers will only need to make a two-and-a-half hour drive east to North Conway, New Hampshire, to experience TripAdvisor's second-ranked destination for fall foliage.

Located outside of the White Mountain National Forest not far from the New Hampshire-Maine border, North Conway is home to the scenic Kancamagus Highway, which should definitely be the first stop for visitors seeking gorgeous color-changing leaves.

"With Stowe, Vermont and North Conway, New Hampshire occupying the top two spots on the list, New England is a prime region for viewing the season's colors," TripAdvisor director of communications Brooke Ferencsik said in a statement. 

You May Have Heard of These Places 

Trailing Stowe and North Conway are a pair of more well-known fall destinations. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Aspen, Colorado, and Niagara Falls, New York, both cracked the top five this year. With the Rocky Mountains serving as a backdrop, there's no debating Aspen's spot at No. 3 on the list. Meanwhile, Niagara Falls is a stunning natural attraction, no matter the time of year.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas, rounded out the top five. Located in the Ozark Mountains just minutes away from the pristine Beaver Lake, this destination is not only home to some of the country's most beautiful foliage, but also a wildlife refuge, multiple art galleries and a historic railway, among other attractions. 

In addition to Aspen, No. 6-ranked Park City, Utah, and No. 9 Portland, Oregon, were recognized as the top foliage destinations out West. It's worth noting that Portland's nearly 3,800 TripAdvisor-listed restaurants and 780-plus attractions are far and away the most of any destination in the top 10 this year.

The Ideal Day Trip

Travelers visiting the Southeast this fall will have an opportunity to experience three of TripAdvisor's top 10 foliage destinations in the span of a day. No. 7 Asheville, North Carolina; No. 8 Greenville, South Carolina and No. 10 Gatlinburg, Tennessee are located all within 130 miles of each other, meaning it's certainly possible to hit all three stops over the course of a day.

Begin your drive heading east through Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg. Next, explore the Blue Ridge Parkway as you pass through Asheville. Finally, conclude your journey at any number of attractions in Greenville, a destination known for its charm and scenic landscapes this time of year. 

Citing a recent survey, Ferencsik said that more than eight in 10 American travelers (82 percent) are planning a trip this fall, a figure that spotlights the constant allure of Mother Nature. 

Source: www.travelpulse.com