Satisfying your color-lust with leaf-peeping

It's time to pack your bag. Bring the essentials (the Visa, shades and your fav vino), but leave the stress behind. It’s leaf-peeping time in New England and Southern Ontario.

Fall FoliageNature’s ready for her annual striptease and lots of are thinking just like you. Plan in advance for this adventure and ensure your getaway is all you’re hoping for – minus the frustration. 

Reserve in advance

New England, Southern Ontario and Quebec are the fall hot-spots, which means ins, lodges and B&B’s fill up fast. If your first choice is fully booked, a larger city allows you to make lots of day trips in multiple directions. Toronto is an hour’s drive from Niagara and Muskoka, while Boston opens up the beauty of Massachusetts.

If your schedule is flexible, consider traveling Sunday through Thursday instead of on the weekend. You’ll have your choice of accommodation and enjoy innkeepers who have more time to chat and share local hideouts with you.

Track the color trail

The fall foliage color change is a like a ribbon flung in the air – constantly moving and beautiful. To ensure you’re where the colors are most vibrant, use these online tools:

Canada Color Report – The Weather Network

United States Color Report – US Forest Service

Start Early

If you’re creating a digital trail of your travels, hit the road early in the mornings to catch the vivid colors. Unlike Fridays at the office, stay later and capture the twilight hour. Right before sunset, when the sky is muted, colors pop more than they do at any other time of day.

Search out local relics to frame your images. An old stone church or water mill, natural cliffs or weathered and worn farms evoke romance and help capture the true beauty of the season.

Prepare for the worst

Fall in New England and Ontario can mean you’ll experience 3 seasons in one 1 day. Cool in the morning, warmer by afternoon and a downright chilly downpour by dinner. Pack a waterproof jacket, layers of sweaters a change of shoes. Wet feet can ruin an afternoon.

Brown bag it

Apple FestivalsIf you’re all about the color, pack a picnic instead of spending lunches indoors. Remember to bring along bottled water and snacks as well so you’re not searching for the nearest convenience store instead of the next great vista.

Look beyond the foliage. There’s no denying Nature puts on a glorious show in the fall, but apple harvests, art galleries and local restaurants provide their fair share of excitement when the day turns rainy.

Keep reality in check

You’re here to enjoy the foliage, but that doesn’t mean it’s kosher to hold up local traffic with your gawking. Be aware that your vacation coincides with others’ lives – pull over if you want to linger. And while you’re watching out for locals, be aware of critter crossing. Hitting a 1,000 pound moose will quickly put an end to your trip – and any future trips for that matter.

I’m traveling to Quebec in a couple of weeks in the hopes I’ll catch the best of the foliage in Eastern Ontario. Do you have fall foliage travel plans in the works?

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