Best Places to See Amazing Fall Color

Perhaps one of the most beautiful moments of the year is when summer finally gives way to autumn and the leaves begin changing into brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. After spending the long, warm days of summer waiting for cooler weather, it is always exciting to see green forests transformed into colorful autumn landscapes.

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest for several years, I have become especially fortunate to experience the seasonal transformation every year. However, there are countless wonderful destinations around the world where autumn foliage takes on its own distinctive character. The colors vary from place to place, and so does the ideal time to visit.

If you want to discover some of the world's most beautiful destinations for autumn foliage and plan your trip around the peak leaf-changing season, these five places are worth considering.

Vermont

Vermont is internationally famous for its spectacular autumn foliage and is an ideal destination for anyone who eagerly looks forward to the arrival of fall. The autumn landscape of the northeastern United States has a character that differs noticeably from what you find on the West Coast, with forests developing rich, jewel-like shades as temperatures begin to drop.

A road trip through Vermont over a long weekend is a wonderful way to experience the changing landscape. With colorful forests surrounding the roads and small towns along the way, it can easily leave you wishing that autumn lasted throughout the entire year.

Tokyo

Tokyo may seem like an unlikely place to search for spectacular fall foliage because of its dense urban environment, but the city can offer some remarkable autumn scenery. Japan is home to numerous traditional gardens, and many of them become especially beautiful when their trees begin changing color.

Within Tokyo, Rikugien Garden is an excellent place to experience the seasonal transformation. The garden provides an impressive display of autumn foliage and offers a very different atmosphere from the city's surrounding modern streets.

Paris

Paris is filled with parks and gardens that become particularly attractive during the autumn season. From the Luxembourg Gardens to the Tuileries Garden, colorful foliage can be found throughout many of the city's green spaces.

Combining the changing leaves with Paris's famous historic architecture creates an especially beautiful autumn setting. Walking through the city's parks while surrounded by fall colors offers a memorable way to experience Paris beyond its usual landmarks.

London

Some of the most memorable autumn foliage I have ever seen was in London during our honeymoon, when we walked through Hyde Park surrounded by falling leaves. The city contains an abundance of parks, gardens, and other green spaces, giving autumn plenty of room to make its presence felt.

As the leaves begin to turn, London's landscape takes on beautiful shades of gold and orange. The combination of colorful trees, open parks, and the city's distinctive atmosphere makes London particularly charming during the fall season.

Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest, my home region, naturally deserves a place on this list. Northern Oregon experiences a beautiful autumn season, and although a significant portion of the area's forests consists of evergreen trees, the contrast created by changing deciduous foliage is especially striking.

Around Portland, colorful deciduous trees stand out against the deep green of the surrounding evergreens and the forested hills. This combination creates a distinctive autumn landscape that makes the Pacific Northwest a wonderful place to experience the changing season.