The Best Places for Fall Foliage
in the United States
Soak up the gorgeous colors of fall on your next trip with Hilton Grand Vacations
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Admire fall in all its splendor at these leaf-viewing spots
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Planning Tip: Many of the below destinations are highly popular in the fall, so be sure to book well ahead. Also, we’d recommend renting a car in advance to enjoy these natural beauty spots.
Just like that, summer is almost behind us. While we will miss the balmy weather, there’s something special about fall, when entire landscapes come alive with vibrant reds, brilliant oranges and dramatic yellows. If you’re planning a trip with Hilton Grand Vacations, why not admire some fall foliage along the way?
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Las Vegas
Step away from the glitz and glamour of the Strip and you’ll discover that Las Vegas has plenty of natural beauty. Just over an hour’s drive from the city are the Spring Mountains, which are home to pine, oak and aspen trees cloaked in vivid shades of orange and yellow. Even closer to the city is the expansive Floyd Lamb Park, which offers serene views of lakes and forests. Pack a picnic lunch and drink in postcard-perfect views of the gorgeous scenery.
Where to stay: Stay in the heart of the action at Elara, by Hilton Grand Vacations, which is located right on the buzzing Las Vegas Strip. The stylish resort even offers adjoining access to the extensive shopping and dining options of the Miracle Mile.
Fall colors abound along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway
South Carolina
Despite being known as the Palmetto State (thanks to the official state tree, the sabal palmetto), South Carolina is home to a magnificent array of trees — maple, poplar, cherry, cypress and more — all of which are especially picturesque during the fall. To soak up some truly stunning fall views, spend two days exploring the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (around a four-hour drive from Charleston), which offers easy access to more than a half-dozen state parks. Instagram-worthy pit stops along the route include Poinsett Bridge, a Gothic arch bridge built in 1820, and Raven Cliff Falls, the highest waterfall in the state at 400 feet.
Other places to add to your itinerary include the sprawling Congaree National Park (around a two-hour drive from Charleston), where the leaves are at their most beautiful between late October and early November.
Where to stay: As part of your South Carolina fall adventure, be sure to save time for a stay at the newly opened Liberty Place Charleston by Hilton Club, our first property in the Lowcountry. The resort is characterized by elegant classical decor — an homage to Charleston’s antebellum architecture.
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The Boreas Pass Trail in Colorado is an excellent spot for leaf-viewing
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Colorado
Avid hikers will know Breckenridge for its many trails, but none are quite as spectacular in the fall as the Boreas Pass Trail. Just 10 minutes from downtown Breckenridge, this 2.5-mile hike will take you through vividly hued red and gold aspen groves. For a more relaxing experience, simply drive all 20 miles of the Boreas Pass, slowing down to marvel at the varying shades of ochre and vermillion along the way. Other popular spots for leaf-viewing include the French Gulch (a 30-minute walk from downtown) which passes through Breckenridge’s Golden Horseshoe, formerly one of Colorado’s most fertile mining regions.
Where to stay: Soak up glorious vistas of dramatic mountain ranges and expansive plains at Valdoro Mountain Lodge, a luxurious retreat nestled at the base of the Breckenridge Ski Resort. On-site amenities include two outdoor whirlpool spas, an arcade, exercise facilities and more. Planning Tip: If you call Valdoro home during fall, be sure to book your vacation as soon as the Home Week Reservation window allows.
Washington, D.C.
While the U.S. capital is perhaps best known as a springtime destination, when cherry blossoms color the landscape with cotton-candy hues, its fall foliage is no less beautiful. Around a 30-minute drive from the city center, Great Falls Park — an 800-acre national park that stretches from Great Falls, Virginia to Potomac, Maryland — offers some of the region’s most breathtaking views. Visitors can admire fall colors from various viewpoints dotted across the park. Another must-see is Sugarloaf Mountain, which is about an hour from downtown D.C. Designated as a National Natural Landmark, it has an abundance of crisp autumn foliage along its trails.
Where to stay: With its prime location between D.C.’s bustling Georgetown and Dupont Circle neighborhoods, The District by Hilton Club offers easy access to some of the capital’s most famous monuments and museums. For instance, the White House and the Lincoln Memorial are both a 25-minute walk from the property.
Chicago
During the first two weeks of October, the trees lining the streets of Chicago start to show off their red, yellow and orange splendor. However, to admire the city’s fall scenery in its full glory, make your way to the Chicago Botanic Garden, where giant maples, stately oaks and feathery larch trees come ablaze in varying shades of crimson and auburn.
Lincoln Park, the city’s largest, is also a must-visit. Here, towering maple, ash, birch and elm trees vie for your attention — each more eye-catching than the last. Just 35 minutes away by car, the Morton Arboretum is a little slice of Eden, with colorful gardens, lush wetlands and over 4,200 types of trees on display.
Where to stay: Relax and unwind in a stylish studio or one-bedroom suite at Hilton Grand Vacations Chicago Downtown
/Magnificent Mile. The resort is just steps from Chicago’s top attractions, including Navy Pier and Millennium Park.
Take in the glorious fall scenery at the Chicago Botanic Garden
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