Autumn Branches Out on the Internet
(September 2001)
When the brisk, cool, and
invigorating fall air arrives, we immediately think of kicking up
leaves and drinking apple cider. If you enjoy watching the leaves
paint the landscape in nature and in Technicolor, the Internet is a
great resource.
The Right Time to Turn Over a New
Leaf
Too often, travelers wanting to observe nature's
fireworks find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, only
to discover brilliant leaves littering the forest floor. Since
leaves are fickle and often unpredictable, finding the right place
at the right time is crucial.
Numerous websites devoted to
autumn leaves are perfect for those who want to find peak fall
foliage. Tourism boards from Maine to California have sites that not
only show pictures, but also offer up-to-date status on foliage
color, educational facts, weather conditions, and recommended
driving routes—some even have real-time webcams that show fall
foliage.
New England
Connecticut:
Foliage season runs throughout October. The Connecticut Office of
Tourism offers updates with details on when colors are at their peak
throughout the state. Beginning in mid-September, visitors can call
toll-free at 800-CT-BOUND (800-282-6863) for details.
Maine: Foliage season
runs from late September to early October. The Maine Department of
Conservation offers advice on when and where to visit, weekly
foliage reports, the LeafCam, and the Kids' Page that's full of fun
forestry facts for kids of all ages. Visitors can call its toll-free
number at 800-533-9595.
Massachusetts:
Foliage season runs throughout October. The Massachusetts Office of
Travel and Tourism offers all the information you will need to plan
a trip to see a Massachusetts autumn at its best. They provide maps
showing the timing of fall foliage, daily reports on color show,
tips from foliage experts, and suggested driving routes. Visitors
can call its toll-free number at 800-277-6277.
New Hampshire:
Foliage season runs from late September through mid-October. The
State of New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development
site offers regional reports on fall foliage. In addition, there are
many fun and education facts for leaf peepers. Visitors can call its
toll-free number at 800-262-6660.
Rhode
Island: Foliage season runs throughout October. The Rhode Island
Tourism site offers maps, historical information, and event
listings. Visitors can call its toll-free number at
800-556-2484.
Vermont:
Foliage season runs from late September through early October. The
Vermont Department of Tourism site offers a Foliage Information
Center with current foliage reports, suggested drives, explanations
of how and why there is foliage color change, and lodging
availability information. Visitors can call its toll-free number at
800-VERMONT.
Also visit Yankee Magazine's site for more New England fall
foliage information.
Mid-Atlantic
Pennsylvania: Foliage season
runs throughout October. On Pennsylvania's state tourism site, there
are live webcams at nine locations, recording images from sunrise to
sunset. The site offers 29 driving tours that will take you through
Pennsylvania's 17 million acres of forest, and destination tours
that will lead you to some of the most unique spots in Pennsylvania.
Also, there is information on bird watching, foliage, hiking and
biking, and events. Visitors can call its toll-free number at
800-FALL-INPA.
New
Jersey: Foliage season runs throughout October. The New Jersey
state tourism site offers foliage reports and suggested drives.
Visitors can call its toll-free number at 800-354-4595.
New York:
Foliage season runs throughout October. Each week during fall,
ILoveNY.com issues reports detailing the progression of colorful
fall foliage across the state. There is also a listing of fall
events and fall views, peak foliage color map, NY leaf guide, and
farm fresh guide. Visitors can call its toll-free number at
800-225-5697.
Virginia:
Foliage season runs throughout October. The Virginia state tourism
site offers information on peak foliage, country festivals with
music, crafts, heritage celebrations, history reenactments, and
food. Visitors can call its toll-free number at
800-434-LEAF.
West Virginia:
Foliage season runs throughout October. The West Virginia Tourism
Bureau site offers suggested foliage driving tours, a fall color
map, and a calendar of events. Visitors can call its toll-free
number at 800-CALL-WVA.
States that don't have foliage
websites, but have foliage hotlines include:
Delaware:
800-357-1818
Maryland: 800-532-8371
New Jersey:
609-984-0370
South
North
Carolina (Asheville): Foliage season runs from mid to late
October. This site offers weekly fall color reports for Asheville
and the surrounding area, along with suggested scenic drives and
fall foliage photography. Visitors can call its toll-free number at
800-847-4862.
Georgia
(Chattahoochee-Oconee): Foliage season runs from mid to late
October. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests fall foliage updates
offer foliage reports and suggested viewing areas and
drives.
States that do not have foliage websites, but have
foliage hotlines include:
Alabama: 800-252-2262
Kentucky:
800-225-8747
South Carolina: 800-849-4766
Tennessee:
800-697-4200
Midwest
Arkansas &
Missouri (Fall in the Ozarks): Foliage season runs from late
October to early November. The Ozark Mountains site offers suggested
tours, foliage reports, and interesting historical facts. Visitors
can call its toll-free number at 800-519-1600.
Missouri:
Foliage season runs from late October through early November. The
Missouri Department of Conservation website offers extensive fall
foliage information. It contains a calendar of special events and
guides to the best driving routes and hiking trails. Visitors can
call its toll-free number at 800-778-1234.
Michigan: Foliage season runs throughout October. The Michigan Economic Development
Corporation website offers weekly fall-color updates, travel tips,
and suggested site seeing tours. Visitors can call its toll-free
number at 800-644-3255.
Minnesota:
Foliage season runs from late September through mid-October. The
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website offers regional
fall foliage reports. Visitors can call its toll-free number at
800-657-3700.
Ohio:
Foliage season runs throughout October. The Ohio Department of
Natural Resources website offers up-to-date fall foliage
information. In addition to weekly color reports, the site offers
scenic photos, webcam, along with suggested hikes and drives.
Visitors can call its toll-free number at 800-282-5393.
Wisconsin:
Foliage season runs from early through mid October. The Wisconsin
Department of Tourism website offers a fall color report with the
most current conditions across the state. It is organized by region
and provides information on the percent of color, estimated time
color will peak, and special views or drives. Visitors can call its
toll-free number at 800-432-TRIP.
States that don't have
foliage websites, but have foliage hotlines
include:
Illinois: 800-226-6632
West
California:
Foliage season runs from mid to late October. California Division of
Tourism website offers regional fall foliage information. Visitors
can call its toll-free number at 800-354-4595.
Colorado:
Foliage season runs throughout October. Colorado Tourism Office
website offers suggested itineraries to view peak fall foliage.
Visitors can call its toll-free number at 800-COLORADO.
Idaho:
Foliage season runs from early to mid October. The Idaho Travel
Council/Division of Tourism Development website offers suggested
drives and color information.
States that do not have
foliage websites, but have foliage hotlines include:
Oregon:
800-547-5445
Washington: 800-354-4595, option
#6
Nationwide Resources
US Forest Service National Fall Color Hotline. You can also call
800-354-4595.
Weather
Channel Fall Foliage Report
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