You can see fall foliage even in or near these big cities — here's how
The fall season officially begins on Sept. 22, and there’s no reason you can’t get a head start on planning your fall foliage trips — no matter where you’re located.
To help with your plans and make sure you see the leaves change colors at the right time, SmokyMountains.com publishes an interactive fall foliage prediction map. While this tool (and others like it) can’t say with complete certainty when and where the leaves will be their most colorful, the creators pull millions of data points to assemble the map at a county-specific level.
The map has been updated for the 2021 season, so you can use it to estimate when the best time to take trips will be depending on your destination.
When you think of the great outdoors or nature, a big city might not immediately come to mind. But there are places to see fall foliage even if you’re located in a metropolitan area. Here’s your fall leaf spotting guide in and around four large cities in the U.S.
Atlanta
The Smoky Mountains are one of the country's most beautiful areas during the fall, and they are about a three-hour drive from Atlanta (or Charlotte, North Carolina).
You can use points to stay in historical areas such as Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg (try the Black Fox Pigeon Forge Lodge, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton) or opt for a rustic cabin rental. For the best views of the changing leaves, head to the observation deck at the peak of Clingman’s Dome, or embark on one of the many scenic drives in the area such as Cade’s Cove Loop Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Foothills Parkway.
Boston
The Berkshires are accessible from both Boston and New York City, which makes for an easy weekend fall getaway. There's something for everyone in The Berkshires — whether you love hiking, trying new food or learning more about the region's culture and history.
There are several hotels to choose from, but you might want to splurge on the Miraval resort in the Berkshires if you have Hyatt points.
This adults-only wellness oasis is just a short drive from many metropolitan centers in the Northeast, making it an incredibly convenient option for a quick vacation. Food, non-alcoholic drinks and many activities are included with Miraval stays. However, Miraval isn’t assigned a category within the World of Hyatt award chart, and free nights cost 45,000 points for one guest per night. A second adult can be added for an additional 20,000 points per night. This is still a fantastic redemption (if you can find availability), considering cash rates can cost nearly $1,300 per night.
Central Vermont is also an option for Boston residents, as it’s about a three-hour trip from the city. Situated in the heart of Woodstock, the historic Woodstock Inn & Resort — established by Laurence and Mary Rockefeller — recently reopened after a $16 million renovation that updated the Federalist-style building and its 142 rooms and suites. Its bucolic mountain landscapes and small-town charm make for a scenic autumn getaway.
New York City
New York City isn’t called the “Concrete Jungle” for nothing. The city is more known for its tall buildings than nature, but the Big Apple has some of the country's most stunning fall foliage options.
If you want to see the leaves change colors close to home, look no further than Central Park — one of the most popular parks in the city (and perhaps the country). The park is home to over 18,000 trees, and there are countless places for selfies, picnics or just a stop to take in the sights.
The Central Park Conservancy publishes a fall foliage map each year, and guides lead walks from the Pool through the North Woods Ravine if you want a personal tour. The Conservancy recommends spots like the Mall, the Reservoir and the Pool as some of the best locations to visit.
When I visited Central Park in mid-November 2020, the park was past-peak but still breathtaking. But if you do want to see the leaves at their brightest, make sure to book a little earlier in the season.
If you’re coming into town, there are several places to stay that overlook the park, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Category 7 Le Méridien New York, Central Park (which starts at 50,000 points a night); the Category 7 World of Hyatt Park Hyatt New York (30,000 points per night); or the Hilton Conrad New York Midtown (Hilton doesn’t use an award chart, so rates can vary).
Of course, if you want to get out of the city, Saratoga Springs is only a three-hour drive or a four-hour Amtrak trip north. If you visit between mid-September and early October, you might even catch the harvesting action. From here, you can easily explore scenic Lake George and the high peaks of the Adirondacks. While there are points hotels here, you may want to stay in a bed and breakfast or a cabin to get a more authentic experience.
Orlando
Florida is definitely not a place that comes to mind when you think of autumn getaways — and certainly not Orlando, home to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
But the Sunshine State isn’t just beaches, palm trees and theme parks. In fact, Florida has a robust fall foliage season, according to SmokeyMountains.com. Tourists can see fall foliage in several state parks, such as the Flying Eagle Preserve. It's about a 90-minute drive from Orlando. The Smokey Mountains site recommends tourists search for the Virginia creeper plant, which turns a gorgeous grape color in the fall.
There is no shortage of hotels in and near Orlando, especially if you want to combine a fall foliage trip with a trip to Disney World. Orlando alone has more than 400 hotels and 100,000 hotel rooms — not to mention Airbnbs, timeshares and other lodging options. Hotels closer to the Flying Eagle Preserve include mainly lower-category Hilton and Marriott properties, but there are some cute B&B and RV resorts if that’s your thing.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.