We may still be in the summer travel season—taking last dips in scenic pools around the world and glamping in the mountains—but as any fall foliage enthusiast can attest, it’s time to start planning fall leaf-viewing trips in 2024. Obvious destinations include Colorado’s aspen-lined Million Dollar Highway or pretty much any place in New England. But Priceline, an online travel agency, analyzed its internal fall travel search data to identify some of the most popular destinations for the upcoming leaf-viewing season.
The most popular destination for fall color watchers in 2024, according to Priceline, is Bucks County, Pennsylvania, about an hour outside of Philadelphia, known for its beautiful covered bridges surrounded by trees in autumnal hues.
On a fall driving tour of Bucks County, leaf-peepers can see a dozen of these covered bridges, but leave the photography to the passengers, as most bridges do not have areas to stop to take photos.
In the 19th century, Bucks County had more than 50 covered bridges that crossed the Delaware and connected towns so they could trade the goods produced in their factories. The Pine Valley Bridge, built in 1842, is the second oldest covered bridge in the county and is often illuminated at night. Covered Bridge Park is right next to it and is a lovely place for scenic walks. The last covered bridge in Bucks County was built in 1875.
A unique way to admire the fall foliage in Bucks County is to ride the New Hope Railroad, which departs from the Witches Hat train station.
For those looking to spice up their leaf-gazing with adventure, the Bretton Woods Canopy Tour offers an aerial zipline view of the colorful treetops of a destination that ranks third on Priceline’s list of top fall foliage destinations for 2024.
Along the Payette River Scenic Byway in Idaho (ranked #5), travelers can break up their foliage viewing with a soak in hot springs. Burgdorf Hot Springs has a few pools where you can enjoy views of the surrounding Payette National Forest. At Gold Forks Hot Springs, the temperature of the top pool is 43 degrees and flows into the following pools, with the water temperature decreasing with each level.
Shenandoah was the only national park to make the 2024 list of best places for leaf peepers. Those vacationing in the Virginia park can explore the fall scenery on hiking trails or horseback riding. Road trippers can drive the 105-mile Skyline Drive and choose which of the 75 overlooks they want to stop at for fall views.
Top Destinations in the USA for Fall Foliage in 2024
Here are the 8 best places in the U.S. to view fall leaves in 2024, according to new data from Priceline.
#1: Bucks County, Pennsylvania
No. 2: North Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada
No. 3: Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
No. 4: Albany, New York
#5: Payette River Scenic Byway, Idaho
No. 6: Stowe, Vermont
No. 7: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
#8: McKenzie River Scenic Byway, Oregon
Want more inspiration? From hot air balloon rides to leaf-gazing in an airplane, here are five unique ways to admire fall foliage from above.