Favorite Fall Travel Destinations (And Poster Art to Celebrate Them!)
When we think of exploring and travel, our minds inevitably conjure imagery of Ernest Shackleton, the early 20th-century explorer who led four expeditions to Antarctica. In Shackleton’s own words, “Through endurance we conquer. When I look back at those days I have no doubt that Providence guided us, not only across those snowfields, but across the storm-white sea that separated Elephant Island from our landing-place on South Georgia.”
One might say a modern distillation of Shackleton’s words is this: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.” Shackleton inspired a generation of travelers to venture into the world even under poor circumstances and weather, so long as they were properly prepared and equipped for the journey.
That’s the motto we like to live by when we, inspired by Shackleton, start making travel plans outside the summer months. The following are just a few of our favorite fall travel destinations, both domestic and international.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Autumn
It’s not that far from our Nashville studio, and it’s usually the first park we think of when we dream about a national park for fall colors. One of the incredible aspects of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is the fall colors and the fact that the park’s trees change color at different stages of autumn, depending on what elevation those trees are at.
Also, most of those 12 million visitors who come to GSMNP check out the park during summer, but autumn isn’t a Smokies season to ignore. September and October provide some of the best fall leaves on full display, and the cooler weather and the fact that school is back in session means autumn park visitors enjoy a far less congested park.
Here’s what the National Park Service said about GSMNP during autumn:
“The park usually experiences an autumn leaf season of several weeks as fall colors travel down the mountain sides from high elevation to low. At higher elevations, where the climate is similar to New England’s, color displays start as early as mid-September with the turning of yellow birch, American beech, mountain maple, hobblebush, and pin cherry. From early to mid-October, fall colors develop above 4,000 feet. To enjoy them, drive the Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or the Foothills Parkway. The fall color display usually reaches peak at mid and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. This is the park’s most spectacular display as it includes such colorful trees as sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum, red maple, and the hickories.”
Here are some of the places we recommend for autumn colors in Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
- Alum Cave
- Cades Cove
- Inspiration Point
- Clingmans Dome
- Look Rock Tower
- Mt. Cammerer Tower
- The Appalachian Trail
- Sutton Ridge Overlook
- Oconaluftee River Trail
If you want something to remember your trip, our award-winning poster artists have produced Great Smoky Mountains National Park art. Also, Anderson Design Group’s father-son duo Joel Anderson and Nathan Anderson published the Illustrated Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2015, a 128-page coffee table book featuring dozens of original ADG designs, plus maps, fun facts about the park, travel tips, and a detailed history of the park from historian and author Daniel S. Pierce. This book is an excellent guide to the park for your autumn adventure and makes the perfect coffee table centerpiece and a great gift!
Five of the Best European Travel Destinations for Fall Colors
Let’s be honest. Visiting any place in Europe is better than not going to Europe at all, so we’re not exactly picky about European countries for fall colors. But here are our favorites!
Lake Bled, Slovenia. Lake Bled is home to the country’s only natural island, and it is iconic and visually stunning anytime, especially during autumn. A walk around the lake takes just a few hours, and visiting the island is a must. We love this location so much that we crafted an original illustration of this Slovenia icon.
Scotland. You must check out Scotland during autumn for a more moody adventure. The cool, gray weather sets in, the trees change color, and the autumn rain makes the colors pop. A local favorite is Perthshire, which boasts spectacular views. Straddling the demarcation point between the Highlands and the Lowlands, Perthshire is home to the Meikleour Beech Hedge, which holds a Guinness world record as the tallest hedge in the world.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany. It’s the castle that inspired fairy tales, Neuschwanstein Castle, in Bavaria. The turreted castle is surrounded by rugged hills covered in trees that add to the atmospheric drama of the castle’s storybook aesthetic.
Wine Country, France. Did you know the grapevines turn deep reds and purples at some of the local chateaux in France? Not only can you sample some of the vino, but the French countryside and wine country, in particular, boast some of the best fall colors in Europe. With its well-tended city parks, even Paris puts on quite the show during autumn.
Lapland, Finland. Voted #1 for fall colors by EuroNews, Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region, is known worldwide for its stunning fall colors. The northern lights are strongest this time of year, and the country’s subarctic and arctic regions are similar to the Alaskan and Canadian tundra. Finland also boasts highly underrated cities and a pristine waterfront, great places to recharge after a journey into the far north.
Best U.S. Travel Destinations for Fall Colors
International travel is dreamlike and swoon-worthy, but domestic travel has its perks, too. The following are some of our favorite U.S. places to visit during autumn:
Chicago. The windy city has a special aesthetic during autumn that combines an urban landscape with gold-colored city parks and a crisp chill that sets the mood right for the season.
Grand Island. Far in the upper peninsula of Michigan, this is a hidden gem at its best during autumn. Grand Island, Michigan, is a beautiful, scenic island in Lake Superior, just a short ferry ride from Munising. Visitors to the island ride bicycles along groomed trails, camp, or walk along the island’s pristine beaches.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Sensing a theme? The Great Lakes region is arguably the best place to view fall colors, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park does not disappoint. Tucked into the Cuyahoga River Valley between Cleveland, Ohio, and Akron, Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park was designated to preserve a beautiful nature area and a special piece of American history. Visitors to the park appreciate lush forests, rivers, waterfalls, and hiking and picnic areas.
Vermont. Moving on to the northeast, Vermont gives the Great Lakes region a run for its money in terms of fall colors. From humble towns and cities like Montpelier to the state’s iconic covered bridges, Vermont is particularly beautiful in the autumn season, so there’s nothing quite like driving over one of the covered bridges with golden and rust-colored trees on both sides of the bridge. Talk about the perfect photo op!
Travel Art and Poster Art of Fall Colors
With over 2,800 original poster designs and counting, Anderson Design Group has created one of the largest collections of poster art produced by one organization. And of ADG’s collections, American Travel, World Travel, and the Illustrated 63 American National Parks are frequently voted the most popular by happy customers.
As you’re making travel plans for autumn, check out these collections for inspiration! Or, if you’ve just returned from your trip, check out the collections for a special souvenir to hang on your wall.
Happy trails,
-Ren Brabenec
Anderson Design Group Staff Writer
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