It’s never too early to start planning an autumn getaway—especially if chasing vibrant fall foliage is on your travel bucket list. Ahead of peak leaf-peeping season, Priceline has revealed its list of the top U.S. destinations for experiencing fall color in 2026, based on hotel search data from U.S. travelers. The rankings were compiled using hotel searches in destinations known for spectacular fall foliage between October 2 and October 26, 2026.
In first place are New York’s Adirondacks. About a five-hour drive from New York City, this sprawling mountain region makes for an easy getaway. It’s home to Lake Placid, Mirror Lake, Saranac Lake, Whiteface Mountain, and the Adirondack High Peaks. Follow Route 86 past the Ausable River, take in the views from Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway, or explore towns such as Tupper Lake and Keene Valley as the surrounding forests turn red, orange, and gold. As a bonus, the season also brings plenty of opportunities for apple picking, pumpkin patches, and other seasonal activities.
Across the country, Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge took the No. 2 spot. The postcard-perfect Pacific Northwest destination is famous for its 620-foot Multnomah Falls, the Historic Columbia River Highway, the Vista House at Crown Point, and the orchard- and vineyard-filled town of Hood River. Other popular stops include Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Rowena Crest, where travelers can take in sweeping views of the foliage-framed Columbia River.
Aspen, Colorado, came in third place, and it’s easy to see why. While the mountain town is best known for its powdery ski slopes in the winter, it’s especially worthwhile to visit in autumn, when more than two million shimmering trees blanket the surrounding peaks in brilliant shades of gold. Scenic drives along Independence Pass and Castle Creek Road, hikes through the Maroon Bells, and crisp mountain air make fall one of the most spectacular times to experience this magnificent Rocky Mountain oasis.
Rounding out the top five are Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Less than an hour from Philadelphia, the former charms visitors with its covered bridges, quaint towns, and picturesque countryside. Meanwhile, Bretton Woods, nestled in the White Mountains about three hours from Boston, offers plenty of outdoor adventures, from hiking and mountain biking to rides on the Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola and the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
The full list spans New England, the Midwest, and the West Coast, with highlights including Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees, North Lake Tahoe, the Berkshires, and Stowe, which was named among the coziest fall getaways in 2025:
- Adirondacks, New York
- Columbia River Gorge, Washington
- Aspen, Colorado
- Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
- Tunnel of Trees, Michigan
- North Lake Tahoe, Nevada
- The Berkshires, Massachusetts
- Stowe, Vermont
- French Lick, Indiana
Priceline analyzed hotel search data to identify the leaf-peeping destinations travelers are planning to visit most this autumn.
