In May 2022, I rode the Rocky Mountaineer — one of the world's most luxurious trains. The Canadian train company operates four routes, and I was on its US route heading to Moab, Utah, from Denver.
17.09.2024 - 11:43 / nytimes.com
Every fall, visitors seeking out fall colors throng to hot spots like the Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Berkshires in Massachusetts.
But North America is vast and rich in forests, so why does New England get so much love?
According to Prof. William Keeton, a forest ecosystem scientist at the University of Vermont, the region’s diverse array of trees — including beech, birch, maple and oak — produces a wide variety of colors when the leaves begin to change. Add to this, Dr. Keeton said, a mix of elevations, as well as slopes that face in different directions, producing climate variation, and you have a wide range of colors and stages of revealing.
OK, sure, New England is beautiful, but stunning autumn colors don’t belong to any one region: Picture the deep orange dogwood trees of the Pacific Northwest, the golden shimmer of the aspens in Colorado and the rusty red of swamp chestnut oak in West Virginia. Here are seven places beyond New England where you can get an eyeful.
The New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in southern West Virginia offers more than 70,000 acres of public lands that burst into shades of red, orange and yellow during its peak autumn foliage, between mid-October and early November.
Fayetteville, a small town just outside the park, offers plenty of dining and lodging and a downtown rich in Civil War history, where walking tours explore local historical sites. If you’re up for an adventure, try white-water rafting on the nearby Gauley River or gawk at colorful mountain ridges from about 200 feet in the air while zooming down a zip line.
In May 2022, I rode the Rocky Mountaineer — one of the world's most luxurious trains. The Canadian train company operates four routes, and I was on its US route heading to Moab, Utah, from Denver.
There are two types of train trip: The long, slow, and often luxurious train journey that takes you through beautiful scenery that you book specifically to spend time on the rails; and the speedy, no-nonsense, cheap train ride you take to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. In the first category, you’ll find grand trips like Australia’s The Ghan, South Africa’s Blue Train, and Britain’s Caledonian Sleeper. In the second, there are trips from London to Brussels in just two hours, from Rome to Venice in four hours, and from Miami to Orlando in three hours. And if you’re a train traveler who belongs to the second category and likes getting places fast without flying, there are plenty of trains in this world that do just that at speeds previously unimaginable on land, including the fastest train in the world and its closest competitors.
There are plenty of amazing leaf-peeping opportunities in the US. A romantic road trip to see the covered bridges of New England is one, taking an air balloon ride to see the foliage from above is another. But the most relaxed and nostalgic way to experience fall in all its glory is by train. There are multiple vintage railroads in the United States that will transport you back in time while you admire the fall colors, but few do it as well as the East Broad Top railroad.
Craving fresh mountain air? How about lakeside seclusion or a view of the ocean from bed? New Hampshire dishes up all of these and more. Whether you’re hankering for a ski break in the valleys or dreaming about that glorious fall foliage, this scenic northeastern state will deliver the goods. Save time scouting for accommodation and choose an Airbnb New Hampshire rental from our guide of the state’s best.
The Mining Exchange Hotel sits in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, serving as a historic, revamped reminder that now matter how drastically the city has changed since its early prospecting days, some things have remained the same. Its name is a nod to the Centennial State’s “gilded past” — this property dates back to 1902, having originally served as the city’s stock exchange for precious gold and silver in its heyday. Back then, it quickly became a local hangout spot for those seeking to strike it rich (and those already wealthy). Inside, the atmosphere is ritzy and refined but not unapproachable. Stepping into the lobby is like partaking in a living history film as it’s playing out right in front of your eyes.
Get ready to hit the road for a green adventure along the scenic byways and backroads of Vermont, where every twist and turn leads to beautiful landscapes and friendly communities. Thanks to the state’s robust EV charging network, it’s easier than ever to explore every inch of Vermont while keeping your carbon footprint in check — you’re pretty much guaranteed a worry-free drive regardless of your starting point.
Fall is officially here and October provides travelers an excellent combination of ideal weather and great rates ahead of the busy holiday travel period.
As Apple and Google respectively expand their digital ID technologies to house state mobile driver's licenses in Apple and Google Wallet, Google has added an international travel feature to its wallet.
Nobody understands the magic of Amtrak's California Zephyr train quite like Brad Swartzwelter, better known to passengers as Conductor Brad.
The leaves are turning, which means it’s time to get in the car and enjoy one of nature’s greatest shows. One thing that can quickly sap the serenity is inching along in traffic, as several thousand people pick the same leaf-peeping spot that you do.
Traveling well means being prepared for just about anything, from the time you leave until the moment you return, and this includes being intentional about all of the luggage needed for the journey. Much like with a suitcase or weekender, deciding on which shoulder bag to bring along on your travels requires a fair amount of thinking ahead. Not only is it usually dependent on the destination itself, but I’ve learned that considering the mode of transportation you’ll be using to get there is just as important.
This as-told-to essay is based on an in-person interview with Goda Ponomariovaitė, a 22-year-old Lithuanian student living in Vilnius.