Watching the leaves change from vibrant summer greens to the garnets, golds, and ambers of fall was once more of a passive experience. If you happened to live in a place where the foliage transformed, lucky you. But if not, the shift in the natural world simply wasn’t part of your seasonable routine.
These days, leaf peeping has become an essential fall activity, whether you’re looking to snap the perfect social media shot, immerse yourself in as many autumn traditions as possible, or just love the great outdoors. In fact, a 2024 study revealed that 65 percent of Americans want to travel to a specific destination to experience a specific season.
While there are countless scenic spots to visit this fall—Travel + Leisure has already rounded up the best spots—a few destinations stand out. Priceline recently shared exclusive data with Travel + Leisure on the top 10 scenic destinations for fall 2025, based on hotel search data from U.S. travelers for dates between Oct. 10 – Oct. 24 this year—right in the heart of peak leaf seasons.
Last year, the top destination was Bucks County, Pennsylvania. For 2025, the most popular fall destination remains on the East Coast—but this time it’s the iconic Hudson Valley.
Located just north of New York City, the Hudson Valley is home to charming towns like Catskills, Beacon, Hudson, Woodstock, and Rhinebeck. Spanning over 7,000 square miles, the region features stunning mountain ranges, scenic drives, and no shortage of fall-inspired things to do.
Want to wander through 7,000 glowing jack o’lanterns? You can do that in Hudson Valley. Want to go apple picking through vast orchards? There are plenty of spots. Looking to browse antique stores and boutiques? Nearly every shop feels like it came out of a Hallmark movie. Whether you’re hiking through fiery foliage, sipping wine at a hilltop vineyard, or enjoying a luxe wellness retreat framed by fall colors, Hudson Valley offers it all.
Some of the best spots for leaf peeping include:
- Harriman State Park
- Hudson Highland State Park Preserve
- New York State Route 52, known for its lookout points and scenic drives
- Hudson River Skywalk or Walkway Over the Hudson, both offering breathtaking views from above and more immersive experiences
Need a place to stay? T+L editors have named their favorite accommodations in the region, from cozy campsites to luxury hotels.
Looking for even more fall travel inspiration? Here’s Priceline’s full list of the top 10 scenic arfeas for leaf peeping in 2025:
- Hudson Valley, New York
- Boulder, Colorado
- Snoqualmie Valley, Washington
- Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
- Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
- French Lick West Baden, Indiana
- North Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
- Smugglers’ Notch Pass, Vermont
- The Berkshires, Massachusetts
