The Beauty of Fall

Cruising the Atlantic Coastline of the United States and Canada is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of Fall.  Our partner, Regent Seven Seas, gives this summary of some of the best ports along the Eastern seaboard for sailings available in 2022, 2023.

Bar Harbor, Maine
Tall ships unfurl their sails and make for the open sea, while harbor seals, porpoises and whales play in the wide blue bay. From the mid-1800s until the great fire of 1947, Bar Harbor was a haven for wealthy summer visitors who built shingled, 60-room "summer cottages" on rocky promontories and islands. Today, the main interest is Acadia National Park, a magnificent landscape of towering coastal mountains and coves, lakes, hundreds of streams and ponds, and Somes Sound, a splendid glacial-carved fjord.

Boston, Massachusetts
Home to more colleges and universities than any other city in the United States, Boston has been the intellectual capital of America for more than 350 years. Step into the past along Boston’s Freedom Trail, leading you through some of the most interesting chapters in U.S. history: the site of the Boston Massacre, the Old South Meeting House, Faneuil Hall, and Beacon Hill. You will discover 16 of America’s major colonial and revolutionary sites in all, and all within a 1.5-mile walk.

Newport, Rhode Island
Known as the ‘Queen of Summer Resorts’, Newport was home to many of America’s wealthiest Gilded Age tycoons including the Astors, Belmonts and Vanderbilts. Today, the traveler can tour these opulent mansions, carefully restored by the Newport Preservation Society. Walking tours of Newport showcase a fine collection of pre-Revolutionary War buildings in the Colonial Downtown section, sophisticated boutiques and excellent restaurants.

Halifax, Canada
Welcoming travelers to an innovative and historic cityscape, Nova Scotia’s Halifax offers excellent dining and friendly maritime smiles. Tour Halifax Citadel or take a stroll along the historic waterfront or through the delightful Public Gardens, the oldest Victorian gardens in Canada. Lobster and seafood are local specialties and always tempting to the taste-buds.. The Micmac Indians, called the area ‘Chebuctook’, meaning Great Long Harbor and the city’s ideal location on one of the largest natural harbors in the world made it a strategic asset for convoys in both world wars. Scenic Dartmouth lies on the opposite shore and can be visited by crossing on the oldest saltwater ferry in Canada.

Montreal, Canada
The diversity and rich cultural heritage of Montréal never ceases to captivate the traveler. Take a horse-drawn carriage through the Vieux-Montréal, the largest collection of historic buildings in North America. Browse the shops and boutiques along the 19-miles of neon-lit corridors of the Underground City. Explore the exquisite works on display at the Musée des Beaux Artes or walk part of the Jardin Botanique, the largest Chinese garden in North America.

Quebec City, Canada
Prepare to be thoroughly charmed by this great historic city. The only walled metropolis in North America provides a taste of authentic, profoundly French culture. Stroll the cool cobbled streets of Basse-Ville with its outstanding 17th- and 18th-century architecture, graceful parks and delightful sidewalk cafés. Head over to the Rue du Trésor where many local artists display and sell their artwork. Discover Place Royale, a beautifully restored market square and the green-turreted castle of Château Frontenac, Québec’s most celebrated landmark. Stop for spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River, Île d’Orléans and the Laurentian Mountains at Dufferin Terrace.

Saint John, Canada
Explore the sophisticated urban delights of Canada’s oldest incorporated city and its extraordinary natural wonders in Saint John and the Bay of Fundy. Discover the area’s Loyalist heritage and shipbuilding industry with a visit to the New Brunswick Museum. Enjoy the Victorian Architecture as you stroll to the Old City Market. Look for maple syrup, local handicrafts, hard cider and other food items and souvenirs. With the world’s highest tides, head out to view the thrilling natural wonder of the water as it roils and swirls literally reversing the river’s flow during the change from low to high tide.

For leaf peepers planning to explore foliage, AAA experts suggest hotels that enhance the experience.

From September to October each year, trees across many areas of the U.S. and Canada put on a brilliant show of color, from dazzling reds to brilliant oranges and vibrant yellows. To help travelers plan where to stay, AAA polled its professional inspectors for ideas on notable hotels that enhance the experience. Read the highlights of their 10 top picks across the continent, coast to coast, beginning in the West.

Sunriver Resort, Sunriver, Ore., AAA Four-Diamond Resort Hotel
Early October is an excellent time to visit as the nights are cold and crisp but you awake most mornings to brilliant sunshine and days that can still get into the ‘70s. Go for an early morning bike ride on the miles of paved paths. Keep your eyes peeled for the deer that are silently eating, and watch as their exhaled breath makes a cold misty cloud that disappears almost instantly. To see Sunriver’s best fall colors up close, go for a canoe ride on the Deschutes River where the groves of golden leaved aspen wave from the shores.

Penticton Lakeside Resort, Convention Centre & Casino, Penticon, British Columbia, AAA Three-Diamond Casino Hotel
The highlight of the rooms are their spacious balconies, each with comfortable chairs and a small table, made for stepping outside to enjoy the view. The property is located on the shoreline of huge Okanagan Lake. To one side, where local wineries dot the hills, see row upon row of neatly manicured grapevines changing color. In the other direction, enjoy the contrasting view of wild, untamed rocky hillsides featuring stubby trees, dry grasses, and steep cliffs. Walk along the paved path that follows the lakeshore, or head straight out the front doors to the downtown area for shopping and wine tasting.

Gunflint Lodge, Grand Marais, Minn., AAA Three-Diamond Vacation Rental House
Fall in the North Woods provides a full palate of foliage colors from a blend of maple, birch, aspen and evergreen trees, among others. Immerse yourself in the colors by hiking on one of the numerous trails at the lodge or nearby. The property’s fall color tour package includes naturalist escorted hikes. You can also view the foliage by horseback on a trail ride from the lodge’s own stables or by canoe. All of the cabins have fireplaces to take away the chill in the air, and several have private outdoor hot tubs.

The Leavenworth Inn, Leavenworth, Ind., AAA Three-Diamond Historic Bed & Breakfast
This charming converted 1890s farmhouse offers views of the Ohio River and rolling river valley. Take in the picture-perfect view of fall foliage while rocking away your cares on the front porch. The smell of fresh-baked cookies entices guests to venture inside where you’ll find a variety of rooms, all with scenic views. This off-the-beaten-path bed & breakfast offers a peaceful getaway in Southern Indiana.

Hôtel Quintessence, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, AAA Four-Diamond Boutique Hotel
The entire ski area offers stunning scenery during the peak fall foliage weeks (usually from mid- to late-September through the first week in October, depending on the temperature. On some nights the hotel lights a lakeside fire so guests can roast marshmallows or just sit around and enjoy the setting. A variety of trees, including maple and birch, provide a steady flush of color. In the center of the quaint resort village, an exterior cable lift takes visitors on a scenic trip to the top of the village in an open-air gondola.

Kineo View Motor Lodge, Greenville, Maine, AAA Two-Diamond Motel
This family-run two-story motel, which offers exterior entrances and continental breakfast, is for the more budget-minded traveler. Located in a secluded area on vast acreage, guests will enjoy the spectacular hillside and distant lake view. Each room has a private deck with the top floor units offering not only a greater view but a quieter room as well.

Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa, Whitefield, N.H., AAA Four-Diamond Classic Historic Hotel
This historic resort sits on a hill in the center of the White Mountains, providing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and foliage. The expanded verandah is a very popular spot to relax and take in the amazing view. One of the main attractions is the spa that features a private tower with an infinity soaking tub offering 360-degree views of the mountains. This is a huge WOW factor that would be amazing during the fall.

Antietam Overlook Farm and B&B, Keedysville, Md., AAA Three Diamond Bed & Breakfast
Views from the property, set on a mountain ridge overlooking 95 acres, seem to go on forever. See the rolling hills of four states: Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and the historic Antietam Battlefield in the valley below. Each of the five rooms is individually decorated with a country air. Some rooms have a screened-in balcony or porch or a large soaking tub, and all have gas fireplaces. Feeders scattered around the around the grounds attract a wide variety of birds.

The Homestead, Hot Springs, Va., AAA Four Diamond Resort Hotel
Nestled in the mountains, The Homestead offers views of fall foliage in all directions. Enjoy the scenery while relaxing in a rocking chair on the veranda or while partaking in one of the resort’s many recreational opportunities. Breathtaking beauty is the only way to describe what you’ll experience. Additional pluses include the incredible history of the property, which dates back to 1766 and has hosted many Presidents, and the outstanding fall backdrop along the wonderful country mountain drive from Bath County.

The Red Horse Inn, Landrum, S.C., AAA Four-Diamond Bed & Breakfast
Location and quality of accommodations are the rule here, not to mention the top-notch innkeepers. In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the nearly 200-acre mountaintop property offers breathtaking views of the natural surroundings, rock formations, and foliage. Miles of paths surrounding the property provide ample opportunities for leisurely strolls or vigorous exercise.

Reprinted. Some information may have aged gracefully.

Flexibility, anyone? A road trip allows some wiggle room, especially when you aren’t sure when to expect fall colors. While last-minute travel can be a thrill, taking time to plan your road trip will save you money in the long run, as routine maintenance will keep your vehicle running and allow you to make your reservations in time. 

West Virginia Mountains

Ohio's Scenic Route 800

Eastern Connecticut's Route 6 Scenic Drive

Mount Mansfield Schenic Auto Toll Road

New Hampshire's Scenic Route 123

Park County Bridges
Parke County, Indiana, draws tourists to its 31 historic bridges. Most of the bridges were built in the 1800s and are still used by travelers today. Every year on the second Friday in October, Parke County hosts the largest Covered Bridge Festival in the nation. This fall festival runs for 10 days in communities throughout the county and includes food, crafts, and live entertainment for visitors. Parke County visitors also enjoy hiking and horseback riding throughout the fall season.

There are five different scenic routes to the Covered Bridge Capital. Each route is less than 50 miles long and connects Rockville, Mansfield, and Bridgeton.