Foliage map / Fall foliage tours

From the ground you see trees. From above you see the whole pattern: hillsides of red and orange, gold ribbons along the streams, and dark evergreens on the high ridges. Lifts, trams, balloons, and small planes all offer that view, each in its own way.

Gondolas, chairlifts, and trams

Many ski areas run their lifts for sightseers in fall, and a gondola or chairlift ride is one of the easiest ways to reach a mountaintop view. In New Hampshire’s Franconia Notch, an aerial tramway climbs Cannon Mountain, high above the notch. Many summits have short walks or overlooks at the top, and some riders hike down instead of riding back.

The top and the bottom aren’t on the same schedule

Color arrives earlier the higher you go, roughly several days for every 1,000 feet. On a tall mountain, the summit can be past peak while the base is still mostly green, and the best color is often in a band partway up. Air at the top is also several degrees colder and usually windier, so bring a jacket. Check the foliage map for the mountain’s area, and look at destinations at different elevations nearby.

Hot air balloons

Balloons usually fly early in the morning or near evening, when the winds are calmest, and flights depend heavily on the weather, so be ready for a change of plans. A sunrise flight over foliage, often with mist in the valleys, is unforgettable. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes, since landings happen in fields.

Scenic flights

Small planes, helicopters, and seaplanes in lake country offer the widest views of all. A clear day after a cold front, when the air is dry and sharp, is best. Haze softens colors, and low clouds can cancel flights.