The fall foliage is one of the most incredible times of the year when every leaf is a flower with bright red, orange, and yellow colors. The leaf peepers across the globe eagerly wait to travel and photograph this beautiful natural phenomenon. The USA is blessed with many places that are ideal for witnessing stunning fall foliage, but, we’ll talk about a unique destination, that is not just a perfect vacation destination all-round the year but also selected as the 3rd best place to witness fall foliage in the USA by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award.
Yes, we are talking about the enchanting and beautiful Poconos. So, let’s sneak peek into the Poconos and find out how the Poconos became the 3rd best place to witness the fall foliage.
Every year USA TODAY’s 10 Best conducts voting to select the 10 best things, be it destinations, museums, beers, bars, etc. A panel of experts and 10best’s editor initially selected 20 nominees. And to select the top 10 from the nominated list, online public voting is conducted wherein the voters are invited from across the country to cast the vote for their favorite thing over the next four weeks. And this year, the Poconos was placed 3rd, just behind Taos, New Mexico, and Upper Peninsula, Michigan.
This is not the first time the Poconos has been ranked 3rd, in the year 2021 too, Poconos secured 3rd place for the same category. In fact, the Poconos has been on the top 10 list for several years, in 2020 it was 8th, and in 2019 the Poconos was placed in 4th rank.
So, what made the Poconos fall foliage so special?
Here are a few things that made the Pocono fall foliage so special.
Scenic Drive:
The Poconos is a 2400 square miles stretch of land covering four county regions. That means you can witness the fall foliage not just from one but from multiple locations. So, if you are looking for a perfect fall drive, then hop in your car and drive through the scenic road of the Poconos and view the incredible landscape.
The top 6 scenic drive routes are:-
- Pennsylvania route 611
- E Shore Drive
- Upper Delaware Scenic Byway
- Interstate-80
- Route 507
- Rim Road at Big Pocono Park
Hike through the Wonders:
Hiking is a great way to connect with nature and you can hike any time of the year, however, hiking during the fall foliage is just magical, especially in the Poconos. This is the time when the whole topography is bright and diverse. Here are some of the best hiking trails in the Poconos.
- Big Pocono State Park
- Lake Wallenpaupack Trail
- Mauch Chunk Lake Park
- Lehigh Gorge Trails
Fall Foliage Festivals:
Fall Foliage is a season of festivals in the Poconos with many fall activities and fall fairs. There are many awe-inspiring annual fall foliage festivals celebrated across the Poconos. Some of the best ones are:-
- Annual Harvel Festival, Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm
- Harvest and Heritage Days, Downtown Honesdale
- Lake Genero Fall Festivals
- Mount Pocono Harvest Festival
- Mountain View Vineyard Harvest Festival
Fall Foliage Train Rides
Experience a relaxing way of celebrating the coming of fall foliage and enjoy the vivid colors of the Pocono landscape on vintage fall foliage train tours. Laid back and get lost in the dazzling display of nature. Here is the list of tours to enjoy the fall foliage of the Poconos.
- Lehigh Gorge Scenic Tour
- The Stroud Bridge Line
- Soaring’ Eagle Rail Tours
Plan your visit to the Poconos and witness the most stunning views of fall foliage. And don’t forget to book your stay with HolidayKeepers wherein you get the best home away from home, equipped with the most elegant amenities that ensure your stay is worth remembering.
Paul P, Senior Editor and Travel Planner at HolidayKeepers, brings over 10 years of experience from New York. He expertly combines storytelling with extensive knowledge in travel and hospitality. Known for turning vibrant travel experiences into engaging articles, Paul covers everything from hidden gems to the latest in vacation rentals, resonating with adventurers and leisure-seekers alike.
