September and October will see leaves turn golden across the Northern Hemisphere from Japan to Switzerland to the USA. Here is a round up of 10 of the best destinations to enjoy the autumnal colours, perfect for those who have begun to crave the colder weather.
Toast the harvest this autumn with rice and sake in Niigata Prefecture, Japan
In Niigata Prefecture, harvest season arrives with the soft sheen of shinmai rice, the clink of sake cups at Ponshukan’s tasting counters, and the first breath of cold air on mountain walks. Take the Yahiko Ropeway for views that sweep from copper hillsides to the Sea of Japan, staying after dusk for Yahiko Park’s maple-lit pathways and quiet wooden bridges. Art drifts into nature at Kiyotsu Gorge’s “Tunnel of Light,” where mirrored corridors frame the river’s burnished walls, and the day winds down in design-forward onsen retreats, Ryugon and Satoyama Jujo, whose seasonal dinners celebrate rice, mountain vegetables and river fish.
A fiery autumnal escape in Nara Prefecture, Japan
Nara Prefecture comes alive each autumn as ancient temples, mountain trails and traditional villages are framed by brilliant shades of crimson and gold. Wander through Nara Park beneath fiery maple trees alongside the city’s famous deer, before visiting Hase-dera Temple, where more than 1,000 maple trees blanket the hillside in colour. Nearby, Tanzan Shrine is one of Japan’s most celebrated autumn leaf-viewing destinations, with its striking 13-storey pagoda surrounded by vibrant foliage. From scenic hiking routes to seasonal kaiseki dining and relaxing onsen stays, Nara offers one of Japan’s most rewarding autumn escapes.
Explore a kaleidoscope of colour in Pittsburgh
In autumn, Pittsburgh is awash with brilliant shades of red and amber, making it one of the most picturesque times to visit. Take in the seasonal colours at Point State Park, where the city’s three rivers meet, or head outside of the city into the Laurel Highlands to visit Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic home, beautifully framed by vibrant woodland. Back in the city, the Phipps Conservatory Fall Flower Show showcases stunning floral displays, while restaurants and breweries celebrate the season with pumpkin gnocchi, handmade pierogies and spiced craft brews.
Wander through the Golden Gardens in St. Louis, Missouri
Experience the Missouri Botanical Garden at one of its most beautiful times of year, as autumn transforms this historic St. Louis landmark with warm shades of gold, amber and crimson. Stroll through the elegant Boxwood Garden, where clipped evergreens and formal planting contrast beautifully with the changing foliage, before exploring the tranquil Japanese Garden and historic Victorian District, home to the newly renovated Sachs Museum. Time your visit for the Best of Missouri Market (9-11 October 2026), a beloved fall festival featuring more than 150 vendors offering handcrafted goods, locally produced food and native plants.
Hike amongst the autumnal aspens in Aspen & Snowmass Village, Colorado
Aspen and Snowmass Village, set in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, transform into a hiker’s paradise each autumn as golden aspens and auburn leaves blanket the trails. The iconic West Maroon Pass rewards adventurers with sweeping views of fiery foliage and snow-dusted peaks, while the Conundrum Creek Trail offers a backcountry escape through meadows and forests, ending with a soak in natural hot springs at 11,000 feet. With miles of trails framed by some of the Rockies’ most vibrant hues, Aspen and Snowmass Village are the ultimate destinations for autumn hiking.
See the Danube Bend glow gold in autumn, Hungary
In autumn, Hungary’s Danube Bend becomes a sweep of copper forests, hilltop castles and riverside towns. Climb to Visegrád Citadel for panoramic views across the Danube as it curves between the wooded Börzsöny and Visegrád Hills, or follow forest trails to the Prédikálószék viewpoint for one of the region’s most dramatic perspectives. Below, explore Szentendre’s cobbled lanes, galleries and café-lined riverfront, before crossing to Nagymaros for seasonal walks framed by gold and russet foliage. With historic landscapes, hiking routes and relaxed riverside dining all within easy reach of Budapest, the Danube Bend offers a richly coloured Hungarian escape for autumn.
See Yosemite’s autumn colours beneath world-famous rocks in Yosemite Mariposa County, California
Autumn brings a quieter, softer side to Yosemite National Park, as bigleaf maples, black oaks, dogwoods and aspens add flashes of gold, orange and red beneath its monumental granite cliffs. Follow the valley floor beside the Merced River, where the foliage frames views of El Capitan and Half Dome, or take the easy Cook’s Meadow loop for sweeping vistas across meadows glowing in the low seasonal light. Around Sentinel Bridge and Happy Isles, still water creates striking reflections of the changing leaves and surrounding peaks. With cooler walking weather, crisp evenings and fewer visitors than during the height of summer, autumn is an atmospheric time to experience one of California’s most iconic landscapes.
Head to Zurich for an autumnal hues and brilliant views
Zurich makes for the perfect autumnal break, with the season seeing the city shift into shades of gold, amber and russet as its trees transform. Wander the cobbled streets of the picturesque Old Town and visit the striking Fraumünster church before heading to Lake Zurich for a waterside walk framed by colourful foliage. For sweeping views, hike up Uetliberg, Zurich’s local mountain, where forest trails lead to panoramas across the city, lake and, on clear days, the Alps. After a day exploring in the crisp autumn air, refuel with traditional Zürich Geschnetzeltes, thinly sliced veal in a creamy sauce, at the historic Zunfthaus zur Waag.
Experience a New England fall in Maine
Maine offers autumnal visitors stunning fall colours which can be seen all over the state, one of the best places to enjoy the leaves turning is Acadia National Park. Visitors can follow the epic 40-mile Acadia All-American Road which takes them onto Mt. Desert Island, through the town of Bar Harbor, and into the main section of the National Park. During autumn this route is surrounded by mountains and hills that glow with turning leaves, from here visitors can access park trails and Acadia National Park Carriage Roads for walking and cycling.
Explore urban outdoors in Toronto
Toronto is a city that blends with nature, the autumnal season sees the city’s many parks and islands turning red, orange, and gold. Visitors can take a stroll through High Park, explore the trails in Don Valley or take a weekend hike in Rouge National Urban Park, Canada’s largest urban park, to enjoy the stunning foliage. The crisp weather is also the perfect excuse to spend some time in the distillery district where outdoor patios are warmed with heaters, making them great spots for mulled cider or craft cocktails.
