3 Autumn RV Tours that Are a Feast for the Senses
By Rob Tischler, Co-Owner of Allstar Coaches
While autumn brings with it the promise of cozy sweaters, warm drinks, and exciting football games, many of us are still sad to say goodbye to the long lazy days of summer where everyone — even your boss — is in perpetual vacation mode. But fall doesn’t have to be all business. In fact, the season’s mild temperatures make it a great time to get away and witness mother nature’s glorious seasonal changes.
Fall foliage car tours have been a cherished autumn tradition for as long as Americans have driven automobiles. And why not? The roads are clear of all those frantic summer travelers and witnessing this explosion of color is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
In fact, we’ve been busy at Allstar Coaches putting customized tours together for people who want to extend their tours beyond a single afternoon and take in the sights via RV Tours. Here’s what we’ve learned about three of the country’s best fall foliage drives:
- Vermont’s Route 100
Perhaps no part of the U.S. is better known for its magnificent fall colors than New England. And within New England, Vermont’s Route 100 is widely regarded as the finest fall drive of them all. Running up the center of the state, Route 100 begins at the Massachusetts border and extends north, all the way to Canada. As you begin your drive, you’ll pass through the majestic Green Mountain National Forest and continue on to a number of other state and city nature reserves where fall’s majesty will be on full display. The Route 100 tour comes into peak color from mid-September through mid-October, but remains stunningly beautiful even into November.
Route 100 extends some 200 miles one way, making it ideal for an RV tour. What’s more, between seemingly endless stretches of orange, yellow, and red leaves, travelers can take a break from the road to enjoy some of the other unique pleasures that come with a New England vacation. Along the way you’ll pass other points of interest like art galleries, craft stores, the famous Vermont Country Store, and even the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury.
Drivers looking for a shorter foliage tour can turn east off Route 100 onto Route 107 at Morrisville and then back south on Route 12 for the famed 88 mile loop. No matter which tour you choose, Vermont’s Route 100 will truly be a feast for the senses.
- Litchfield Hills Ramble
If you’re looking for another stunning New England foliage tour, Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills Ramble offers gorgeous natural scenery accompanied with the traditional charm of old-fashioned New England. Tucked into the northwest corner of the state, the ramble loops 100 miles through Canaan, Falls Village, Kent, and Litchfield. The leaves in the northwest part of Connecticut are traditionally first to turn, so it’s best to schedule this trip early, as the estimated peak viewing times are between September 26 and October 15th.
Imagine the joy of lazy weekend drives punctuated by stops at state parks, vineyards, art galleries, and quaint New England towns filled with steepled churches and stately federal-style architecture. Then, ending your day curled up in your RV as the crisp autumn evening encroaches, content in the knowledge that you’ll do it all again tomorrow.
- Ohio’s Hocking Hills
Located in the southeastern part of the state, the Hocking Hills offer visitors a stunning view of Ohio’s natural beauty. Dotted throughout with hiking trails, scenic waterfalls, and prehistoric caves, the Hocking Hills are the perfect destination for eco tourists who want to spend as much time outside their vehicle as in. But the area also features a number of scenic driving tours that allow visitors to take in the bright fall colors from the comfort of their home-away-from-home. Tourists here will be rewarded with the most vibrant fall colors during the first and second weeks of October.
The Hocking Hills area also hosts several robust artist communities, galleries, and antique malls that celebrate the region’s Appalachian culture. So no matter if you’re searching for a challenging autumn hike far away from civilization or a comfortable spot from which to view the colorful forest canopy as you pass below, a comfortable RV can be your portal to it all.
Vacation Differently
The world just looks different when you’re traveling by RV Tours and that’s especially true in autumn. The mad pace of summer melts away as you move through the trees, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning scenery, plenty of quiet relaxation time, and a reminder that, sometimes, nature is all the entertainment you need. What more could you ask for from your early fall getaway?