Fall is officially here and one of our favorite things to do as a family is take a drive to enjoy the beautiful fall leaves here in the Northwest. Don’t get me wrong, I do love summer, but this time of year, I also equally enjoy the delights that fall brings including a great pair of boots, a cozy sweater, pumpkin spice, Halloween and beautiful Northwest fall foliage. There is something about the warm colors of fall– brown, vibrant orange gold and red that speaks to my spirit.
Here are a few of our favorite places to view fall foliage in the Northwest. Where are yours?
- University of Washington Arboretum, Seattle. My alma mater, University of Washington, is absolutely beautiful in the fall. The campus is adorned with trees in bright orange, yellow and red. On October 17, 2010, The Arboretum also offers a free weekend walk from 11am-12:30pm. October’s theme is Momijigari – Japanese for “fall color viewing.” Enjoy the gorgeous colors and forms of Asiatic and Japanese Maples.
- Leavenworth, Washington. Nothing says fall more than Oktoberfest and this Bavarian town set deep in hillsides adorned with fall foliage, is a European marvel just a short 2 hour drive from Seattle. This wonderful town knows how to celebrate fall. On Sept 24-26, 2010, Leavenworth celebrated Washington State’s Autumn Leaf Festival with a parade, live entertainment and family festival. During the first three weekends of October, Leavenworth comes alive with Oktoberfest festivities for the whole family. You will enjoy the drive as much as the festival when you arrive. For more information, visit Leavenworth Oktoberfest.
- Oregon Wine Country, Willamette Valley, Oregon. Drive through the winding roads in Willamette Valley and you see why so wineries now call this home. It is absolutely gorgeous in fall. The hillsides are on fire with vibrant color and the changing leaves in the vineyards are a beautiful sight. For places to stay, eat and play, check out our suggestions to Celebrate Fall in Oregon Wine Country.
Happy fall leaf peeping! For more great places around the country to view fall foliage with kids, visit my pals at BestFamilyTravelAdvice.com!