8 of the best small towns for fall foliage in New England and beyond

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Every year, a spectacular display of autumnal colour blankets the landscape across much of the US, prompting pumpkin picking and bracing country strolls. The northeast's foliage fiesta is particularly impressive thanks to abundant maple trees that burst into deep reds, and birch and beeches draped in rusty oranges, coppers and golden yellows, but fiery autumnal landscapes can be found all the way over to the West Coast.

Pinpointing when foliage displays will peak can be tricky as the timing changes year to year. Typically, mid-September to the end of October dazzles, but south of Pennsylvania the season starts later, stretching into November. While destinations such as Stowe in Vermont and Bar Harbor in Maine are popular choices for leaf-peeping, these alternative towns each have their own autumn allure and offer a less-crowded base for exploration and outdoor adventures.

On Lake George in northern New York state, Bolton Landing is a photogenic town with a charming main street. The 32-mile-long body of water is nicknamed the 'queen of American lakes' for its sheer beauty, and autumn's transformation of the surrounding Adirondack Mountains' forests makes it even more magnificent. Hop in a traditional Adirondack canoe, dine on a lakeside terrace, hike up the Pinnacle trail and Cat and Thomas Mountains , or attend the Bolton Landing Brewing Company's Oktoberfest, held on the last weekend in September. The Adirondack Balloon Festival is another September highlight, during which travellers can watch the sunrise launch of more than 70 hot air balloons against the leafy skyline.

This quaint riverside hamlet has a path along the water where visitors can soak up the autumn foliage by the riverbanks. There's also a Sunday farmers' market and a number of antiques stores to browse, and it's customary for visitors to tip their hat at the town's mascot statue of Pollyanna, a tribute to the fictional schoolgirl and the author who created her — Eleanor H Porter — who was born and raised in Littleton. But the historic town's biggest draw is what lies on its doorstep. To the southwest there's White Mountain National Forest , a haven for outdoor-lovers, crisscrossed with hiking trails and peaks with thick forests that burst with colour in the autumn. Littleton is also a great base for driving the famously scenic Kancamagus Highway, exploring Franconia Notch State Park's flume gorge and Cannon Mountain aerial tramway , or riding aboard the historic Mount Washinton Cog Railway , all of which come with fantastic foliage.

Just over an hour's drive from Washington, DC, picturesque Harper's Ferry is positioned in the lower Shenandoah Valley's Blue Ridge Mountains, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Autumn whitewater rafting trips are popular here, as is the hike up to the lookout point at Maryland Heights where you can view stunning foliage below. Designated a National Historic District for its important role in the Civil War, Harpers Ferry also has many Civil War-era stories to discover at John Brown's Fort , Jefferson Rock and Harper's Ferry National Historic Park , where you can leaf-peep along any of the 22 miles of trails. Downtown is also a pleasant place to explore in between outdoor adventures, with Victorian architecture and a buzzing culinary scene.

A three-hour drive from Denver will get you to the town of Carbondale, at the base of towering Mount Sopris in the Rockies. Known for its arts and food scenes, the town also has excellent autumnal foliage displays that help showcase the best of the mountain range. Situated on the Roaring Fork River, Carbondale is known for incredible fly-fishing for trout and mountain whitefish; in autumn, travellers can cast a line among the brilliant yellow hues of the aspen trees and snow-capped mountains. Hike Mushroom Rock in the Red Hill Recreation Area for sprawling views over the valley and Mount Sopris, take a bumpy back-roads Jeep tour to the historic ghost town of Crystal City, or head out on a mini road trip — in Colorado, any drive is a scenic drive.

A little over an hour north of Seattle on the US's West Coast, the town of La Conner on the Salish Sea is an enchanting leaf-peeping base. An artists' community since the 1940s, the town's autumnal palette of fiery red, orange and yellow larches, aspens and maples has long served as a muse for painters and writers. Restored historic buildings line the waterside boardwalk and now house local restaurants and cafes, museums, galleries and boutiques. Take the sculpture walk around town to see a collection of local art curated by the La Conner Arts Commission each year or venture to nearby Deception Pass State Park for hiking and rockpooling. Another highlight is to drive the Skagit Valley Harvest Loop, where you can visit local farms for steaming cups of non-alcoholic hot apple cider or pumpkin picking; if you plan your visit for September, don't miss the Skagit Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival .

Gateway to Isle Royale National Park , Copper Harbor is Michigan's northernmost town and a thriving base for outdoor activities on Lake Superior. It's located near the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, where the autumnal transformation of deciduous and coniferous trees is spectacular. Vivid shades of scarlet, amber and gold appear between mid-September and mid-October. Drive along Keweenaw Peninsula's lakeshore M-26 highway with a detour up to Brockway Mountain for one of the best-loved panoramas in the Upper Peninsula. Copper Harbor itself is very walkable; once in town, leave the car behind and take a stroll around the shops and restaurants, or wander the shoreline at Hunter's Point Park . It's also possible to tackle mountain bike trails or paddle a sea kayak close to Copper Harbor's centre.

Montana turns gold every year from the end of September to mid-October, thanks to large swaths of aspen, larch and cottonwood trees that cloak the landscape — and the mountain town of Whitefish is the state's best foliage base. Located a 30-minute drive from Glacier National Park , it offers quick access to the wilderness and streets lined with a wide array of restaurants, locally owned shops and art galleries. Get out on Whitefish Lake by booking a tour, renting your own boat or paddling out in a kayak, or ride the gondola up Big Mountain . From its peak, you can go mountain biking or zip-lining. For a leafy hike, try the 3.8-mile Glacier View Mountain trail with its sweeping views of the North Fork region, including the Flathead River and Livingston Range. Beer-lovers should time their trip for the town's Great Northwest Oktoberfest , which runs for two weekends over the end of September and beginning of October.

Colours emerge earlier this far north and visitors heading for Greenville to experience autumn on Moosehead Lake — Maine's largest water body — should plan on taking their trip in September or the first week of October. In the midst of the Pine Tree State's Highlands, the lake is considered one of the premiere places to soak up autumnal shades. A popular activity is to drive the 59-mile Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway (Route 15), a route bursting with photo opportunities. Travellers can also hike to Moxie Falls , a 90ft cascade framed by foliage, head out on a guided Moose Safari , or find a different perspective on leaf-peeping by taking a private seaplane tour . Add a dash of history aboard the Katahdin , the last remaining steamboat in the area, which offers tours on Moosehead Lake with commentary about the region's history and various points of attraction.