Take a Walk Through Beautiful Fall Colors

No car is needed to view the scenic changing of seasons in these seven places

By

Lauren Ellman,

 
AARP
Published August 25, 2026
an aerial view of Liberty Bridge in Greenville, South Carolina
Some of the most scenic settings for fall foliage can be found without a car. From Liberty Bridge in Greenville, South Carolina, you can get views of the waterfalls and surrounding trees.
VisitGreenvilleSC

It’s an autumn ritual: Hop in the car and drive around to witness the beauty of the changing leaves. Driving — either a personal vehicle or a rental — is one of the top modes of transportation for travelers 50-plus at 43 percent, according to AARP’s 2026 Travel Trends survey. But here’s a pro tip: Some of the most scenic settings are found on foot. Here are seven places best enjoyed by exiting the vehicle.

an aerial view of Madison, Wisconsin
In autumn, Madison, Wisconsin, offers views of red oaks and golden maples.
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Madison, Wisconsin

Along the shores of Lake Mendota, Madison eases into autumn with red oaks and golden maples reflecting off the water. On the southern lakefront, the Lakeshore Path passes through the University of Wisconsin’s Lakeshore Nature Preserve before reaching Picnic Point, a narrow peninsula where visitors gather to watch sailboats drift past the shoreline trees. The UW Arboretum on Lake Wingra features more than 17 miles of trails winding through prairies, wetlands and forests, offering some of the city’s quietest places to experience the changing season.

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a boxcar at Hagley Museum and Library in Brandywine Valley, Delaware
A boxcar is seen among the fall colors on the grounds of Hagley Museum and Library in Brandywine Valley, Delaware.
Jackie Kane

Brandywine Valley Area, Delaware

Visit Brandywine Creek State Park, where walking paths wind through meadows, hills and hardwood forests that peak in color each October. And White Clay Creek State Park has some 37 miles of trails, with creek crossings and shaded paths that feel removed from the nearby suburbs. Ashland Nature Center in nearby Hockessin features marshes, nature trails and quiet creekside walks beneath towering hardwoods. Visitors in northern Delaware can also stroll through New Castle Historic District, where brick sidewalks, colonial homes and mature shade trees make autumn afternoons especially inviting.

a path with trees in the background in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Some parks and paths, such as this one in Fayetteville, Arkansas, are surrounded by yellow and orange leaves in October.
Experience Fayetteville

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fayetteville — within the Ozarks — offers scenic trails and ridgeline views. The Razorback Regional Greenway runs through the city, connecting parks, neighborhoods and creekside paths that, come late October, boast yellow and orange leaves. In the more heavily wooded stretches, the trail can feel almost enclosed by foliage. Mount Sequoyah overlooks rolling hillsides where scarlet and gold spread across the ridgelines. The University of Arkansas’ Old Main Arboretum displays one of each tree native to the state, and football weekends bring a livelier atmosphere to the city’s cool fall afternoons.

a bridge and trees with vibrant fall colors at the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon
Vibrant fall colors are visible at the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon.
Craig Tuttle/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Portland, Oregon

Autumn here delights with vine maples, dense evergreen forests and damp, wooded trails. Hoyt Arboretum features paths lined with Japanese maples, birches and other trees turning shades of crimson, yellow and copper. For a quieter escape, Forest Park contains more than 80 miles of trails through one of the country’s largest urban forests. Within the park, the Lower Macleay Trail passes through fern-lined pathways and pockets of yellow vine maples beneath towering trees.

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buildings and homes in Cumberland, Maryland
Find standout colors in Cumberland, Maryland, in Alleghany County.
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Allegany County, Maryland

Follow the C&O Canal Towpath near Cumberland to trace the Potomac River through forests of sycamores and maples that turn gold and copper. The relatively flat path is great for leisurely walks. In quieter stretches, you can hear rustling leaves and the occasional train moving through the valley. By mid- to late October, Rocky Gap State Park’s lakeside walking paths and surrounding mountains also dazzle with orange, red and yellow foliage.

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fall at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut
Much of the red and gold foliage surrounds Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut.
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New Haven, Connecticut

By the end of October, New Haven’s historic streets and college walkways are lined with red-and-gold foliage. Much of the color surrounds Yale University, where Gothic buildings, quiet courtyards and shaded footpaths give the campus a relaxed feel in autumn. From Yale, it’s an easy walk to the New Haven Green, a downtown park known for its mature elms. Nearby, East Rock Park features leafy trails and hillside views stretching toward Long Island Sound. New Haven’s compact layout also makes it easy to pair a foliage stroll with independent bookstores, cafés and a stop in Wooster Square for the city’s famous coal-fired “apizza.” Many of the city’s busy fall weekends coincide with Yale’s academic season, keeping the downtown streets and cafés especially lively throughout October.

a river in Greenville, South Carolina
Foliage season in Greenville, South Carolina, often stretches into November.
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Greenville, South Carolina

Set against the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville’s foliage season often stretches into November, after many northern destinations have passed their peak. At Falls Park on the Reedy, walking paths wind alongside the river beneath maples turning amber and crimson, and the 345-foot Liberty Bridge provides views of the waterfalls and surrounding trees. The city’s mild autumn weather keeps people outdoors well into the season, with restaurant patios and cafés staying busy during cooler evenings along Main Street. The 28-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail extends into wooded stretches lined with dense fall color and connects directly back to downtown, making it easy to move between outdoor spaces and the city center without driving.

Lauren Ellman’s work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Time Out and Fodor’s Travel.

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