Travel nursing has many perks — including being able to travel to the best locations for leaf peeping during the fall season. Tourists travel from all across the country to witness this transformation every autumn, displaying an array of fall foliage in beautiful red, orange, and yellow hues.
If you love fall colors, choosing a location to experience the change in season is a great way to spend your next travel nursing assignment. Here are some tips for peak leaf peeping times this year and how to choose your ideal travel destination.
Peak Times for Fall Foliage in 2024
As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to visit so many different places in the country this autumn. Certain locations, such as Lansing or Boston, are busy, populated areas where travel nurses can enjoy city life but also are near more rural areas key to enjoying fall colors. Others, like Asheville, NC, will have foothills and mountains all around. You won’t miss out on the beauty of a scenic region of the country, you’ll be right in the middle of it.
When you’re deciding where to go for your travel nursing job, make sure you ask questions and check the following boxes off your list as you go:
- Crowd size: To start with, remember that places that are particularly scenic in the fall could have an uptick in visitors, too. For instance, Boston is known for having tourists come through the airport and the region specifically for leaf peepin’.
- Accessibility: Sometimes, getting to the natural areas around where your assignment can be difficult. You might not have a scenic highway or a lookout point you can go to. If sightseeing is the goal, make sure you research if the area is congested and has scenic areas so you can get a better feel for your potential travel destination.
- Work availability: You might be traveling for fall foliage, but travel nurses still need to know there is the right job available to support their careers. Look for work in places where you’ll find the right assignment and be near the colorful autumn vibes.
Also, remember that there are ways to help you figure out when the leaves will change. You can check out The Farmer’s Almanac to see when fall will peak at the destination of your choice.
Best Fall Travel Nursing Destinations
Ready to clock off your shift and explore? Check out these top places to view fall foliage.
Upstate New York
Fall foliage is a major draw of the state of New York, and you can find it almost anywhere you go. Upstate New York is home to natural surroundings (including the Adirondack Mountains) that have lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails you’ll need to take to see fall foliage in all its glory.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts, is known for its beautiful fall foliage. When you fly into Boston Logan Airport, you’ll be able to immediately go out on a “leaf-peepin’” tour of the surrounding area. Look into areas such as the Public Garden, which has trees such as ornamental Japanese maples, that shimmer in bright orange, gold, and red tones. Traveling to Boston in mid-September will ensure fall has “kicked in.”
Vermont
Vermont is home to Stowe, which is known as Fall’s Color Capital. This village is at the base of the highest peak in the state, and it is known for beautiful fall foliage from September through October.
Tennessee
Natural environments are perfect for leaf peepin’, and Tennessee has several pretty places that highlight fall foliage. Try heading to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Fall Creek Falls State Park to see gorges, waterfalls, and fall colors in early- to mid-October.
New Hampshire
Heading to the mountains will almost always be a great way to see a colorful fall. The White Mountains in New Hampshire are home to Bretton Woods, a palace where you’ll see colors ranging from reds and purples to yellows and oranges from mid-September through the end of October.
North Carolina
For breathtaking views and walks, you’ll love Asheville, North Carolina, in the fall. The foothills and mountains around the city are known for a long fall season, letting you catch a glimpse of fall color for around five weeks starting in September.
Colorado
Breckenridge, Colorado, is located within the Rocky Mountains and is an amazing place to see fall foliage. The leaves turn color earlier in the year, usually peaking by the end of September, but you may be able to catch some bright hues in October, too. For the most colorful area in the region, try the Boreas Pass — it’s 22 miles long (you won’t be-leaf the view).
Wisconsin
In mid-September and early October, you can enjoy bright fall colors throughout Northwoods, Wisconsin. Interestingly, this region holds the Northwoods Art Tour annually, which lets you shop among artisan vendors while also enjoying the vibrant colors of leaves in the autumn.
Michigan
Overlooking Lake Michigan, you’ll love to take photos at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In this area of Michigan, you’ll see colorful fall foliage for miles, and much of it will be reflected in the waters below. Travel nurses can head to the capital to complete the Capital City Loop and catch a look at bright orange foliage in Lansing. Visit in early September through October to catch the best look at fall masterpieces.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is another state that has beautiful fall colors in natural surroundings. Some of the best places to view colorful trees include Allegheny National Forest, Presque Isle State Park, and Worlds End State Park. Many regions see autumn colors peak in October, so aim for the end of September through October to see the most attractive views.
Virginia
Within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville, Virginia has amazing greenery in the summer and bursts of color in the fall. The best time to visit is in mid-to-late October, which is when you’ll see red, yellow, and orange hues from scenic overlooks along the highways or within Shenandoah National Park.
Travel Nursing Jobs with SHC
As a travel nurse, there are endless possibilities to enjoy the fall colors change. Whether you prefer the crisp air of the Northeast or the golden hues of the Midwest, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the beauty of fall during your next travel nursing assignment. Search Supplemental Health Care’s latest travel nursing jobs to get started!
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