Once the first bite of autumn is in the air, people everywhere will soon be flocking to see the beautiful array of colors that come with the changing of the season. But for fall fanatics, it can sometimes be difficult to find the time to get far enough into foliage country to experience all the vibrant, colorful vistas throughout the United States.

Luckily for city dwellers, our autumn Instagram dreams can still come true. Here are some of the best cities for fall foliage in the U.S. to soak up the golden and red hues of fall without the five-hour car ride.

Central Park — New York City

This park is iconic, and for very good reason. Located in the heart of New York City, Central Park boasts 6.1 miles of scenic walkways, sprawling lawns, and, most importantly, over 18,000 trees providing a full pallet of fall shades. The elms that turn a deep honey yellow are a definite must-see. Take in the idyllic views near the Gapstow Bridge or discover the off-the-beaten path treasure that is Belvedere Castle. Need a break? Sprawl out with a blanket on the Great Lawn and enjoy some quality people watching. Trust me, New Yorkers never disappoint.

Or, head to the east for a visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Featuring 52 sprawling acres, the Botanic Garden offers plenty of beautifully themed areas, distinctive plant pavilions, and more that showcase the colors of fall.

Wissahickon Valley Park — Philadelphia

Experience the wonderful wilderness of Pennsylvania without leaving Philadelphia city limits. Wissahickon Valley Park boasts 1,800 acres of woods straight out of a fairy tale. Take the whole family and spend the day wandering the extensive grounds and enjoying the views. Explore Forbidden Drive, a no-cars-allowed roadway that runs parallel to the Wissahickon Creek. It connects to several different trails that you can explore during your visit.

Lurie Garden — Chicago

When you’re in Chicago, you’ll want to head for Lurie Garden, nestled within famed Millennium Park. The park transforms into nothing short of autumnal wonderland, making it one of the best cities for fall foliage. The two-and-half acre landscape makes for a perfect mini getaway from the Loop. The garden is enclosed around an impressive 15-foot shoulder hedge, lit to perfection for the ideal ethereal feel. The footbridge is a must-see when it comes to snapping that necessary fall photo. The garden is also a wonderful place for a fall picnic, and several family-friendly festival events take place there throughout the year.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

[Above image “Minnesota Arboretum – Fall 2010” by Chad Fennell on Flickr – licensed under CC by 2.0]

Known collectively as the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul come alive with bright colors when summer turns to fall. You’ll find a number of opportunities to immerse yourself in Mother Nature across Minneapolis and beyond. But the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a prime place to view the leaves changing. The three-mile trail that traverses this arboretum showcases the many dynamic colors of the season. Be sure to leave time to visit the arboretum’s Apple House, offering many varieties of the classic fall fruit for purchase.

The Esplanade — Boston

While the Boston Common in Massachusetts is lovely, don’t miss out on the Esplanade. Located on the edge of the Charles River, this picturesque 3-mile walk is perfect for those wanting to experience autumn with the Boston skyline as their backdrop. Sit back and watch the sail boats float down the Charles River or rent a bike and enjoy a workout with a view. The path extends all the way to Cambridge, which boasts some impressive foliage of its own, especially within the grounds of Harvard University’s campus. We certainly like them apples.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park — Denver

Colorado Rocky Mountain Autumn Beauty by Bo Insogna licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

There’s nothing quite as awe-inspiring as the colors of fall set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. The golden aspen trees are the star of the show in and around the Mile High City. Although Denver delivers plenty of leaf peeping opportunities, you can also head up to higher terrains with a drive to the Golden Gate Canyon State Park or Georgetown. Comfortable temperatures and the stunning scenery make fall a great time to enjoy the beauty of the Rocky Mountains with a hike or a bike ride.

Point State Park — Pittsburgh

[Above image “Fall” by GPA Photo Archive on Flickr – licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

Western Pennsylvania explodes with color when the calendar turns to October. While any park in the Pittsburgh area offers views of the changing colors, there’s no better place to take in this grandeur than at Point State Park. Located at the confluence point of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, this park is a great place for your seasonal photo shoot. Point State Park is the epitome of the beauty of fall in the interior Northeast, offering fiery hues of red, orange, and yellow.

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Bremerton — Seattle

[Above image “Orange Japanese Maple” by Jett Brooks on Flickr – licensed under CC by 2.0]

Although the Seattle area is most distinguished for its evergreen trees, you’ll also find a large number of areas with deciduous plants whose leaves change color during the fall months. Bremerton, located to the west of Seattle on the other side of the Puget Sound, is a lovely place to take in the splendor of the fall season in this corner of Washington. Nestled on the Kitsap Peninsula, Bremerton boasts loads of maple trees with leaves that turn into deep reds, oranges, and yellows during this time of the year. You’ll also find sunflower fields and brilliant fall wildflowers in this region, contrasting beautifully with the miles of coastline set against the waters of the Puget Sound.
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Where do you like to go to see fall foliage? Tell us in the comments below!