I will pickup a rental car in Albany, NY on 22 Sep and will drive thru Niagara Falls, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke and enter Northern Vermont. I think I will spend a week in the province of Quebec. My main purpose of this trip is leaf peeping. Is it too early to do this in late Sep? Any place I can see some great fall foliage in this period? I will travel with my 60 year old mum so hiking is not suitable for us. Any scenic drives or national parks worth visiting for fall foliage?

Thanks a lot!

We saw the greatest fall colours in 2008 when we stayed 3 days in the Algonquin park north of Toronto.Paul

Hi Tovarich,

When did you go there? In late Sep?

ostertag, hopefully you will get some helpful advice. In addition, do a search on this forum and you will be able to pull up much of the information you are looking for.

I found a couple of sites that might be useful:

http://janroncommunications.com/Fall-Colours.html

http://www.johncletheroe.org/usa_can...oad/autumn.htm

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for your advice sludick. A big problem for me is to decide the time to visit Quebec. bonjourquebec.com is still not updated so it's hard to decide I should come in late Sep or Mid Oct (after 15 Oct). Anyone can give me some advice?

My impression is that your 22 Sep date is a bit early. However, fall color is very dependent on the weather, and so it's hard to say. Hopefully somebody from the area may have insight as to conditions this year and offer a recommendation soon.

September 22nd is a bit early but after october 15th would be pushing your luck for Quebec. The best would be the first week of october. All my fall colors photos were made between sept 29th to october 8th. After that, you can pray it doesn't get too windy.

As for where to go, Maple grows on slopes, so simply follow the southern edge of the laurentien hills, or the northern edge of the appalachians. Basically, avoid the St-Lawrence lowlands, which has little slopes and fewer trees (farmland).

I'm taking time off myself from sept 30th to october 8th and will follow this rough itinary, clockwise:

http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=d&sourc...,10.821533&z=7

Thanks Erick_L. I think I will be in the province of Quebec from 24-29 Sep. Is there a higher chance to see foliage if I drive into the mountains?

We were there at the end of September 2008.

ostertag, I just saw an article and thought of you: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-35710990

QUEBEC:

Eastern Townships, Quebec, Canada
This section of Quebec stretches as far east as Maine's border, perhaps explaining why some consider the region to resemble neighboring New England, but with the French influence you’d expect of the province. The area has been a summer getaway of the rich for ages, but those in the know head here in fall, a spectacular time to visit local towns like Knowlton and North Hatley. It's no surprise that the maple leaf is the star of the show here, and visitors can enjoy a fiery display on horseback or on foot, particularly from mid- to late September when the the fall foliage travel season reaches its peak.

NEW YORK:

The Catskills, New York
When the fabled Catskills region, just 100 miles north of New York City, bursts to life with color every autumn, its thickly wooded hillsides are covered by a patchwork of fiery red, glistening golds, and vibrant orange leaves. Dubbed “America's First Wilderness,” this bountiful and beautiful region harbors a variety of trees – maple, oak, birch, and beech among them – that come into their prime during the last two weeks of September or early to mid-October, the ideal time for fall foliage travel here. Historic towns boast charming B&Bs that make great bases for discovering the family-friendly harvest festivals, farmers’ markets, pick-your-own orchards, crafts fairs, and antique shops that define the region at this time of year.

Hope this helps. It does throw some hope on your 22 Sep timeframe.

<i>Is there a higher chance to see foliage if I drive into the mountains?</i>

Yes, just try not to drive "into" the mountains.