I have been pleasantly surprised with a few available vacation days to take the first week of November and would like to see some autumn foliage. I know it is late, late in the season and that peak colors are rather unpredictable but still I would like to know where I could go to enjoy crisp autumn air while doing short hikes.

The leaves will be off the trees by the end of October in NH, VT and ME. I remember some remaining foliage in RI around Oct 23 but it was pretty sparse. If you can arrive in time for Halloween you might aim for some pumpkin festivals instead of leaves. In addition to events like the one in Keene NH, you might find a local, unpublicized event where a farm puts out a couple of hundred jack-o-lanterns for spooky viewing. Keep in mind that the leaves might be off the trees, but that also means you get some new views that are usually hidden.

You didn't say where you want to go to to see the colors. The colors in the NC mountains may still be good around first part of November, but maybe not. The further south you go (as far as GA mountains) the later the colors are, but it depends on weather, rain, etc. You would have a better chance at that time to see colors in the NC/GA mountains. If you need help finding a place and places to go on short hikes, etc., let me know, I may be able to help you out.

Colors in the Smokies are usually pretty good in early November. A lot of folks will be in the park the weekend of Oct 23 for the AL-TN football game, so you may want to avoid that weekend especially if you need hotel reservations. I live in northern Alabama, the weather has been dry in recent weeks and leaves are already falling.

November is also part of the hunting season in some parts of the country. Make sure you have bright orange/red/yellow jacket and hat. A white handkerchief tied to a stick might help also.

I do not have hopes to see anything in the north region so late in the season. Travel advertisement focuses on the VT/ NH/ME area and nothing comes to mind outside that region. So am mostly interested in places further south, maybe Virginia? NC could be a possibility...The Smokies certainly caught my attention! The hunting warning could be a turn-off - is this really a possibility-getting shot while hiking? Even if you stick to hiking paths?!?

ttt