10 Unique Ways to See Fall Foliage

Cruise-Ship Getaway: Boston, Massachusetts, To Quebec City, Canada

If a 2,200-passenger ship isn't the first mode of transit that comes to mind for leaf peeping, then you haven't sailed Norwegian Cruise Line's gorgeous and affordable seven-day route from Boston to Quebec City in the fall. Each port of call—Portland, Halifax, Charlottetown, Gaspe, and La Baie—and the narrow passages in between offer stunning foliage displays. Onboard, you can indulge in 13 restaurants, nine bars, a pool, a spa, a casino, and a theater.

What to See: Watch for crimsons and golds along New England's coastline. The route also features lighthouses, quaint villages, rocky coastlines, fjords, and waterfalls.

Area Highlights: Boston's Freedom Trail; the 18th-century architecture in Quebec's Eastern Townships; kayaking among fjords in Saguenay National Park.

Vintage Open-Cockpit Biplane Flight: Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania

This foliage-viewing adventure has you riding "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron"-style in the open cockpit of a beautifully restored vintage 1943 Boeing-Stearman biplane, soft leather helmet included. Pilot Bruce (in the other seat) will take the controls while you take snapshots and video high above the Allegheny National Forest's 517,000 acres. The 20-minute flights leave from northwest Pennsylvania's Bradford Regional Airport, about 90 miles south of Buffalo, New York.

What to See: Take in Allegheny National Forest in the peak of autumn, Kinzua Bridge State Park, the Kinzua Sky Walk, the Allegheny Reservoir, and the Kinzua Dam.

Area Highlights: The Kinzua Sky Walk's glass floor above the Kinzua Gorge; geocaching on the Allegheny National Forest's GeoTrail.

Tree-Climbing Adventure: Richmond, Virginia

Now that your mom's not watching, arms crossed, you can climb to sky-high branches and get a whole new perspective on autumn. Riverside Outfitters in Richmond uses safety techniques—borrowed from professional arborists—that would make Mom proud. Gear up with a harness and rope system, then do vertical climbs, walk out on limbs, cross rope bridges up in the canopy, and swoop across the forest on tree swings during the two-hour outing.

What to See: Spot nests and treetop structures not visible from the ground. In some areas, you get a bird's-eye view of the James River, its fish, and the Richmond skyline.

When to Go: Late October to early November. Early in the morning, it's quiet and the pale sunlight is beautiful.

Area Highlights: Sleeping in an oak tree at the Golden Eagle Tree House in Meadows of Dan, four hours southwest of Richmond.

Whitewater-Rafting Trip: White Salmon River, Washington

Foliage-viewing in a wetsuit? Yes, you'll have to layer up for this spin on the White Salmon River, a Columbia River Gorge tributary about an hour east of Portland, but it's worth it. Both Zoller's Outdoor Odysseys and Wet Planet whitewater rafting companies will outfit you in a wetsuit, fleece, splash jacket, neoprene booties, and even gloves if you want them. Toasty warm, you paddle through what was once a lava tube, now a narrow volcanic basalt canyon in the Cascade Range. Miles of fall colors overhang the riverbanks and Class III & IV rapids.

What to See: Trees blaze in red and orange, birds flit over the water, and the occasional salmon or otter appears below.

When to Go: October. Leave at noon for the prettiest light and warmest temps.

Area Highlights: Craft beer in Hood River, Oregon; the 620-foot Multnomah Falls along the Columbia River Highway; hiking the Columbia River Gorge.

Rolling-Dogsled Ride: White Mountains, New Hampshire

In the forests surrounding Jefferson, New Hampshire, climb onto a rolling dogsled and let a team of Alaskan huskies, Siberian huskies, and malamutes whisk you past a blur of fall color along wooded trails. The crisp air tingles your cheeks and fallen leaves crinkle under paws and wheels on a thrilling hour-long or 90-minute ride with the Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel team. Arrive early to meet and harness up some of the 122 rescued and second-chance sled dogs.

What to See: Whip along historical rail trails as you take in views of Mt. Washington and the Presidential Range.

When to Go: Early October. In the early morning and evening, temperatures are cooler and the longer winter-length rides (7 to 15 miles) are offered at summer prices.

Area Highlights: Gondola rides, aerial tramways, and sightseeing trains; driving tours past the region's scenic notches of Franconia, Pinkham, and Crawford.

Steamboat Cruise: Upper Mississippi River, Missouri And Minnesota

Channel the spirit of Huck Finn as you float down the Mississippi River and soak in the glow of autumn. The all-inclusive seven-night fall foliage cruise aboard the American Queen luxury steamboat stops at historical river towns between St. Louis and St. Paul, including Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal. Since this voyage covers hundreds of miles, you're bound to hit the foliage peak somewhere between the showboat-style entertainment and the five-course meals.

What to See: Autumn's colorful bluffs in Red Wing, Minnesota, are a postcard-worthy view. In Hannibal, see Twain's boyhood home and locations mentioned in his novels.

Area Highlights: Main & Bush Shopping Center and the historical St. James Hotel in Red Wing.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride: Hocking Hills, Ohio

Load up the family for one of fall's simplest pleasures: an old-fashioned wagon ride. An hour southeast of Columbus, in the Hocking Hills region, the autumn canopy explodes into a spread of colors above Lake Hope State Park. Here, on horse-drawn wagon rides, you can roll through sections of woods where wildlife is especially active this time of year. In October, owls begin to nest and mark their territory. You'll likely hear their calls and sometimes, if you call to them, they'll respond. The 20-minute rides run on Saturdays in October from 3 to 6 p.m.

What to See: Look for the park's five species of woodpeckers, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys.

When to Go: Early to mid-October. Late afternoon is the best time to see wildlife and hear the owls.

Area Highlights: Hocking Valley Scenic Railway's fall foliage tours; zip-lining on the region's 50+ lines; hiking to waterfalls and through caves.

Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley: Sonoma, California

Hop aboard a hand-built replica of a classic San Francisco street cable car and wind through Sonoma Valley's rolling hills and vineyards all aglow in burgundies and golds. The six-hour Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley tour (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) takes you to four boutique wineries for tastings and a gourmet lunch. Between stops, from your seat in the open-air cable car, you can breathe in the aromas of the vineyards during crush. A sensory delight.

What to See: The trolley departs from the historical Sonoma Plaza and makes its way out to the vineyards along a route lined with gorgeous oak, walnut, and palm trees.

When to Go: October through November. On this all-day tour you'll see the fall colors in the morning fog turn to rich, brilliant shades by the afternoon.

Area Highlights: Sonoma Plaza's landmarks and farmer's market; boutique shopping in little towns; alfresco vineyard dining.

ATV Ride: Landgraff, West Virginia

Ask anyone in McDowell County, West Virginia, about the best way to see fall foliage in the Appalachian Mountains and its foothills, and you'll likely get the same response: on an ATV. Here, it's actually legal to ride ATVs on the roads. Across the county there are hundreds of miles of free trails, including sections of the Hatfield and McCoy Trails, a 500-mile off-roading heaven. Climb the system's Pinnacle Creek trails with WV ATV Tours, making stops for snapshots of sweeping views from mountainsides.

What to See: On wooded trails, see crystal-clear creeks, wildlife, and small towns in Appalachian valleys far below.

When to Go: October. In the morning, cool light and patches of fog highlight the mountain views.

Area Highlights: Coal-baron mansions in Bramwell; hiking at Pinnacle Rock State Park; fly-fishing for trout in Elkhorn Creek at the historical Elkhorn Inn & Theatre.

Tandem Paraglider Flight: Aspen, Colorado

After a few running steps down a gentle slope, you and your Aspen Paragliding pilot gently lift off and, voila!, you're riding the thermals above Aspen's Elk Mountains. Float silently over huge swaths of gold aspen trees, a picture-perfect contrast to clear blue Colorado skies and dark evergreen trees. Depending on the conditions, you can climb as high as 18,000 feet—without ever having to jump off a cliff or free-fall from an airplane.

What to See: Get 360-degree views of all four Aspen Skiing Company ski areas (Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands), Independence Pass, and Mt. Sopris.

When to Go: October. The longest flights are around 9 a.m, during morning thermals, and an hour before sunset, when the air cools and there's a more consistent wind.

Area Highlights: Road biking to the Maroon Bells; mountain biking the Government Trail; hiking the Hunter Creek Valley; driving to the summit of Independence Pass.

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