Got that fall feeling? September 22 marks start of autumnal season. Julia Gomez and Emily DeLetter, USA TODAYSeptember 22, 2025 at 9:25 PM 0 The first day of fall is finally here, and while it still might be a little warm, pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween decorations are sure to give everyone that...
- - Got that fall feeling? September 22 marks start of autumnal season.
Julia Gomez and Emily DeLetter, USA TODAYSeptember 22, 2025 at 9:25 PM
0
The first day of fall is finally here, and while it still might be a little warm, pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween decorations are sure to give everyone that fall feeling.
While many consider the return of pumpkin spice lattes to menus as the official start of fall, that honor actually belongs to the day of the autumnal equinox, according to NASA.
Monday, Sept. 22, marks the autumnal equinox in 2025.
During the equinox, night and day are the same length, according to NASA. The equinox occurs twice a year, once in the spring and then again in the fall.
1. Hudson Valley, New York Just a quick escape from New York City, Hudson Valley is ranked by Priceline as the top destination for leaf peeping in 2025. Travelers can explore numerous parks and preserves to take in the shades of autumn, from Croton Gorge Park to Hudson State Historic Park.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>The end of summer is near, and the transition of seasons brings cooler temperatures, colorful foliage and cozy atmospheres. Every fall, travelers flock to natural landscapes around the country to immerse themselves in the warm, vibrant hues of the leaves changing colors – a popular activity known as leaf peeping. "Seasonal activities provide travelers with unique experiences and leaf peeping is a consistent favorite for its beauty and ease – nationwide travelers can hop in the car and be within a few hours of stunning vistas," Priceline's consumer travel trends expert Christina Bennett told USA TODAY in a statement. Here are the best domestic destinations to go leaf peeping, according to Priceline. 1. Hudson Valley, New York Just a quick escape from New York City, Hudson Valley is ranked by Priceline as the top destination for leaf peeping in 2025. Travelers can explore numerous parks and preserves to take in the shades of autumn, from Croton Gorge Park to Hudson State Historic Park.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iu9mHwJ class=caas-img data-headline="Top 10 US destinations for fall colors travelers can't miss" data-caption="
The end of summer is near, and the transition of seasons brings cooler temperatures, colorful foliage and cozy atmospheres. Every fall, travelers flock to natural landscapes around the country to immerse themselves in the warm, vibrant hues of the leaves changing colors – a popular activity known as leaf peeping. "Seasonal activities provide travelers with unique experiences and leaf peeping is a consistent favorite for its beauty and ease – nationwide travelers can hop in the car and be within a few hours of stunning vistas," Priceline's consumer travel trends expert Christina Bennett told USA TODAY in a statement. Here are the best domestic destinations to go leaf peeping, according to Priceline. 1. Hudson Valley, New York Just a quick escape from New York City, Hudson Valley is ranked by Priceline as the top destination for leaf peeping in 2025. Travelers can explore numerous parks and preserves to take in the shades of autumn, from Croton Gorge Park to Hudson State Historic Park.
">The end of summer is near, and the transition of seasons brings cooler temperatures, colorful foliage and cozy atmospheres. Every fall, travelers flock to natural landscapes around the country to immerse themselves in the warm, vibrant hues of the leaves changing colors – a popular activity known as leaf peeping. "Seasonal activities provide travelers with unique experiences and leaf peeping is a consistent favorite for its beauty and ease – nationwide travelers can hop in the car and be within a few hours of stunning vistas," Priceline's consumer travel trends expert Christina Bennett told USA TODAY in a statement. Here are the best domestic destinations to go leaf peeping, according to Priceline. 1. Hudson Valley, New York Just a quick escape from New York City, Hudson Valley is ranked by Priceline as the top destination for leaf peeping in 2025. Travelers can explore numerous parks and preserves to take in the shades of autumn, from Croton Gorge Park to Hudson State Historic Park.
" src=https://ift.tt/iu9mHwJ class=caas-img>2. Boulder, Colorado Boulders' natural landscapes draw in travelers from all over, and one of the most famous leaf peeping activities is to drive the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway for 55 miles of colors.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2. Boulder, Colorado Boulders' natural landscapes draw in travelers from all over, and one of the most famous leaf peeping activities is to drive the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway for 55 miles of colors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vc7h6AM class=caas-img data-headline="Top 10 US destinations for fall colors travelers can't miss" data-caption="
2. Boulder, Colorado Boulders' natural landscapes draw in travelers from all over, and one of the most famous leaf peeping activities is to drive the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway for 55 miles of colors.
">2. Boulder, Colorado Boulders' natural landscapes draw in travelers from all over, and one of the most famous leaf peeping activities is to drive the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway for 55 miles of colors.
" src=https://ift.tt/vc7h6AM class=caas-img>4. Bucks County, Pennsylvania Last year, Bucks County earned the top spot on Priceline's leaf peeping list. About an hour away from Philadelphia, Bucks County offers hot air balloon rides and drives over picturesque historic bridges.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>4. Bucks County, Pennsylvania Last year, Bucks County earned the top spot on Priceline's leaf peeping list. About an hour away from Philadelphia, Bucks County offers hot air balloon rides and drives over picturesque historic bridges.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GLS3lFW class=caas-img data-headline="Top 10 US destinations for fall colors travelers can't miss" data-caption="
4. Bucks County, Pennsylvania Last year, Bucks County earned the top spot on Priceline's leaf peeping list. About an hour away from Philadelphia, Bucks County offers hot air balloon rides and drives over picturesque historic bridges.
">4. Bucks County, Pennsylvania Last year, Bucks County earned the top spot on Priceline's leaf peeping list. About an hour away from Philadelphia, Bucks County offers hot air balloon rides and drives over picturesque historic bridges.
" src=https://ift.tt/GLS3lFW class=caas-img>6. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Throughout the year, the Columbia River Gorge is stunning, but the forests become truly vibrant in the fall. Travelers can hike to waterfalls or go on romantic horseback rides to experience the fall colors.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>6. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Throughout the year, the Columbia River Gorge is stunning, but the forests become truly vibrant in the fall. Travelers can hike to waterfalls or go on romantic horseback rides to experience the fall colors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RWz57Yj class=caas-img data-headline="Top 10 US destinations for fall colors travelers can't miss" data-caption="
6. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Throughout the year, the Columbia River Gorge is stunning, but the forests become truly vibrant in the fall. Travelers can hike to waterfalls or go on romantic horseback rides to experience the fall colors.
">6. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Throughout the year, the Columbia River Gorge is stunning, but the forests become truly vibrant in the fall. Travelers can hike to waterfalls or go on romantic horseback rides to experience the fall colors.
" src=https://ift.tt/RWz57Yj class=caas-img>7. French Lick West Baden, Indiana Travelers to French Lick West Baden can pick from several prime leaf peeping locales, such as hiking through Hoosier National Forest or taking the charming French Like Scenic Railway.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>7. French Lick West Baden, Indiana Travelers to French Lick West Baden can pick from several prime leaf peeping locales, such as hiking through Hoosier National Forest or taking the charming French Like Scenic Railway.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4FGKbQd class=caas-img data-headline="Top 10 US destinations for fall colors travelers can't miss" data-caption="
7. French Lick West Baden, Indiana Travelers to French Lick West Baden can pick from several prime leaf peeping locales, such as hiking through Hoosier National Forest or taking the charming French Like Scenic Railway.
">7. French Lick West Baden, Indiana Travelers to French Lick West Baden can pick from several prime leaf peeping locales, such as hiking through Hoosier National Forest or taking the charming French Like Scenic Railway.
" src=https://ift.tt/4FGKbQd class=caas-img>8. North Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada Compared to its counterpart South Lake Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe is a quieter, more laidback retreat. In the fall, travelers are invited to leaf peep along its iconic shoreline and hiking trails.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>8. North Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada Compared to its counterpart South Lake Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe is a quieter, more laidback retreat. In the fall, travelers are invited to leaf peep along its iconic shoreline and hiking trails.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4hqfanC class=caas-img data-headline="Top 10 US destinations for fall colors travelers can't miss" data-caption="
8. North Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada Compared to its counterpart South Lake Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe is a quieter, more laidback retreat. In the fall, travelers are invited to leaf peep along its iconic shoreline and hiking trails.
">8. North Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada Compared to its counterpart South Lake Tahoe, North Lake Tahoe is a quieter, more laidback retreat. In the fall, travelers are invited to leaf peep along its iconic shoreline and hiking trails.
" src=https://ift.tt/4hqfanC class=caas-img>10. The Berkshires, Massachusetts The Berkshires remain one of the most iconic places for leaf peeping, with a wide array of viewpoints. Hiking trails lead to stunning vistas of the canopy. People can see the colors from down below by kayaking on the lake.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>10. The Berkshires, Massachusetts The Berkshires remain one of the most iconic places for leaf peeping, with a wide array of viewpoints. Hiking trails lead to stunning vistas of the canopy. People can see the colors from down below by kayaking on the lake.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/S3inuVd class=caas-img data-headline="Top 10 US destinations for fall colors travelers can't miss" data-caption="
10. The Berkshires, Massachusetts The Berkshires remain one of the most iconic places for leaf peeping, with a wide array of viewpoints. Hiking trails lead to stunning vistas of the canopy. People can see the colors from down below by kayaking on the lake.
">10. The Berkshires, Massachusetts The Berkshires remain one of the most iconic places for leaf peeping, with a wide array of viewpoints. Hiking trails lead to stunning vistas of the canopy. People can see the colors from down below by kayaking on the lake.
" src=https://ift.tt/S3inuVd class=caas-img>
1 / 7Top 10 US destinations for fall colors travelers can't miss
The end of summer is near, and the transition of seasons brings cooler temperatures, colorful foliage and cozy atmospheres. Every fall, travelers flock to natural landscapes around the country to immerse themselves in the warm, vibrant hues of the leaves changing colors – a popular activity known as leaf peeping. "Seasonal activities provide travelers with unique experiences and leaf peeping is a consistent favorite for its beauty and ease – nationwide travelers can hop in the car and be within a few hours of stunning vistas," Priceline's consumer travel trends expert Christina Bennett told USA TODAY in a statement. Here are the best domestic destinations to go leaf peeping, according to Priceline. 1. Hudson Valley, New York Just a quick escape from New York City, Hudson Valley is ranked by Priceline as the top destination for leaf peeping in 2025. Travelers can explore numerous parks and preserves to take in the shades of autumn, from Croton Gorge Park to Hudson State Historic Park.
When is the autumnal equinox?
The equinox falls on Monday, Sept. 22, at 2:19 p.m. EDT.
When does the equinox usually happen?
The equinox occurs twice a year, once in March and once in September, when the day and night are of equal length.
"The equinox marks the exact moment when the center of the Sun crosses the plane of our planet's equator," according to NASA. "The day of an equinox, observers at the equator will see the Sun directly overhead at noon."
People enjoy fall foliage views while riding the scenic chair lift at McCauley Mountain Ski Center on Wednesday, Oct. 6 in Old Forge.When will leaves start to change?
The leaf-changing time will vary, based on the weather and where you live in the U.S. According to the 2025 fall foliage prediction map from SmokeyMountains.com, the first leaves will begin to change along the Canadian borders of northern states, like Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Wyoming, Colorado and Utah will also have some fall foliage by the autumnal equinox in September.
Nearly all of the contiguous U.S. states will have leaves changing by Oct. 27th, the map predicts, with fall colors ranging from minimal to past peak.
When is the first day of winter?
The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere comes with the winter solstice, which will happen this year on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10:03 a.m. ET according to the Almanac.
The winter solstice is often known as the shortest day of the year, meaning it is the day with the fewest daylight hours. After the winter solstice, days will gradually begin to get longer again.
Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers all things Labubu and Pop Mart, scientific studies and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is it the first day of fall? What to know about the autumnal equinox.
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