Leaf peeping is a popular recreational activity where people travel to see the changing colors of deciduous trees in fall. It is especially popular in New England and can include outdoor activities and photography. Timing the trip can be tricky, but tour companies and hotels offer deals to help visitors find the best spots.
Leaf peeping is a form of recreation that involves traveling to sites where deciduous trees lose their leaves in fall and early winter. Peepers, as they’re known, typically try to time their visit with the explosion of “color” that occurs in mid to late fall as the foliage slowly dies. This form of recreation is especially popular in the New England states, though leaf-peeping trips can also take people to other corners of the world.
The color of autumn is truly remarkable, as anyone who has seen the changing leaves for themselves can attest. Often within a few weeks, the leaves transform, losing their green color and turning yellow, orange and red before wilting and falling off the parent trees. In a mixed forest, different trees may turn at different times, creating a riot of color that can be quite striking in hilly rural areas.
When people go leaf-peeping, they usually also want to take advantage of the weather. When the leaves change, it heralds the onset of late autumn and winter, when the weather will be too unpleasant to go outside. On a peek-a-boo trip, however, the weather is often still nice enough for picnicking, biking, horseback riding, or participating in other outdoor activities while enjoying the leaves. Most of the curious also take numerous photographs of the color of autumn, and some like to collect and dry the fallen leaves to preserve them as curios.
In regions known for their fall color, like Vermont, leaf peeps can be a major source of income in the fall. Some tour companies cater specifically to the curious with customized trips to find the most colorful spots, and many inns and hotels offer special deals to encourage people to stay a few days to enjoy the fall color. Visitors can arrange to stay in several locations so they can enjoy long leisurely drives through the countryside to see the changing leaves.
Timing a leaf-peeping trip is tricky. The peak is typically short, meaning people need to be flexible about when and where to go. In some communities, webcams keep Internet visitors up to date on the fall color situation, so that when the leaves start to change, people can make quick travel plans. Other cities may post fall color information on their websites and in the local newspaper, to alert potential visitors to their window of opportunity.
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