Michigan Claims Top Spot Among Best States to Visit in the Fall
As summer transitions to fall, many people eagerly look forward to the offerings of the fall season. The vibrant fall foliage, scenic drives, festive events, and visits to pumpkin patches and apple orchards. But which states are the best for a fall visit? LawnStarter has compiled a ranking of the best states to visit in the fall.
Their Methodology
They identified the key factors for ranking the best states to visit in the fall. Afterward, they assigned weights to these factors, considering their relative importance, these criteria and organized them into four distinct categories: fall scenery, outdoor recreation, entertainment offerings, and safety considerations. Data pertaining to these factors was then collected from various sources for all 50 states. Hawaii and Alaska were excluded from the analysis due to insufficient data in a single category. Ultimately, scores were calculated for each state on a scale of 100 points to determine their rankings within each factor, category, and overall. The overall score for a state represents the average of its scores across all factors and categories, with the highest score earning the title of “Best” (No. 1) and the lowest being labeled as “Worst” (No. 48).
Where Michigan Ranks
Michigan secured the fourth position in the ranking. It stood out for having one of the longest projected fall foliage periods. Additionally, the state received recognition for its high density of hayrides and cideries per 100,000 residents.
The top spots in the ranking were predominantly claimed by states in the West Coast and Northeastern regions, such as California (No. 1), New York (No. 2), and Washington (No. 3), due to their abundant state parks, extensive forest trails, and an extended season of vibrant foliage. A total of 14 states shared the distinction of having the longest projected period of fall foliage, lasting for 12 weeks.
Delaware (No. 46) found itself towards the lower end of the list, alongside Southern states such as Texas (No. 44), Florida (No. 45), and Louisiana (No. 48), which occupied the last position. According to the study, the South typically experiences shorter windows for leaf peeping, with Florida and Louisiana tied for the shortest duration at just five weeks of fall colors.
See how other states ranked with the full study here.
