This Kentucky town offers some of the best fall foliage in the US, Country Living says
One Kentucky town recently appeared among a collection of spots across the country that offer the best fall foliage.
The list, compiled and published by Country Living magazine, recognizes the 55 best U.S. small towns for autumn leaves. Nominees stretch from the California coast to New England and generally offer a pleasant mix of colorful foliage and fall-themed fun for the whole family.
Pioneer Valley, Mass., cracked the top spot on this year’s list, but the Bluegrass State is represented well in its own right. You might not want to waste time if you’re hoping to catch the fall colors, as the Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Prediction Map suggests most of Kentucky has seen its foliage peak by the week of Nov. 6. Some southern portions of the commonwealth are still showing great color.
Here’s a brief look at Kentucky’s offerings featured among Country Living’s favorite fall foliage spots in 2023.
Fall foliage in Bardstown, Kentucky
The county seat of Nelson County, Bardstown earned the No. 49 spot among Country Living’s rankings of the best U.S. small towns for fall foliage. The Central Kentucky city, settled in the late 18th century, offers a population of about 13,739, according to the latest U.S. Census estimates.
“Known as the ‘Bourbon Capital of the World,’ this small town offers scenic foliage, in addition to good brew,” Country Living wrote in its brief overview.
Bardstown can trace its bourbon industry back to Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister who, in 1789, first began aging bourbon in oak barrels, according to Visit Bardstown, the local tourism bureau. Today, the city features nearly a dozen local and regional distilleries, plus plenty of activities and offerings featured through the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Those looking for fall fun in this beloved small town might consider hitching a ride on the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, visiting the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest or exploring several local parks, including My Old Kentucky Home State Park.
Bardstown’s selection as a top small U.S. town for viewing fall foliage is just one of the city’s recent accolades. It was also recently named one of the 50 best small towns in the South by Southern Living magazine and one of the 20 most picturesque in the U.S. by Travel and Leisure.
Country Living’s best small towns for fall foliage
Here’s a look at the top picks among Country Living’s best U.S. small towns for fall foliage this year. The full list features 55 towns across the country.
- Pioneer Valley, Mass.
- Montpelier, Vt.
- Saranac Lake, N.Y.
- Gatlinburg, Tenn.
- Stowe, Vt.
- Breckenridge, Colo.
- Harpers Ferry, W.Va.
- Jefferson, N.H.
- Wellsboro, Pa.
- Munising, Mich.
- Cherokee, N.C.
- Camden, Maine
- Calistoga, Calif.
- Kent, Conn.
- Parkville, Mo.
- Galena, Ill.
- Oakland, Md.
- Fish Creek, Wisc.
- Park City, Utah
- Keene, N.Y.
- Fayetteville, W.Va.
- Bristol, R.I.
- Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
- Buckhannon, W.Va.
- Mountain Lakes, N.J.
- Sugar Hill, N.H.
- Jasper, Ark.
- Milford, Pa.
- Clayton, Ga.
- Manchester, Vt.
- Lilydale, Minn.
- West Glacier, Mont.
- Ontonagon, Mich.
- Weaverville, N.C.
- Estes Park, Colo.
- Kennebunkport, Maine
- Vale, Ore.
- Taos, N.M.
- Abingdon, Va.
- Woodstock, Vt.
- Bayfield, Wisc.
- Charlestown, R.I.
- Naches, Wash.
- Natchez, Miss.
- Ridgway, Colo.
- Nashville, Ind.
- Sandpoint, Idaho
- Mount Shasta, Calif.
- Bardstown, Ky.
- Defiance, Ohio
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- Lenox, Mass.
- Hudson Valley, N.Y.
- Mystic, Conn.
- New Paltz, N.Y.
You can read Country Living’s full feature on the best U.S. small towns for fall foliage by visiting countryliving.com/life/travel/g2566/best-leaf-peeping-in-america.
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