New England: Ed Hamilton & Co
For sophisticated sea dogs, elegant staterooms and crystal chandeliers aboard a five-star cruise might be the height of luxury; for others, there's nothing so luxurious as the freedom to set sail when and how you please. Ed Hamilton & Co. has specialized in luxury yacht charters for more than 30 years, with crewed boats plying the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to Martha's Vineyard. Based in the coastal town of Wiscasset, the company has its finger on the pulse of the New England charter scene. With most boats setting sail from the Northeast as the summer winds down, Hamilton & Co. will know which boats and which crews are still afloat in the area come autumn.
British Columbia: Cruise West
British Columbia might not offer the dramatic colors of its East Coast counterpart, but leaf-peepers in western Canada will be rewarded with stunning scenery around the San Juan and Gulf Islands. The hills are painted gold with the turning leaves of the region’s native alpine larch and cottonwoods, while animal encounters with majestic moose and bighorn sheep beckon in the surrounding wilderness. Cruise West’s intimate, award-winning cruise ships include expert guides for onshore explorations, as well as stops at quaint seaports like Port Townsend and Friday Harbor.
Sonoma Valley: Lindblad expeditions
With California’s wine country clogged with traffic during the fall harvest, a wine cruise offers the perfect chance to escape the crowds and sample some of the Sonoma Valley’s finest flavors afloat—all while taking in the fall foliage. Lindblad Expeditions offers adventurous cruises that include kayak and Zodiac tours of Sonoma’s scenic waterways, hikes through miles of rolling vineyards, and a gourmet coup de grace from executive chef, Gary Jenanyan. Leaving the car at home gives you an added excuse to tipple, with tours including exclusive tastings at two of Sonoma’s boutique wineries.
Mississippi River: Dubuque river rides
For foliage fans and history buffs alike, nothing quite conjures the spirit of an all-American adventure like a float down the mighty Mississippi. Channel your inner Huck Finn as you take in the cascading colors along the river’s scenic bluffs aboard the Spirit of Dubuque. The boat is a pitch-perfect replica of the century-old steamships that once crowded America’s most famous waterway, paddlewheels churning up a sea of foam. Sitting beneath the canopy on its open-air deck, you’ll have the perfect vantage point to admire the fall colors onshore.
New England: Crystal cruises
The opulent Crystal Symphony is a throwback to the glory days of luxury cruising, and it's ideal for the aspiring Astors who want some extra flair with their fall colors. Elegantly appointed staterooms, luxuriant lounges and fine dining add a dash of decadence to the foliage—perfect if you prefer to do your leaf-peeping from the privacy of your own verandah. Unwind in the full-service spa, try your luck in the casino, admire the views from the handsome teak promenade. There's nothing modest about the 940-passenger ship, which weighs in at a hefty 50,000 tons, but personalized touches like butler service and customized excursions make for an intimate experience.
Hudson River: American Canadian Caribdeann Line
The Empire State's stunning foliage flanks the historic Hudson River, as the iconic New York City skyline quickly gives way to a scenic landscape aflame with reds, oranges and golds. The friendly, family-run American Canadian Caribbean Line specializes in intimate cruises along the river, stopping in picturesque towns en route to the Erie Canal and the majestic St. Lawrence River. Explore the coastlines of the Thousand Islands before hitting the Old World outpost of Quebec City. While the ACCL boats are modest by the standards of today's mega-yachts, the relaxed vibe is perfect for family foliage getaways.
Rocky Mountains: Waterton cruise
Waves of gold sweep across northern Montana each fall, with the abundant maples, larch and aspen typically hitting their peak colors in early October. To explore by boat, hop aboard the venerable M.V. International for a scenic tour of the Rocky Mountain landscape. Built in Goat Haunt, Mont.—the northern gateway to Glacier National Park—the International has been plying area waterways for 80 years. During its historic run, the wood-hulled ship has shuttled more than 1.5 million passengers past the picturesque peaks, with cruises hugging the colorful coasts of Waterton Glacier International Peace Park. After the cruise, disembark in Goat Haunt for a bit of rugged exploration.
Chesapeake Bay: American Cruise Lines
Set sail from Baltimore to explore the eye-popping colors around "Charm City" and the Chesapeake Bay, where some of the best leaf-peeping in the Mid-Atlantic takes center stage. Aboard the fleet of American Cruise Lines, you'll explore the Lilliputian ports of the James River and the Intracoastal Waterway—most of which are inaccessible to larger cruise ships. Stops in Jamestown and Williamsburg are steeped in the country's colonial heritage, while St. Michael's and Annapolis bring the region's maritime history to light. While the riverbank foliage provides plenty of pleasant scenery, it's the evocative glimpses of the past—lonely lighthouses perched atop rugged outcrops; schooners and skipjacks bobbing in picturesque harbors—that are invariably the highlight.
Pacific Northwest: American Safari Cruises
Along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, the hills display vibrant deep golds and ruby reds—an enticing reason to leaf-peep in the Pacific Northwest. With American Safari Cruises, a small-ship specialist that plies the region's rivers, you'll get an intimate glimpse of the foliage aboard one of the company's luxury yachts. The emphasis is on active exploration—expect to kayak the Columbia River Gorge, or hike along trails pioneered by Lewis & Clark. Gourmet chefs might make it hard to leave the boat behind, but with Washington's wine season hitting its stride with the foliage, onshore tastings offer their own temptations.
credited to forbestraveler.com
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