There's a special crispness in the air as the days grow shorter and summer begins to fade. Maybe it's because we both have October birthdays, but autumn is our favorite time of year—time for crunching apples, walking through corn mazes and watching the kids trick-or-treat.

But our favorite fall activity by far—aside from snuggling underneath a blanket and drinking hot chocolate—is traveling out of town to watch the leaves turn. And we're not the only ones. Popular tourist areas such as the Adirondacks and the Great Smoky Mountains are packed with cars, RVs and campers as everyone wants a first-hand view of fall's spectacular colors.

Still, there are plenty of places where you can see spectacular autumn views without sharing your experience with the crowd.

For a spectacular view of the North Georgia Mountains, visit The Lodge on Apple Pie Ridge (www.lodgeonapplepieridge.com) in Alto, off Georgia 365 about 90 miles north of Atlanta. Since it opened six years ago, the lodge has been named to several "Top Ten autumn viewing" lists by national and regional publications. The lodge is constructed from centuries-old logs, stacked stone and reclaimed wood, with pre-Civil War heart pine floors throughout the inn. Situated in a natural clearing amid 30 acres, the lodge offers 50-mile views from its porches. Hiking trails run along quiet streams through the dense hardwood forest.

Max and Judy Chosewood, owners and innkeepers, visited several bed and breakfasts around the country, incorporating the best ideas into their lodge. They serve a hot gourmet breakfast with a down-home twist, plus afternoon snacks and evening dessert. Max’s family farmed this land for decades. The lodge sits in a natural clearing that was once an apple orchard, he said, and "I remember picking blackberries here on the Fourth of July when I was a kid."

Aside from great leaf-watching experiences on the property, the lodge is also close to a number of driving routes that pass through some of the most dramatic vistas in the Appalachian Mountains. About 20 minutes away on Georgia 384 is the Alpine village of Helen ( www.helengeorgia.com), where Oktoberfest is in full swing during the autumn. Helen (www.helenga.org) is surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest and Unicoi State Park. A highlight at Helen is the Chattahoochee River Road, a colorful 14-mile loop through the Mark Trail Wilderness. A short drive from Alto on US 441 brings you to Tallulah Gorge State Park ( www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah), one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern United States. The suspension bridge puts you amidst stunning autumn color—or you can take the park rangers’ full moon hikes over the bridge for a unique evening experience.

"North Georgia’s mountains are a spectacular place to see Mother Nature’s handiwork, and our state parks attract visitors from all over the Southeast," says State Park Director Becky Kelley, "But I like to remind people that southern Georgia has some beautiful fall color as well. Cypress and tupelo trees found in parks such as Reed Bingham, George L. Smith and Stephen C. Foster sometimes turn brilliant orange toward the end of the season."

Of Georgia’s 48 state parks, (www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/leafwatch) six of the most popular for leaf watching include Amicalola Falls, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Tallulah Gorge, Unicoi and Vogel.

If you are tired of driving, consider leaf watching by rail. Western North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (http://www.gsmr.com), offers fall leaf-viewing trips throughout October. The area includes half the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. The local mountains are home to more than 125 varieties of trees, including oak, sugar maple, mountain ash and Fraser fir. Rosebay rhododendron display bright berries during autumn, complementing the trees’ russet, gold and orange leaves.

The railway connects Bryson City and Dillsboro, N.C., where you enjoy true Southern hospitality at The Jarrett House (www.jarretthouse.com). The B&B in downtown Dillsboro was established in 1884, originally playing host to railroad travelers. It features Victorian-style furnishings and family style dining. You can also visit Dillsboro Smokehouse (www.dillsborosmokehouse.8m.com) for barbeque and all the trimmings.

If you prefer a more rural setting, take Route 107 through the mountains 10 miles south to the River Lodge (www.riverlodge-bb.com) in Cullowhee. Owners and innkeepers Cathy and Anthony Sgambato built an elegant bed and breakfast lodge on the Tuckasegee River that brings the style of the Adirondacks to the Smoky Mountains. The lodge is built of 100-year-old hand-hewn logs. Each cozy room features queen-sized, mountain-made log beds, private baths with claw-foot tubs and unique local accessories.

While the Southern Appalachians are typically in their most spectacular colors in late October, the trees in more northern areas such as Maine and Wisconsin typically peak earlier in the month.

Maine has long been a popular leaf-viewing spot for New Englanders. "The variety of leafy tree species in Maine sets it apart from neighboring states," says Kevin Gove, spokesman for Maine’s tourism industry (www.visitmaine.com).

One of the most popular routes is the Acadia National Park Loop Road, a 20-mile circuit that includes dramatic ocean and mountain views in the Mount Desert Island area. The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway (Route 201) from Solon to Jackman passes rivers, streams and lakes as it travels 78 miles to the Quebec border. The Grafton Notch Scenic Byway (Route 26) winds through small villages, passing through the 4,000-foot peaks of the Mahoosuc range on its way to the waterfalls and trails of Grafton Notch State Park. Also popular are the 36-mile Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway (Routes 17 and 4 in western Maine) and the 37-mile, Route 11 Fish River Scenic Byway in Aroostook County.

If you’re ready to get out of the car and get closer to nature, consider renting a bike and even taking a kayak trip. L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools (www.llbean.com) offers kayak outings that include half-day October fall foliage trips in Casco Bay for beginners and expert paddlers alike.

While exploring Maine’s striking fall colors, there are plenty of dining and accommodation choices. Bethel Inn Resort (www.bethelinn.com) on Route 26 in Bethel offers both a traditional inn and luxury townhomes, along with dining and spa facilities on 200 acres of resort activities. Nearby, the Sudbury Inn Dining Room and Pub (www.sudburyinn.com) offers a B&B, fine dining and a pub. At Arcadia National Park, the Jordon Pond House (www.jordanpond.com) has provided travelers with afternoon tea since the 1800s—a tradition that continues today with popovers and strawberry jam. Jordan Pond also offers lunch and dinner. The Loon Lodge Inn and Restaurant on Route 4 in Rangely offers cozy rooms and New American cuisine at dinner. On the coast, Kennebunkport’s newest private resort, Hidden Pond (www.hiddenpondmaine.com), is celebrating the changing of the leaves with a "Colors of Autumn" package that includes a complimentary third evening stay; wine, cheese and bakery baskets delivered to your private cottage; and a gift certificate for one of three local restaurants.

In Door County, Wisconsin (www.doorcounty.com), just about any road you choose is the right one for viewing fall’s dazzling colors, quiet natural sounds and distinct aromas. Door County—located on a peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, is home to dozens of state and county parks. Highways 42 and 57 crisscross the county, making it easy to visit small-town festivals and roadside stands that sell crisp local apples and hot cider. You can tour Door County by car, boat, horse-drawn wagon—even take an airplane ride that offers an uncommon look at fall foliage.

Whether your tastes run to an elegant inn, modern resort, cabin or campsite, Door County has plenty of accommodation choices. For example, the Baileys Harbor Yacht Club Resort (www.bhycr.com) is a condominium/hotel resort surrounded by more than 1,000 wooded acres for hiking and sightseeing. Relax with indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool, sauna and full-service marina. Fall colors make the sunset harbor views even more glorious. Or, if you prefer a more secluded getaway, check out the Journey’s End Motel & Cabins (www.journeysendmotel.com), where the quiet country setting includes a traditional motel plus several cabins constructed about a year ago.

The White Gull Inn in Fish Creek provides local color in both its accommodations and its dining experience. The inn has provided Door County visitors with rooms, suites and cottages for generations. It also serves three meals a day, starting with a hearty breakfast each day. But the White Gull is best known for its traditional fish boil, where you can watch as whitefish caught by local fishermen are cooked over an open fire. The fish boil is a tradition dating back 100 years to the peninsula’s early Scandinavian settlers.

Two other unique dining venues are Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay and The Log Den. Al Johnson’s (www.aljohnsons.com) is known locally for its authentic Swedish fare—particularly its pancakes. But it has also gained national fame because of the goats grazing on its grassy roof during most of the year! Meanwhile, just south of Egg Harbor, The Log Den (www.thelogden.com) is a 10,000-square-foot cabin restaurant and lounge featuring hand-scribed logs and massive carvings. The menu includes country fare and exotic items as the chefs offer local favorites alongside specialty appetizers like pan-seared Ahi tuna or fresh Bluepoint oysters.

Whether you want to watch the aspens blaze gold and red in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado or see the Ozark Mountains make their last stand before winter, there are plenty of spots across the country to see autumn color. However, just remember that every season is different, and a number of variables influence when the peak viewing times hit your area. The U.S. Forestry Service can provide details about local developments at their Fall Color Hotline (1-800-354-4595).

Sharing a passion for adventure, Bobby Hickman and Joni Strandquest own and operate EaglesQuest Media Inc., a freelance writing service focusing on business, lifestyles, travel and tourism within the U.S. and abroad. To learn more, or to suggest ideas for future columns, check out their website at www.eaglesquestmedia.com.