USA Today initiated a 10 Best Reader's Choice Survey for "for your favorite autumn leaf peeping destination". There are 20 nominees citing locations across the country. As of this writing, there are still 20 days to cast your vote. If you haven't had a chance to cast your vote go to this link: 10 Best Reader's Choice or click the picture to the right. 
You can vote once a day!
You can vote once a day! Having moved to northeast Indiana just a year ago from Paradise, Michigan; I thought I would study these locations with just a little more vigor. As the years go by, the marvel of color changes seems to mesmerize my mind. It is one component that is not digitized, promoted with huge fanfare, or altered to meet the needs of a target market.
Six of the 20 nominees are more then 1,000 miles from my home. In 2020, I dialed in to three locations Iron Range, Minnesota (700 Miles from my home); Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania ( 367 Miles from my home, near Ligonier, Pennsylvania); and Michigan's Upper Peninsula (429 Miles from my home to Paradise).
The Iron Range Minnesota colors begin in mid September through Early October, starting in Virginia Minnesota (northeast corner of Minnesota) travel through Biwabik to Tower and then return to Virginia, Minnesota to complete the Iron Range Loop. This loop is approximately 70 miles, an estimated hour and a half.
Colors in the Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway, a 68 mile route, peak mid October. The byway is located in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The entire region of Michigan's Upper Michigan is identified as the color region nominee. Colors begin mid September through mid October. You'll find ten color routes, across some seven million acres of color throughout the Upper Peninsula. Many of the routes are 2 - 3 hour drives filled with many photographic opportunities.
The best value of my time and color indulgence is Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I hope you'll get a chance to experience fall colors in Michigan's Paradise soon.
