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Between the Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving menus, and—okay, fine—even the pumpkin spice lattes, there are so many reasons to get excited for autumn. But while cozy sweaters will see you through the depths of winter, there's one thing we always look forward to that lasts for a limited-time only: autumn leaves. As soon as the trees start to look a little yellow, we pull our scarves and boots out of storage and start scrolling through fall pictures for inspiration.
Autumn leaves spark a cozy and comforting feeling—and inspire us to break out our cameras to prove that fall is actually happening. And while some of us are lucky enough to live in climates where the changing leaves are simply a part of the season, others may not get to experience the breathtaking sights of fall. (But hey, year-round warm weather has its perks too!)
No matter where you live, you can revel in the stunning hues of the foliage while you scroll through these fall pictures on your phone. You don't have to leave the comfort of your home (or travel across the country) to enjoy them—but we do have to warn you that the breathtaking scenes might make you want to. A New England road trip is classic fall, but we've included a few nontraditional settings on this list.
From Vermont and New Hampshire to the mountains of Japan (and so many more destinations in between), the most beautiful fall pictures will inspire you to break out your fall decorations—just call it manifesting. We've paired each one of these fall scenes with a hotel recommendation in that city, just in case you want to see it for yourself.
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Copenhagen, Denmark
Alexander Spatari//Getty Images
Wander the canals of Copenhagen and browse the iconic secondhand and vintage stores for more fall sweaters.
The city of love and the city of lights, Paris is a great place for a romantic getaway while the leaves are changing. Picnic under the Eiffel Tower or wander the Luxembourg Gardens to see fall flowers around the Medici Fountain.
Home of the Miracle that was the 1984 Olympic Games hockey win, Lake Placid is a great fall visit for leaf peepers and sports fanatics alike. You can even ice skate on the official Olympic rink.
Japan's forests are just as monumental as its metropolitan areas. With rolling hills and sweeping valleys, fall colors are on full display wherever your eye lands.
The northeast has a reputation for the most beautiful fall foliage in the country for good reason. Just look at this New Hampshire lakeside. Is there any more compelling evidence?
A calming river, gorgeous fall colors, what else do you need? This stunning scene is of the Cuyahoga River, which runs between Cleveland and Akron. Nearby sights to see include Brandywine Falls and the historic Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
Fall in New York is one of most beautiful and romantic times in the bustling city. Central Park showcases the season in full force, so we recommend a room overlooking the scenery to drink it all in.
Fall foliage reflects into the waters at Buels Gore, Vermont. (Note: A gore is an unincorporated area between towns. This one is located in Chittenden County.)