Texas is full of breathtaking fall foliage, but experiencing most of it requires hikes that can be long and strenuous. For those who would rather sit back, relax, and take in the views from behind the wheel (perhaps with a pumpkin spice latte in hand?), this two-hour drive is ideal.
Of course, you can get out and explore at any of the stops if you’re feeling up to it, but the scenery can be enjoyed just as well in the car. Click here for a Google Map with exact addresses + directions to each destination.
Google Maps
Home to the nation’s largest rose garden, Tyler is a wonderful place to begin our fall foliage tour of East Texas.
Google/CJ M. Hundreds of Japanese Maples surround the blooms and dazzle visitors with brilliant gold and orange hues. The annual Texas Rose Festival is held here every October, providing even more of a reason to take this trip ASAP.
Next, we’ll drive about an hour to start the 55-mile Athens self-guided trail.
Facebook/GoZipTexas Named the “best scenic drive in Upper East Texas” by County Line Magazine, this short and sweet excursion takes passengers to some of the region’s most enchanting autumn displays. First up is the New York, Texas ZipLine Adventures, where you’ll have the opportunity to soar above the multicolored trees and get a birds-eye view guaranteed to take your breath away. If you’re not the daredevil type, no worries - natural beauty like this is just as breathtaking on the ground.
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is one of the state’s best places to learn more about our favorite pastime, but not many know that it’s a prime location for fall foliage.
Facebook/Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Trees surrounding the hatchery take on those comforting warm tones we all know and love, and their reflection on the water enhances an already picture-perfect scene. Plus, you’ll walk away with some interesting tidbits of knowledge about fishing to use on future trips.
Botanical gardens have a sole purpose of displaying Mother Nature’s work, so you can only imagine how breathtaking the East Texas Arboretum is this time of year.
Facebook/East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society Two miles of trails wind through towering tree groves and other unique plant life, convincing all who pass through they’ve stepped into an enchanting fairytale.
Last stop is Tara Winery, a sprawling vineyard tucked away deep in the Piney Woods.
Google/Hotels.com Sitting on a property spanning hundreds of acres, this marvelous oasis boasts some of the most striking fall foliage in East Texas. Explore the grounds, stay a night, or simply drive by and take in the views.
How many of these places have you been to? What would you add to the trip? Let us know!
Google Maps
Google/CJ M.
Hundreds of Japanese Maples surround the blooms and dazzle visitors with brilliant gold and orange hues. The annual Texas Rose Festival is held here every October, providing even more of a reason to take this trip ASAP.
Facebook/GoZipTexas
Named the “best scenic drive in Upper East Texas” by County Line Magazine, this short and sweet excursion takes passengers to some of the region’s most enchanting autumn displays. First up is the New York, Texas ZipLine Adventures, where you’ll have the opportunity to soar above the multicolored trees and get a birds-eye view guaranteed to take your breath away. If you’re not the daredevil type, no worries - natural beauty like this is just as breathtaking on the ground.
Facebook/Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
Trees surrounding the hatchery take on those comforting warm tones we all know and love, and their reflection on the water enhances an already picture-perfect scene. Plus, you’ll walk away with some interesting tidbits of knowledge about fishing to use on future trips.
Facebook/East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society
Two miles of trails wind through towering tree groves and other unique plant life, convincing all who pass through they’ve stepped into an enchanting fairytale.
Google/Hotels.com
Sitting on a property spanning hundreds of acres, this marvelous oasis boasts some of the most striking fall foliage in East Texas. Explore the grounds, stay a night, or simply drive by and take in the views.
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