This article was posted last year, but updated this year with a couple of Midwest destinations sprinkled in.
The least crowded: Southern Wisconsin
When to go: Second week of October
Why go: In general, leaf-peepers in the Midwest don't have to
contend with the same kinds of crowds that they do in the Northeast. "I
tend to think that the entire region is rather underrated," says Marek
D. Rzonca of the Foliage Network.
"Historically, when people think of fall foliage, they think of the
Northeast and New England. That thinking is not without merit, as the
displays in much of the Northeast are spectacular, but the Midwest has
its gems as well. Wisconsin has grown in popularity, at least on our
site." Danielle Johnson, from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, calls
the small resort town of Lake Geneva a "hidden gem for fall color" in
Wisconsin. "Crowds die down in the fall," she says, "making it the
perfect time to visit."
Where to get the best view: The Lake Geneva Shorepath Walk.
The 21-mile trek gives you plenty of opportunities to see the fall
colors set against the lake—and, as a bonus, it'll also take you through
the backyards of historic mansions. Johnson says the town owes its
popularity to the Chicago fire. "Wealthy Chicagoans fled to their second
homes in Lake Geneva after the fire and made them their new homes," she
says. This includes a number of properties that once belonged to the
prominent Wrigley family. (Black Point Estate is the only one currently open to tours.)
Insider tip: Not content to look at those leaves from the ground? Lake Geneva Canopy Tours can take you much, much closer on a 2.5-hour tour through ziplines in the trees.
Click through to see the full slideshow at the Condé Nast Traveler.
Photo Credit: Clint Farlinger / Alamy