Apparently, we're calling it leaf peeping. Which sounds slightly ridiculous until I realize I have absolutely planned an entire weekend around looking at pretty trees.

So, fine. I'm a leaf peeper.

Fall foliage trips have become one of my favorite excuses to get away because the activity itself is incredibly simple. Find somewhere beautiful during peak color, drive around, and repeatedly say, “Oh my God, look at that tree.”

And when the wind blows and I find myself standing in a shower of leaves, I call it “fall-fetti.”

I’ve planned whole vacations around it. Here’s how you can do the same.

Timing Is Everything

The slightly annoying thing about planning a foliage trip is that the leaves refuse to consult your calendar.

Peak color changes every year depending on weather and elevation, so those traditional “peak foliage dates” are better treated as estimates than guarantees.

Before you leave, check a current foliage report for the destination you're visiting. Give yourself a little flexibility. You don't need every tree operating at maximum orange to have a beautiful trip.

Elevation Can Work in Your Favor

In mountain destinations, fall color progresses differently depending on elevation. That can give you more options if your timing isn't perfect.

If leaves have already peaked higher in the mountains, lower elevations may still have plenty of color.

This is especially useful in places like the Blue Ridge Mountains (where I live), where you can drive between elevations relatively easily.

Basically, if the trees aren't cooperating, go find different trees.

Pick a Scenic Drive

You don't need to hike 11 miles to earn your foliage. A scenic drive can be the main event.

Look for mountain roads and overlooks where you can safely stop along the way. Don't make the destination the only thing you're excited about.

The drive is the activity. Make a good playlist and bring snacks. Then prepare to pull over approximately every 14 minutes because someone spotted another view.

Stay Somewhere That Feels Like Fall

If I'm planning a foliage weekend, I'm committing to the theme.

Give me the cabin. Give me the historic inn.

I want somewhere that makes coming back at the end of the day feel like part of the trip rather than simply somewhere I'm sleeping.

Bonus points for a porch. Extreme bonus points for a fireplace.

Go During the Week If You Can

Beautiful fall destinations attract crowds. (Shocking, I know.)

If your schedule allows it, visiting during the week can make popular scenic roads and towns much more enjoyable.

If you're going on a weekend, start earlier than you think you need to. Apparently, everyone else also saw the pretty-tree photos.

Don't Spend the Whole Trip Chasing the Perfect View

This is my biggest rule. Yes, you're there to see the leaves. But don't spend the entire weekend refreshing foliage maps and driving four hours because someone on the internet reported a particularly spectacular maple tree.

Find a beautiful area and enjoy it. Stop for lunch. Wander around town. Sit outside with something warm to drink. The whole point of a fall getaway is slowing down enough to notice the season.

And if the trees happen to be showing off while you're there, even better.