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When Fall Colors Will Peak Around the US, According to Science

It's tiiiime. There really should be a fall version of Mariah Carey’s Christmas countdown to announce the autumnal season has arrived. For those of us desperately ready to shed the summer heat and pile on the comfy sweaters, fall is just around the corner, even if it doesn't feel like it with temperatures still above 80.

The 2026 calendar has been officially updated with peak foliage dates for everywhere in the contiguous US. Fall is coming sooner than you think.

O U T D O O R

Paddle, Hike, or Drive to These 6 Sites for Adirondacks Camping in New York

Photo: James Parascandola /Shutterstock

Designated "Forever Wild," New York's Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous US: more than 6 million acres of forest, wetland, winding rivers, and high peaks, protected since 1892.

These are some of the best spots in the park to sleep under the stars, whether you paddle, hike, or drive in.

T R A V E L

Why Rwanda Is One of Africa's Most Inspiring Cultural Destinations

Photo: Wirestock Creators /Shutterstock

Rwanda is famous for gorilla trekking through some of the most stunning natural beauty on Earth, but there's far more to it. This is a country that has rebuilt from the tragedy of genocide with remarkable resilience, and a deep sense of community shapes daily life.

T R E N D S

Instead of Lisbon, Visit the Algarve

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT CATALYST PLANET

Everyone lands in Lisbon, but Portugal's southern Algarve region makes the case for skipping the capital entirely. Three hundred days of sun a year, spread across three very different cities: lively, historic Lagos, laid-back Tavira on its coastal lagoons, and surf-and-solitude Sagres, perched at the "End of the World."

Here’s how to experience it.

S T A Y S

Watch the Stars From These Airbnbs With a Glass Roof Across the US

Photos: Airbnb

Astrotourism is having a moment, and with the Perseid meteor shower peaking tomorrow, there's no better time to chase dark skies. These Airbnbs come with skylights, glass ceilings, and transparent roofs that turn the bedroom into a front-row seat to the cosmos, made for lazy stargazing from bed.

G I V E A W A Y

A Royal Romance Getaway to Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas

Enter to win a 4-day/3-night stay for two at The Cove, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas, with private round-trip airport transportation from Nassau Airport to Atlantis and a daily food and beverage credit.

Travel Well

The Matador Editorial Team

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