Peak of Fall/Autumn question..... (Cookeville, McMinnville: celebrity, best time, areas)

[Autumn07]

Hi All,

I was wondering if someone could please tell me of good viewing areas in Tennessee to experience the peak of fall season? I'm thinking probably somewhere within Nashville driving areas. When is the peak of fall season generally speaking for Tennessee? (I'm sure it varies somewhat from year to year, right?) Does the peak of fall season also vary depending on what part of Tennessee you are in?

Also, have any of you heard of or been to a Celebrity Wax Museum in Tennessee? Like where they have Wax figures of Country music singers?

Thank you so much

[alleycat]

Yes, East Tennessee seems to be about two weeks ahead of Middle Tennessee for when the leaves change color.

It does vary from year-to-year, but in Middle Tennessee the season for leaf watching is from early October to early November; mid to late October would be the typical peak time.

This may not be the best year for fall color. It's been unusually dry in most parts of Tennessee. I don't think I have ever seen a drier May than we had. That usually is not good for foliage color. Still, it will be pretty in most areas, just not as good. The leaves will probably start turning brown early this year unless we get enough rain to make up for what we're behind.

They's a wax museum in Nashville. I don't think it's much though. There's a bigger wax museum in Gatlinburg I believe.

[Scholar]

We usually visit Tennessee during the Fall, and we always check the Weather Channel's foliage map. It is very helpful in planning the best times to see the trees. One of our favorite places is Peddler's Ridge outside Lafayette. I can't tell you exactly how to get there. A relative took us, and I was so busy looking and taking pictures, I wouldn't have a clue how to get there. I'm sure that a local can tell you, though. It is amazing!

[alleycat]

If you didn't want to drive all the way to the mountains and back, you might think about taking a drive to Cookeville, then down to Fall Creek Falls, then to McMinnville, down to South Cumberland and Beersheba Springs and back, to Manchester, then drive back up to Nashville. It would be a nice long drive but it could easily be done in a day . . . although you might just decide to stop for a while at Fall Creek.