Fall colors aren’t far away, even if your fall travel plans stick to major cities. Across Canada and the U.S., there’s an abundance of urban parks where you can escape into nature and enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of fall. When you’re traveling this fall, don’t miss five of the best urban parks in North America.
#1 Parc du Mont-Royal, Montreal
If your traveling to Quebec this fall, expect to see the kind of dazzling fall colors that sends thousands of people to Maine. At the heart of Montreal rises an impressive hill called Mont-Royal, topped with an illuminated cross and proudly showing off red, orange, and yellow foliage between the skyscrapers in this time of year. Designed by Frederick Olmsted, the same man who designed New York’s Central Park, Mont-Royal has beautiful wooded foot trails that lead to the hill-top chalet and an impressive promontory where you get a great view of the skyline.
#2 Forest Park, Portland
At over 5,100 acres, Portland, Oregon’s Forest Park is the largest wooded urban park in the U.S.A. There are plenty of great urban parks in Portland, but Forest Park is the crown jewel and a gift to nature lovers in the Pacific Northwest. There are 70 miles of trails, but the park is completely within city limits and located only 10 minutes from downtown Portland. It’s an incredible place to forget you’re in the city at all.
#3 Don Valley Trail, Toronto
Toronto may not have the hills of San Francisco or a mountain in the middle of the city like Montreal but look below street level and you can find wilderness that will make you feel miles away from the subway. A huge system of natural ravines cuts through Toronto. Some are small and hidden away, others occupy huge parts of the city, like the Don Valley Trail. Enter through Chorley Park to see some incredible old trees and dramatic slopes, stop by the Brickworks for a cider, and enjoy Ontario’s rich fall colors.
#4 Griffith Park, Los Angeles
Four times the size of Central Park, Griffith Park offers stunning views of the city of Los Angeles from the Griffith Observatory, not to mention tons of walking paths and even areas where you can go horseback riding. When you’re tired of Hollywood or the sights downtown, head to Griffith Park for a natural adventure.
#5 Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Between the hills, the ocean views, and the bison wandering around, there’s a lot to see in Golden Gate Park. Make sure you bundle up to stay warm when San Francisco’s oceanside temperatures inevitably take a dip. Fall in San Francisco comes with a lot of ups and downs, and you’ll find yourself taking sweaters and jackets on and off all day. Stay warm when the fogs rolls roll in and get some thermal socks this fall for your travel adventures.
Wherever your travels take you, remember that it can get cold quickly in the fall. While there may be some gorgeous sunny days, a cloudy period, rain, or even just sunset can quickly bring in the cold. Come prepared with jackets, scarves, hats, thermal socks, and proper footwear for enjoying the city and its parks.
When it comes to thermal socks, Heat Holders thermal socks are a great investment. Seven times warmer than ordinary cotton socks, they’ll keep your feet warm when you’re exploring new cities and parks. Have fun exploring some of North America’s best urban parks.