Fall Foliage Tours of the Great Lakes Region- the area around freshwater lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, Superior, and Ontario- are an established travel norm. The surprising thing is the variety of tours and the length of the season; starting in September in Canada and lasting through November in the southern parts of these coastal regions.

The Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN) has a web site (www.glin.net) of great interest to those planning a weekend get-away or lengthy stay. Covering the States Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec they have up to date regional articles. There is also information on the 6,500 miles long Great Lakes Circle Tour which allows a scenic view of all the lakes’ coastlines. For fishing news try www.great-lakes.org.

Ohio has another website that keeps up to date information on fall color especially in its parks at www.discoverohio.com or by phone at 1-800-BUCKEYE. It also has detailed information about fall campouts and nature walks at the state’s over 70 parks with full camping facilities.

For early fall views in the Canadian provinces the budget minded might find the Canrail Pass which allows12 days of unlimited travel in a 30 day period to be a good option. Prices may be higher than a driving tour but even these economy class seats are more comfortable than keeping hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road ahead.

Escorted Fall Foliage Tours.com offers a cruise of the Hudson River departing New York City October 19 to October 26, 2006. This cruise is called Fall Foliage Along the Hudson River. Prices are steep but the cruise is on a modern ship called the Nantucket Clipper and includes site seeing. Be sure to take a camera along to capture some beautiful colors.