In Japan, it’s called momijigari. In New England and throughout the American Northeast, it’s known more adorably as “leaf peeping.” But whatever you want to label the tendency to seek out brilliant fall foliage, you’ll find plenty of scenic locales across the US where you can watch the leaves change hues. Some are tried-and-true meccas of fall colors, whereas others, such as the five alternatives listed below, remain well-kept secrets.

Know Before You Go Leaf Peeping

• In the United States, leaves generally begin changing in late September at the most northerly locations and continue through mid-October further south.

• If you’re trying to time your road trip just right, check out the US Forest Service’s handy map of the progress of fall foliage by state.

• Avoid peeper-related congestion by using your GPS and sticking to back roads when possible.

Instead of Door County, Wisconsin, try:

Kettle Moraine State Forest, Wisconsin

Best place to peep leaves: Go for a drive along the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, a 115-mile road that weaves through the heart of oak, maple, and aspen territory in five separate forests.

Best time to go: Mid-October

Other activities in the area: In Kettle Moraine’s Southern Unit, you can paddle across Ottawa Lake in a canoe or hike one of the numerous park trails. And the creature comforts of a city are just a quick drive away—the Southern Unit is only 40 miles southwest of Milwaukee and 50 miles east of Madison.

Where to stay: Make a weekend out of it with a room in the Metro Milwaukee area.

Instead of the Hudson River Valley in New York, try:

Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

Best place to peep leaves: Take a drive along the Cobble Mountain Trail, which cuts through the 2,300-acre Macedonia Brook State Park in Kent. An overlook here showcases the brilliant foliage across the Harlem Valley and the Catskills and Taconic Mountains.

Best time to go: Last week of September through mid-October

Other activities in the area: Go apple picking at nearby Averill Farm. You can also sample their homemade apple-cider donuts and scoop up a pumpkin for carving.

Where to stay: Grab a hotel in western Connecticut or eastern New York.

Instead of Aspen, Colorado, try:

Eagle County, Colorado

Best place to peep leaves: You’ll see plenty of fall foliage lining I-70, the main interstate that sails through Eagle County. Ditch the main drag for Highway 24 at Minturn; the scenic byway charts a course through droves of yellow, orange, and red aspens.

Best time to go: Last week of September through early October (keep in mind that leaves change earlier at higher elevations)

Other activities in the area: Soak in the hot springs of Glenwood Springs or tackle the 1-mile trek to Hanging Lake. There are plenty of things to do in Edwards and Vail, including world-class shopping and guided horseback rides at Vail Stables.

Where to stay: Get a room in the Rockies of central Colorado.

Instead of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, try:

Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina

Best place to peep leaves: Drive to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and hoof it up to the park’s stone observation tower. You’ll be rewarded with a colorful display courtesy of the thousands of deciduous trees in the Pisgah National Forest.

Best time to go: Early to mid-October

Other activities in the area: Pack a picnic or go on a longer hike within Mount Mitchell State Park, and keep your eyes peeled for resident black bear or white-tailed deer. Peruse art galleries and see the largest home in the US—the Biltmore Estate—in the mountain town of Asheville.

Where to stay: Asheville is a perfect place to spend the night if you’re too sleepy to drive home.

Instead of Route 100 in Vermont, try:

Peacham Road, Vermont

Best place to peep leaves: Peacham Road isn’t very lengthy as far as scenic drives go, but it does take you through the heart of the bucolic New England town of Peacham, complete with steepled churches, charmingly disheveled barns, and plenty of gorgeous colors.

Best time to go: First two weeks of October

Other activities in the area: Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is a haven of outdoor recreation. Go mountain biking on the Kingdom Trails, get lost in the Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville, or hike around Lake Willoughby in East Burke.

Where to stay: Find a quiet lodge in one of Vermont’s picturesque towns.

Photos courtesy of: Royalbroil / Wikimedia, Flickr user Pixonomy, Flickr user Jim Lawrence, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and Flickr user Christine Olson