Bend landed in the top 10 on a recent list of the best U.S. cities to take a fall drive.
American Muscle, which describes itself as a leading retailer of accessories for “iconic muscle cars,” put together the list of the best places for a leisurely drive to see the leaves turn. The site said it looked at “factors like foliage duration, gas prices, and search interest.”
Coming in at No. 7, Bend was the only West Coast city to make the list. Flagstaff in Arizona was the only other spot in the western U.S. to make the top 10.
In 2023, the city of Bend opened the Drake Park Boardwalk along the Deschutes River, a walk with plenty of fall color.
Bend is a popular destination year-round, with hiking, skiing and other outdoor activities available, and a well-regarded beer and food scene.
Leavenworth, in Washington’s central Cascades, was ranked as one of the bottom 10 cities for fall drives on the American Muscle list and, honestly, that seems wrong.
Aspens line the banks of the river in that quaint Bavarian-style town, which is also right in the center of Washington’s apple country. In 2023, Leavenworth was named one the best small towns in the U.S., famed for its Oktoberfest. Maybe it’s not Stars Hollow, but that seems pretty fall friendly.
