Quebec City ranked top global destination for autumn foliage

A new study by IgluCruise has identified the top ten global destinations for viewing autumn foliage, based on factors such as broadleaf tree density, daily autumn sunshine hours, local tour availability, and search trends.

Quebec City, Canada, secured the first position, surpassing traditional favorites like New England. Kyoto, Japan, followed in second place, where the tradition of 'momijigari' is a significant cultural event. For 2026, forecasts suggest the best time to view Kyoto’s red maple leaves is December 11, while yellow ginkgo leaves are expected around November 27.

The United States featured prominently with four locations: Burlington, Vermont (third); Portland, Maine (fourth); Jackson, New Hampshire (fifth); and Bar Harbor, Maine (seventh). Other notable entries include Hiroshima, Japan (eighth); Halifax, Nova Scotia (ninth); and Saguenay, Quebec (tenth). The Wachau Valley in Austria was the sole European destination to make the top ten, ranking sixth.