Image from Daniel Brown on https://tnstateparks.com/experiences/seasons/fall

In this Article:

Why do trees turn orange?
Our Favorite ways to enjoy the fall colors with a significant other.
When and Where to see the fall colors.

Why do trees Turn Orange?

One cool fall morning very soon, you might look outside and notice the trees glowing with reds, yellows, and oranges. It almost feels like magic, but it’s really science at work.

All summer, the leaves are hard at work making food for the tree using sunlight and a green chemical called chlorophyll. That’s what keeps them green. But when the days get shorter and cooler, the trees begin to rest. They stop making chlorophyll, and slowly the green color fades away. Then, the hidden colors, yellows, oranges, and reds begin to show.

Those bright shades come from pigments already inside the leaves. Carotenoids make the golden tones, and anthocyanins bring out the reds and purples. On sunny days and chilly nights, the colors shine even brighter. Every fall, nature paints something new, reminding us that change can be beautiful.

Where should I go to enjoy the fall colors with my significant other?

Pumpkin Patches

Pumpkin Patches are always great ways to spend time outdoors in the fall. Obviously you can pick nice pumpkins to decorate your home, but there are often times other amenities such as: hay rides, warm coffee, apple cider, hot chocolate, bon fires, corn maze, and more!

All these are great options if you are looking for a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors and the changing leaves. A few of our favorites are the Donnell Century Farm, Sunset Valley Farms, and Green Acres Farms.

All of these venues are within a 45 min drive of the Sunset Silo Couples retreat.

Couples Getaway

Another sure fire way is to book a weekend or weekday trip to a local couples destination such as a local cabin or a boutique hotel. When choosing a place to stay, we recomend looking for cabins that are immersed in nature and are secluded from busy roads or tourist destinations.

This will help you (1) enjoy each other’s company and reconnect before the hustle and bustle of holiday season and (2) see the seasons change from your bed. There is almost nothing better than waking up and looking through a large window at the bright fall colors in the morning light.

If you are looking for a hotel that your significant other will rave about for years to come, book the Sunset Silo. You will leave feeling refreshed and excited you made such incredible fall memories.

A State Park

Tennessee is filled with incredible state parks. In West Tennessee specifically, there are a total of 14 parks. Four along the Mississippi river, six in the “central” region of west Tennessee, and five along the Tennessee river.

Luckily for us, Natchez Trace State Park is within seeing distance is about a 2 min drive and Mousetail Landing State Park is about a 45 min drive. Both are incredible parks in their own respects, sporting rolling hills and lakes and river views.

If you are looking for a great way to enjoy the fall colors, visiting these two, or any of your local parks will be a great treat.

When and where to see the fall colors in West Tennessee?

West Tennessee (including the Sunset Silo) lights up in early to Late November. However, if this schedule doesn’t work for you, you can likely still get great color starting in late October.