Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Finest Locations to See Fall Foliage in New England: Cities, Farms, Leaves, Festivals and Extra!


I by no means knew how unimaginable it was to witness the altering of the leaves, till I went to New England. However the place do you have to go to get the last word leaf peeping expertise? I’ve bought the perfect locations to see Fall foliage in New England. These spots are the perfect for fall colours – from the mountains of New Hampshire, the notches of Vermont, and extra.

From the top of September to October taking a drive in New England is like stepping right into a world of mesmerizing colour. New England is just like the Olympics for Leaf Peepers. This actually is the championship on the subject of Fall colour. And everybody ought to expertise this at the least as soon as! From apple selecting orchards, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and a lot extra.

From the gorgeous mountain sides coated in colour, the scenic drives fluttering with golden leaves, or visiting the charming cities, farms, orchards, and festivals, you will discover a lot to see and do.

The scent of scorching and recent apple cider donuts, a prepare trip by means of a blaze of colours, the cooler temperatures and comfy feeling of Fall. Ahhhhh… it may all be present in New England.

Include me to among the finest locations for fall foliage in New England – you completely will not be disillusioned!

Planning a Fall journey in New England? I’ve you coated! Listed here are my guides:

Extra to learn:


Fall in New England – Know Earlier than You Go

When is the perfect time to see the leaves in New England?

With the intention to see the foliage, it is actually all about timing. This may be difficult because it differs from 12 months to 12 months. However the perfect time is often the top of September by means of mid-October for many of New England. This foliage tracker and map is useful for planning your journey and selecting your dates. I additionally like this foliage tracker from Yankee Journal. However know it may change from 12 months to 12 months!

Meaning for those who may be versatile, you could have a better likelihood of leaf peeping!

Final 12 months, we headed to Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. The leaves have been later so we ended up re-routing our journey to finish in Vermont and New Hampshire within the second half of the journey and we have been rewarded with incredible leaves!

In mid-September, the primary indications of fall start within the Nice North Woods space, and the hues sweep throughout the state in days. The temperature can drop as little as the excessive 40s throughout this era with a day within the 70s right here and there.

October is when the state begins its transition to autumn, with temperatures at first of the month starting from low 40s to mid-60s, and ending at excessive 30s to mid-50s.

This Fall Foliage tracker will help in serving to make sure you take advantage of your journey!

Easy methods to get to New England?

The simplest strategy to fly is to reach in Boston-Logan Worldwide airport. There’s additionally an airport in Burlington, Vermont in addition to Hartford, Connecticut and Windfall, Rhode Island to test for costs. Though these are in all totally different states, the driving distance is not as dangerous as you’d assume so I like to recommend checking costs there too!

I do completely advocate renting a automotive to get round New England. For those who’re right here for leaf peeping this offers you the liberty and adaptability to see the leaves! Additionally, the scenic by-ways and highways are simply completely beautiful!

The autumn colours in New England are nothing in need of spectacular. The White Mountains are blanketed in colour and the small cities come alive with fall festivals.

What number of days to see New England fall foliage?

I believe per week is probably the most optimum time-frame for leaf peeping. However I’ve accomplished every thing from 2 weeks, 10 days, and a protracted weekend. For those who actually need to make sure you see the leaves, go for longer.

I am breaking it down by state to make issues simpler so that you can plan! Want an itinerary? Take a look at my full itinerary right here.

Kancamagus Freeway, New Hampshire

That is my high advice for Fall Foliage in New England. It is a simple drive with an array of nice stops. From stunning rivers, mountain views, and, after all, a mesmerizing sea of heat coloured timber. I’ve by no means seen something prefer it!

The Kancamagus Freeway is a nice drive that takes you 34 miles from finish to finish. You are able to do all of it or a part of the best way, however I like to recommend stopping at a ranger station (we stopped at Saco Ranger Station which truthfully may be very picturesque!) to get a map of all of the stops. Or you may discover all of them right here.

I like to recommend ranging from the city of Conway and you may take Route 112, northwest off of Fundamental Road.

Some highlights I like to recommend are Albany Coated Bridge, Decrease Falls, Rocky Gorge, and Sabbaday Falls.

Give your self at the least a half day to drive the Kancamagus. Site visitors may be gradual and there are such a lot of unimaginable pull offs to take images!

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe appears like a Rockefeller portray of Fall in New England. The primary road appears to be like prepared for a film: lovely outlets and cafes and a pristine white church that stands out towards the backdrop of the bedecked timber.

There are a lot of actions to do in Stowe throughout Fall. You’ll be able to go on a scenic gondola trip, tour Ben & Jerry’s Manufacturing facility (for the autumn seasonal ice cream flavors, after all), or discover considered one of their many mountain climbing trails. There’s additionally Percy Corn maze which is nice for all ages! Additionally close by is the VonTrapp Household Lodge– a wonderful lodge the place the Von Trapp household settled after fleeing Austria – sure, the true life Sound of Music!

However my private favourite factor to do is drive the Notch Street.


Chilly Hole Cider Mill – Waterbury, Vermont

As quickly as you arrive at Chilly Hole Cider you will scent the heavenly scent of recent and scorching apple cider donuts. Not solely do they promote donuts, additionally they have apple cider slushes and loads of nice souvenirs!

It will probably get busy, however it’s a properly oiled machine and strikes rapidly.

There are many locations that promote donuts, greens, pumpkins and extra on the facet of the highway. Pull over when a spot catches your eye!

Salem, Massachusetts

There isn’t any higher place for Fall or Halloween than Salem! From Hocus Pocus filming areas to witch historical past, Salem is the place! A number of the most haunted locations are right here however it’s additionally fully charming and filled with historical past.

Salem is totally stunning to walk round on Chestnut road or strolling round downtown and buy groceries or eat seafood!

There’s lots to see and do in Salem, particularly round Halloween. Take a look at my full information to Salem, right here.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is a quaint little city situated on an island off the coast of Maine. It is one of the stunning fall drives with ocean views and lighthouses dotting the panorama.

Acadia Nationwide Park can be close by and is without doubt one of the most beautiful nationwide parks! The autumn colours listed here are unreal with mountains, forests, and ocean multi function place.

There are many issues to do in Bar Harbor together with whale watching, hikes, and visiting the native outlets and eating places.

Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont

Though fall in Vermont is a spectacular sight, we won’t neglect all the issues that make this state nice for fall resembling mountain climbing and foliage excursions! No fall journey to New England can be full and not using a go to to Smuggler’s Notch. A good, winding highway takes you thru epic foliage alongside the highway.

There are many straightforward and difficult trails to hike with unimaginable views. You too can drive by means of the notch for among the most stunning fall colours in New England!

Woodstock, Vermont

Woodstock is without doubt one of the most charming small cities in New England and fall is the perfect time to go to. The city is situated proper within the coronary heart of Vermont and is house to among the finest fall foliage within the state!

I like the gorgeous Woodstock Inn & Resort and you may also tour the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller property, a grand crimson brick mansion and dairy farm. 

Windfall, Rhode Island

Though it is the smallest state, Rhode Island definitely would not fall brief on fall enjoyable! Windfall is a good metropolis to discover with loads of cute outlets, scrumptious meals, and historic landmarks.

Let me let you know… don’t miss the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular on the Roger Williams Park Zoo. In a phrase, it is: surprising. Over 6,000 hand carved pumpkins and annually there is a totally different theme! In 2021 they celebrated American music with stunning pumpkins all lit up at night time with music! Dates for 2022 are September 29 by means of October thirty first. This 12 months they’re celebrating 75 years of tv. This was considered one of my favourite issues we did all the journey!

Franconia Notch State Park

Franconia Notch is without doubt one of the hottest fall locations in New England and for good motive! You might need heard of Franconia Notch, made well-known by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Daniel Webster from the Outdated Man of the Mountain. 

Flume Gorge is a should! On the base of Mount Liberty, that is an 800-foot pure gorge that was found in 1808. The path is a straightforward, principally paved stroll that takes you round two miles. You could make a reservation forward of time or on arrival on the entrance.

Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

I believe that is the perfect place for leaves in Connecticut. Fall leaves come a bit later right here since that is probably the most southern of the New England states.

You’ll be able to drive the Litchfield Hills Ramble, go to the charming city of Kent, or discover the gorgeous farms among the many golden leaves. Head over to the Litchfield City Corridor and stroll among the many beautiful properties. I am satisfied everybody in Connecticut owns a mansion.

Nichols Ledge, Vermont

I like this straightforward however stunning mountain climbing spot that offers you epic views of the lake and the sweet coloured timber. The considerably steep, out and again route close to Hardwick, Vermont takes solely a half hour. The drive right here is beautiful as properly.

Cayford Orchard Farm – Skowhegam, Maine

That is the proper place for apple selecting! Cayford Orchard Farm has massive grounds, quite a lot of apples, and many treats like maple cotton sweet! They’re going to additionally stroll you thru the method of finding, choosing, and bagging apples. We picked over half a dozen varieties!

Manchester, Vermont

This city is STUNNING! The attractive Equinox resort, the house of Orvis, a fly fishing museum and gargantuam timber ablaze with colourful leaves! Make time to take a look at the Northshire Bookstore too!

Camden, Maine

Earlier than you attain Camden, pay $6 and drive up Mount Battie to absorb the panoramic views of Penobscot Bay from the Mount Battie Tower and Vista. This is without doubt one of the most stunning settings on the Atlantic seaboard.

The city of Camden is on Penobscot Bay and is house to quite a lot of outlets and eating places. It is an incredible place to walk round, chill out, and benefit from the fall climate.

Bragg Maple Farm, Vermont

I finished at many farms and maple homes however Bragg is my favourite! You’ll be able to be taught the historical past and means of maple syrup, choose up souvenirs and you would be remiss to not take pleasure in a maple creamy!

Dixville Notch State Park, New Hampshire

Dixville Notch is situated in New Hampshire’s Nice North Woods and is house to among the most stunning fall foliage within the state. The park has mountain climbing trails, a scenic lake, and loads of alternatives to see wildlife.

A terrific hike with an unimaginable view is Desk Rock. Be sure to take a look at the deserted resort – it makes for unimaginable images

Lake Willoghby, Vermont

This is without doubt one of the most stunning lakes in Vermont and fall is the proper time to go to. The leaves are beautiful and replicate completely off the nonetheless water. It is an incredible place for mountain climbing, picnicking, and simply having fun with the great thing about nature.


White Mountains, New Hampshire

One of many prettiest areas for fall foliage in New England. Be sure to take a look at Mount Washington, a surprising white resort nestled within the leaves with pristine views. You too can go to Saco Lake, Elephant Head for views or Flume Cascade.

Close by cities resembling Jackson or Conway and Lincoln are nice locations to discover too!

The autumn season is a good time to go to New England! The leaves are altering, the air is crisp, and there is a lot to do! I hope this information helps you propose your journey and luxuriate in all that New England has to supply within the fall!

Extra guides to Fall in New England:

New England Fall Street Journey Itinerary
Finest Locations for Fall in Vermont
Finest Locations for Fall in New Hampshire
Information to Salem, MA
Hocus Pocus Filming Areas

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