Fall into New England: Where to see the best leaves
Traveling to New England in the fall to witness the beautiful foliage is a fantastic idea! The vibrant colors of autumn leaves make this region a popular destination during this season. Here are some of the best places to visit to see the fall leaves and explore the area. Seeing the leaves is the main attraction but not all New England has to offer. Included in this list are some other things to check out while you are there.
Cruise New England & Canada
With Norwegian, you can watch the leaves turn on an award-winning cruise that takes you to ports along the New England and Canadian Coast. Visit my website at https://portertravelplanning.com/norwegian-cruise-travel-agent. to learn more about this cruise. You can also contact me to book your cruise on the website. Along the coastline is where the deep-blue sea meets rich autumn hues. Witness the changing fall foliage, one of nature's amazing spectacles. It’s also where you’ll travel back to the Gilded Age and explore Bar Harbor, an opulent summer retreat built for the 19th-century elite. Québec City’s iconic Chateau Frontenac is where you’ll find the best views of the Saint Lawrence River. And be sure to save an afternoon for a true "Downeast" lobster bake.
Best Time to Visit:
The peak of fall foliage typically occurs in New England from late September to mid-October, although the timing can vary slightly depending on the specific location and weather conditions. It's recommended to plan your trip around this window to experience the most stunning display of colors.
Places to Visit if you don’t do the cruise:
1. Vermont
Known for its picturesque countryside, Vermont offers scenic drives, charming towns, and stunning mountain views.
Burlington, Vermont
Vermont's largest city is situated on the shores of Lake Champlain.
· Explore the Church Street Marketplace for shopping and dining. It has local parks, bookstores, art galleries, and cafes.
· Visit the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, an interactive science and nature museum.
· Take a scenic cruise on Lake Champlain to enjoy the early fall colors. Lake Champlain also is a historic site that offers self-guided walking tours.
· Check out the Crown Point Historic Site and Fort Ticonderoga for those who want to learn about early American History.
· Bird lovers will love the lake it has 318 species including the Common Tern which had 50 nesting pairs of birds in 1988 and is now up to 275 pair.
· Fishers will enjoy the 90 species of fish and it has some of the best bass fishing lakes in the northeast.
Green Mountain National Forest
Spend a day in the Green Mountain National Forest.
Go hiking on one of the many trails to witness the vibrant fall colors up close.
Consider a scenic drive on the Green Mountain Byway or Route 100.
2. New Hampshire
Hikers will love The White Mountains which boast some of the highest peaks in New England. It is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288.2 feet.
· For those who would prefer to see the mountains and fall leave from their car the Kancamagus Highway is famous for its vibrant foliage and takes about an hour to go through. There is a highway guide that tracks where you are through GPS and narrates your highway trip.
· Another great view is the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway in Franconia where you can ride to the top of Cannon Mountain.
· You can also ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway that was built in 1868. It departs from Marshfield Station in Bretton Woods.
3. Maine
Acadia National Park, with its mix of coastal beauty and fall foliage, is a must-see.
· The region around Portland and the inland lakes also provides gorgeous fall landscapes.
· While in Portland the observatory offers views of Portland Bay locates on Munjoy Hill.
· Take a sunset Harbor Cruise of Casco Bay- Most boat tours end around September so depending on when you go you may get one of the last tours of the season
· Whale Watching is from May to October
· Bar Harbor – is a seaside resort on the northeastern side of Mount Desert Island.
· Bar Harbor Shore Path-The shore path is best viewed in the early morning during sunrise. It is ½ mile from Agamont Park along the eastern shore. It offers picturesque views at any time of the day if you can’t make it to the sunrise.
4. Massachusetts
The Berkshires offer a blend of culture and natural beauty, with museums, galleries, and stunning foliage.
· While in the Berkshires travel on Route 7 between Great Barrington and North Adams. Take a drive to the summit of Mount Greylock in Adams. It is the highest point in Massachusetts and will offer a stunning view at the top.
· For a different viewpoint take a paddle boat ride
· The historic town of Boston is worth exploring as well.
· The Public Garden, Boston Common, The Esplanade, Fenway & the Fens are great places in Boston to see the fall foliage as well.
· Peak season in Boston is usually is around the third week of October but can occur a week or two earlier or later depending on the season
· Check out Boston’s fall foliage tours & cruises while you are there
5. Connecticut
The Litchfield Hills and the Connecticut River Valley showcase splendid fall colors.
· Litchfield Hills was named a top small-town destination by Smithsonian Magazine and a top 20-weekend getaway in New England Travel & leisure
· Tour the Litchfield History Museum and learn about the past
· The Old Market Place Taven is in the old jail. Patrons can eat dinner inside one of the former jail cells
· 30 min away in Woodbury is the antique capital of Connecticut
Pro Tips
o Remember to pack clothes in layers to accommodate the range of temperatures.
o You may also want to pack specific styles of clothes for photo opportunities such as coordinating outfits for a group of people or family pictures.
o Don’t forget to check the local events page to see what is going on while you will be there.
o Fall is a very busy time of year and the leaves are a big tourist attraction make sure to book your stay and any reservations early
o If you want to explore nature and the beauty these places have to offer at a less busy time you may also want to plan a return trip in the spring or summer