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 received the very best locations to see Fall foliage in New England. These spots are the very best for fall colours – from the mountains of New Hampshire, the notches of Vermont, and extra.
From the tip of September to October taking a drive in New England is like stepping right into a world of mesmerizing shade. New England is just like the Olympics for Leaf Peepers. This actually is the championship in relation to Fall shade. And everybody ought to expertise this no less than as soon as! From apple choosing orchards, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and a lot extra.
From the gorgeous mountain sides lined in shade, the scenic drives fluttering with golden leaves, or visiting the charming cities, farms, orchards, and festivals, you may discover a lot to see and do.
The scent of scorching and contemporary apple cider donuts, a prepare journey by way of a blaze of colours, the cooler temperatures and comfy feeling of Fall. Ahhhhh… it may well all be present in New England.
Include me to a number of the greatest locations for fall foliage in New England – you completely will not be dissatisfied!
Desk of contents
- Fall in New England – Know Earlier than You Go
- The Finest Locations for Fall in New England
- Finest Locations for Fall in New Hampshire
- Kancamagus Freeway, New Hampshire
- Stowe, Vermont
- Chilly Hole Cider Mill – Waterbury, Vermont
- Salem, Massachusetts
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont
- Woodstock, Vermont
- Windfall, Rhode Island
- Franconia Notch State Park
- Litchfield Hills, Connecticut
- Camden, Maine
- Bragg Maple Farm, Vermont
- Dixville Notch State Park, New Hampshire
- Lake Willoghby, Vermont
- White Mountains, New Hampshire
Planning a Fall journey in New England? I’ve you lined! Listed below are my guides:
Extra to learn:
Fall in New England – Know Earlier than You Go
When is the very best time to see the leaves in New England?
With a purpose to see the foliage, it is actually all about timing. This may be tough because it differs from yr to yr. However the very best time is often the tip of September by way of mid-October for many of New England. This foliage tracker and map is useful for planning your journey and choosing your dates. I additionally like this foliage tracker from Yankee Journal. However know it may well change from yr to yr!


Meaning in the event you could be versatile, you’ve got a better likelihood of leaf peeping!
Final yr, 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!
The right way to get to New England?
The simplest option 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 unhealthy as you’ll suppose so I like to recommend checking costs there too!
I do completely advocate renting a automobile to get round New England. If you happen to’re right here for leaf peeping this provides 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 shade and the small cities come alive with fall festivals.
What number of days to see New England fall foliage?
I feel every week is probably the most optimum timeframe for leaf peeping. However I’ve accomplished all the pieces from 2 weeks, 10 days, and a protracted weekend. If you happen to 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? Try 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 lovely 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 pleasing 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 actually could be very picturesque!) to get a map of all of the stops. Or you possibly can 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 Principal Avenue.


Some highlights I like to recommend are Albany Lined Bridge, Decrease Falls, Rocky Gorge, and Sabbaday Falls.
Give your self no less than a half day to drive the Kancamagus. Visitors could be sluggish and there are such a lot of unimaginable pull offs to take photographs!
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe seems like a Rockefeller portray of Fall in New England. The primary road appears to be like prepared for a film: cute retailers and cafes and a pristine white church that stands out towards the backdrop of the bedecked timber.


There are numerous actions to do in Stowe throughout Fall. You possibly can go on a scenic gondola journey, tour Ben & Jerry’s Manufacturing facility (for the autumn seasonal ice cream flavors, after all), or discover one in every of their many climbing trails. There’s additionally Percy Corn maze which is nice for all ages! Additionally close by is the VonTrapp Household Lodge– a good looking 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 may scent the heavenly scent of contemporary and scorching apple cider donuts. Not solely do they promote donuts, additionally they have apple cider slushes and loads of nice souvenirs!




It may get busy, however it’s a nicely oiled machine and strikes shortly.
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! Among the most haunted locations are right here however it’s additionally utterly charming and stuffed with historical past.


Salem is totally lovely to walk round on Chestnut road or strolling round downtown and buy groceries or eat seafood!
There’s loads to see and do in Salem, particularly round Halloween. Try 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 crucial lovely fall drives with ocean views and lighthouses dotting the panorama.




Acadia Nationwide Park can also be close by and is among the most beautiful nationwide parks! The autumn colours listed below 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 retailers and eating places.
Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont
Though fall in Vermont is a spectacular sight, we won’t overlook the entire issues that make this state nice for fall akin to 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 simple and hard trails to hike with unimaginable views. You can too drive by way of the notch for a number of the most lovely fall colours in New England!
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock is among the most charming small cities in New England and fall is the very best time to go to. The city is situated proper within the coronary heart of Vermont and is residence to a number of the greatest fall foliage within the state!


I am keen on the gorgeous Woodstock Inn & Resort and you too can tour the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller property, a grand pink brick mansion and dairy farm.Â
Windfall, Rhode Island
Though it is the smallest state, Rhode Island actually does not fall quick on fall enjoyable! Windfall is a good metropolis to discover with loads of cute retailers, scrumptious meals, and historic landmarks.
Let me inform you… don’t miss the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular on the Roger Williams Park Zoo. In a phrase, it is: stunning. Over 6,000 hand carved pumpkins and annually there is a totally different theme! In 2021 they celebrated American music with lovely pumpkins all lit up at evening with music! Dates for 2022 are September 29 by way of October thirty first. This yr they’re celebrating 75 years of tv. This was one in every of my favourite issues we did the complete journey!




Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia Notch is among 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.Â
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 might make a reservation forward of time or on arrival on the entrance.


Litchfield Hills, Connecticut
I feel that is the very best place for leaves in Connecticut. Fall leaves come just a little later right here since that is probably the most southern of the New England states.




You possibly can 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 attractive houses. I am satisfied everybody in Connecticut owns a mansion.
Nichols Ledge, Vermont
I like this simple however lovely 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 nicely.


Cayford Orchard Farm – Skowhegam, Maine
That is the right place for apple choosing! Cayford Orchard Farm has giant grounds, a wide range of apples, and many treats like maple cotton sweet! They’re going to additionally stroll you thru the method of finding, deciding on, and bagging apples. We picked over half a dozen varieties!


Manchester, Vermont
This city is STUNNING! The gorgeous 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 soak up the panoramic views of Penobscot Bay from the Mount Battie Tower and Vista. This is among the most lovely settings on the Atlantic seaboard.


The city of Camden is on Penobscot Bay and is residence to a wide range of retailers and eating places. It is an amazing place to walk round, loosen up, and benefit from the fall climate.
Bragg Maple Farm, Vermont
I finished at many farms and maple homes however Bragg is my favourite! You possibly can study the historical past and technique of maple syrup, choose up souvenirs and you would be remiss to not bask in a maple creamy!


Dixville Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Dixville Notch is situated in New Hampshire’s Nice North Woods and is residence to a number of the most lovely fall foliage within the state. The park has climbing trails, a scenic lake, and loads of alternatives to see wildlife.
An incredible hike with an unimaginable view is Desk Rock. Ensure that to take a look at the deserted resort – it makes for unimaginable photographs




Lake Willoghby, Vermont
This is among the most lovely lakes in Vermont and fall is the right time to go to. The leaves are beautiful and replicate completely off the nonetheless water. It is an amazing place for 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. Ensure that to take a look at Mount Washington, a shocking white resort nestled within the leaves with pristine views. You can too go to Saco Lake, Elephant Head for views or Flume Cascade.
Close by cities akin to 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 intend your journey and revel 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 Places
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