Leaf peeping in New England: 10 regions and scenic byways you must visit while on locum tenens assignment
- 1) Litchfield Hills, Connecticut Lauded as one of the best regions to go leaf peeping, you’d be remiss if you didn’t venture to the Litchfield Hills for a classic taste of fall. ...
- 2) Lake Candlewood and Squantz Pond State Park, Connecticut On top of being Connecticut’s largest lake, Candlewood is also a leaf-peeper’s paradise. ...
- 3) The Berkshires, Massachusetts ...
- 4) Old King’s Highway, Massachusetts ...
- Lake Winnipesaukee Loop in New Hampshire. DenisTangneyJr//Getty Images. ...
- Vermont's Route 100. Getty Images. ...
- Maine's Coastal Route 1. Getty Images. ...
- Maine's Acadia National Park. Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park. ...
- Massachusetts's Mohawk Trail. Getty Images. ...
- Massachusetts's Route 6A. Getty Images. ...
- Boston, Massachusetts.
Where are the best places to go leaf peeping in Connecticut?
For the best leaf peeping, make the drive along the Green Mountain Byway between the towns of Waterbury and Stowe. Mount Mansfield, the state’s highest peak, sits along the way,” USA Today wrote. Also, The Lodge at Spruce Creek is a great fall getaway, according to the publication. The treehouse cottage at Winvian Farm. – Winvian Farm
Where can I see Leaf Peepers in Maine?
From Baxter State Park in the early-peak season to Bar Harbor during the middle-peak season, Maine has much for leaf peepers to explore. Being the largest state in New England while having a fairly low population means that Maine is full of stunning wilderness for leaf peepers to enjoy. Coming soon to a tree near you.
When is the best time to go leaf peeping?
The Best Places to Go Leaf Peeping in New England | The Discoverer Every year, leaf peepers flock to the Northeast from September to November for a fleeting glimpse of the region’s spectacular foliage. If you’re planning a leaf peeping trip this year, make sure to consult a foliage map first.
Where are the best places to see fall foliage in New England?
From the viewing towers of Connecticut to the foliage-lined coasts of Rhode Island and Maine, it is quite hard for travelers to make a bad choice. New England is home to six states, and each one displays a stunning bit of Autumn foliage during the Fall.
Where is the best leaf-peeping in New England?
VermontNew England leaf peeping is at its finest in Vermont, where wilderness covers 75 percent of the land. Surrounded by more maple trees than anywhere else in the region, you'll find the brightest of yellows, oranges, and reds on nearly every highway and country road.
Where are the fall colors in New England?
As you might expect, the leaves change colors earlier in colder climates and in the mountains. If you're looking to head to New England in late September, aim for the northern reaches of the area for the best fall foliage. The colors really pop in late September in Burlington, Vermont, and the surrounding area.
What is the best time to see fall colors in New England?
Foliage conditions vary each year due to that year's weather and other factors. However, in general, you can expect to see fall foliage in New England from early/mid-September through the end of October. Peak foliage, when the leaves are at their best and brightest of the season, typically hits in early to mid October.
Where are the best fall colors in the Northeast?
20 Stunning Places to See Fall Foliage in New England in 2022Franconia, New Hampshire. ... Sugar Hill, New Hampshire. ... Bar Harbor, Maine. ... Bethel, Maine. ... Portland, Maine. ... Concord, Massachusetts. Jay_YuanGetty Images. ... Boston, Massachusetts. DenisTangneyJrGetty Images. ... Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. Michael DuvaGetty Images.More items...•
What is peak leaf season in New England?
Fall colors typically peak during October in most of New England, and it's big business. Millions of autumn visitors from around the country and the world bring in billions of dollars.
Where is the best foliage in Massachusetts?
Some of our favorite regions in Massachusetts for enjoying fall color are the Upper Pioneer Valley during middle peak (end of September to mid-October) and Cape Ann, including the popular tourist town of Rockport, during late peak (mid-October to early November).
What is peak foliage time in Vermont?
Typically, the fullest color can be found from late-September in the north, through mid-October in the south. Many experienced foliage viewers actually consider late October to be the most beautiful time in Vermont. Once the most brilliant colors have passed, the hills take on a subtler and richer range of hues.
When to see the leaves change in Vermont?
There is no one 'perfect' time to visit Vermont to see peak foliage. Color change begins in mid-September and runs through the first two to three weeks in October and varies by elevation, progressing from north to south and higher to lower elevations during the course of the season.
What is the best time to see fall colors in Maine?
Generally northern Maine is at or near peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October. Central, and western mountains of Maine are at or near peak Indigenous Peoples' Day week/weekend. Coastal and southern Maine generally reach peak or near peak conditions mid-to-last October.
Where is the best foliage in Vermont?
Route 100. Stretching 200 miles from Massachusetts to Lake Memphremagog at the Canadian border, Vermont's Route 100 has been called the best foliage drive in the state — and even the most scenic foliage drive in all of New England.
What are the best New England states to visit in the fall?
8 fall trips in New England that check every travel style1For foliage: Woodstock, Vt.2For hiking: Franconia Notch State Park, N.H.3For food lovers: Camden, Maine.4For peak cozy: Stowe, Vt.5For spooky stuff: Portsmouth, N.H.6For a wellness retreat: Westport, Mass.7For a climate-friendly weekend: Burlington, Vt.More items...•
What is the peak foliage in New Hampshire?
We can tell you, however, that peak foliage typically occurs up here in the White Mountains from the end of September through the second week of October. Even after leaves reach their peak in a certain area, the colors can hang on for a week or two.
What is the best time to see fall colors in Massachusetts?
Leaf Peeping season starts around October 1st and peak color often coincides with Columbus Day.
What is the best time to see fall colors in Maine?
Generally northern Maine is at or near peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October. Central, and western mountains of Maine are at or near peak Indigenous Peoples' Day week/weekend. Coastal and southern Maine generally reach peak or near peak conditions mid-to-last October.
What is the best time to see fall colors in Vermont?
Typically, the fullest color can be found from late-September in the north, through mid-October in the south. Many experienced foliage viewers actually consider late October to be the most beautiful time in Vermont. Once the most brilliant colors have passed, the hills take on a subtler and richer range of hues.
What month do the leaves change color in New England?
Foliage starts to change in the northern-tier states out West and in the Midwest by late September. By October 4, the leaves in some areas will be past their prime. Much of New England as well as the Pacific Northwest will be at or near peak fall color by October 11.
Where to walk on Commonwealth Avenue?
Explore the Public Garden and Boston Common, or opt for a scenic bike ride or picnic along the Charles River Esplanade. On October 19 - 20, when the Head of the Charles regatta takes over the city, foliage begins to peak along the Charles River.
Where is the Autumn scenic byway?
Autumn scenic byway in Vermont. LightRocket via Getty Images. According to a recent study by MMGY Global’s Portrait of the American Travelers (POAT), 2019 travelers have discovered a brand new form of a road-tripping, where travelers fly to a starting point and road trip from there. This new segment of travelers, Wings & Wheels travelers, ...
Leaf peeping is so much more than just looking at leaves, so why not have fun with it? Here are some of our favorite "new" ways to go leaf peeping
Labor Day Weekend has passed, marking the unofficial end of the summer season. A brief round of cool crisp weather accompanied it, a clear harbinger of things to come. In far northern New England, temperatures fell into the lower forties; only slightly below normal, but a refreshing respite this year.
FAVORITE WAYS TO GO LEAF PEEPING
By Foot: Taking in the fall foliage from a remote rocky outcropping, with views dotted by distant, quaint villages with white steepled churches, is only one reward of a fall foliage hike.
When do the leaves change in New England?
The leaves begin to change in the far north and at high elevations in mid-September, and the peak wave typically slides south, downhill, and toward the coast between late September and early November. By the time peak arrives far south in Mystic, Connecticut, the trees up north in Rangeley, Maine, are bare, and snow may even be on the ground.
When is New England foliage?
From late September to the end of October, New England puts on a seasonal show like nowhere else—and stunning foliage is just the beginning. From foliage ziplining to where to find the best autumn lobster roll, this list of New England foliage activities is the perfect list to help you plan your next fall adventure.
What is the best weather for fall in New England?
The best fall foliage in New England is brought out by what we think of as ideal fall weather: bright, sunny days and cool, crisp nights. Not only does this really kick-start the colors, it’s also perfect for outdoor activities. However, afternoons can be breezy, and mornings can be damp and foggy, or frosty. And it certainly can — and does — rain. Sometimes, there’s even snow.
What to do on a road trip in New England?
To help make the most of your journey, research some popular stops along your route — hikes, parks, orchards, covered bridges, museums, farm stands, and so on. You’ll find plenty of possibilities on our website, which has entire sections dedicated to road trip ideas in every New England state. But we also always say that the best stories of any great road trip aren’t about what’s planned, but what’s not planned. So leave time and flexibility to stop at random places that may catch your eye, from a local craft brewery to a flea market.
What to wear in New England for fall?
When you think of dressing for fall in New England, things like sweaters, fleece, and flannel will come to mind, but remember that layering is important. You should also pack hats and gloves for cooler mornings and evenings. As for leaf-peeping footwear, the best option is sturdy boots. Muddy fields and trails are common, as the hot sun of summer that quickly dried things is by now long gone.
When is the best time to see fall foliage in New England?
Vacationers and weekend warriors may not have control over the “when” part of their foliage trip, but if there’s flexibility around “where,” the good news is that peak color is always happening somewhere in New England from late September to early November. To narrow your search for where to find the best color on any given weekend, checking the Peak Fall Foliage Map showing anticipated peak times across the whole region is a great place to start.
Can you make reservations for dinner in New England?
Our last piece of advice is to make some reservations for dinner (or brunch, if you prefer). Visiting New England’s small independent restaurants, which rely on busy autumn weekends for a lot of their annual business, is a great way to add local flavor to your road trip. Compared with chain restaurants, many local places are set up for smaller crowds, and their space might be even more limited due to Covid safety considerations, so reservations can save you time — and hunger pangs!
Massachusetts
Maine
- Bar Harbor was named among 20 breathtaking places to see fall foliagein 2021 by OprahDaily.com. In Bar Harbor, travelers can join kayaking and boat tours and choose from 125 miles of trails at Acadia National Park, according to the site. Camden is great for exploring Camden Hills State Park, cruises from Camden Harbor, and the view from the Camden Snow Bo…
New Hampshire
- Bretton Woods visitors can go cross-country mountain biking, fly fishing, and hiking, all “under the canopy of the fall colors,” wrote OprahDaily.com, which named the destination among 20 breathtaking places to see fall foliage in 2021. Also, Omni Mount Washington Resort is a great fall getaway, USA Today wrote last year. Lisbon is a small mountain town that is great for a fall esca…
Vermont
- Killington visitors can ride the gondola during the fall season for “a true bird’s eye view of the brilliant leaves below,” wrote OprahDaily.com, which named it among 20 breathtaking places to see fall foliagein 2021. Manchester was named one of the best small towns for a fall getaway in 2021 by Travel + Leisure. The publication called it a “quintessential autumn destination,” writing, …
Connecticut
- Litchfield is a “bucolic” destination where visitors are treated to “postcard-worthy” covered bridges and colorful hikes on the Appalachian Trail, wrote OprahDaily.com, which named it among 20 breathtaking places to see fall foliagein 2021. Winvian Farm in Morris, called a great fall getawayby USA Today in 2021, offers guests 18 themed cottages in the woods (including a helic…
Rhode Island
- Newport has “plenty of fall splendor,” USA Today wrote in 2021, writing that “the fall season in this quintessential nautical town boasts impressive fall foliage.” On Benefit Street in Providence, which the Associated Press called one of the best lesser-known leaf peeping spots in New England, “hundred-year-old elms and other mature trees provide a...
Massachusetts
- Bellows Pipe Trail on Mount Greylock was selected as one of the best fall hiking trails in America by Conde Nast Traveler in 2020. “The view at the top includes a lighthouse-looking structure (the Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower) and in the distance, Vermont’s Green Mountains, the Catskills, and on a clear day, New Hampshire’s White Mountains,” the publication wrote. The …
Maine
- Bar Harbor was named among 20 breathtaking places to see fall foliagein 2021 by OprahDaily.com. In Bar Harbor, travelers can join kayaking and boat tours and choose from 125 miles of trails at Acadia National Park, according to the site. Camden is great for exploring Camden Hills State Park, cruises from Camden Harbor, and the view from the Camden Snow Bo…
New Hampshire
- Bretton Woods visitors can go cross-country mountain biking, fly fishing, and hiking, all “under the canopy of the fall colors,” wrote OprahDaily.com, which named the destination among 20 breathtaking places to see fall foliage in 2021. Also, Omni Mount Washington Resort is a great fall getaway, USA Today wrote last year. Lisbon is a small mountain town that is great for a fall esca…
Vermont
- Killington visitors can ride the gondola during the fall season for “a true bird’s eye view of the brilliant leaves below,” wrote OprahDaily.com, which named it among 20 breathtaking places to see fall foliagein 2021. Manchester was named one of the best small towns for a fall getaway in 2021 by Travel + Leisure. The publication called it a “quintessential autumn destination,” writing, …
Connecticut
- Litchfield is a “bucolic” destination where visitors are treated to “postcard-worthy” covered bridges and colorful hikes on the Appalachian Trail, wrote OprahDaily.com, which named it among 20 breathtaking places to see fall foliagein 2021. Winvian Farm in Morris, called a great fall getawayby USA Today in 2021, offers guests 18 themed cottages in the woods (including a helic…
Rhode Island
- Newport has “plenty of fall splendor,” USA Today wrote in 2021, writing that “the fall season in this quintessential nautical town boasts impressive fall foliage.” On Benefit Street in Providence, which the Associated Press called one of the best lesser-known leaf peeping spots in New England, “hundred-year-old elms and other mature trees provide a...
Connecticut
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island’s transition from the Ocean State during the Summer to the Foliage State in the Fall is quite a sight to behold. All the same beautiful coastal land with the splash of Fall color is stunning.
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts usually sees its best fall color starting in the second half of September until mid-October. The Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts usually draws the largest crowds of leaf peepers, and it's not a shock why.
Vermont
- Vermont, being a long state, may experience foliage a bit differently in its northern and southern regions. However, that just means different opportunities at different times to check out this state's incredible foliage.
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire offers many great locations for taking in the Fall color change. In the north, the Great North Woods is fantastic for viewing during the early-peak season. The Monadnock Region further south offers great colors during the mid-peak season. Though travelers should never struggle much to find stunning colors in this state
Maine
- From Baxter State Park in the early-peak season to Bar Harbor during the middle-peak season, Maine has much for leaf peepers to explore. Being the largest state in New England while having a fairly low population means that Maine is full of stunning wilderness for leaf peepers to enjoy.