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 must you go to get the last word leaf peeping expertise? I’ve obtained one of the best locations to see Fall foliage in New England. These spots are one of the 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 relating to Fall shade. 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 attractive 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 sizzling and recent apple cider donuts, a practice journey by way of a blaze of colours, the cooler temperatures and comfy feeling of Fall. Ahhhhh… it might probably all be present in New England.
Include me to among the greatest locations for fall foliage in New England – you completely will not be disillusioned!
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 one of the best time to see the leaves in New England?
To be able to see the foliage, it is actually all about timing. This may be difficult because it differs from yr to yr. However one of the 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 selecting your dates. I additionally like this foliage tracker from Yankee Journal. However know it might probably change from yr to yr!


Meaning in case you may be versatile, you will have a better likelihood of leaf peeping!
Final yr, we headed to Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. The leaves had 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 had been rewarded with improbable 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 to start with of the month starting from low 40s to mid-60s, and ending at excessive 30s to mid-50s.
This Fall Foliage tracker will support in serving to make sure you profit from your journey!
Methods to get to New England?
The simplest approach 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 examine for costs. Though these are in all totally different states, the driving distance is not as unhealthy as you’d suppose so I like to recommend checking costs there too!
I do completely advocate renting a automobile to get round New England. Should you’re right here for leaf peeping this offers you the liberty and suppleness to see the leaves! Additionally, the scenic by-ways and highways are simply completely gorgeous!


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 believe every week is probably the most optimum time-frame for leaf peeping. However I’ve performed all the things from 2 weeks, 10 days, and an extended weekend. Should you actually wish 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 prime advice for Fall Foliage in New England. It is a straightforward drive with an array of nice stops. From lovely rivers, mountain views, and, after all, a mesmerizing sea of heat coloured bushes. 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 truthfully 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 will take Route 112, northwest off of Fundamental Avenue.


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. Visitors may be sluggish and there are such a lot of unimaginable pull offs to take photographs!
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe looks like a Rockefeller portray of Fall in New England. The primary road seems to be prepared for a film: cute outlets and cafes and a pristine white church that stands out towards the backdrop of the bedecked bushes.


There are lots of actions to do in Stowe throughout Fall. You’ll be able to go on a scenic gondola journey, tour Ben & Jerry’s Manufacturing unit (for the autumn seasonal ice cream flavors, after all), or discover certainly one of their many mountaineering trails. There’s additionally Percy Corn maze which is nice for all ages! Additionally close by is the VonTrapp Household Lodge– a ravishing 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 Highway.
Chilly Hole Cider Mill – Waterbury, Vermont
As quickly as you arrive at Chilly Hole Cider you may scent the heavenly scent of recent and sizzling apple cider donuts. Not solely do they promote donuts, additionally they have apple cider slushes and loads of nice souvenirs!




It may possibly get busy, but it surely’s a properly oiled machine and strikes shortly.
There are many locations that promote donuts, greens, pumpkins and extra on the aspect of the street. Pull over when a spot catches your eye!
Salem, Massachusetts
There is not any higher place for Fall or Halloween than Salem! From Hocus Pocus filming places to witch historical past, Salem is the place! A number of the most haunted locations are right here but it surely’s additionally utterly charming and stuffed with historical past.


Salem is completely lovely to walk round on Chestnut road or strolling round downtown and buy groceries or eat seafood!
There’s a lot 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 vital lovely 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 gorgeous nationwide parks! The autumn colours listed here are unreal with mountains, forests, and ocean multi functional 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 overlook the entire issues that make this state nice for fall akin to mountaineering and foliage excursions! No fall journey to New England can be full with out a go to to Smuggler’s Notch. A good, winding street takes you thru epic foliage alongside the street.




There are many straightforward and difficult trails to hike with unimaginable views. You may as well drive by way of the notch for among the most lovely fall colours in New England!
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock is without doubt one of the most charming small cities in New England and fall is one of the best time to go to. The city is situated proper within the coronary heart of Vermont and is dwelling to among the greatest fall foliage within the state!


I am keen on the attractive Woodstock Inn & Resort and you too can tour the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller property, a grand purple brick mansion and dairy farm.
Windfall, Rhode Island
Though it is the smallest state, Rhode Island definitely would not fall quick on fall enjoyable! Windfall is a superb 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 every year there is a totally different theme! In 2021 they celebrated American music with lovely pumpkins all lit up at night time 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 certainly one of my favourite issues we did your complete journey!




Franconia Notch State Park
Franconia Notch is without doubt one of the hottest fall locations in New England and for good motive! You may need heard of Franconia Notch, made well-known by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Daniel Webster from the Previous 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, largely 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 believe that is one of the best place for leaves in Connecticut. Fall leaves come somewhat 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 attractive farms among the many golden leaves. Head over to the Litchfield City Corridor and stroll among the many attractive properties. I am satisfied everybody in Connecticut owns a mansion.
Nichols Ledge, Vermont
I like this straightforward however lovely mountaineering spot that offers you epic views of the lake and the sweet coloured bushes. 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 right place for apple selecting! Cayford Orchard Farm has giant grounds, a wide range of apples, and many treats like maple cotton sweet! They will 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 gorgeous Equinox resort, the house of Orvis, a fly fishing museum and gargantuam bushes 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 lovely settings on the Atlantic seaboard.


The city of Camden is on Penobscot Bay and is dwelling to a wide range of outlets and eating places. It is an ideal 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’ll be able to be taught the historical past and technique of maple syrup, decide 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 dwelling to among the most lovely fall foliage within the state. The park has mountaineering trails, a scenic lake, and loads of alternatives to see wildlife.
An important hike with an unimaginable view is Desk Rock. Be certain to take a look at the deserted resort – it makes for unimaginable photographs




Lake Willoghby, Vermont
This is without doubt one of the most lovely lakes in Vermont and fall is the right time to go to. The leaves are gorgeous and replicate completely off the nonetheless water. It is an ideal place for mountaineering, picnicking, and simply having fun with the fantastic thing about nature.


White Mountains, New Hampshire
One of many prettiest areas for fall foliage in New England. Be certain to take a look at Mount Washington, a shocking white resort nestled within the leaves with pristine views. You may as well 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 superb 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 Highway 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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