Yankee Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to New England Fall Foliage
Yankee Magazine‘s Ultimate Guide to New England Fall Foliage [easy-social-share buttons=”facebook,twitter,pinterest,google,mail,print,more” sharebtn_style=”icon” counters=0 style=”icon” point_type=”simple”] Table Of Contents: New England Fall Foliage 101 7 Fun Ways to Experience New England Fall Foliage 10 Best New England Fall Foliage Towns New England Fall Foliage Drives Best New England Fall Foliage Activities New England Fall Foliage 101 […]
A combination of happy factors contributes to New England’s superior fall foliage display – the right elevation, the perfect temperate zone, and a colorful mix of trees. Our maples, in particular, stand out with their orange and red leaves.
Why Do Leaves Change Color?
And now, for the science. In the simplest terms, leaves contain a green pigment called chlorophyll that’s instrumental in photosynthesis. During the growing season, it is continually replaced, but less sunlight and colder weather in autumn suppress photosynthesis. After the first frost, the rate of breakdown increases dramatically, allowing other pigments to emerge. Carotenoids are the yellow and orange pigments, while some trees (red and sugar maples, for example) develop red and purple pigments called anthocyanins in response to external stress like frost.
Vermont’s Smugglers’ Notch may have earned its name as a favored route for bringing in Canadian contraband, but today the spectacular fall color in this mountain pass makes it a magnet for foliage chasers.
Credit: Mark Fleming
The spectacular fall color in Vermont’s Smugglers’ Notch makes it a magnet for foliage chasers. Credit: Mark Fleming
What Weather Leads to Good Fall Foliage?
The best show happens when you have a normal summer without too much heat and humidity, and (most importantly) a fall with crisp, cold nights and warm, sunny days.
When is Peak New England Fall Foliage?
While it’s impossible to accurately predict peak until the season starts, the wave of color moves across New England very slowly, so you shouldn’t worry about missing peak at any particular location. If you can be flexible about moving north and south, or up in elevation, you should be able to find some great color at most points throughout the season.
Having said that, there is a general schedule you can follow as you plan your New England fall foliage vacation, getaway, or road trip.
Early Peak (mid-September – early October) hits high elevations and upper regions like New Hampshire’s Great North Woods and Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
Middle Peak (late September – mid-October) sparkles in regions like Maine’s Upper Midcoast, New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region, and the Massachusetts Upper Pioneer Valley
Late Peak (mid-October – late October) winds its way through southern regions like Providence and the Lower Connecticut River Valley
7 Fun Ways to Experience New England Fall Foliage
New England’s famous fall foliage draws thousands of locals and visitors (or “leaf peepers,” as they’re affectionately known) to the roads each year, and while a classic autumn road trip may be the most popular way to admire the leaves, it’s certainly not the only one. Why not enjoy this year’s color from a new perspective?
The Sunday River Chondola offers sweeping views of the Sunday River Valley and Mahoosuc Mountains.
Credit: Courtesy of Sunday River
The Sunday River Chondola in Maine offers sweeping views of the Sunday River Valley and Mahoosuc Mountains. Credit: Courtesy of Sunday River
Foliage 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. The hike itself, through crisp air and whispering forests, or along bubbling streams filled with swirling leaves, is one of the more anticipated autumn activities in New England.
Foliage By Bike
The bicycle remains a staple for touring in New England, especially in the autumn season. The carriage roads that wind through Acadia National Park are arguably the best way to see the park. Paved rail-trails like the Causeway near Burlington, Vermont, the Franconia Notch Bike Path in New Hampshire, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail in Massachusetts all allow you to take a slower approach to leaf-peeping. In many areas, rental bikes are available if you can’t bring your own.
Foliage By Boat
Canoeing through this mist at dawn’s first light, kayaking next to calling loons, or cruising along our rocky coasts — there are so many ways to see the foliage from the water in New England. Many of our largest lakes also have popular tour boats which port in some of our most scenic summer getaways. The insider secret is that these tours are even lovelier in autumn. Try the Songo River Queen in Naples, Maine, or the MS Mount Washington on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Foliage By Chairlift / Gondola
Many New England ski resorts spin the lifts before the snow hits to accommodate leaf-peeping tourists. Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway in New Hampshire is perhaps the most famous of these, but resorts from Wachusett to Wildcat also provide opportunities. The gondola ride at Stowe is a great way to see the foliage en route to a stunning trip through Smuggler’s Notch, and the Sunday River “chondola” cleverly combines the gondola and chairlift.
Foliage By Train
Passenger rail service still thrives in New England, and brings you through some areas of beautiful fall foliage. Popular routes include Maine’s Downeaster as well as the Vermonter along the Green Mountains. Scenic tourism train routes include Connecticut’s Essex Steam Train, the Cape Cod Scenic Railroad, and the Winnipesaukee or Conway Railroads in New Hampshire. You can even take the Cog Railway to the top of New England’s highest peak during peak colors, so long as the tracks stay snow-free.
Foliage By Zipline
Possibly the fastest growing attraction in New England, adventure courses have popped up near every tourism hub and at many ski resorts. Many let you soar through or just above the forest canopy, ablaze in our famous peak color. The mile-and-a-half long zipline at Gunstock Ski Resort in New Hampshire is the longest in New England, and perhaps in the country.
Foliage By Air
There are so many options for getting above the foliage in New England. Many of the smaller airports throughout the region offer tours by plane or helicopter. Private companies offer hot air balloon flights throughout the autumn season. The Franconia Soaring Association, though, offers one of the most unique options — a towed flight above the highest summits in New Hampshire in an engineless glider.
10 Best New England Fall Foliage Towns
Fall in New England is more than just beautiful leaves. It encompasses a variety of experiences, from apple picking and browsing farmers’ markets to visiting unique shops and, of course, sampling great food. But picking the right autumn destination is no easy matter. To guide you to the perfect fall experience, we’ve put together this list of ten of our favorite foliage towns.
Fog hovers above the Housatonic River as it runs past downtown Kent.
Credit: Mark Fleming
Fog hovers above the Housatonic River as it runs past downtown Kent, Connecticut. Credit: Mark Fleming
Kent, Connecticut
Set in the heart of Connecticut’s stunning Litchfield Hills region, Kent offers the full foliage experience: farm stands and covered bridges, the waterfalls and antiques stores that provide the eye candy, framed by the colors of our most glorious season. All of these things Kent has in abundance, in a perfect blend of uncommon natural beauty and culture that might shame cities 10 times its size. Don’t miss: Mountain View Farm, which boasts an enviable vista along with a bevy of organic produce.
Bethel, Maine
Maine’s mountain gem boasts scenic drives through Evans Notch and a covered-bridge driving tour of the area. On fall weekends, Sunday River Ski Resort’s “chondola” in nearby Newry whisks visitors 1,000 feet up North Peak to the ultimate picnic ground. Don’t miss: Bethel’s townwide Annual Harvest Fest & “Chowdah” Cookoff, where local restaurants compete for bragging rights.
Manchester, Vermont
The second-highest peak in southern Vermont, Equinox Mountain offers unbroken views stretching miles to the surrounding ranges—a painter’s palette of gold and crimson by the first week of October. In mid-summer the town hosts the annual Southern Vermont Art & Craft Festival, which draws artisans from around the Green Mountains. Don’t miss: Northshire Bookstore, the independent bookshop/café you might have created in your dreams.
Williamstown, Massachusetts
The ultimate college town, sheltered in the arms of Massachusetts’ highest mountain (Mount Greylock, in nearby Adams), Williamstown’s mix of eclectic architecture and inviting quads can’t help but inspire lofty thoughts. The drive up Mount Greylock affords dizzying views of the Berkshires and the Taconic Range, but the favorite hike for Williams College students is the two-mile pitch up to Pine Cobble, a quartzite outcropping with a panoramic view of “the Purple Valley” and church spires below. Don’t miss: the stunning Impressionist collections at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute.
Middlebury, Vermont
The 16-mile “Trail Around Middlebury” provides an ideal walking route where families can soak in the atmosphere of this vibrant college town. Here the fall foliage harmonizes with the brick architecture and the roaring falls of Otter Creek, with eclectic shopping and restaurants along the way. Don’t miss: the A&W Drive-In, where frosty root beers and fried onion rings from one of New England’s last carhop restaurants perfectly complement the crisp fall air.
Windjammers lend their timeless presence to the Camden waterfront.
Credit: Mark Fleming
Windjammers lend their timeless presence to the waterfront in Camden, Maine. Credit: Mark Fleming
Camden, Maine
The view from the forested slopes of Mount Battie straight down to the forest of masts in Camden Harbor is one of the most dramatic in New England—and never more beautiful than in fall. For a closer look at the trees, hike nearby Mount Megunticook or Bald Rock Mountain. Don’t miss: the crispy cider doughnuts at Boynton-McKay Food Co.
Waitsfield, Vermont
Iconic barns and hillside farmlands carpet this narrow valley between Green Mountain ranges, reflected in the rushing currents of the Mad River. The town has two covered bridges, including the Great Eddy (a.k.a. Big Eddy), the second-oldest operating covered bridge in the state. Saturday mornings bring local residents out for fresh produce, crafts, and music at the weekly Waitsfield Farmers’ Market on the Green. Don’t miss: the gourmet pizzas at American Flatbread.
Conway & North Conway, New Hampshire
There may be no better way to see foliage than by train, and the Conway Scenic Railroad is just the ticket, wending its way through White Mountain clefts and over trestles lit by the colors of fall. Restaurants and outlet shopping ensure that you won’t sacrifice comfort for beauty. Don’t miss: the hike to Diana’s Baths, a chain of waterfalls and swimming holes enveloped in foliage.
Sandwich, New Hampshire
Sandwiched between the loon-rich shores of Squam Lake and the forested foothills of the White Mountains, the village offers plenty of hiking trails, driving routes, a covered bridge, and an inviting downtown. Don’t miss: the annual Sandwich Fair, with midway rides, livestock competitions, and more.
Rangeley, Maine
The lakes of Maine’s western mountains hold up a succession of mirrors to some of the state’s best fall foliage. The must-stop viewpoint in the area is at a small turnout on Route 17, aptly named Height of Land, from which a panorama of five lakes and countless forested mountains stretches in all directions. Don’t miss: the annual Maine Forest Museum Apple Festival, where visitors can press their own cider while watching artisans “whittle” away with chainsaws.
New England Fall Foliage Drives
Connecticut: Woodstock to Lisbon (Route 169), 26 Miles
The spine of Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner,” Route 169 also happens to be one of New England’s prettiest roads—most of it is in fact a National Scenic Byway. The start of this quick and easy drive is Woodstock, just a stone’s throw from Interstate 395; before setting out, be sure to check out the town’s watermelon-pink National Historic Landmark, Roseland Cottage, a grand Gothic Revival house built in 1846 by a local boy made good. Next stop is Pomfret, home of Mashamoquet Brook State Park and the ivied buildings of Pomfret School (plus the chance for antiques lovers to make a quick side trip via Route 44 to next-door Putnam’s 20,000-square-foot Antiques Marketplace). Continuing on 169 brings you to Brooklyn, a town steeped in agricultural history and where bison as well as cows can be seen grazing the fields. A side-trip option here: Logee’s Greenhouses in Danielson, where more than a thousand rare tropical and subtropical plants are cultivated. Returning to the curves and hills of the main route, you’ll pass through historic Canterbury and, after the final stone wall–lined stretch, wind up in Lisbon, where the National Scenic Byway ends.
Maine: Old Canada Road (Route 201), 78 Miles
The Old Canada Road (Route 201) is set in a landscape that is not just scenic but also grandly historic, as Benedict Arnold led troops through this wilderness on his spectacularly ill-fated mission to sack Quebec in 1775. The trip today is an excursion from the pastoral into the pine forests: Starting out from Solon, you’re flanked by rolling farmland, then climb steadily into commercial timberland and the lair of moose. You’ll soon share the winding road with both logging trucks and old school buses that ferry white-water enthusiasts to some of the most popular rafting in the East, at the Forks (join them to get splendidly soaked on the Kennebec or Dead rivers). Just a few miles up from the Forks is the don’t-miss hike to 90-foot Moxie Falls, one of Maine’s highest cascades. Back on 201, you’ll pass Parlin Pond and the Appalachian Trail to reach the town of Jackman (“Last Gas in the United States”), one of Maine’s famed fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling outposts. Just south of town is Attean Lake Lodge, a family-friendly resort on a densely forested island—and, if you made reservations, a perfect place to rest your head for the night.
Massachusetts: Northern Berkshires Loop (Mohawk Trail), 32 Miles
Art lovers may have a hard time with their initial momentum, as this foliage tour starts in a museum-rich corner of the state. From Williamstown, with its peerless Williams College Museum of Art and Clark Art Institute, you strike out on Route 2 (aka the Mohawk Trail) east to North Adams and the world-famous Mass MoCA. But nature’s beauty is fully present, too, from the woodland walks at Natural Bridge State Park to the mountain vistas from the Western Summit, reached via a memorably steep hairpin turn. The highest point on the Mohawk Trail, Whitcomb Summit (elevation 2,173 feet), comes in the town of Florida and offers views far into southern Vermont and New Hampshire. Start heading back west by following signs into Savoy Mountain State Forest—a worthy side trip here is a hike to Tannery Falls, an 80-foot series of plunges and horsetails—and over to East Road in Adams, a back road that runs north in parallel with Route 8, along the edge of majestic Mount Greylock. At North Adams, you’ll rejoin Route 2 for the trip back to Williamstown.
New Hampshire: Kancamagus Highway, 35 Miles
No list of foliage drives would be complete without the Kancamagus Highway, aka the 35 miles of Route 112 between Conway and Lincoln. Before getting under way, make time to stop at the Saco Ranger Station (the most-visited ranger station in the White Mountain National Forest) for a parking pass, hiking maps, or savvy foliage advice. Then you’ll ascend into a spectacular color scene on a two-lane road that holds no stores, no gas stations, and no signs except for those pointing to hiking trails and campgrounds. The pull-offs look out over the national forest, waterfalls, and mountains. Two favorite stops: the Albany Covered Bridge, over the Swift River, and Lincoln Woods, where you can photograph the views from a suspension bridge or stroll along old railbeds once used by logging railroads.
Rhode Island: Farm Coast Ramble, 22 Miles
Its southern coastal location makes this one of the last foliage drives to turn, with color lingering through October (sometimes even into November). From Aquidneck Island, cross the Sakonnet River Bridge and then drop south into Tiverton to begin a ramble through a stretch of Rhode Island and Massachusetts where farmland rolls to the ocean and inlets are bordered by towns settled as far back as 1616. Route 77 curves past Nannaquaket Pond on the way to Tiverton Four Corners, an 18th-century village filled with shops and other distractions, including the justifiably famous Gray’s Ice Cream. Make your way east via Meetinghouse Lane to historic Little Compton, which boasts the state’s only official town common, before zigzagging on local roads northeast to Adamsville, with its monument to the Rhode Island Red chicken. Hop the state border to reach journey’s end, Westport, which has a pristine Trustees of Reservation property to explore (Westport Town Farm) as well as the award-winning winery Westport Rivers, set on a 435-acre farm.
Vermont: Vergennes to Montpelier, 60 Miles
Get ready for a roller-coaster foliage ride through the heart of the Green Mountain State. Head east on Route 17, which winds past farmland through New Haven and climbs to views of South Mountain and Mount Ellen before reaching Bristol. (This downtown area is a National Historic District filled with an eclectic mix of local businesses, so you may want to tarry awhile.) Leaving Bristol on Route 17, you’ll climb nearly 2,000 feet in elevation to the top of Appalachian Gap; at the summit, stop and soak in views of the Mad River Valley to the east, the Champlain Valley to the west, and the Adirondacks in the distance. On your descent, you’ll pass Mad River Glen ski area, which on fall weekends offers foliage rides on its iconic single-chair ski lift. At Irasville, you’ll start following the scenic Mad River north: first on Route 100 and then on Route 100B. At Middlesex, take Highway 2 to the state capital, Montpelier, where you’ll spot Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture, gracing the gold dome atop the Vermont State House.
Best New England Fall Foliage Activities
APPLE ORCHARDS
Autumn is a magical time of year for many reasons, but one of our favorite fall traditions is the annual trek into the orchard to gather up as many apples as we can carry. Looking for a few good places to pick? There are hundreds of wonderful orchards in every corner of New England offering not just fresh fruit but everything from cider donuts to hay rides to pumpkins, but some orchards show a particular love to New England’s heirloom varieties that we find extra admirable. We asked Amy Traverso, Yankee senior food editor and author of the award-winning The Apple Lover’s Cookbook, for a list of her favorite heirloom-minded apple orchards.
Champlain Orchards in Shoreham, VT | Best Apple Orchards in New England
Credit: SP Reid/Courtesy of Champlain Orchards
The family-owned Champlain Orchards is one of the oldest continuously operating apple orchards in Vermont. Credit: SP Reid/Courtesy of Champlain Orchards
18th-Century Purity Farms at the Hall Homestead | Plainfield, CT
Paul and Jo-Ann Desrochers grow vegetables, peaches, plums, and nectarines, but they have a special love of heirloom apples—nearly 90 varieties, all grown without pesticides. You’ll find ‘Westfield Seek-No-Further’ (a Massachusetts native), ‘Newtown Pippin’, and the wondrous ‘Hidden Rose’, whose bland green-brown skin gives way to bright fuchsia flesh that tastes of raspberries. Open Saturday afternoons in the fall.
Red Apple Farm | Phillipston, MA
Red Apple Farm, run by fourth-generation farmer Al Rose, offers the full gamut of apple orchard attractions (a farm stand, weekend barbecues, hayrides, cider donuts and fudge, farm animals to pet) while also operating a diverse horticultural program with more than fifty apple varieties, from Arkansas Black to Roxbury Russet. Right by the entrance, you’ll find an apple tree that has been grafted with nearly all fifty of the farm’s varieties sprouting off a single trunk—a spectacular sight that alone is worth the trip, and easily makes Red Apple Farm one of our favorite apple orchards in Massachusetts.
Cayford Orchards | Skowhegan, ME
Six generations, 18 acres, 1200 trees, 57 varieties. These numbers form the broad outline of the Cayford operation, but for Jason and Heather Davis, now in their third decade of running the farm, this work is rooted in a passion for preserving their family’s heritage as well as that of the apple itself. Unlike some of our favorite farms, which more recently swapped out rows of Red Delicious and McIntosh for heirlooms, the Davises found many surviving antique trees on the property when they set out to revive it in the early 1990s. So they tended to those and added a few more and soon had customers young and old asking for the old apples in addition to Cortlands and Honeycrisp.
Gould Hill Farm | Contoocook, NH
Is this the most beautiful orchard setting in New England? We certainly haven’t seen another one that matches its 75-mile view, which can spread as far as the White Mountains, making it a natural fit for our list of the best apple orchards in New England. It’s worth coming back just for that. You can also make a project of tasting the seventy-plus apple varieties that Tim and Amy Bassett now grow. One variety particular is worth noting: Hampshire, a tree that sprang up from seed on this very farm and, with its abundant juice and rich flavor, makes a great pie. There’s also live music, a pumpkin patch, a farm store with cider donuts, and a charming little nature museum.
Rocky Brook Orchard | Middletown, RI
Greg and Katy Ostheimer grow more than eighty varieties of apple on Aquidneck Island. Among the dozens of cultivars available at this pick-your-own farm (open weekends only) is Rhode Island Greening, Little Rhody’s own namesake apple, which was first discovered near Newport (not far from Rocky Brook) in the mid-1600s. Terrific in pies, it has a tart-sweet, lemony flavor and, true to its name, bright green skin.
Champlain Orchards | Shoreham, VT
This family-owned farm overlooking Lake Champlain is one of the oldest continuously operating orchards in Vermont. Bill Suhr and Andrea Scott grow more than 100 varieties of apples, along with berries and stone fruits, and do so using Integrated Pest Management techniques that minimize the use of pesticides (eight acres are also certified organic). You can stop by the farm’s market, where you’ll find a range of Vermont-grown-and-made products, or pick your own. Can’t make it to Shoreham? You can also enjoy Champlain’s apple and cider tastings at festivals and farmers’ markets around the state. An added bonus: their website offers a wonderfully comprehensive guide to each variety, organized by best uses.
APPLE CIDER DOUGHNUTS
No New England fall experience is complete without a warm bag of apple cider donuts. These spots have some of our favorites.
Fresh cider doughnuts from Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vermont.
Credit: Mark Fleming
Fresh cider doughnuts from Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vermont. Credit: Mark Fleming
Atkins Farm | Amherst, MA
Made by hand using a recipe that includes the farm’s own apple cider, the cider donuts at Atkins Farm are the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. A coating of cinnamon-sugar seals the deal.
B. F. Clyde’s Cider Mill | Old Mystic, CT
B. F. Clyde’s is a popular spot to stock up on both sweet and hard apple cider (they’re the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the country), but you don’t want to miss the homemade apple cider donuts. They’re perfectly moist and sweet with a cinnamon-sugar coating.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill | Waterbury Center, VT
Located just outside the Green Mountain tourist town of Stowe, Cold Hollow Cider Mill uses fresh-pressed apple cider and their heavenly apple cider doughnuts to satisfy a year-round stream of visitors. Made fresh daily, the donuts at Cold Hollow come unadorned, allowing their big apple flavor to truly shine.
Rocky Ridge Orchard | Bowdoin, ME
Sweet and sugar-coated, the cake cider donuts at Rocky Ridge Orchard are a Midcoast Maine favorite. While you munch, pick up some of the farm’s apples, sweet cider, whoopie pies, or other tasty Maine treats like homemade pickles and local cranberries.
Russell Orchards | Ipswich, MA
The made-from-scratch cider donuts at Russell Orchards in Ipswich have the farm’s own cider (made from the farm’s own apples) right in the batter, giving them their terrific flavor. It’s also a lot of fun watching them go from batter to fryer to your waiting paper bag.
Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins
Credit: Carl Tremblay
Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins Credit: Carl Tremblay
Bonus! Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins Recipe
These fantastic cider doughnut muffins pack all the flavor of apple cider doughnuts without the fuss and the frying.
Muffin Ingredients:
2 cups sweet apple cider
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon table salt
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375° and set a rack to the middle position. Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin pan and set it aside. Put the apple cider in a large saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer until the liquid is reduced to 1 cup. Set aside to cool. Using a standing or handheld mixer, cream the butter with the sugar in a large bowl at medium speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, blending well after each. Add the vanilla extract and blend. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the flour, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add a third of this mixture to the butter mixture and beat just to combine. Add half the reduced cider and beat to combine. Repeat with another third of the flour mixture, then the rest of the cider, then the remaining flour mixture. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups and transfer to the oven. Bake until tops are firm and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 17 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
Topping Ingredients:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
Directions:
In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon. As soon as the muffins are cool enough to handle, brush their tops and sides with butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.
FALL HIKES
Get up close and personal with the autumn leaves by setting off on a colorful nature hike.
Bear Mountain Trail | Salisbury, CT
If you’re looking for the ultimate perspective for leaf peeping, heading to Connecticut’s highest peak (2,316 feet) is a good bet. This relatively steep 6-mile loop hike, which starts from the Undermountain Trail parking lot, eventually rewards hikers with one of the prettiest vistas in the state, with mountain views to the north, south, and west, and lake views to the east. The route even follows a section of the legendary Appalachian Trail.
Monument Mountain | Great Barrington, MA
A moderate 3-mile loop—up the Hickey Trail and back down the Indian Monument Trail—leads to a natural oasis with great views. It’s a popular route during the warmer weather months, so taking a trip during the fall often provides an escape from the typical traffic. Some areas of the trail are steep, but a few scrambles will afford you a big payoff: foliage colors seen from the summit, rippling across the Housatonic River Valley and the southern Berkshires.
Moxie Falls | The Forks, ME
Every foliage season needs a great waterfall hike. One of New England’s highest and most dramatic falls, with a single vertical drop of nearly 90 feet in addition to other plunges and pools, Moxie delivers a hefty reward for modest effort. The 1.2-mile (round-trip) trail begins on a wide swath through the woods, and then ascends via boardwalks and steps to the falls.
Mount Monadnock | Jaffrey, NH
It’s a National Natural Landmark and one of the most-climbed mountains in the world for a reason. Though you can take your pick from any of its beautiful trails, we recommend that first-time Monadnock hikers—or even first-time hikers, which is often the case at this mountain—head up to the top via the White Dot Trail and descend by way of the White Cross Trail (about 4.2 miles up and back). At the bald summit, surrounded by thousands of acres of protected highlands, you can look out toward Boston, nearly 100 miles away.
Long Pond Woods Trail | Hopkinton, RI
Scramble over glacier-dumped boulders and under mountain laurel on this roughly 4-mile out-and-back path. The expansive vista from high bluffs above Ell and Long ponds is truly breathtaking at this National Natural Landmark and wildlife refuge. And if the scenery looks familiar, it might be because part of the 2012 movie Moonrise Kingdom was filmed here.
Sterling Pond Trail | Jeffersonville, VT
This moderate trail in Smugglers’ Notch State Park is about 2.8 miles out and back, and while steep and rocky in some portions, the path is well maintained and leads to gorgeous views—and Vermont’s highest-elevation trout pond, to boot. Sterling Pond has been described as “idyllic” and is a great escape during the quieter fall months.
FALL FAIRS
Agricultural fairs are old-fashioned fall fun. Here’s a list of some of the biggest annual fairs in New England.
Fryeburg Fair | Oct. 6–10, 2021
It doesn’t get any bigger in Maine than the weeklong Fryeburg Fair, featuring an impressively large lineup of livestock shows, harness racing, horse pulling, antique farm equipment demonstrations, gardening and cooking contests, a skillet toss, live musical acts, amusement rides, and food.
Deerfield Fair | Sep. 30–Oct. 3, 2021
The Deerfield Fair dates back to 1876 and bills itself as “New England’s oldest family fair.” It’s also one of the biggest fairs in New Hampshire, with livestock pulls and exhibitions, a demolition derby, pig scramble, sheep shearing, the Miss Deerfield Fair pageant, midway rides, live entertainment, 4-H exhibits, and all your favorite fair food.
Tunbridge World’s Fair | Sep. 16–19, 2021
The Tunbridge World’s Fair got its name when Burnham Martin, the former Vermont lieutenant governor and state senator, referred to it in 1867 as the “Little World’s Fair.” It offers animal shows, pig races, antique tractor pulls, live entertainment, and various other competitions.
The Big E | Sep. 17–Oct. 3, 2021
When it comes to “big” fairs in New England, it’s impossible to get any bigger than the Big E in West Springfield, the sixth-largest agricultural fair in the entire country. It features the Avenue of the States, butter sculptures, cheese competitions, agricultural events and competitions, midway rides, endless selections of fair food, shopping, top entertainment, and musical acts, and more.
Durham Fair | Sep. 23–26, 2021
The Durham Fair features crafts on the green, carnival rides and games in the midway, animal competitions and discovery events on the Corn Stalk Stage, and lots to eat, plus exhibits showcasing livestock, fruits, vegetables, art, crafts, baking, needlework, photography, and more. Those in search of bigger thrills will love the monster truck rally, lumberjack show, and big-name concerts.
CORN MAZES
Puzzling your way through elaborate paths carved into a cornfield is as much a part of New England’s foliage season as apple picking and leaf peeping. Here are six to tackle.
The Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville, VT.
Credit: Courtesy of the Great Vermont Corn Maze
The Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville, Vermont. Credit: Courtesy of the Great Vermont Corn Maze
Lyman Orchards | Middlefield, CT
Get lost for a good cause at Middlefield’s venerable Lyman Orchards, which since 2000 has donated a portion of its corn maze ticket sales to the American Cancer Society. Visitors to the maze follow a passport system that poses multiple-choice questions about the theme of the design — if you answer correctly, you’ll go the right way. (Maze monitors are on hand to assist anyone who gets too into the weeds.) And if you happen to visit in the summer, look for Lyman’s other famous maze: two miles of paths within 350,000 blooming red and yellow sunflowers!
Marini Farm | Ipswich, MA
The Bay State is blessed with a number of outstanding corn mazes, including the festival-atmosphere Davis Mega Maze in Sterling and the awesomely artistic Mike’s Maze in Sunderland. Yet we keep going back to this family-friendly-but-still-challenging labyrinth in Ipswich. There are 10 miles of paths in the eight-acre main maze, which calls on visitors to test their brains with a game sheet that corresponds to 18 stations along the way. There’s also a mini maze that you can complete in about 20 minutes. There are terrific play areas for kids, including a 70-foot jumping pillow, and barnyard animals to visit.
Treworgy Family Orchards | Levant, ME
This gem in Levant is the longest continually running corn maze in Maine, which was also recently chosen by USA Today voters as one of the nation’s best. What stands out is the artistry that goes into Treworgy’s annual designs, which have included a scene from Blueberries for Sal, a steam locomotive, and Paul Bunyan. Visitors to the maze receive a map of riddles to guide them, and at the end is a sweet reward: a free soft-serve cone. A magical variation is the non-spooky Night Maze, where you can wander through the corn under the stars and collect treats at stations along the way. Other attractions here include farm critters, hayrides, and fresh-made doughnuts.
The Maize at Sherman Farm | Center Conway, NH
Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Sherman Farm in Center Conway is a busy working farm that makes time every fall for some outsized fun, starting with its 12-acre corn maze. Designed for three ability levels, the maze has kid-friendly games within it (Farm Scene Treasure Hunt, Barnyard Bing-oh!) and corny riddles called Cornundrums that help guide visitors through the puzzle. Rounding out the experience are things like wagon rides, a “Moo Express” kiddie ride, a jumping pillow, a petting area, cider doughnuts, and kettle corn.
Escobar Farm | Portsmouth, RI
Just half an hour from Rhode Island’s capital city is this nearly 100-acre Portsmouth farm run by the Escobar family, who round out their acclaimed dairy operation with a farm-stay inn, Christmas trees, a pumpkin patch, and — oh yes — a huge corn maze. Now headed into its third decade of annual artistry, the eight-acre labyrinth has featured a number of locally inspired designs, including the Providence Bruins logo. Families can also enjoy concessions, hayrides, a hay play area, and a “cow train.”
The Great Vermont Corn Maze | Danville, VT
Set on a third-generation dairy farm in Danville, the biggest corn maze in New England is a 24-acre mind-bender whose setup includes an underground tunnel and a 28-foot cabin cruiser parked amid the corn. On average, completing the maze takes nearly three hours. (There is, however, an officially sanctioned scenic shortcut that takes less than an hour.) The farm also hosts the Pretendin’ Play Area, where enticements include a Western-style mini-village, “gopher tunnels,” and friendly farm animals; kids will love the twist on mini golf known as Barnyard Golf. Come October, daring visitors can sweat out Dead North, a special haunted attraction that takes you through the fields and into various buildings as costumed characters leap out from the dark.
CRAFT BREWERIES
If a cold craft brew is one of your favorite ways to kick back and enjoy the New England fall foliage, you won’t want to miss a visit to one (or more) of these terrific New England craft breweries.
Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend, Vermont.
Credit: Courtesy of Hill Farmstead Brewery
Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend, Vermont. Credit: Courtesy of Hill Farmstead Brewery
New England Brewing Co. | Woodbridge, CT
Here, tangy IPAs like Sea Hag and Fuzzy Baby Ducks plus myriad other tasty ales and lagers lure beer hounds off the Merritt Parkway before they head to nearby New Haven for their requisite pizza order at Frank Pepe, Sally’s, or Modern.
Bissell Brothers | Portland, ME
Word spread quickly about Bissell Brothers’ signature ale, The Substance, after it was first tasted back in 2013 at the late-night hot spot the Thirsty Pig. Now, Noah and Peter Bissell run their namesake brewery and taproom at Thompson’s Point in Portland, as well as a second brewery, Bissell Brothers Three Rivers, in their rural hometown of Milo. Start with the tropical IPAs, but don’t overlook the highly original barrel-aged saisons like Fire Road and creamy oatmeal stouts like Umbra.
Exhibit A | Framingham, MA
There’s no doubt Trillium and Treehouse deserve the accolades for all the award-winning IPAs they produce in the Bay State, but we’ve got our eye on this small brewery in the industrial backlots of Framingham, a stone’s throw from the far bigger Jack’s Abby brewery. Local beer lovers have been snatching up such Exhibit A standouts as the Cat’s Meow, the lighter Just a Kitten, and the Kölsch-style Goody Two Shoes. Also be on the lookout for Wandering Thoughts, full of ripe citrus flavors.
Stoneface Brewing Co. | Newington, NH
When Pete Beauregard won first place for a home-brewed IPA in Boston in 2013, he knew he was onto something good. The following year, he would debut Stoneface Brewing on the outskirts of Portsmouth and begin turning out the best-selling Stoneface IPA. For a lighter beer, try Stoneface’s Berliner Weisse with hints of either blackberry or raspberry—or go for the special double-fruited version.
Tilted Barn Brewery | Exeter, RI
Homegrown hops flavor the beers at the state’s first-ever farm brewery, Tilted Barn, which recently expanded into a new post-and-beam barn that houses a 30-barrel brewhouse and a tasting room with a large outdoor lawn, seating area, and patio. Grab a delectable fruity double IPA and drink in the serene setting.
Hill Farmstead Brewery | Greensboro Bend, VT
Nearly since its start in 2010, this has been a place of pilgrimage for beer geeks. Some of the best-loved brews are named after founder Shaun Hill’s forbears, including double IPA Abner, while the Philosophical series includes the popular maple-infused imperial stout Beyond Good and Evil. Mediocrity has no place here, as evidenced by the awards and accolades Hill Farmstead hauls in, year after year.
Yankee Magazine‘s Ultimate Guide to New England Fall Foliage
Yankee Magazine‘s Ultimate Guide to New England Fall Foliage
