Traveling the highways and byways of southern New England is a favorite pastime for both residents and visitors, especially during the colorful peak foliage season. Here are 10 of our favorite fall foliage villages where you can enjoy the glorious colors of autumn in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
10 PRETTIEST FALL FOLIAGE VILLAGES IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND
First Congregational Church of Litchfield in Litchfield, CT. Photo Credit : User Submitted/Kevin Spencer
LITCHFIELD, CT
An unspoiled rolling landscape of hills and farms attracts leaf-peepers to this quiet corner of the state. Easy hiking trails and picnic spots can be found at Topsmead State Forest, the former summer estate of Miss Edith Morton Chase that is nestled in the Litchfield Hills. litchfieldcty.com
BURRVILLE, RI
This rural community of nine villages is celebrated for its abundant open spaces. Part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, autumn’s abundance dazzles at the 1548-acres of forest, farms and wetlands at Black Hut Management area. visitburrillville.org
EXETER, RI
Combine resplendent foliage views with a craft brew or two at Tilted Barn Brewery, the state’s first farm brewery (open weekends). tiltedbarnbrewery.comWalking Covered Bridge In Hamden, CT Photo Credit : User Submitted/Brian O'Sullivan
HAMDEN, CT
Hikers love to tackle the one and one-half mile scenic trail leading to the peak of Mt. Carmel in Sleeping Giant State Park. Across dappled vistas of colorful trees, peer north for views of Hartford and south to Long Island Sound. hamden.com
CUMBERLAND, RI
Observe the Technicolor wonders of fall at Diamond Hill Park, a 373-acre hilltop aerie in the northeast corner of the state with walking trails, picnic areas and a pond. rifamiliesinnature.org
POMFRET, CT
One of the oldest towns in the state, this rural gem in northeast Windham County offers vistas of foliage-festooned hills and miles of stone walls along winding country roads. Over ten miles of walking trails can be enjoyed at the 700-acre Audubon Society’s Bafflin Sanctuary. ctaudubon.org/center-at-pomfret
EAST HADDAM, CT
See festive foliage reflected in the Connecticut River from atop Gillette Castle State Park. The medieval-looking fortress, built in 1919, is closed after Labor Day but the 184-acre estate’s trails are open year round. ct.govBarn in Kent, CT. Photo Credit : User Submitted/Jacek Dolata
KENT, CT
Nestled along the border of New York State, in the rural Northwest Highlands, this picture-perfect hamlet is home to Bulls Bridge, one of three covered bridges in the state, and Macedonia Brook State Park, offering breathtaking views across the Harlem Valley to the Taconic and Catskill Mountains. ct.gov
CHEPACHET, RI
Surrounded by rolling hills in the northwest corner of the Ocean State, this quaint rural village within the town of Glocester offers a country store, tavern, winery and colorful foliage views. It’s a short trip to hiking trails and picnic areas in the 100-acre Pulaski Memorial Recreation Area. riparks.com/Locations/LocationPulaski
JOHNSTON, RI
Just west of Providence, the 1,000-acre Snake Den State Park offers an escape from city life—and boasts amazing foliage views—along the walking trails of this largely undeveloped property. riparks.com/Locations/LocationSnakeDen
What tops your list of favorite foliage villages in southern New England?
This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.
Necee writes about travel with a focus on food, art, culture, luxury travel, and quirky, off-beat locations. She's a frequent contributor to the travel and food sections of The Boston Globe, and is a lifestyle and travel correspondent covering Europe and the Americas for ShowBoats International. Her writing has also been featured in the The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, American Way Magazine, The Robb Report, Modern Farmer, The Globe and Mail, The Huffington Post, and the literary magazine, Tin House. Her special interest—some might say obsession—is the world of oysters and shucking competitions.
