These Are New England’s Most Scenic Fall Foliage Destinations, From Coastal Cities to National Forests
Whether you’re coming from the South, Midwest, or elsewhere on the East Coast, the riches of autumn in New England are always worth the easy drive or quick flight. You can’t go wrong in this neighborhood of the Northeast—each of the region’s six states has its own unique take on fall bliss, with multi-hued leaves, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and so much more to choose from. Here, we offer a state-by-state rundown of fall's best region to help you decide where to get the most out of this year’s leaf peeping—whether by road, bike, foot, or even boat—plus sublime menus full of fall ingredients, and the cozy and luxe accommodations from which to base your adventures.
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Cloris Ying/UnsplashNew Hampshire
Mountainous and woodsy, New Hampshire is blessed with seemingly endless parklands for experiencing fall foliage, both on foot and behind the wheel. Make a beeline for the White Mountain National Forest, hopping on the Kancamagus Highway (or the “Kanc” as locals call it). Northern New Hampshire’s claim to fame is this highly scenic 35-mile stretch of Route 112, which erupts with vibrant, changing leaves over multiple elevations. There are no gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and the like—nature takes center stage. Breathe in the fresh air and work on your landscape photography game. Enjoy your picnic lunch at one of the route’s many waterfalls, like "Sabbaday Falls" or "Rocky Gorge."
Next, beyond the White Mountain National Forest, embark on an oh-so-fall adventure: a cider donut crawl. In Loudon, savor piping-hot cider doughnuts at Meadow Ledge Farm—they’re so good they often command a 45-minute line. In Meredith, get lost in a mega-corn maze, pick your own pumpkins, and try “flavored” cider doughnuts (with various toppings like chocolate drizzle and sprinkles) at Moulton Farm. Alternatively, balance town and forest with overnights in the hip town of Portsmouth, just an hour's drive from most of the region's best hiking trails. For starters, summit Mount Kearsage in Wilmot, or explore a portion of the 40-plus miles of trails in nearby Bear Brook State Park.
Where to stay
It should come as no surprise that the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa has ample views of the White Mountains. A fun throwback to the age of New England’s grand hotels that catered to city slickers from Boston and New York (not unlike today), this charming, historic property is this fall undergoing a total renovation of the guest rooms.
If you’re driving to New Hampshire or points further north, check in to the Great Island Inn, an “apart-hotel” occupying a restored historic home just a few minutes from downtown Portsmouth. Sure there’s no pool, no concierge, not even a front desk to speak of, but what you skip in amenities you more than make up for in value, at a time of year when many hotels like to jack up room rates to take advantage of leaf-peepers. It’s cute, it’s cozy, and it’s centrally located for all of your coastal New Hampshire adventures.
Where to eat
In Mount Washington, gorge on breakfasts of maple syrup-drenched buttermilk pancakes and apple betty French toast at the Glen House. Consider a trek up to White Mountain Cider Company for dinner and dessert of warm cider doughnuts and ice cream.
In Portsmouth, book ahead for dinner at Row 34 Portsmouth where you’ll find briny local oysters (don’t miss the umami-rich Row 34 oysters, the most mature bivalves from Island Creek Oyster Farm, Duxbury Bay in neighboring Massachusetts) and the best lobster roll in all New England (yes, you read that correctly).
Courtesy Twin FarmsVermont
New 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. (Considering this is the best-of-the-best foliage, we’ve even created an entire guide of 15 ways to find fall in the Green Mountain State.)
Since most colors pop early October in northern Vermont, mid- to late-October visitors should consider central or southern Vermont. Visit Manchester and climb Equinox Mountain, taking in colorful panoramas that stretch from New York to New Hampshire. Or go to Woodstock, one of the most beautiful towns in the U.S., from where you can be up and down 1,250-foot Mount Tom in about 90 minutes.
Where to stay
In the heart of Manchester Village within Green Mountain National Forest, check into Kimpton Taconic Hotel. Expect a mind-blowing explosion of colors all around this unpretentious, yet elegant hotel. Also, look forward to a lot of happy doggies rolling around in the leaves: like all pet-friendly Kimpton hotels, this outpost caters as much to pets as it does to humans.
Looking for a hidden gem, in Southern Vermont just a quick drive from New York and Boston? Consider the award-winning Hermitage Inn, which just changed hands and underwent a fabulous renovation during the pandemic. Country roads, plenty of vibrant sugar maple trees, and all the Vermont charm you can handle is within reach from this tranquil West Dover hideaway. There’s even a covered bridge on the property for all your sight-seeing and Instagramming needs.
For a bucolic countryside escape, head to Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermont—an all-inclusive Relais & Chateaux spot and the highlight of New England’s rural retreats—where the food and design often take center stage, but the spa services (for an additional fee) also deserve consideration. They offer cozy in-room fireside massages (which conclude with your therapist drawing you a hot bath), as well as high-potency facials using products from Biologique Recherche.
Rick Monteiro/UnsplashRhode Island
Since it’s more about the coast than the forest in the country’s smallest state, Rhode Island may not be an obvious choice for fall—but it's prime time to experience "locals' summer." Split your days between walks on vast, near-empty beaches and drives along colorful, canopied country roads. Head down the oceanfront Scenic Route 1A from Westerly to Wickford—it’s 39.6 miles, a long distance in Rhode Island terms—for the ultimate juxtaposition of seaside backdrops and changing leaves. Connect to Route 102, which passes through the best of the state’s quiet two-lane roads, featuring quintessential New England architecture, towering red maple trees, country stores, and some supposedly haunted taverns (pop into the early-18th century Tavern on Main in Chapeacet to amp up your pre-Halloween jitters).
Where to stay and eat
Base yourself at Ocean House, overlooking an exquisite swathe of beach and Block Island Sound. The hotel sports a fresh take on coastal New England glam as envisioned by noted designer Peter Neimitz. After watching an amazing sunset from the hotel’s private Ocean House beach (and waving to Taylor Swift, whose mansion is next door), savor a multi-course tasting menu at the hotel’s locavore flagship restaurant, Coast. The menu changes nightly, based on seasonal produce from neighboring farms and the catch of the day.
Take advantage of Newport’s shoulder season rates at the Cliffside Inn, an adorable, fully restored 1876 Victorian mansion in the heart of Newport’s Historic District. In the fall, the streets grow wonderfully quiet, making it a rewarding time of year to go on long, ambling walks through Newport’s cobblestoned streets. With just 16 rooms, each with a unique layout and furnishings, this inn feels more like your glamorous, eccentric friend’s weekend escape than a “historic Newport hotel.” For dinner, stroll over to downtown and book a table at Giusto, where the “Freestyle Italian” cuisine uses Italian influences on local and seasonal ingredients.
Denis Tangney Jr/GettyMassachusetts
There are two ways to love fall in Massachusetts. One is heading out west through the Berkshire Mountains and leaf peeping along the 63-mile Mohawk Trail, New England’s original scenic drive (and arguably Massachusetts’s most picturesque). The two-lane highway follows a Native American trade route as it passes through 50,000 acres of parklands and forests (especially well-preserved around the Mohawk Trail State Forest, where bears and bobcats have been known to cross the trail). For a good hike, detour in North Adams to climb Mount Greylock, the highest peak in the state at 3,489 feet.
The second option is sticking to New England’s capital, Boston, and taking in autumn at easy-to-reach and easier-to-photograph spots while eating your way through the season. Get your fix of fall bliss strolling the Public Garden, the Charles River Esplanade, the Arnold Arboretum and tree-lined Harvard campus. Better yet, consider taking a ride out to the trails around Walden Pond or Middlesex Fells Reservation, and blow up your Instagram feed with shots of the foliage reflecting off the water. Pack in as many steps as possible, since you’ll also be feasting on the seasonal harvest at Boston’s best restaurants.
Where to stay
Take in the best of the northern Berkshires from the Williams Inn–an adorable, refined property just minutes from MASS MoCA, the Clark Institute, and gorgeous New England forest as far as the eye can see. New for this fall is the “An Apple A Day” package, which includes a four-pack of fresh cider donuts, a bottle of local pressed apple cider, and a keepsake wooden basket in addition to your stay.
Get the foliage experience from the comfort of The Newbury at one of the best addresses in Boston: 1 Newbury Street, overlooking the splendid Public Gardens. With rooms designed by international hospitality legend Alexandra Champalimaud and a rooftop Major Food Group restaurant, Contessa, designed by the greatest showman Ken Fulk, there’s little reason to leave throughout your stay (although you should).
Where to eat
Not every dinner needs to be a chef-driven, fancy affair. Embrace the motor lodge, grassroots history of this part of Massachusetts with a bite at Jack’s Hot Dog Stand, which first opened its doors in 1917. You can still get a plain hot dog for and impressive $1.95. That leaves you with plenty of gas money for a long, winding road trip through taking in that Berkshires foliage.
For a more refined take on the Berkshires, and a sampling of all the flavors this region has to offer, make a reservation at farm-to-table Mezze Bistro & Bar, perched on the outskirts of Williamstown in an historic 19th century building on three idyllic acres overlooking Sheep Hill.
If you’re going to really do Boston, you might as well indulge in a little fine dining, right? The food at local favorite Bistro du Midi is just as classic and spectacular as the views over the Public Garden. Be sure to splurge on chef Robert Sisca’s Ora King Salmon Crudo (which comes finished with shiitake mushrooms, cherries and sea beans), and the truly unique bouillabaisse flatbread.
Winvian FarmConnecticut
Admittedly, Connecticut isn’t the first state that comes to mind for a New England fall getaway. But the leaf-strewn parks and forests of the state’s northwest reaches should easily change that. Trek through the landscapes of Mt. Tom State Park and Talcott Mountain State Park, ascending moderate trails to reach stone towers on their respective summits. Or walk some of the 20 miles of walking trails at the Audubon-designated Deer Pond Farm Sanctuary in the town of Sherman.
Also, if you’re really late in finding fall, consider coastal Connecticut—the leaves change color here about two weeks later than up north. Hike and photograph patches of 27,000-acre Pachaug State Forest, the state’s largest forest system. Check out the short-but-sweet Mount Misery trail, which contrary to its name, is incredibly delightful and rewarding with its views. For the most relaxing way to take in the multi-colored splendor, take a one-hour fall foliage-themed cruise down the Connecticut River with River Quest, which leaves out of Haddam.
Where to stay
A foliage escape needn’t include an arduous road trip to the furthest reaches of Maine–the charming, the luxe Graybarns is tucked away on a quiet street in Norwalk, Connecticut just over an hour from Manhattan. Easy peasy. And since Graybarns doesn’t have the pesky two- or three-night minimums you’ll find at many of comparable hotels in the Hudson Valley, escaping for as little as one night is entirely possible. Perched on a quiet stretch of the Silvermine River–with plenty of Design Within Reach Adirondack chairs from which to take in the view–the hotel has just six enormous rooms, each with king beds, Frette linens, Flamingo Estate amenities, and a complimentary minibar decked out with drinks and treats for your stay. There’s also an adorable on-site mercantile so you can gather picnic supplies, and the staff can easily direct you to numerous walks and scenic drives in the area.
Along the coast, rest comfortably in downtown Mystic at Spicer Mansion, a 19th-century estate that has been meticulously transformed into an elegant, eight-room hotel, championing a new take on Victorian glamour.
Where to eat
If you find yourself leaf-peeping in the bucolic hillsides of Litchfield County, book a table at Arethusa e Tavolo, an iconic dairy- and seed-to-table experience that offers an inventive take on farm-fresh fare such as tempura squash blossoms with red pepper ricotta, or pork tenderloin with braised leeks and peach fondant.
We hope you like carbs. Closer to the coast down in charming Chester, Grano Arso chef Joel Gargano mills native New England grains for his house-made pastas and breads. There’s also a great drinks list of Italian wines and locally made New England beers.
Clay Banks/UnsplashMaine
Maine is home to vast stretches of breathtaking coastline, which this time of year is where all your Coastal Grandma dreams can come true. If it’s a good meal, a brisk walk by the ocean and a sunset glass of Chardonnay followed by an early bedtime you’re after, the sleepy, seaside towns like Kennebunkport are where it’s at. You’ll get a taste of foliage by the coast, but true immersionin the Pine Tree State's wild crimson, pumpkin, and amber-hued woods, however, requires heading deeper inland. For superlative fall foliage, go hiking in northern Maine in early October. Explore Baxter State Park and the forests to itsthe southwest, the contiguous Nahmakanta Public Reserved Land and Appalachian Mountain Club 100-Mile Wilderness Conservation Area. There are enough hiking trails to keep all skill levels happy, and regardless of which you choose you'll find paths lined with deciduous trees and towering evergreens, and punctuated by boulder-strewn streams, lakes, and ponds. (Bonus: This is prime moose-spotting territory.)
Where to stay and eat
Kennebunkport in the summer? Idyllic, albeit a bit crowded. Kennebunkport in the fall? Cozy seaside heaven, with just a fraction of the visitors. Many of the town’s best hotels start closing for the season at this time of year, but the Cape Arundel Inn & Resort remains open year-round. The location offers the best of both worlds: a quick walk or bike ride into town, but a secluded location directly on posh Ocean Avenue so you can fall asleep to the serene music of gently ebbing waves. And come nightfall, its restaurant Ocean offers sweeping views of the water from a dining room illuminated by votive candlelight, and a tasting menu with wine pairings that’s one of the better fine dining experiences you can have in Maine. Book a room in the main house so you can gently Coastal Grandma your way upstairs to bed after dinner.
Camp out at this rustic yet comfortable Appalachian Mountain Club–backed Medawisla Lodge and Cabins in Greenville, Maine. Accommodations include hilltop cabins with private baths, cabins with shared bath, and a main lodge, where you can also pick your level of frills. The luxury here is the location: Smack in the center of wild Maine, you have immediate access to fly fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, and paddling, all with surreal autumnal backdrops. Opt for a meal package at Medawisla, which includes a fresh-cooked breakfast and dinner, plus packed trail lunch daily. And just keep in mind that they close for the season this year on October 15th, so it’s better to book sooner than later.
