The ULTIMATE Travel Guide to Chasing Fall Foliage in New England
Growing up in Los Angeles, I never got the chance to experience autumn. I didn't know why the leaves changed color during certain times of the year and I never saw trees that had orange, red, or purple leaves on them. Up until this point in my life, my image of autumn was the transitional season from summer to winter. My outlook on autumn completely changed after I visited New England for the first time this year. Before this trip, exploring the northeast was a bucket list goal of mine for as long as I can remember. I've always seen beautiful photos of New England on Instagram, but I've never had the chance to visit and experience the autumn colors until now.
How to Plan Your New England Fall Road Trip & Important Things To Consider
Roadtripping in the Northeast during autumn is unique because there are two ways to plan for this type of trip. There is the conventional way, which is to create an itinerary of all the places you want to go to and stick to the planned route throughout the trip. And the unconventional way where there is no plan and your route is solely determined by the location of the fall colors that are peaking at the time. We chose to go with the latter, and it ended up being such a fantastic experience. It takes a specific type of person to travel the unconventional way. If you're not a spontaneous person, I recommend following a general route and switching out different locations for different days based on the fall colors a day or two earlier. That way, you can still have everything organized and have a set itinerary for each day.
You might be wondering, why would anyone travel without a plan? That's a logical question for winter, spring, and summer, but it kind of works out for fall. Leaves are filled with an abundant amount of chlorophyll during spring and summer. As the days get shorter, the leaves start absorbing less sunlight. This results in the leaves producing less chlorophyll. The leaves' pigments begin to change color from green to yellow, orange, or red until they fall off. But, not all trees in the same area change colors at the exact time. Many consider fall foliage to be at its "peak" when the leaves are bright yellow, orange, or red.
An important thing to keep in mind is that autumn colors don't peak at the same time every year. The biggest reason why this happens is because of weather such as wind, which can blow the leaves off of trees or the leaves not getting enough sunlight in certain areas because of cloudy days. It's always good to check the weather forecast a day or two in advance to get an idea of peak autumn colors in an area.
One of the benefits of traveling with no plan is that you're able to be more flexible with your schedule and not limited to a specific area. By not booking hotels and accommodations in advance, you can go to areas that are at "peak color." Also, the chances of you missing autumn colors are less likely if you travel this way since you can drive to wherever the colors are the best at the time. Of course, there are some downsides to this method of traveling. There was one instance on our trip where we could not find any accommodations for miles on end. Every hotel, motel, and Airbnb was completely booked. So we decided to sleep in the car for that evening. There was another instance where there was only one hotel left, and it was quite expensive. We decided to book the hotel and split the payment amongst the people in our group. In the end, it all comes down to your preference of travel style.
Here is an interactive fall foliage prediction map of New England to help you plan out your fall foliage trip.
>> Read More: My Experience Traveling By Plane and Car During COVID-19 Pandemic
Essential Items
The weather in the Northeast can change dramatically and temperatures can vary from cold to warm depending on the location. Sometimes it would be rainy in the morning and an hour later it's completely sunny and warm. We experienced a similar situation on our trip, so it's always important to prepare for any weather conditions. Here are some essential items that I recommend for your New England trip during the autumn season.
Where to Chase Fall Foliage in New England
The moment that you’ve all been waiting for! I’ve gathered the top destinations from each New England state (minus Connecticut) that I think are beautiful during the autumn season. Chasing the New England fall foliage requires a lot of patience and luck. But with a lot of planning and research, you’ll be one step closer to capturing that perfect autumn photo!
Vermont
Sleepy Hollow Farm
This might be the most beautiful and aesthetic barn that you will ever see. Nestled in Vermont's deep countryside, Sleepy Hollow Farm is the most visited and photographed location in the state. What makes this scene so epic is the big red barn to the right and the brown barn to the left and the road that acts as a leading line towards the middle. Add in some autumn trees and you have a beautiful photograph. There is ample parking on the side of the long road where people take photographs. If you go for sunrise, which is the best time to take photos here, you'll see a lot of photographers lined up taking pictures so you can't miss it! Rumor has it that Joe Perry, the guitarist from Aerosmith now lives here.
Bent Apple Farm
Unlike Sleepy Hollow Farm, where you can only take photos of the barn, Bent Apple Farm offers various accommodations and activities for anyone to enjoy. Bent Apple Farms has rental venue properties for social and family gatherings, a farmhouse for accommodation of up to 10 guests, and a rustic barn that offers accommodation up to 4 guests. Most of their rental properties have a full-size kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. Visitors that love to cook will love it here! They also have a run-in and equipment shed for accommodation of up to 2 guests, which is perfect for couples looking for a romantic getaway deep in the woods.
Bent Apple Farm is owned by Brooklyn NY's famous chowder chef Ben Sargent. He is the host for the cooking show Hook, Line, and Dinner, founder of the Brooklyn Urban Anglers Association, and radio show host of Catch It, Cook it, & Eat It. His properties have been featured in various lifestyle magazines and cooking shows. I love Ben's emphasis on bringing the community together through Bent Apple Farm and his passion for food.
Source: @dirtandglass
Stowe
If there is one place in Vermont that I would recommend for everyone to check out at least once in their life, it's Stowe. This charming little town located in Lamoille County in northern Vermont is a 45-minute drive from Burlington. Stowe is known for its outdoor activities such as skiing and its cute mom and pop shops. I would suggest booking accommodations a few months ahead since hotels can get booked up during the fall season in Stowe.
Vermont is the home to Ben & Jerry's and you can take a factory tour right here in Stowe! Other activities in Stowe include zip-lining, hiking, paddling, mountain biking, wine tasting, and more. Please refer to this list published by Go Stowe for the complete list of activities.
This city looks like something out of a fairytale with its distinct white-steepled churches, bright-colored buildings, and autumn foliage that surround the city.
Souce: Derek Liang
Recommended Restaurants & Cafes in Vermont:
Mon Vert Cafe (Woodstock, VT): Good for breakfast and lunch. Their maple latte is a must-try!
Cafe on Main (Stowe, VT): Good for breakfast and lunch.
Liquid Art Coffeehouse (Killington, VT): Good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Mister Up's Restaurant & Pub (Middlebury, VT): Good for lunch and dinner. Highly recommend the Mister Up's Chargrilled Burger with bison
Accommodations in Vermont:
Stone City Treehouse (Hardwick, VT)
The Kingdom A-Frame (Burke, VT)
[KAB-IN] A Refined Log Cabin (Woodstock, VT)
Alpine A-Frame - Midcentury Cabin (Wilmington, VT)
Green Mountain Modern House (Jamaica, VT)
The Green Mountain Tiny House (Jamaica, VT)
Rustic Barn in Bent Apple Farm (Londonberry, VT)
New Hampshire
Conway Scenic Railroad
Take a scenic train ride through Crowford Notch and take in the beauty of autumn in New Hampshire. The Conway Scenic Railroad is one of the oldest operational train in the country, right behind the Mount Washington Cog Railway. The Victorian train station in North Conway Village was built in 1874 and serves as the central hub for the Conway Scenic Railroad. The railroad connects North Conway to Conway and the line from North Conway through Crawford Notch to Fabyan.
The railroad offers three types of train rides to passengers: the Valley Train, Bartlett Excursion Train, and the Mountaineer. The Valley Train is an 11 mile, 55-minute round trip to the south of Conway and is perfect for families. The Bartlett Excursion Train is for those who want to experience a "luxury" train ride through the Saco River Valley to Bartlett. This excursion is a 1-hour-45-minute, 21-mile roundtrip journey. The Mountaineer is the most scenic train ride. The journey takes the passenger through the Mount Washington Valley and over Crawford Notch. This is a 5.5 hour, 60-mile roundtrip train ride. The Valley and Barlett Train begins operation in mid-April. It runs through February while the Mountaineer operates from mid-June to early November. Seating choices for all these trains include Coach, First Class, and Premium. Please refer to the Conway Scenic Railroad's official website to see the difference between these ticket classes and each train ride's prices.
Photo by Derek Liang with my edit
Flume Gorge
This distinct red picturesque bridge is one of the reasons why Flume Gorge is such a popular spot for visitors during the fall. This was one of the highlights during my trip as this 2-mile loop hike takes you through covered bridges filled with autumn leaves, streams, and waterfalls. It's hard not to stop every few minutes to take a photo of all the beautiful sights that this hike has to offer.
One thing to keep in mind is that you need to purchase tickets in advance if you want to visit Flume Gorge. Unfortunately, they do not allow ticket purchases on site. Although the price may be expensive for some, it was well worth it as we spent hours exploring the gorge and taking photos.
Hours of Operation:
9 AM – 5 PM
Ticket Pricing:
Ages 13 and over: $16
Ages 6 – 12: $14
Ages 5 and under: free
Dates:
May - October
Artist Bluff
This 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to the top of the hill offers stunning views of Echo Lake, Mt Lafayette to the left, and Cannon Mountain to the right. There are two parking lots near the trail (Echo Lake Beach lot and Cannon Mountain lot) and two ways to do the loop. One is the long way that goes around the hill, and the other is the short, more direct route. We couldn't find the trail at first because we went before sunrise, and we ended up taking the longer way. The trail is rated as moderate as it can get pretty steep in some parts, and others have said that they had to climb over some rocks. Dogs are permitted on this trail as long as they are on a leash. I would recommend this hike for those who want a short but not so challenging hike with amazing scenery.
Recommended Restaurants & Cafes in New Hampshire:
Flapjack's Pancake House (Lincoln, NH): Good for breakfast & brunch. The best pancakes that you will ever have. I got the M&M pancakes on my first visit and the Blueberry Flapjacks on my second visit.
Cielito Mexican Restaurant (Bristol, NH): Good for lunch and dinner. Highly recommend the California Burrito. The burritos are really huge here!
Gypsy Cafe (Lincoln, NH): Good for lunch and dinner. We tried the Korean BBQ, Indonesian Peanut Noodles, and Navajo Pumpkin Pasta and they were all delicious! They're closed three days out of the week and open and close at certain times of the day so make sure you check before you go!
The Moon Cafe and Bakery (Lincoln, NH): Good for breakfast and lunch. If you need a place to work this is the spot! Wifi is available here and it's really fast.
Accommodations in New Hampshire:
Treetop Sanctuary (Dunbarton, NH)
Warm Pine A-Frame (Center Conway, NH)
Lake Winnipesaukee A-Frame (Gilford, NH)
White Mountains A-Frame (Conway, NH)
Maine
Acadia National Park
Known for its beautiful fall foliage, pristine lakes, and epic ocean coastline, Acadia National Park is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Maine. With over 3.5 million annual visitors, it's easy to see why Acadia is such a popular national park. Acadia is the first national park established on the east coast in 1919. Since then, many visitors have traveled to Acadia to go sea cliff climbing, horseback riding, wildlife hunting, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and leaf-peeping.
One of Maine's most unique attractions is its 65 lighthouses that are spread throughout the 3,478 miles of coastline. Five of those lighthouses are in Acadia National Park. Another fun fact about Acadia is that it is one of the first places in the United States, where the sun rises every day.
Check out this website, which has information on when and where to spot fall foliage in Maine.
Here are some hikes that were recommended to me by friends who have visited the park:
Precipice Trail (2.5 miles roundtrip, 2-3 hours): Considered the most dangerous hike in the park. There are parts of the hike where you have to climb rocks, crawl under boulders, and walk along ledges that are only a few feet wide. Only people who have prior hiking experience and don't fear heights should attempt this hike.
Beehive Trail (1.4 miles roundtrip, 1-2 hours): An easier version of the Precipice Trail with less elevation gain.
South Bubble Trail (1.4 miles roundtrip, 1.5 hours): A relatively moderate hike that offers the best view of Jordan Pond.
Jesup Trail (2.2 miles roundtrip, 30 minutes): An easy family-friendly hike with minimal elevation gain. Dogs are allowed on this hike as long as they are on a leash. One of the most photogenic spots of the park as you walk on a long boardwalk surrounded by tall deciduous trees.
Source: Andy Vu
Recommended Restaurants & Cafes in Maine:
Portland Lobster Company (Portland, ME): Good for lunch and dinner. Voted as the Best Lobster Roll in Portland by locals.
Jordan's Restaurant (Bar Harbor, ME): Good for breakfast and lunch. They have everything here from lobster rolls, burgers, to pancakes and they are all delicious!
Sur Lie (Portland, ME): Good for dinner. A lot of great American cuisine - tapa style.
Side Street Cafe (Bar Harbor, ME): Good for lunch and dinner.
Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro (Freeport, ME): Good for lunch and dinner.
The Holy Donut (Portland, ME): Good for breakfast and lunch.
Accommodations in Maine:
Seguin Tree Dweillings (Georgetown, ME)
Upscale Timber-Frame Cottage (Pownal, ME)
Minimalist A-Frame Cabin (Hancock, ME)
Crow's Nest Tiny House (Durham, ME)
Zen Den Yurt (Durham, ME)
Massachusetts
Mount Sugarloaf
A steep 0.9-mile hike to the top of Mount Sugarloaf offers gorgeous views of the Connecticut River, Berkshire Hills, and Pioneer Valley. We spent a good few minutes taking in the autumn scenery once we got to the top of the observation tower.
You can park at the bottom of the mountain and hike up or pay the $2.00 fee and drive up to the parking lot near the observation tower. There might be limited parking space during the summer and fall seasons as it tends to get pretty busy so please plan accordingly.
The Berkshires
About 2 hours west of Boston lies The Berkshires, Massachusettes's hidden gem. The Berkshires are known for its outdoor adventure activities and cultural experiences. Some of the oldest mountains in the world, dating back 500 million years, are in the Berkshires. There is also an abundance of diverse wildlife species living in this region. The Berkshires have plenty of accommodations that can fit any traveler's needs, from cabins, campgrounds, motels, inns, bed & breakfast, hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals. There are many beautiful hikes in this region as well. Please refer to the BRNC website for a list of hikes. Although I didn't get to spend that much time in this area, I know that I'll be coming back here again in the future.
Recommended Restaurants & Cafes in Massachusetts:
Theodores' Booze, Blues, & BBQ (Springfield, MA): Good for lunch and dinner. All around great BBQ.
Neptune Oyster (Boston, MA): Good for lunch and dinner. Their main lobster rolls are to die for.
District Kitchen & Bar (Pittsfield, MA): Good for dinner. Contemporary American cuisine with gastropub influences.
The Giacomo's Ristorante (Boston, MA): Good for dinner. One of the best Italian restaurants in Massachusetts.
Accommodations in Massachusetts:
The Pondhouse (Ashfield, MA)
Asphine House in the Trees (Medford, MA)
Enchanted Tiny Tower at Santarella Gardens (Lee, MA)
Old Wharf A-Frame (Wellfleet, MA)
Rhode Island
The Preserve Club & Residences
Boasting 3,500 acres of land in New England's woods, The Preserve Club & Residences is the premier spot to go hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking, fly fishing, snowmobiling, zip-lining, and any other outdoor activity that you can ever think of. The Preserve is also home to an award-winning 18-hole championship golf course. The Preserve also has seven types of accommodations, five dining experiences, a spa, fitness & yoga center, and more. They also have townhomes in the Preserve that you can buy as real estate.
During our visit to the Preserve, we checked out the Hobbit House. We had 30 minutes at this magical location to shoot as many photos as we wanted. We took turns taking photos of each other with the house, recorded videos, and documented our time there. We were fortunate enough to have our tour guide extend a few minutes as we thought the 30-minute time limit was not enough for us photographers. Our tour guide also gave us a sneak peek of a second Hobbit House that they are working on that will be open to the public in 2021. If you want to check out the Hobbit House, you must reserve your tickets online as they do not allow ticket purchases on site. Also, tickets must be booked 24 hours in advance. Although our time was short at the Preserve, we had an enjoyable experience, and we hope to come back again next year.
Hours of Operation:
8 AM – 5 PM Daily
Ticket Pricing:
$200.00 for up to 4 people (tax and service charge not included)
Dates:
October 1 - November 26
Recommended Restaurants & Cafes in Rhode Island:
Matunuck Oyster Bar (South Kingstown, RI): Good for lunch and dinner. One of the best seafood restaurants around!
Los Andes (Providence, RI): Good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The best Peruvian and Bolivian cuisine in the state.
Twin Oaks Restaurant (Cranston, RI): Good for lunch and dinner. Great waterfront views and their calamari is a must-try!
Monahan's Clam Shack (Narragansett, RI): Good for lunch and dinner. Clam cakes and chowder are their specialty. Open seasonally.
Accommodations in Rhode Island:
Treehouse by the Sea (South Kingston, RI)
Waterfront Studio (Cranston, RI)
Rustic Island Cabin (Jamestown, RI)
Providence Area Tiny Cabin Glamping Getaway (Scituate, RI)
Don't Be Afraid to Go Off the Beaten Path to Chase the Autumn Colors
There were countless number of times on our trip where we went off the beaten path to see more autumn foliage. It turns out these shots (like the one below) are some of my favorite photos that I took on this trip. Don't be afraid to take a detour once in a while as you have the chance to explore somewhere new. Sometimes it's the unexpected experiences that become the most memorable.
Final Thoughts About New England
I hope this guide helped and inspired you to plan your next New England autumn trip! I spent almost three weeks in the Northeast and still felt that it wasn't enough time to hit all the beautiful spots. For someone who has never experienced fall before, it was mind-blowing to see the leaves change color and disappear so quickly at the same time. Since leaves change colors for only a few weeks each year, it's easy to see why New England is such a popular destination for visitors from all over the world. While you're there, make sure to try some of their pumpkin spiced lattes and apple cider! Happy leaf-peeping!
If you would like to read up on more beautiful New England spots, check out my friend Grace's travel guide. And if you want to see more photos from my trip to New England, feel free to check out my Instagram (@makeetz)
Disclaimer – this New England travel guide blog post does contain some affiliate links, which means if you buy something my blog will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
Read more about my past travels:
