‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice, sweater weather, and a kaleidoscope of breathtaking foliage. I honestly think fall is the best time of the year and a reminder to appreciate our beautiful planet. This is the time when nature’s vibrant tapestry transforms the region into a picturesque wonderland.
I enjoyed a short weekend road trip to New England and visited Vermont and New Hampshire. Fall in New England is a season of enchantment. Charming towns, friendly residents, and natural beauty converge to create a timeless experience that portrays the quintessential allure of New England’s fall. Enjoy this helpful guide to experience New England’s rustic beauty and seasonal splendor.
Best Time to Visit
There is no concrete time to visit as color change solely depends on Mother Nature. However, leaves typically change their colors between the end of September and early October. I typically visit during the second week of October. Thankfully there are a few foliage trackers online (such as this) to help plan accordingly. There is only a short window to catch them at their peak so don’t delay your trip! Northern New England experiences foliage first before making its way down south. If you’re planning to chase foliage mid to end of September, I recommend starting in the North.
What to Wear
When I visited in early October I found a fall coat was sufficient to keep me warm. I wasn’t outside for long periods of time but if you’re planning to go hiking or travel further north, closer to the mountains, I would recommend packing layers. A winter jacket, scarf, hat, gloves, and sweaters are highly recommended.
Where to Stay
Fall is one of the busiest times in New England so expect hotels to sell out fast. Don’t wait last minute to book a room like I did. The only available hotel room I was able to reserve was in a state away. To make matters even funnier, in 2022, I was only able to find a room in Montreal and yes I did reserve that room! Also, keep in mind, that hotel prices are higher than usual. I have seen rooms that normally cost $100-$200 a night market for $500-$600 a night.
Things to Consider
- Passes/Fees/Reservations: Some parks may require you to pay either on-site or in advance to enter. Restaurants may also experience higher volumes and thus longer wait times for a table. Make sure to do your research ahead of time before going on your trip and make reservations in advance.
- Crowds: Remember you aren’t the only one chasing foliage. Start your day early to avoid crowds and traffic.
- Getting Around: The best way to go leaf peeping is by driving. Consider renting a car if you don’t own one.
- Expectations: While the colors are beautiful in person it doesn’t always look like the photos (yes, even I edit my photos). You might notice some parts being vibrant and other parts being dull. This can vary year by year so keep your expectations low.
- Cellular Service: Service can be spotty, especially the further north you go. Consider using a good ole map quest or downloading a map from Google. We also rely on our car GPS instead of using the ones from our phones.
- Spontaneity: I can’t believe I am saying this because I am the ultimate control freak but you will most likely miss out on some parts of your itinerary. New England has so many scenic routes that you will find yourself pulling over to explore them. It’s actually not a bad thing.
Places to See
Now that you’ve been briefed, let’s journey to Vermont and New Hampshire! I hope to add other states such as Maine soon.
Vermont
- Stowe Community Church
Probably one of the most photographed churches in Vermont, this beautiful church can be viewed from a salon parking lot. As the church is far away, I recommend using a telephoto lens or drone. If using a phone, apply lens compression to make the church appear big in the background (see reel below).
- Lake Willoughby
You can’t go wrong with any of the lakes in Vermont and there are so many to choose from. I knew I had to visit Lake Willoughby after seeing a beautiful curvy road on Instagram (I have an obsession with curvy roads against fall foliage). You can certainly hike, kayak, and swim (although I wouldn’t recommend this during the fall). Keep in mind this spot is quite a drive out but it is certainly worth it. It is also not as crowded as some of the other popular spots.
- Pumpkin Patch Near Shaw’s Supermarket
Right across the street from a supermarket is a cute pumpkin patch with pumpkins of all sizes. I actually met the farmer who owns it and he is the sweetest person who allowed us to take as many photos as we wanted. We did give him a little donation and recommend you do the same to support a local business!
- Brookdale Bridge
New England has many bridges to choose from and for good reason, they create the quintessential fall scenery. I stumbled across Brookdale Bridge by accident. I love that New England has tons of back roads and paths that you can explore and this was one of them. It’s definitely not a boring drive so keep an eye out for detours and hidden gems.
- Mountains Near Stowe Mountain Resort
This is another spot that was not on my itinerary and was a scenic spot along the route. Just plug in Stowe Mountain Resort in your map and you’ll be welcomed with the most beautiful land of foliage.
- Sleepy Hollow Farm
The most famous farm in Vermont. Its picturesque residential farm quietly sits in front of a tapestry of vibrant hues. No wonder it has become an Instagram sensation.
*NOTE* As of 2023, due to the excessive media coverage and flood of tourists, Sleepy Hallow Farm has been closed to visitors for the fall season.
- Smuggler’s Notch
One of Vermont’s scenic drives. This curvy road brings you through the Green Mountains. There are many rest areas and trails that you can explore so take some time out to do this. It is also a popular spot so plan to be there early.
- The Laundry Room
Another spot that was not planned. Do you see the theme here? This has to be the cutest laundromat I have ever seen. I stumbled upon this while leaving Woodstock and had to pull over for a photo. Woodstock has tons of cute spots so do not miss out on exploring this beautiful town.
- Woodstock Inn
The charming Woodstock Inn is great to photograph all year round but it looks extra special during fall. I adore the mums and chairs that decorate the lawns and it overall makes for the perfect fall getaway.
New Hampshire
- Kancamagus Highway
I consider the Kanc to be one of the best scenic drives for foliage and should not be missed. If you have very limited time, this highway is all you need for leaf peeping. It is an incredible loop that winds its way through the White Mountains. I would carve out about 3 hours to drive and explore some of the stop areas. Also, keep in mind that there are no gas stations here so make sure your tank is full. Similar to Smuggler’s Notch, there are many hikes and stops that you can take, and highly recommended to visit earlier in the day to avoid traffic.
- Rocky Gorge
The Rocky Gorge is actually along the Kanc but I had to list it as a separate spot due to its picturesque scenery. There is a small waterfall complemented by a beautiful footbridge and stunning foliage. I did not have time to walk on the bridge but just seeing the scene from afar convinced me that the view is spectacular.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to exploring New England in the fall. It is one of the most magical times of the year and should definitely be on your bucket list!
