Top 10 Stunning Spots for Fall Foliage in New England

Here’s where to savor the season.

As a kid, I measured my summers in corn. Each year, at the beginning of June, my friends and I would ride our bikes to the neighborhood farm in my small New England hometown and watch the tractor methodically place the seedlings into the ground. By July, those seedlings would be hip-high, and by late August, they’d tower over us. That’s how we knew it was once again time for school. The thought of heading back to geometry class wasn’t exactly exciting, but there was one natural phenomenon worth looking forward to: the leaves changing color.

By October, the trees in my backyard in Rhode Island were a picturesque mix of burnt orange, red, brown, magenta, and yellow. And while the years have gone by, those trees still turn the same hues each fall. I never knew how lucky I was to have this view until I realized millions of people flock to New England just to see the fall foliage every year. With a bit of planning and some good luck with the weather, you can experience it, too.

Here are the best New England fall foliage destinations to visit.

Camden, Maine

This former mill town hugging Penobscot Bay is one of Maine’s best spots for fall foliage. Leaf peepers will see some of the most vibrant color in Camden Hills State Park, home of Mount Battie. The half-mile hike up to the summit is beautiful on its own, but the views get even better at the top. On the peak, a 26-foot-tall stone World War I memorial completes the picture-perfect scene. While in Camden, stay at the charming Hartstone Inn and Hideaway, a bed-and-breakfast in the heart of town.

Stowe, Vermont

Come fall, the Green Mountain State goes from verdant to variegated. Located at the base of Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, the town of Stowe prides itself on being the state’s “color capital.” Leaf peepers can hike, mountain bike, or ride horseback through the polychromatic forest and stay at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa, which offers special fall tours by car, boat, or zip line. The best time to see foliage in Stowe is usually during the last week of September and the first two weeks of October. Come November, the town turns into a skier and snowboarder’s paradise.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

This coastal New Hampshire city has a downtown so charming that it could easily double as a Norman Rockwell painting. Visit in late October and take a stroll around Market Square as the trees that line the streets change color. Or leaf peep from the Great Bay or the Cocheco River on an inland excursion from Portsmouth Harbor Cruises. Stay the night at The Hotel Portsmouth, where New England’s old-world style meets modern amenities.

Mohawk Trail Region, Massachusetts

Most of Massachusetts abounds with stunning foliage each fall, but the Mohawk Trail Region may have the best in the state. You can explore it by car along the namesake scenic byway, but for an up-close view of the changing leaves, take a hike through the forest along the Mohican-Mohawk Trail. There are dozens of attractions — from zip lines to museums to historic covered bridges — to take in along the way.

Stop off in picture-postcard Shelburne Falls for a stroll across the Bridge of Flowers, an old trolley viaduct repurposed into a vibrant botanical garden that spans the Deerfield River. For the ultimate New England getaway, stay at the Cavalier Cottage, a pet-friendly bed-and-breakfast.

Newport, Rhode Island

There’s no wrong time to visit Newport, but perhaps the best time is when the leaves change. Come at the end of October to see the iconic Newport Mansions cloaked in color. Ride along Ocean Drive, a glorious coastal stretch that will leave you in awe. Sightseeing this time of year is best done at dawn or dusk to avoid large crowds of leaf peepers. Stay at the Chanler at Cliff Walk, a meticulously restored 19th-century mansion with commanding views of the Atlantic and a perfect location from which to explore.

White Mountains Region, New Hampshire

For a relaxing drive through a kaleidoscope of autumnal color, make your way to Lincoln, New Hampshire in early October. From there, the 35-mile Kancamagus Highway snakes through White Mountain National Forest before ending in Conway, near the Maine border. Take in the amazing view at Hancock Overlook, then stop off at Sabbaday Falls for a brisk hike down and up the scenic stairway.

A drive this idyllic calls for equally idyllic accommodations. Check in at the Kancamagus Swift River Inn, which offers easy access to hiking trails so you can enjoy the views at your leisure.

Old Lyme, Connecticut

In summer, this coastal town is a trendy vacation spot. However, come late October, it becomes a top spot for foliage. One of the best ways to view it is from the water. Rent a kayak from Black Hall Outfitters and explore the Great Island Wildlife Management Area or the Connecticut River Paddlers’ Trail for foliage and potential bald eagle sightings. Afterward, experience the local charm by dining at the nearby Copper Beech Inn, home to a restaurant serving delicious modern American fare.

Montgomery, Vermont

Make your way to this tiny town — the “Covered Bridge Capital of Vermont” — to admire and photograph its six most famous landmarks against a backdrop of stunning fall foliage. Peak foliage occurs here in late September, so plan a fall getaway to Montgomery early in the season. If you want to stay in a boutique hotel resembling a quintessential Vermont mountain chalet, opt for The Inn.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Famed for its cliffside panoramas of the Atlantic and for its first-in-the-nation sunrises, Acadia also has some of the best fall foliage in Maine. Here, the fall colors generally peak around mid-October. Go for a hike up Cadillac Mountain to see a sprawling autumnal scene, or seize the opportunity to camp in the park before its campgrounds close for the winter. For a little more luxury, though, there’s The Claremont Hotel. Its spa is the perfect place to rest and recover after a day on foot or on a bike.

Boston, Massachusetts

Not all fall foliage destinations need to be rural. Leaf peepers can also head to the Hub to see the leaves change on Boston Common, in the Back Bay Fens, and in tree-lined neighborhoods like the South End and Beacon Hill. Foliage around the city gets more colorful throughout the month of October, with its most vivid hues appearing around Halloween.

One benefit of a leaf-peeping trip to the city is that you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation. The Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston often offers fall foliage packages to help guests make the most of their stays.