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New England Fall Foliage

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New England Fall Foliage - An Insider's Planning Guide

This resource will answer all your questions on planning a New England fall foliage trip. You'll discover when and where to go, what to see, and where to stay.

There are many places in the world that experience a magnificent and colorful fall. But nature saves the most dazzling display for the New England fall foliage event.

The climate of New England and the variety of trees makes for a unique combination that ensures a magnificent display of fiery reds, glowing oranges, golden yellows and rich browns that blanket the trees for weeks as fall sweeps north to south in the region.

I've experienced 30 glorious New England fall seasons and it's my favorite time of the year.

Whether you're looking for a local best spot to view the autumn foliage for a day, or traveling to New England from thousands of miles away for the vacation of a lifetime, use this collection of my favorite hints, tips, and resources to plan your trip.

May you have the best leaf peeping trip ever! But start planning for your trip now.

New England Fall Foliage Scenes

When words are not enough...

Sometimes words are not enough to describe an event and photographs or videos can tell the story much better. So I put a video of pictures together - with a few twists - so you can take a fall foliage tour of all six New England states without leaving your chair. Just press play and enjoy.
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When to Visit New England to See Peak Foliage

Watchword for leaf peepers is... flexibility

Below I've compiled data from various sources over the two years 2009 and 2010, so you can see the variance and choose the best times and locations to visit for peak foliage viewing in 2010.

peak-foliage-2009

peak-foliage-2010

In 2010 peak season came a little earlier than in 2009 and swept down to the southern coastal area before end of October.

Exact timing can be difficult to predict because of the many factors that play into the burst of color. The amount of rainfall and range of daytime/nighttime temperatures in August and September all contribute to the speed or slowness of the change, and of course the all important color.

Generally, the first two weeks of October - especially around Columbus Day - sees the peak foliage time in many northern and central areas of New England.

But it helps to have a flexible vacation plan, and be prepared to spend time driving around to find the spots in full color.

And once you're "on the road" use these resources for tracking the autumn foliage season in the Northeast:

Foliage Network Northeast
The Foliage Network starts up around September and gets individual "spotters' to send in reports. During the peak times it updates its reports twice a week. Covers all of New England and New York State.

Connecticut Foliage Information
State of Connecticut official fall foliage center.

Maine Foliage Information
State of Maine's official fall foliage center and provides timely updates - easy to read.

Massachusetts Foliage Information
Fall foliage information on the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism site.

New Hampshire Foliage Information
New Hampshire Government official interactive site. Sorry they keep moving the page so the link may or may not work.

Rhode Island Foliage Information
This is the official Rhode Island web site but you'll have to go digging for fall foliage information.

Vermont Foliage Information
This is the Office of Vermont Tourism web site and they provide timely updates for all of Vermont and lots of fall related information - great site.

Romantic Getaways to New England
The fall is a great time to take a romantic getaway and this resource provides suggestions for destinations and getting some private time together and seeing the foliage.

New England Fall Foliage Tracker
Jim Hyde has developed one of the most eye-catching and information packed fall foliage resources on New England at his New England Times site.

Visiting New England Travel Information
Eric Hurwitz's visiting New England travel site is always a rich source of essays, reviews, resources and ideas for a fall foliage vacation.

And finally, if you'd like to pick up a free trip planning package so you know what else to see and do in the region then grab your New England Vacations Guide here .

And Where is the Fall Foliage Color Now?

The fabulous fall is here:

*** Report Posted on November 18th, 2011 ***

This is the last post for the season as the fall has now left New England.

It was a good foliage season considering New England was hit with tornadoes and a tropical storm which devastated many communities in the western part of the region.

It's been my pleasure to be your host during this season and I look forward to talking to old friends and new again next year. Please do think of me when planning your New England getaways in the winter or just preparing for summer vacations. My web site at http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com is just a click away and has heaps of ideas for planning your visit.

And of course you can use the resources here to plan your next fall foliage trip to New England in 2012 as you can never book too early to see the greatest show in the Northeast.

I'll update this site with the last two years of peak viewing times and locations in the New England states during the winter. Use this as a guide only when planning your dates and tours. At the end of the day Mother Nature decides when the leaves change color and where.

In addition to this lens I also have some free reports you can download from my New England vacations guide site that includes special fall foliage scenic drive locations and comprehensive lodging information covering all areas. The planning guides are free and updated each year to remain current. You can pick up your free downloadable guides from here:

New England Trip Planner Guides

Good foliage planning.

Cliff Calderwood
Squidoo Lensmaster

Top New England Leaf Peeping Locations

My favorite spots to watch the fall foliage

The locals term people who visit for the peak foliage season leaf peepers. I've listed my top locations below in no particular order as they are all superb locations to admire a New England autumn.
  1. Camden Hills State Park, Maine
    Walk to summit of Mount Battie which overlooks one of the most picturesque harbors in Maine and in the fall its stunning.
  2. Killington Peak, Vermont
    Killington is in the Green Mountain National Forest in central Vermont. On fall weekends they run the ski gondola to the top and you have to experience the view to believe it.
  3. Mount Greylock, Massachusetts
    Mount Greylock is in the Berkshires, western Massachusetts, and is Massachusetts highest peak and one of its best views.
  4. West Rattlesnake, New Hampshire
    Hike the West Rattlesnake Trail to the summit for a panoramic view of Squam Lake in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Nice and easy 45-minute walk to the top.
  5. Haystack Mountain State Park, Connecticut
    Located in West Norfolk, Connecticut, a short hike of 15 minutes from the parking lot gets you to a tower for a panoramic view of the countryside and Long Island Sound and The Berkshires.
  6. Sebago Lake State Park, Maine
    You'll find this gem near Naples, in the southern region of Maine. Enjoy the blazing red maples here, and if you've got time take the cruise on nearby Long Lake on the Mississippi paddle boat Songo River Queen.
  7. Town of Peacham, Vermont
    Peacham is deep in the Northeast Kingdom area of Vermont. A friendly Vermont village where time moves slowly and no better place to enjoy a walk through crunchy leaves on a crisp autumn day. Also visit Craftsbury village.
  8. Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Massachusetts
    Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, central Massachusetts is a popular ski resort that runs its chair lifts to the summit in fall. Open views for great foliage vistas. Boston skyline visible on a clear day 60 miles away.
  9. Connecticut River, Connecticut
    Take the combination steam train and riverboat cruise in Essex to experience New England's longest river and the riverbank's colorful display.
  10. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
    Mostly anywhere on the Kancamagus Highway between Lincoln and Conway in White Mountain National Forest. A sweet drive with plenty of photo opportunities.
  11. Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
    For stunning views at a slower pace cycle the popular Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, a paved 11-mile bike path from Adams to Lanesboro in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts.
  12. Bethel, Maine
    Bethel in Maine is a stunningly beautiful mountain village in the White Mountains. Known primarily for its winter resorts, in the fall the color just dazzles and is a favorite with the locals for seeing the foliage.

Vote for Best Places to See Fall Foliage in New England

and add yours...

You've read my favorite locations for leaf peeping, now it's your chance to vote on my list... and add some of your own. Only rule is if you want to add one it must be in New England.

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Killington Peak, Vermont

8 points

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Town of Craftsbury, Vermont

5 points

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Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

5 points

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Sebago Lake State Park, Maine

4 points

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Camel's Hump - Green Mountains, Vermont

4 points

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Route 100, Vermont

4 points

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West Rattlesnake, New Hampshire

3 points

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M/S Mount Washington Cruise, Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

3 points

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Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts

3 points

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Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey, New Hampshire

3 points

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Camden Hills State Park, Maine

2 points

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Mount Greylock, Massachusetts

2 points

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Haystack Mountain State Park, Connecticut

2 points

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Town of Peacham, Vermont

2 points

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Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Massachusetts

2 points

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Connecticut River Ride, Connecticut

2 points

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Baxter State Park, Maine

2 points

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Boston Common and Public Gardens, Massachusetts

2 points

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Moosehead Lake, Maine

2 points

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Bethel, Maine

1 point

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Portland Headlight, Cape Elizabeth, Maine1 point

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Camden (ME)

The dazzling fall colors that cover the rolling hills more...1 point

Forest in Autumn 

My 10 Favorite Things to Do in a New England Fall

It's not easy limiting my list to just fifteen but here goes:
1. Apple Picking at a Local Orchard
Picking apples at one of the region's plentiful orchards makes for a fun day out. Many cater for families. Check the list to orchards at this resource.
2. Going to Fall Festivals and Country Fairs
In the fall New England is teeming with festivals and country fairs - some of the biggest in the country. This site provides details on some of the more popular destinations.
3. Visiting a Pumpkin Patch
Frost on the pumpkin means it's time for a trip to a pumpkin patch for the family and buying the biggest one we can find... for my kids to carve of course. Check out this list.
4. Hiking or Walking in the Forest or Woods
To really experience the fall take a hike in the mountains for widespread views, or get up close and personal with a walk along a forest path. This source provides over 25 suggestions.
5. An Autumn Train Ride Through the Valleys and Hills
When you want to leave the "driving" to somebody else there's no better way to see the foliage than on a train. This selection of rides is sure to please any leaf peeper.
6. Cruising on New England Waterways
Take to a boat on a lake or along the coast offers views you just can't get from a road or a walk. Great photo opportunities as well.
7. Visiting a New England Winery
Touring a New England winery when the grapes are being harvested makes for a fun trip in the fall. This guide covers the main wineries in the region.
8. Walking on a Cape Cod Beach
Strolling along one of endless National Seashore beaches on Cape Cod in the crisp autumn air with the waves crashing and the ocean smells takes some beating.
9. Boston Common and Public Gardens
Walking around Boston when the tourists have all gone and Boston Common and Public Gardens are showing their best foliage. And they're both free. More free things to do in Boston>
10. Moose Watching Tour
Moose watching is popular at all seasons but there's something special about joining a fall trip in the Maine woods on the hunt for these wonderful beasts.

Vote for Your Favorite Thing to Do in a New England Fall

and add yours...

So I've had my say on what I like to do in a New England autumn, and now it's your turn to vote on my list... and add some of your own. Doesn't have to be New England related just keep it seasonal. Go ahead and share your secrets with us!

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Apple Picking at a Local Orchard

7 points

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Visiting a Fall Festival or Country Fair

6 points

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Hiking or Walking in a Forest or Woods

5 points

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A Scenic Drive Through the Countryside

4 points

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Finding and Photographing Covered Bridges

4 points

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Staying at a New England Bed and Breakfast or Country Inn

4 points

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Trekking Out to the Local Pumpkin Patch

3 points

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An Autumn Train Ride Through the Valleys and Hills

3 points

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Crusing Along on New England Rivers, Lakes, and Coastline

3 points

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Browsing at an Antique or Book Fair Popular in the Fall

3 points

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Jumping into a Pile of Freshly-Raked Autumn Leaves

3 points

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Taking a Moose-Watching Tour

3 points

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Visiting a New England Winery

1 point

14

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Cranberry Harvest Celebration

1 point

15

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Walking on a Beach in the Crisp Salty Air

1 point

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Driving In The White Mountains and Stopping For Pancakes at Polly's Pancake Parlor

1 point

Getting to New England for the Fall

The gateway to New England is Boston - it has the most flights and choice. Stay for a few nights and enjoy exploring the foliage in the city before heading out to the backroads in your car rental.

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Where to Stay When Visiting for Autumn Foliage

Hotel or B&B or Inn?

The most important choices for your trip will be where to stay and what type of accommodation. Fall is very popular to visit in New England so book early.
New England Lodging
This resource will help you find the best deals and accommodations for the most popular destinations for fall foliage viewing in New England. Just choose the state you're interested in checking out for specials and then focus in on towns and areas to make your final choices.

Photo Tips to Take Perfect Fall Foliage Pictures

Here are quick pointers from experts to make sure that colorful fall foliage scene you see transfers to pixels or film:
  • Best time to take pictures to get the vibrant colors is around sunrise or after a rain. At these times the air is cleaner. Also at sunrise there are dramatic light changes happening minute-by-minute and the colors are warmer and softer - this is also true at sunset when the rich golden light transforms the landscape.
  • Big rolling hill locations are popular with professionals for New England autumn photo shoots because they let you see for miles. These locations include The Berkshires in Massachusetts, Aroostook County in Maine, and the rural valleys of southern and central Vermont. Pick your own local favorite.
  • A tripod is a good investment for taking landscapes in low light. Camera shake has ruined many an once-in-a-lifetime fall picture. Look for a table-top size you can put in your pocket.
  • Too many large expansive fall views can get "boring" so spice it up a bit and focus on a blazing maple or golden poplar tree, or a stream with leaves floating in it. Small town churches surrounded by foliage also make great shots.
  • In the same vein as the previous tip don't be afraid to get up close and personal with your autumn colors. Even digital cameras have a macro setting so you can focus on just one leaf or a clump of leaves at peak.

New England Vacations and Getaway Video

Why not take a quick break from specific fall foliage information and watch a video about the varied destinations you can visit and activities you can do in New England during the fall or anytime of the year? Just press play and enjoy the show.
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Destinations and Happenings from Around New England

topical and timely news and events

Check out these daily updates for news, events and attraction ideas from the New England region.
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A New England Autumn by Ferenc Mate

A Sentimental Journey

Ferenc lives in Tuscany but is bewitched with New England and the autumn season that explodes each year and peaks sometime in October. In photos and popular verse and prose he takes us on his personal journey through a New England fall.
A New England Autumn: A Sentimental Journey

A New England Autumn: A Sentimental Journey

by: Ferenc Máté

Amazon Price: $8.75 (as of 02/12/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $25.00

I bought this book for all the wrong reasons. I thought I'd gain new vantage points and secret places to view New England fall foliage I'd not discovered yet.

But Ferenc doesn't divulge where the places are he photographs, although if you know New England you can make some good guesses - at least the general area.

But the book has grown on me. It is now a treasure to look at regularly.

Ferenc is also an accomplished photographer with an eye for subject and color. He is well-read on New England authors, and he sprinkles his stunning photos with prose and verse from many of their great works and passages.

This book - released in 2007 - belongs on any bookshelf collection that celebrates nature and the seasons and the best places in the world to view the shows that only a guiding force greater than mere mortals can produce.

The book is a celebration of New England in what is considered her finest days - and they return each year and more or less about the same time.

Invest and enjoy.

My Favorite Resources for Scenic Drives in New England

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My Favorite Guides for Hiking and Walking in the Region

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Guides to Special Interests in the Region

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Helpful Photo Resources

While I'm not a professional photographer by any stretch of my imagination, like most I still want to take memorable fall foliage photos. So I need a lot of help. I've found these books useful...
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More Resources on New England to Check Out:

I just can't stop with adding more resources and articles for you to check out to help plan your trip to New England.
New England Vacation Planning Tips
Vacation planning can be a nightmare for many especially when confronted with the many choices of today. But it doesn't have to be. This quick guide will help you zero in on where to go and stay by answering four simple questions you already know the answer to.
New England Getaways Article
New England is famous for its historic inns, luxurious resorts, and intimate bed and breakfasts. But now add in the varied and startling scenery of sandy beaches, rocky coastlines and the lakes and mountains, and you've the ultimate in choices for romantic getaways. Discover four of the best destinations in this article.
Great Beach of Cape Cod
The Great Beach of Cape Cod is a 40-mile stretch of unbroken barrier beach within the boundary of the Cape Cod National Seashore Park. This article traces the history and significance of this most easterly peninsular in the U.S.
6-Day Tour of History and Museums of Southern New England
New England is popular for its history and living museums. Here is a 6-day tour through some of the best to visit in southern New England.
5 Outstanding Bird-Watching Locations in Maine | New England Birdhouse
Awesome birding locations in Maine describing what you'll see and how to get there. Many locations ideal for fall foliage spotting as well.
The Lighthouses of Cape Cod
Lighthouses are a New England heritage and those on Cape Cod were particularly revered. This article discusses the history of the lighthouses and what you can visit today.

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jazzdog

My name is Cliff Calderwood and I'm a travel writer living in New England. I love the four seasons of New England but especially the fall foliage... more »

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