10 Best Places to See 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 town 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. Though the thought of heading back to geometry class wasn't exactly exciting, 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 rainbow 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.

Related: 21 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the United States

Camden, Maine

Hugging Penobscot Bay, the town of Camden 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 picure-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. 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 on 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 or first two weeks of October. Come November, the town turns into a skier and snowboarder's paradise.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Tucked away along New Hampshire's shoreline is Portsmouth, a city so charming that it could easily double as a Norman Rockwell painting. Take a stroll along Portsmouth's Market Square as the tree-lined street changes color near the end of October. Or leaf peep from the water on a Portsmouth Harbor Cruises tour on Great Bay or the Cocheco River. Book a night at The Hotel Portsmouth, where New England's old-world style meets modern amenities.

Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts

Most of Massachusetts makes for excellent fall foliage viewing, but there's perhaps nowhere better than the Mohawk Trail. The 63-mile road runs almost from the New York border to the Connecticut River. Travelers can drive the route or experience it on an organized tour. You can even walk portions of it on the Mohican-Mohawk Trail, a designated footpath of which 30 miles are open for hiking. There are dozens of attractions — from zip lines to museums and historic covered bridges — to explore along the way.

Don't miss the Bridge of Flowers, an old trolley bridge in the town of Shelburne Falls, which comes to life with vibrant orange, yellow, and red maple leaves in the fall. Book a stay at the Cavalier Cottage, a pet-friendly bed-and-breakfast, for the ultimate New England getaway.

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. Plan your stay at Newport Harbor Island Resort, a sprawling hotel that sits at the end of a peninsula overlooking Narragansett Bay.

Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

Get behind the wheel and make your way to the Kancamagus Highway for a drive-thru leaf-peeping experience. The popular fall foliage route, bookended by the towns of Lincoln and Conway, snakes through White Mountain National Forest and stretches for 34.5 miles. Driving along it during the first two weeks of October, you'll feel as if you're in a kaleidoscope of autumnal color. It's worth stopping at Sabbaday Falls for an easy foliage hike along the route.

A drive like this calls for equally idyllic accommodations, which is what you'll find at Kancamagus Swift River Inn, offering easy access to hiking trails so you can take in the views at your leisure.

Old Lyme, Connecticut

The best time to see fall foliage in this coastal town is in late October. Though it's a trendy summer vacation destination, Old Lyme is also a top spot for foliage thanks to its larger-than-life trees. 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 Connecticut River Paddlers' Trail for foliage and potential bald eagle sightings. Stay the night at the nearby Copper Beech Inn, home to a restaurant serving delicious New England classics.

Montgomery, Vermont

The fall foliage creates a stunning backdrop for Montgomery's six historic covered bridges. Make your way to this tiny town — the "Covered Bridge Capital of Vermont" — to admire and photograph the landmarks against an autumnal backdrop. Peak foliage here occurs 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

Acadia National Park is another Maine destination with excellent foliage views. Here, the fall colors generally peak around mid-October. Go for a hike up Cadillac Mountain to see a sprawling autumnal scene and seize the last 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 adventuring in the national park.

Boston, Massachusetts

Not all fall foliage destinations have to be rural. Leaf peepers can also head to Boston to see the leaves change in Boston Common, Back Bay Fens, and tree-lined neighborhoods like the North 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 major benefit of planning a leaf-peeping vacation in the city is that you're spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation. Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston is a top-notch choice that often offers fall foliage packages to help guests make the most of their stay.

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