Yahoo LifestyleThe 20 Best New England Spots for a Spectacular Fall Foliage Getaway
- 1/21
The 20 Best New England Spots for a Spectacular Fall Foliage Getaway
April showers bring May flowers, but autumn's colorful fall foliage can't be beat. Soon it'll be time to break out the cable knit sweaters, flannels and pumpkin spice lattes as the temperatures drop and the leaves change into their red, orange and yellow hues. There's so much to love about fall, but the changing of leaves is one of the most breathtaking sites that never seems to lose its magic, no matter how many times you've witnessed it.
For those who love this unbe-leaf-able time of year, we've rounded up the best New England fall foliage places to visit that offer great views of colorful leaves. Plan a scenic road trip and drive up to one of the towns closest to you or plan a full-on fall getaway full of walking tours, apple cider donuts and gorgeous hiking routes through New England nature. Just don't forget to snap a few shots for the 'gram — and when you do, use one of these adorable fall Instagram captions.
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1) Sunderland, Massachusetts
The small town of Sunderland, Massachusetts becomes a kaleidoscope of red, orange and yellow leaves come September and October. Follow Route 116 and pass through the idyllic town to see rolling hills of fall foliage for miles. Don't forget some hot cider or cocoa to enjoy while your take in the view.
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2) Lyme, Connecticut
Head on up to Gillette State Castle Park, a state park spanning 122 acres that straddles the towns of East Haddam and Lyme, Connecticut. The Gillette State Castle, which looks like a typical medieval castle, is open for tours and sits atop an elevated piece of land to give viewers a wide view of the changing leaves.
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3) Lincoln, New Hampshire
Visitors can expect to see the leaves change color in Lincoln, New Hampshire around the earlier end of September and beginning of October. The area is home to numerous hiking and walking trails that make enjoying the vibrant changing colors easy for anyone. You can also head to the Pemigewasset Overlook for an absolutely breathtaking view of the changing foliage on the Osceola Mountains.
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4) Colebrook, Connecticut
Connecticut fall foliage is like no other, and if you're a little late on getting to see some of it, never fear! In Colebrook, the leaves aren't estimated to hit "peak" colors until October 3, so you have more than enough time to schedule a quick drive up to New England to see them.
RELATED: 15 Fun Fall Activities That Make the Most of the Best Season
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5) Millinocket, Maine
You'll see bright reds, oranges and muted yellows in Millinocket, Maine around the end of September until about the second week of October this year. Millinocket is the perfect place for those who want to experience the chilly autumn temperatures with the colorful falling leaves.
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6) Bristol, Rhode Island
Bristol not only offers historic architecture and stunning landscapes, but the local Colt State Park always showcases some of fall's best colors every year.
RELATED: 50 Fall Quotes That Will Get You Excited for Sweater Weather
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7) Providence, Rhode Island
Grab a cozy sweater and hop in the car. The capital city of Rhode Island is the perfect spot for a scenic stroll through Roger Williams Park. You'll love enjoying autumn's best views while taking in the rolling hillsides.
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8) Litchfield, Connecticut
Visit the historic town of Litchfield for some truly beautiful autumn leaves, which often have the very first views of the season of gorgeous foliage.
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9) Kent, Connecticut
This picturesque town of Kent offers some of the best hiking trails through Kent Fall State Park or the nearby Macedonia Brook State Park.
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10) East Haddam, Connecticut
East Haddam is another great town for leaf-peeping during the fall season. Explore the changing leaves along the Connecticut River in Devil's Hopyard State Park where you'll find covered bridges, rocks, streams and more.
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11) Woodstock, Vermont
A beautiful destination that on a perfect day is full of scenic blue skies and vibrant fall leaves. Woodstock is home to multiple walking paths and covered bridges to let visitors truly appreciate the changing nature. It's also home to the New England Falconry where you can hold real falcons.
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12) Stowe, Vermont
Although most people flock to this town in the winter for skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports, you'll want to make the trip to Stowe in September and October to see those gorgeous fall leaves.
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13) Franconia, New Hampshire
Visitors can take an 80-passenger cable car up the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain at the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway for a truly stunning and unique view of rolling mountains full of colorful leaves.
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14) Sugar Hill, New Hampshire
Just a little ways from Franconia is Sugar Hill, which boasts epic views of fall foliage. Book a short weekend stay at the Sugar Hill Inn and enjoy a getaway full of hiking, a trip on the historical Cog Railway, a gondola ride up Wildcat Mountain and a visit to the local Harman's Cheese & Country Store.
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15) Bar Harbor, Maine
Typically from mid-September until mid-October, Bar Harbor is bursting with leaves in all shades of red, orange, yellow and green. With Acadia National Park so close to the city, you can easily go on one of the many walking or hiking trails the park offers to get the full fall foliage experience.
RELATED: 100 Best Fall Instagram Captions for All Your Gorgeous Autumn Photos
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16) Bethel, Maine
Located a little bit away from the New Hampshire border you'll fine Bethel, a small Maine town with a population of a little over 2,500. Leaves start to change color in this area around September 25th and hit peak around the first week of October. It's proximity to New Hampshire makes it easy to see the changing trees in the White Mountains as well.
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17) Portland, Maine
An absolute must-see on your tour of New England fall foliage. Head to the Eastern Promenade Trail in Portland for unmatched views of autumnal hues against the coastal waters.
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18) Concord, Massachusetts
Experience gorgeous views and a bit of history in Concord. Not only can you can a look at some truly gorgeous trees but you can also visit the Minute Man National Park where the first battle of the American Revolutionary War was fought.
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19) Boston, Massachusetts
Just when you thought the city of Boston couldn't get prettier, fall arrived and made it even more gorgeous. Visit the Boston Esplanade, a long skinny park stretch that will take you along the Charles River all the way beyond Back Bay and allows you to fully take advantage of all the nature Boston has to offer come October.
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20) Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts
The quaint city of Shelburne Falls is a great option if you want to skip a super-touristy area this upcoming autumn. Spend the day exploring the small bridges, restaurants, shops, and buildings that make up the small area while enjoying the fall foliage spread out for miles. If the weather is warm enough you can even go river rafting on the Deerfield River.
RELATED: 15 Fun Fall Activities That Make the Most of the Best Season
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