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New Englanders are serious about their fall foliage. September rolls around and hotels are already sold out every weekend with leaf peepers.
The good news is that 2018 is predicted to be one of the most beautiful falls we have had in a decade! The bad news is that most hotels in Northern New England were booked in July for foliage season. So what is a foliage lover to do if they want to go see the leaves in Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine and everything is booked?
Visit Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts! In other words, visit Southern New England for fall foliage! People forget that their fall display is every bit as stunning as their northern neighbors. You can easily book a hotel for an October weekend in August and September, and you will not be disappointed.
Where to go:
Kent, CT
Although Connecticut is not often discussed when people think about fall foliage, most locals agree that this is the single best place to see fall colors. The variety of colors against the blue of the river is what makes this spectacular. Kent Falls State Park has a fairly easy walk/hike for younger kids and has a fantastic view.
For older kids, Macedonia Brook State Park allows for leaf peeping with a more challenging trail.
Stop by Bulls Bridge Rd. in Kent to see a covered bridge and take some of the most amazing pictures!
The Berkshires
Although this is an area and not an exact spot, driving through the Berkshires from CT on route 7 is one of the most scenic fall drives ever. We drove my in-laws up this way in the fall and my
father-in-law said it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Go in the beginning of October and attend the Harvest Festival at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge. Our kids loved learning how to make farmers cheese here.
Saratoga Springs, NY
This is another favorite for our family in the fall. The town itself is decked out for fall with pumpkins, mums, and hay bales. The grounds of Congress Spring Park are a wash in color, and Saratoga State Park becomes an autumnal wonderland.
When you go, time it with the Saratoga International Flavorfeast and enjoy tastes from different restaurants in downtown Saratoga.
Hudson Valley, NY
This is a great place if you live in NYC because it is easily accessible by train.
The leaves rise up in flaming color on either side of the Hudson River. Drive along Route 9, up near West Point, and stop at the lookouts along the way for beautiful vistas.
While you are there, visit the Great Jack o Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson.
CT River Valley
This is the latest foliage in all of New England extending into the beginning of November. Drive along Route 9, and stop in Essex to walk around their charming downtown. You will be in love with the colors and the quintessential small towns up and down Route 9.
Take the Chester/Hadlyme ferry or the Essex steam train to see this beautiful area from a different vantage point.
Final Thoughts:
There are so many beautiful places to see fall foliage in Southern New England! You won’t be disappointed with any of these places. Our family has been to all of them and I can’t recommend them more enthusiastically.
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We have never been to New England and would love to see the fall colors there!
Fantastic suggestions! I’ve lived in Boston the last several years, but we have yet to travel to most of the places you’ve mentioned. Thanks for making such a wonderful resource guide; my husband and I will definitely use it this fall 🙂
Thanks for your kind words.
I’m actually planning a trip to the U.S. in mid October and your tips came in just in time. Thanks for the tips and for sharing those lovely pictures, it’s going to make planning my trip a whole lot easier 🙂
You will love it! It is truly beautiful.
The Northeast in general is so lovely when it comes to Fall colors. I grew up in Pennsylvania and I terribly miss the beautiful foliage, landscapes, and nature.
You should come back for a visit!
Wow!! These places look so awesome, I would love to visit them when I visit New England. Thanks for sharing.
Great Article!! I live in Maryland and although we love our Falls too, it seems like it gets shorter and shorter every year. I might have to take a road trip up there!! I also love Newport RI. I dont know how it fares in the Fall but thats as far north as I have ever been and I loved it!
Newport is beautiful any time of the year, but it wouldn’t be my favorite in the fall for foliage because it’s a city. I love state parks and drives where all you see is foliage.
The leaves turning in fall is one of the most beautiful sights! I have never been to New England, but I can only imagine how much more beautiful it is there compared to Ohio. We’ll have to be sure to plan a trip well in advance one of these years to see it!
There are beautiful fall leaves everywhere. For some reason New England colors seem to be more vibrant. They are a sight to behold.
Wow they are all so so beautiful! I wish we had such beauty to visit here in the UK!
The UK has beauty. So much!!!
What a great list of places to see the fall foliage. We have never seen the changing leaves in Vermont, but it’s quite lovely in New York.
The place looks so dreamy! i would so relax there and have tons of fun!
Good info for when we go to New England – we drive out of NYC so maybe try to stay in the South for the weekend.