The Best Fall Foliage in New England

It’s fall in New England, and it’s our time to shine! New England is a beautiful part of the eastern United States, and it is especially stunning during fall foliage. Famous for small charming villages, scenic coastal towns, incredible mountains and landscapes, and excellent food, it’s no surprise that New England is a popular destination for travelers. It’s also one of the best places for leaf peeping in the country because of the plethora of maple, crabapple, dogwood and gum trees.

While there are countless beautiful places to visit in New England during fall, certain towns and cities offer a particularly breathtaking and unique experience. If you’re planning a trip, read on for our guide to the best fall foliage in New England. Be prepared for an unforgettable experience.

Best Fall Foliage in New England

Vermont

Stowe

Stowe, Vermont is one of the most popular Vermont destinations during fall foliage for good reason. Located in Northern Vermont, it is overlooked by Mount Mansfield. The Auto Toll Road is a gorgeous way to see the sweeping views of fall foliage in Stowe. You may have heard of the famous Sound of Music Family and Stowe happens to be the place they escaped to back in the early 1940s. You can stay at the Von Trapp Family Lodge and enjoy the beautiful amenities and outdoor spaces to explore during foliage. The Ben & Jerry’s Factory is also located just outside of Stowe in Waterbury, Vermont. Visit for a tour and a delicious cone of your favorite flavor. Stock up on all your Vermont goodies and souvenirs at Cold Hollow Cider Mill and don’t miss their famous cider donuts! Check out our Restaurant recommendations and if you’re visiting during the winter see 48 Hours in Stowe Vermont.

Woodstock

Woodstock, Vermont is another popular Vermont town during foliage season. You can witness the beauty of the fall colors from local hiking trails, mountain bike trails, the quaint village as a backdrop to historic covered bridges, and driving scenic back roads. Fall Weather in Woodstock, VT is often mild and comfortable during the day and cool in the evenings so it’s best to pack in layers. Enjoy perusing boutiques in the village and dining at delicious farm-to-table restaurants. There are plenty of wonderful hotels and inns to stay at while you are in Woodstock or base your stay at one of these cozy and charming Airbnb’s. There’s so much to do in Woodstock during fall you truly can’t go wrong!

Mad River Valley 

Your New England fall road trip should include a getaway to the Mad River Valley. Known as “The Valley” by locals, this is the perfect destination for those looking to explore the beauty of Vermont fall and enjoy fine dining and craft beer while they are at it. Be sure to check out Lawson’s Finest Brewery, home of the famous Heady Topper and Sip of Sunshine. Mad River is a well-known destination for skiers but you can enjoy their local mountains in the off-season too. Enjoy scenic gondola rides and hikes at Mad River Glen Mountain and Sugarbush Mountain.

There’s also a great mountain biking scene in the Mad River Valley. Check out Madbush Falls in Waitsfield which has an on site bike shop and awesome restaurant. There’s also a 30 foot waterfall behind the property and it’s within biking distance of some great single track trails.

New Hampshire

Mt. Washington

‘Are you looking to take your fall foliage adventure to the next level? Mount Washington New Hampshire is the highest mountain in the northeastern United States and a popular destination for adventure seekers. Opportunity abounds at Mount Washington with everything from hiking to enjoying the fall foliage views via the Cog Railway or a scenic drive up the Mt. Washington Auto Road.

North Conway & Franconia Notch

Enjoy fall foliage in the White Mountains! North Conway is the perfect place to base your New Hampshire fall adventure. Enjoy fall-leaf viewing tours on vintage trains, explore White Mountain National Forest and Franconia Notch State Park. Drive the Kancamangus Highway for some of the most spectacular fall foliage views in New England. Don’t miss the Mount Washington Observatory’s science center. Flume Gorge is a beautiful place to hike, bike, camp, swim and explore! See our North Conway, NH weekend guide for more.

Rhode Island

Newport

For a combination of coastal and scenic fall foliage head to Newport, Rhode Island. Enjoy a leisurely vacation strolling along the Cliff Walk, perusing downtown restaurants and shops, and exploring beaches and nature reserves. Foliage in Newport tends to peak later in the season, and depending on temperatures, could be late October and even early November.

Connecticut

Mystic

Mystic, Connecticut is most well-known for being a famous seaport town with over 600 ships built there. Today Mystic is home to Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport Museum. Travelers flock to Mystic in the fall to see the beauty of the gorgeous coast and the changing leaves. Mystic fall favorites include: B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill— the oldest steam powered cider mill in the country and a scenic Mystic River Cruise. Lastly, fill up on your share of fall pumpkins at Whittle’s Farm and enjoy the beauty of Saltwater Farm Vineyard in the fall.

Massachusetts

Boston North Shore: Newburyport, Rockport

The North Shore is a portion of the Massachusetts seacoast between Boston and New Hampshire. Some towns that are part of the North Shore include Rockport, Newburyport, Salem, Manchester-By-The-Sea, Gloucester, and more. If you are into all things Halloween, Salem is always a fun visit during the fall. There are spooky tours, a Witch Museum, and spectacular fall foliage. Enjoy beautiful oceanside stays, delicious seafood, and fun fall events like Harvest Day in Rockport. Newburyport is another gorgeous seaside town with fun things going on during the fall. It is an excellent place to enjoy fine dining and fun fall-themed events. Some other fun fall events you won’t want to miss in Boston North Shore include hikes, bike rides, breweries, Cider Fall Weekends at Cider Hill Farm, and the Corn Maze at Marini Farm in Ipswich.

Maine

Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is one of the most stunning places to visit during fall foliage in New England. Acadia is the “crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast” with so much to do in every season. Fall is particularly nice in Acadia because it’s a little less crowded than summer and the temperatures are great for exploring and adventuring. Take a hike, bike along the Carriage Roads, enjoy the wildlife and take to the icy Maine ocean via sea kayak. Be sure to explore nearby Bar Harbor’s restaurants and shops. Regardless of how you spend your time in Acadia, it will be enjoyable with the beauty of fall colors.

Camden

Camden, Maine is a picturesque coastal New England village with quaint boutiques, delectable dining, and fun adventures for fall. Enjoy sunset cocktails on the rocky shoreline, delicious meals out in the village, and hike or camp in Camden Hills State Park. Camden is fairly quiet during the fall season but most lodging is still open through October. Peak foliage in Camden is typically in late September-early October.

When Is The Best Time For Fall Foliage in New England

The best time of year to visit New England for fall foliage is generally September and October. Depending on where you are in New England the foliage can peak at different times. Typically the further north you are the earlier the foliage will be and the further south you are the later it will be.

Peak foliage also changes from year to year, but you can expect to see good color in the northern parts of Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire in late September and early October. The best time to see Vermont fall foliage is generally the last week of September or the first two weeks of October. Places that are farther south in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts typically get good color in October and even into November.