driving tour new england fall foliage

New England Wanderlust

Connecticut , Fall , Maine , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Rhode Island , Vermont  ·  June 7, 2023

The PERFECT New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary: 3, 5, 7, 10 & 12 Day Options! (2024)

There’s a reason why New England is world-famous for fall foliage, and if you’re looking to plan the most amazing New England fall road trip, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve been traveling throughout this region for over 15 years, and have done quite a few fall foliage road trips and even more fall getaways. It took me a while, but I’ve finally put together the perfect itinerary for you based on real experience.

This post details the best places to visit in New England during fall foliage season that are worth the hype, the best times to plan your road trip, and also, which places may not be worth your time. So, you can rest assured that you’re truly seeing the best of the best with my itinerary.

This itinerary is also geared toward first-timers and those looking to find the best foliage spots . If you’ve experienced New England in the fall season before, many of these locations and tips may already be familiar. However, I’ve also sprinkled in some insider tips, so it’s still definitely worth reading 😉

During this trip, prepare to see idyllic countryside landscapes, blazing fall color, beautiful covered bridges, charming towns, general stores, epic overlooks and hiking trails, and so much more. Basically, you’ll get your fill of New England charm right from the start, and it won’t stop until the trip is over. Sound good? Then let’s get started!

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Tips For Planning A Trip To New England In The Fall

There are some important things to know before you begin to plan your perfect New England fall road trip, so let’s get that out of the way first 😉

The first thing you need to know is that foliage will peak in the northern areas first, then peak in the southern areas later . For that reason, I recommend that you start in the north if you can, especially for a longer trip, but it’s not always necessary for shorter trips.

If you’re planning a bucket list 2-week adventure, starting in the north is a good call because peak foliage can begin to diminish quickly, depending on the season and climate patterns. However, if you’re traveling for closer to a week, this won’t be as important.

I go into peak foliage times in each region in a bit, so definitely be sure to read that through, too!

Another important thing to know is that you should anticipate all kinds of weather. I’ve done many fall road trips through this region, and have had warm, sunny days, and trips where it rained almost every single day. I’ll go more into what to pack for this trip at the end of the post to help you prepare, but this is a good thing to be aware of.

Also, book in advance . I can’t stress this enough. Hotels and accommodations book out well in advance for fall foliage season in prime areas, and these prime areas are where you’ll be heading! If possible, begin to book your hotels at least 6 months in advance, but even 8 months is better. For reference, while I began to plan my Vermont fall road trip for the 2023 season, my favorite place to stay in Stowe, VT was fully booked during peak foliage weeks – in FEBRUARY. Yep, February.

Offline Google Maps! I can’t tell you how important this is! Even as recent as a fall 2022 road trip, I barely had service through much of New Hampshire and Vermont. I spent a lot of time just driving around hoping my service would come back, or asking people for directions the old-fashioned way. I usually offline maps, but totally forgot that trip, and it was a harsh reminder that this is a must-do.

Lastly, prepare to pay . Yes, the sad truth is that peak foliage season in New England is expensive, and it won’t be your most budget-friendly trip ever. There are ways to keep costs down, and I’ll go more into that later in the post as well, but generally speaking, this is an expensive time to visit New England – at least, where the foliage is the best 😉

What Is The Best Time To Visit New England For Fall Color?

In a nutshell, the last week of September, or the first week of October. However, it does vary depending on where you’re heading.

As mentioned before, the colors will begin to change in the northern regions first, and then the southern regions will follow later. Most people will choose to visit Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont during their New England fall road trip (and spoiler alert: this is also where I’ll be suggesting you go!), so this timeframe works very well for these areas.

The central part of Vermont will often peak right around Indigenous People’s weekend in October, and for a getaway to popular towns like Stowe and Woodstock, this is the perfect weekend to plan your trip.

Massachusetts often peaks right around Indigenous People’s weekend as well, with southern MA peaking a week or so later.

The greater Boston area, and Connecticut will peak mid-late October, depending on the year.

How Many Days Do You Need In New England In The Fall?

The great thing about New England in the fall is that you can easily do a weekend getaway and still pack a lot in, or you can plan an epic 12 day road trip for the ultimate adventure. And either way, it’s going to be incredibly memorable.

If you’re coming in from a distance, especially if you’re flying in, I would say 10 days is a great option, 12 days is even better, and 7 days is also wonderful. Of course, with 12 days, you’ll be able to see so much or plan extra time in some places. But even with 7 days, you’ll get to see quite a bit.

If you’re local to New England, and don’t have 10 days, 7 days is again a nice sweet spot. 5 days will also work in this case. And, as mentioned, even a weekend away will allow you to experience some of the best this region has to offer in the fall season.

The great thing about the best places for fall foliage are located in some of the smallest states, so you can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.

Best Places To See On A New England Fall Road Trip

While every New England state has something special to offer during fall foliage season, for the purpose of seeing the absolute best spots, I recommend sticking to Maine , Massachusetts , New Hampshire and Vermont . And flying into Boston.

Because these areas offer the most spectacular displays of foliage, most picturesque scenery, tons of things to do, and they’re all reasonable close to one another, allowing you to maximize your time.

Here’s why I don’t necessarily recommend states like Connecticut or Rhode Island if you have less than 10 days – they’re further away from the best places to see in the fall.

I truly love every single New England state, and I do really enjoy Connecticut in the fall. However, it’s so far west that you’ll spend more time driving to get there, and possibly forgoing some really spectacular places in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

If you have 10 days or more for a New England fall road trip, then I would highly suggest you consider adding in the Litchfield Hills regions of Connecticut , which you’ll see I included in my itinerary. It’s also very close to The Berkshires region, so you can combine it with that part of the trip, depending on how much time you have. However, with less than 10 days, I personally don’t feel like it’s worth it. Especially for first-timers.

If you’ve already seen some of the places I’m recommending in this post, then definitely try to swing over to Connecticut and experience a new area during the fall!

If you have less than 10 days, you may even want to focus all your time on Vermont and New Hampshire. The reason for this is because some of the best places for fall foliage in Maine are further north. I think places like Acadia National Park are very worth seeing (and you’ll see I’ve incorporated it into some of my itineraries!). However, if you prefer a slower pace and less driving, Vermont and New Hampshire are the absolute best places to see .

Some Things To Know About My Itineraries

They all begin in Boston , assuming that’s where most people will fly into if visiting from a distance. If you fly into a different airport, or are driving in, you can easily adjust your plans as needed.

They’re done in true road trip style , meaning there’s a lot of driving, and mostly 1-night stays. There are some places I recommend 2 nights in, but you can adjust this based on your preferences. If you want to stay longer in one place, definitely go for it!

I give you options! Of course, I stand by all my suggestions ☺️ However, I know everyone has different travel styles and speeds, so I encourage you to to tailor this to what you think you’ll enjoy the most. I’ve given you suggestions on how to adjust the itinerary based on your preferences.

10 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary From Boston

Okay, let’s get into my perfect New England fall road trip itinerary options! We’re beginning with my suggestions for an incredible 10 day adventure.

10 Day Road Trip Overview

Day 1 : Arrival In Boston Day 2 : Explore Boston Or Take A Day Trip To Salem Day 3-4 : Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park + An Optional Stop In Salem Day 5 : Jackson, NH Day 6 : Franconia, NH (Driving The Famous Kancamagus Highway To Get There!) Days 7-8 : Stowe & Woodstock, VT Day 9 : The Berkshires and/or Litchfield, CT Day 10 : Back To Boston + A Stop In Sturbridge, MA or Litchfield, CT

Breakdown Of The 10 Day Itinerary Option

Day 1: Arrival In Boston Take this time to arrive, get settled, and maybe take in a few sites around the city! Have some time on your first night here? Jump down to Day 2 for some suggestions on what to do!

Where To Stay In Boston:

• Luxury : The Langham
• Splurge : Boston Harbor Hotel
• Moderate : Revere Boston Common

Pro Tip On Fall Foliage In Boston : Foliage peaks later than the rest of the places listed in this itinerary – usually mid-late October. So while you probably won’t see peak foliage in Boston if you plan your trip for peak foliage in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, it may catch a glimpse of it on your back if you’re planning a longer trip! Or, you can leave the airport to immediately begin your drive to Maine, and plan to stay a night or two in Boston before you have to fly out.

Day 2: Explore Boston

Boston during the fall season has so much to see and do, but here are some highlights to consider if it’s your first visit:

• Public Gardens (very scenic garden area with a beautiful pond and pedestrian bridge (also makes for lovely photos!). This is a good spot for fall foliage in the city, too.
• Newbury Street for shopping
• The North End for history and food
• Beacon Hill for charming cobblestoned streets at the famous Acorn Street
• Take a food tour if it works with your schedule. There’s incredible food to be had in Boston, and taking a tour with a local expert is a great way to sample lots of delicious things in a short amount of time!

Click here to check out my post on the best Boston food tours!

Day 2: Optional Day Trip To Salem

If you would prefer to take a day trip to Salem, rather than stopping on your way to Acadia National Park, this is a great option! And really, there’s no right or wrong choice here – it just comes down to which you prefer.

Salem is an easy day trip from Boston without a car because of this convenient ferry! Click here to check out the Boston → Salem Ferry!

Psst! I have some helpful guides including planning the perfect Salem, MA day trip , and the best time to visit Salem if you need more information 😉

Day 3: Drive To Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is one of the best things to do in New England year-round, so this is definitely a must if you’ve never been. It also offers some really wonderful foliage, and fall is my personal favorite season to visit for this reason.

This drive from Boston to Bar Harbor takes about 5 hours without stops, which is why I usually suggest you make a pitstop to break up your journey. I actually have some posts on stops you can make along the drive, so be sure to check those out below.

But since Salem is really the ultimate fall destination in Massachusetts, I suggest you pick that as a stop on the drive 🙂

Bar Harbor is the town adjacent to Acadia National Park , and where most people will choose to stay when visiting. Once you arrive, take some time to get settled, and then head out into downtown Bar Harbor to explore this charming seaside town, visit the shops, and grab a great dinner!

Where To Stay In Bar Harbor:

• Bayview Hotel . An oceanfront boutique hotel with awesome views. Perfect for a splurge on your trip!
• Bar Harbor Villager Motel . Clean, updated and spacious. Also, walkable to everything in town.
• Little Fig Hotel . A cute, modern boutique hotel walkable to town.

Here are some posts that will help you further plan this portion of your trip:

• Best Stops To Make Driving Boston To Portland, Maine
• Best Stops To Make Driving Portland to Acadia National Park
• The Perfect Acadia National Park Itinerary (read this one for more information on Bar Harbor and things to do!)
• Best Time To Visit Acadia National Park

Day 4: Explore Acadia National Park

Even in just 1 day, you can visit some of the best places in the park, and also some really wonderful fall foliage spots. Here how I suggest you plan your day:

If you’re up for it , starting your day with sunrise at the top of Cadillac Mountain is always incredible! It’s one of the first places in the U.S. to see the sunrise, depending on the time of year, and starting October 7 through March, it’s the very first spot in the country to see the sun come up. This will be great for fall foliage, too. You can also choose to do this the following morning before leaving.

Next, head to the Jesup Path scenic walk , which is especially beautiful in the fall season.

Then, park at the Sand Beach parking lot , and walk the Ocean Path for incredible views . This is 1-mile each way, but offers some of the most iconic views in the park, including the Otter Cliffs and Thunder Hole. It’s also flat and easy, making it very relaxing. Have your camera ready for this one!

For a more advanced hike with awesome foliage views, you can do the Beehive Trail from Sand Beach lot, too.

Continue on Park Loop Road to Jordan Pond House for lunch , and enjoy the views of the pond and mountains. You can also choose to walk around the pond if you have time after lunch.

For more foliage views, hike the Bubble Rock Trail after lunch.

Day 5: Drive To Jackson, NH + Spend The Night

Without stops, this drive takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes.

One stop I suggest making on the way if you enjoy local craft beer is the Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford , ME . It’s got a very cool outdoor setting, and they have fantastic craft beer.

I recommend spending the night in Jackson because it’s a longer drive from Bar Harbor, and there are some fun things to do in the area. Also, there’s a very scenic drive called The Kancamagus Highway that’s stunning in the fall season with foliage, and I want to make sure you have time to drive it. But more on that in Day 6 🙂

Here are some fun fall things to check out in Jackson:

• The Cog : This mountain railroad takes you to the summit of Mount Washington, the tallest peak in New England! It’s about 45 minutes from Jackson, but you’ll drive through Crawford Notch State Park , which is very scenic, and The Cog is simply incredible in the fall season. If you leave Bar Harbor early enough and have time to do this, I highly recommend it!
• Honeymoon Covered Bridge & Flossie’s General Store
• Glen Ellis Falls
• The cute town of North Conway

Where To Stay In Jackson:

• Christmas Farm Inn (this place is super cozy!)
• The Inn At Thorn Hill & Spa

Option To Stay In North Conway : North Conway is only about 12-15 minutes from Jackson, so you can really stay in either. I think Jackson has better hotel options, and it’s a bit closer to The Cog, which is why I suggested you stay there. But either town works for your New England fall road trip!

Here are some fun things to check out in North Conway if you choose to visit:

• Cathedral Ledge Distillery
• Ledge Brewing Company (between North Conway and Jackson, technically)
• The cute downtown area and Zeb’s General Store (one of my all-time favorite general stores!)
• North Conway Scenic Railroad

Day 6 – Drive The Kancamagus Highway To Franconia, NH

The Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) is a scenic drive that’s regarded as one of the best drives for fall foliage, so this is something you’ll definitely want to do on your New England fall road trip. It connects the towns of Woodstock and Conway, so you can easily start this drive just a few minutes from Jackson or North Conway.

For this day, I suggest you get up early to make sure you have time to explore Franconia Notch State Park after driving The Kanc.

Tips For Driving The Kanc:

• Remember earlier in the post when I said you’ll lose cell service in much of New Hampshire and Vermont? Well, this is one of those drives where there’s no service, so offline your maps before starting!
• There are no bathrooms or gas stations on the drive, so plan accordingly.
• The Kanc takes about 45 minutes one-way without stops, but you’ll want to budget about 2 hours to make some stops at the overlooks.
• During the fall season, especially on weekends, it’s possible traffic could slow down as people try to pull in and out of the parking areas. Plan for some slower traffic.

Pro Tip : Before hopping onto The Kanc, there’s a great little place called Cheese Louise just before the entrance to The Kanc, and this is an awesome place to grab some food before the drive! Especially on a chilly, fall day, a grilled cheese sandwich totally hits the spot, right? 😍

Stops To Make On The Kanc (in order from Conway to Woodstock):

• Albany Covered Bridge
• Rocky Gorge Scenic Area (parking can be found at 44.0016667175862, -71.27716637107925)
• Sabbaday Falls
• Sugar Hill Scenic Overlook
• CL Graham Wangan Overlook
• Hancock Overlook (this one is right at the famous hairpin turn – can’t miss it!)
• Lincoln Woods Trailhead – Scenic suspension bridge over the river that’s not far from the parking lot.

🍁 Before hopping on The Kanc, consider downloading this great audio tour to enhance your drive – Click here to check out this audio tour!

There are also tons of hiking trails along The Kanc , so if you’re looking to squeeze in a hike on the drive, this is something to consider. But if you don’t have extra time, I would suggest moving on to Franconia Notch State Park, and only doing hikes along The Kanc if you’re able to add an extra day in.

After The Kanc, your next stop is Franconia Notch State Park . And this is where most of the top things to do are , especially in the fall season .

Flume Gorge is one thing I recommend you do if you can only pick one attraction. Flume Gorge is a very fun 2-mile loop trail that takes you over 2 covered bridges, and through the granite gorge. Along the trail, you’ll have some really gorgeous spots to admire the fall foliage, too.

Not sure if this is right for your itinerary? Click here to check out my detailed post in if Flume Gorge is worth visiting , and everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit.

Pro Tip: Buy your Flume Gorge ticket online in advance to save a few bucks! On weekends in the fall season, it’s also possible that certain time slots will sell out. This is another reason to book in advance.

If you have time to explore more of Franconia Notch State Park, I also recommend these activities:

• Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
• Artist Bluff Trail (famous spot that ends overlooking Echo Lake – amazing during foliage season!)
• The views at Echo Lake Beach

Where To Stay Near Franconia:

• Sugar Hill Inn – 15 mins from Franconia Notch Park, and is rated as the best B&B in New Hampshire!
• Riverwalk Resort – 5-7 mins from the top attractions in Franconia.
• Woodstock Inn & Brewery – Cozy inn with a brewery.

Here are some posts to help you plan this portion of your trip:

• Fun Things To Do In Franconia, NH
• Fun Things To Do In Littleton, NH
• Fun Things To Do In Lincoln, NH
• Where To Stay In New Hampshire In The Fall
• Where To Stay In The White Mountains: Guide To The Towns

Day 7 – Drive To Stowe Or Woodstock, VT

Begin your day in New Hampshire with a country breakfast at Polly’s Pancake Parlor! This place is famous in New England, and truly has some of the most amazing pancakes I’ve ever had. It does get busy in the fall season, but man, it’s so worth it.

Then, on to Vermont you go! For the next 2 nights, you’ll want to choose between Stowe and Woodstock, VT as your home base. These towns are the absolute best to visit in Vermont during a New England fall road trip because of foliage views and small-town charm. They’re only 1 hour and 15 minutes from each other, so, you can choose where you want to stay, and then visit the other as a day trip.

The drive to both Stowe and Woodstock is 1 hour and 30 minutes from Franconia , and since this is a shorter drive, you can make some stops along the way, or drive straight there. Stowe and Woodstock both have a lot to do, even though they’re small towns, so it’s beneficial to drive straight there and make sure you have plenty of time to explore.

If you choose to stay in Woodstock, I suggest stopping at the King Arthur Baking Company campus on your way because it’s pretty much on the direct route. It’s a really fun place with fresh baked goods and breads, a café, and a fun shop where you can stock up on pantry staples and baking mixes.

Do I recommend you stay in Stowe or Woodstock? I honestly love both equally! There’s no wrong choice here.

The biggest difference between the two is that Woodstock feels a bit more upscale, and Stowe definitely has a very casual feel to it. But the difference is minor. Both have charming covered bridges, great shops, amazing restaurants, a quaint town feel, and plenty of things to do.

Where To Stay In Stowe :

• The Green Mountain Inn . It’s located right on Main Street, so you can walk to a lot of places.
• Spruce Peak Resort . Perfect for those wanting a resort feel, and it’s right off the scenic Smugglers Notch drive. There are rooms with gorgeous mountain views here, too.

Where To Stay In Woodstock :

• The Woodstock Inn & Resort . It’s referred to as Vermont’s most beautiful address, and it’s in the heart of Woodstock’s village. This is a luxury hotel that’s worth it!
• 506 Inn On The River . Located just outside of the village, this is a modern and cozy inn, well … right on the river 😉

Here are some posts that will help you plan your time in Stowe and Woodstock:

• Best Things To Do In Stowe
• Best Things To Do In Woodstock

Day 8 – Explore Stowe & Woodstock, VT

Depending on where you stay, you’ll want to take a day trip to the other town this day. Below are breakdowns of the can’t miss things to do in each town .

Best Things To Do In Stowe :

• Explore the cute shops along Main Street (don’t skip the Stowe Mercantile!)
• Drive Smugglers Notch for amazing foliage.
• Ride the gondola to the top of Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont (this is epic during the fall season!). This is located at the midway point along the Smugglers Notch drive.
• Visit Emily’s Covered Bridge, and learn about it’s spooky history.
• Sample the hard cider at Stowe Cider.
• Sip on craft brews at Alchemist Brewing (one of my favorites in New England).

Best Things To Do In Woodstock:

• Stroll through the charming downtown shops and eateries.
• Pop into Mon Vert Café for a warm drink.
• Snap a photo with Middle Covered Bridge in town.
• Drive over Taftsville Covered Bridge to visit Sugarbush Farms. You’ll be able to sample homemade cheese and fresh maple syrup here, and also take in amazing foliage views.
• Visit Billings Farm & Museum.
• Drive over to Sleepy Hollow Farm to see the famous farm landscape spot.

Day 9 – Drive To The Berkshires Or Litchfield, CT

Next up – The Berkshires or Connecticut! This choice is yours entirely. Let’s start with the option to drive to The Berkshires.

The Berkshires is an iconic region in Massachusetts that’s a really great one to visit for fall foliage. Here, you’ll find cute towns, loads of fall color, lots of scenic hikes and walks, and awesome dining options.

Depending on which town in Vermont you’re coming from, the northern region of The Berkshires area will be just over 2 hours from Woodstock, or just over 3 hours from Stowe .

The drive from either town to The Berkshires will pass through Rockingham, VT, and you’ll definitely want to stop here to visit the Vermont Country Store! There’s also the very cute Kissing Covered Bridge here that makes for a fun photo.

Once you arrive in The Berkshires, I suggest you start in Williamstown, and drive the scenic Route 7 down to Sheffield. This drive without stops takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, but I would budget at least a few hours to make stops and enjoy some other fun activities. This route packs a lot into a perfect fall day, without a lot of driving.

During this drive, these are the best stops to make:

• The Mount Greylock Auto Road to the highest peak in Massachusetts (absolutely amazing in the fall season!).
• Make a detour off Route 7 to Bartlett’s Orchard in Richmond for the perfect fall farm experience.
• Continue with your short detour to Hilltop Orchards, which is 5 minutes from Bartlett’s, and where you can sip on artisanal craft ciders!
• Walk through the charming town of Lenox.
• Stroll through quaint Stockbridge, too!
• Snap photos with the covered bridge in Sheffield.

Where To Stay In The Berkshires:

• The Red Lion Inn . A historic and famous inn in the heart of Stockbridge.
• The Dewey . A cozy, traditional New England B&B in Lenox.

The other option is to drive to Litchfield, CT , which is south of The Berkshires. It’s a longer drive from Vermont, but you could also turn this into a fun road trip day by driving the same Route 7 itinerary as mentioned above through The Berkshires, and then continue on to the Litchfield Hills. I would probably only choose this option if you wanted to take your time exploring the awesome stops along Route 7 in The Berkshires, arrive in CT in the evening, and then explore this region of CT the next morning before your drive back to Boston.

How To Spend Your Time In Litchfield Hill, CT:

Since you’re likely coming down through the western border of Massachusetts, I would start in Kent, and work your way east. You probably won’t have time to do everything on this list, but pick and choose based on your preferences and schedule.

• Explore the cute town of Kent, and then visit Kent Falls State Park if you have time.
• Continue to follow Route 7 to New Milford. The drive is very scenic!
• Stop in New Milford to enjoy the quaint town, and then visit Lover’s Leap Bridge.
• Head over to Washington, and then continue on to Mount Tom State Park for awesome foliage.
• End in the charming town of Litchfield.

Where To Stay In The Litchfield Hills : Litchfield Inn . Refined and still very cozy, and one of the best in the area!

Should I do The Berkshires or Litchfield, CT? Personally, I would stay stick to The Berkshires since this will allow you a more relaxed itinerary. There’s so much to do, and plenty of foliage scenery to take in. If you do the Route 7 drive quicker than you were anticipating, you could always shoot down to the Litchfield Hills for an impromptu adventure 🙂

I would choose to add on the Litchfield Hills if you’re feeling adventurous, and really want to see as much of New England as possible.

Day 10 – Drive Back To Boston, Stopping In Sturbridge or Litchfield On The Way

If you have time to explore another cute town on your drive back to Boston, I would suggest either tacking on a quick drive through the Litchfield Hills, CT if you didn’t already, or a stop in Sturbridge, MA. Sturbridge is more on the way to Boston, and offers beautiful foliage.

How to spend your time in Sturbridge, MA :

• Visit Old Sturbridge Village for all the cozy fall New England vibes (this is a must if you have time!).
• Pop into Saw Dust Coffee & Dessert Bar for lunch and treats.
• Sip on craft beer at Altruist Brewing Company.

And of course, as mentioned in the previous day’s itinerary, the Litchfield Hills region has plenty to offer for foliage views, small towns, and beautiful scenery.

But, if you have a flight to catch, then don’t risk it, and head straight to the airport! 🙂

Optional Adjustments For The 10 Day Itinerary:

• You can easily cut out Acadia National Park, and head straight to New Hampshire, and choose to spend more time there. Acadia is out of the way, and further north, so I know it doesn’t suit everyone’s plans. This would allow you time to definitely ride The Cog, and have a more relaxed schedule.
• If you would rather have more time in Vermont, you can skip The Berkshires/CT. This is personal preference! Both areas are amazing for fall foliage, but nothing is quite like Vermont in the fall. This would allow you time to move at a slower pace. If you decide to skip The Berkshires/CT and stay in Vermont for a third night, see my 12 day itinerary, option 3 for suggestions on what to do!

12 Day Road Trip Itinerary Option

If you have 12 days (or more!), this is truly awesome. I would follow my 10 day itinerary, and then take one of these suggestions:

Option 1 : Add in 1 day to see Litchfield, CT after The Berkshires . Since you have the extra time, you can definitely see the Litchfield Hills region of Connecticut with this itinerary! I would recommend this option for those who really want to see as much of New England as possible, and make all the rounds.

Option 2 : Add an extra day to Littleton/Franconia. This region has so many great hikes and places to spot fall foliage. It’s well worth adding a day to this part of the trip if you have the extra time. This would allow you a half day to ride The Cog, and takes more scenic walks and hikes to enjoy the fall foliage.

Option 3 : Add an extra day to Vermont. On your extra day, you can take a day trip to Burlington and Shelburne, or spend the day driving the back roads .

Burlington & Shelburne, Vermont things to check out :

• First, the drive from both Stowe and Woodstock to Burlington on I-89 is beautiful in the fall. You’ll see lots of mountains ablaze with fall color.
• In Burlington, check out the waterfront area, and walk along Lake Champlain.
• Burlington also has an awesome craft brewery scene, and Foam Brewers is especially great.
• The American Flatbread restaurant in Burlington is a cozy place to stop for lunch.
• Church Street Marketplace in Burlington is a must!
• In Shelburne, you’ll want to spend most of your time walking around Shelburne Farms. This is a historic farm once owned by the Vanderbilt family, and has beautiful hiking trails, and you can also sample their homemade cheeses. Definitely do the Farm Trail, which takes you to an epic view of Lake Champlain.

Vermont back roads driving itinerary near Stowe :

This drive is easier to do from Stowe, but it’s also doable from Woodstock if you’re okay with a longer day. This itinerary is is order based on departing from Stowe, but you can also adjust based on which town you’re coming from 🙂

• The covered bridges in Montgomery, including Montgomery covered bridge (which is actually in Waterville), and Longley Covered Bridge.
• Barn Owl Bistro is a hidden gem nearby that’s a great little pitstop.
• The town of Cabot and the nearby AM Foster Covered Bridge are really beautiful areas to visit full of rustic Vermont charm.
• Peacham is a very small town with iconic landscapes and scenery.
• Bogie Farm in East Ryegate is a landscape that worthy of a postcard, and is especially beautiful in the fall.
• The drive between all these destinations will also be lovely and scenic, and packed with fall color.

1 Week (7 Day) New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

If you have 7 days, welcome to your itinerary! This option is the same as the 10 day option, but eliminates Acadia National Park to save time.

7 Day Road Trip Overview

Day 1 : Arrival In Boston Day 2 : Drive To Jackson, NH + A Stop In Salem, MA Day 3 : Drive To Franconia Along The Kancamagus Highway Days 4-5 : Drive To Stowe or Woodstock, VT + Stay 2 Nights Day 6 : The Berkshires Day 7 : Return To Boston

For this itinerary, you can also eliminate The Berkshires, and stay an extra night in Jackson or Franconia.

5 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

With 5 days, you can go in a few different directions, and below, I break down my suggested options, and the benefits of each. This way, you can tailor it to your preferences.

Option 1 : Spend two nights in Boston with a day trip to Salem, then spend 3 nights in Stowe/Woodstock, VT.

Option 1 is perfect if you prefer staying in one place longer. This itinerary will allow you to stay in the same hotel in Boston for 2 nights, and take an easy day trip to Salem for the perfect fall day of Halloween fun and history! Then you can pick up your rental car (if you haven’t already), and drive to Stowe or Woodstock, VT for 3 days to explore both towns.

With 3 days in Vermont, you can easily see both Stowe and Woodstock, and maybe even plan a day of driving around the back roads. See the 12-day itinerary option for my suggestions on driving the back roads around Vermont during foliage season .

Option 2 : Spend 1 night in Boston, stop in Salem on your way to Franconia and spend 2 nights in Franconia. Then spend 2 nights in Stowe/Woodstock, VT, and then drive back to Boston.

Option 2 is perfect for those who still want to see as much as possible in 5 days. You’ll get to see a bit of New Hampshire and Vermont, while making a stop in Salem.

Note: For this itinerary, I would drive from Salem to Conway, and the drive The Kancamagus Highway on your way to Franconia so you get to experience the fall foliage along this route. But this itinerary option eliminates the stay in Jackson, as there are more fall things to do in Franconia.

Option 3 : Spend 1 night in Boston, 1 night in Salem, 3 nights in Stowe/Woodstock, VT, and then back to Boston.

Option 3 is perfect for those who really want to spend some time in Salem. This itinerary allows you to spend a whole night in Salem to really enjoy all the Halloween festivities and tours, and then you can spend 3 beautiful days in Vermont.

I excluded New Hampshire from this option because I felt like it would be too much to cram in when adding 1 night in Salem. But if you were feeling adventurous (I’ve been there, I get it! 😂), you can drive to Franconia, NH for 1 night after Salem, and then do 2 nights in Vermont instead of 3.

3 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

3 days in New England is the perfect long weekend getaway!

With 3 days, I suggest you stay in one location , and add day trips . If you’re flying into Boston, you can stay 1 night in Boston if needed, and then drive to Vermont or New Hampshire for 2 nights. If you’re not flying in, you can spend all 3 nights in Vermont or New Hampshire.

Stowe is very close to New Hampshire, and it’s only about 1.5 hours from Franconia. You can easily do a day trip from Stowe to New Hampshire, or vice versa, for this type of itinerary.

It would also be easy to work in a stop in Salem, MA, either on your way in or out of Boston.

Weekend New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

For a weekend getaway in New England (essentially, 2 days), I would also recommend you stay in one place and take a day trip. For this itinerary, I almost always suggest Stowe or Woodstock. You can stay in either town, and spend 1 day exploring that town, and then the next day, exploring the other as a day trip.

Vermont Fall Road Trip Itinerary

Looking to just see Vermont? Excellent choice. It’s my personal favorite fall destination in New England (even though it’s a very close call 😉)

For a Vermont fall road trip , you can really do it in anywhere from 5-7 days. Of course, more is better to really see everything, but generally speaking, you can actually make it happen in a week or less. A popular route to take in Vermont is Route 100 , which runs the entire length of state, right through the middle. This allows you opportunities to veer off and see some other places as well.

For the purpose of this itinerary, I’m going to provide a week-long (7 day) itinerary, and you can adjust it to your own plans.

Day 1 : Bennington & Manchester Day 2 : Drive to Woodstock, stopping in Grafton and Weston on the way Day 3 : Spend the day in Woodstock Day 4 : Drive to Stowe, stopping in Montpelier if you’d like Day 5 : Spend the day in Stowe Day 6 : Staying in Stowe, take a day trip to Burlington & Shelburne Day 7 : Drive back

Day 1 Suggestions : Bennington and Manchester are pretty close to each other, so you can easily do both in one afternoon. There are some wonderful covered bridges in the area to see, and here are some more things to check out:

• The Bennington Battle Monument for fall foliage scenery.
• Downtown Bennington for shopping on Main Street (small, but cute!).
• Apple Barn is a few minutes from Main Street for a fun country store and bakery.
• Zoe’s in Manchester for lunch (great sandwiches!)
• Downtown Manchester for shopping in a cute town (don’t skip Northshire!)

Day 2 Suggestions : Grafton is a very small town, but it’s quintessential Vermont. It has a cute little cheese shop, and a nice little market/cafe called MKT Grafton, which is perfect for a quick bite. Also, swing by Weston to visit the Vermont Country Store.

For the rest of the itinerary, refer to the 10 day option for details 🙂

Click here to check out my post on a Vermont covered bridges road trip!

New Hampshire Fall Road Trip Itinerary

My second favorite fall foliage destination! Here’s my suggested itinerary for a New Hampshire-only fall road trip.

To just see New Hampshire , you can also spend anywhere from 4-7 days.

With 4 days, you can easily just stick to the White Mountains region, but I’m here to give you all my tips on even more awesome places to see in the fall season in New Hampshire ☺️ So, this itinerary will be 7 full days , but adjust as you need to!

Day 1 : Portsmouth Day 2 : Lake Winnipesaukee Days 3-4 : Littleton/Franconia Days 5-6 : North Conway/Jackson Day 7 : Drive back

Connecticut Fall Road Trip Itinerary Option

If you’ve seen all the “hot spots” around Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, and you’re looking to explore a new part of New England in the fall, Connecticut should be next on your list!

As mentioned, my favorite place in Connecticut for fall foliage is the Litchfield Hills region. I always like to share that this region was what inspired Amy Sherman-Palladino’s creation of Stars Hollow, so Gilmore Girls fans will especially love this area.

The Litchfield Hills is very compact, and you can easily do a lot in a weekend here. However, 3-4 nights will allow you a nice, leisurely pace to explore all the amazing things this region has to offer in the fall.

The best towns to stay in in the Litchfield Hills region are:

• New Milford
• Washington/Washington Depot

Of all these towns, Litchfield probably has the most options when it comes to shopping and dining, however, they’re all very quaint and charming. I would pick whichever one has the best hotel for your plans.

If you have extra time for your Connecticut fall road trip, you can tack on places like Canaan to the north of the Litchfield Hills region, drive to Glastonbury, and then through the River Valley region, which includes the adorable towns of Chester and Essex. You can also choose to end your road trip in Mystic.

What To Pack For A New England Fall Road Trip

I always start every New England packing guide with the same thing, and this post is no different: begin to check the weather reports 5 days out from your trip to get an idea of what the weather will be like . And keep checking it until the day before you leave .

This is because weather in New England can change quickly, especially in the fall season. It’s not quite as dramatic as say … Iceland 😉 But, it can change and vary a bit. Generally speaking, fall will be chilly and a bit rainy. However, you could also have warm and sunny days. For longer trips, you’ll want to pack for both scenarios.

Here are some things I recommend you consider when packing for a fall road trip through New England:

Waterproof hiking boots . If you plan to do any hiking, or even nature walks, you’ll want a pair of sturdy boots that are waterproof. Even some attractions like Flume Gorge and other waterfalls in New Hampshire are pretty wet, so this is a good idea to stay dry and comfortable. I really like the Eddie Bauer K-6 Hiking boots. Find the women’s version here and the men’s version here . They’re a much less expensive version of the famous Danner hiking boots featured in the movie Wild !

Good hiking socks to keep your feet dry . An awesome brand to support is Tarn Tough Socks , which is a Vermont-based company. They’re an investment, but they’re also the best, and come with a lifetime guarantee!

Waterproof rain jacket to stay dry if it rains . You won’t want to let the rain slow you down, especially if there’s a lot in the forecast! So definitely pack one that’s completely water proof ( not water-resistant).

Layers . The best way to dress in the fall season is with layers. Under your rain gear, flannels, sweaters, and lightweight t-shirts (both short-sleeved or long-sleeved) work great.

Jeans . These work really well for most days. Fall in New England is pretty casual.

Hiking clothing . For any hikes you want to do, pack whatever clothes you typically wear and feel comfortable in 🙂

Comfortable sneakers or boots . When it’s not raining, a good pair of comfortable sneakers or cute boots work perfectly, depending on your plans. Since I drive from New York, I don’t usually have to worry too much about weight limits on a suitcase, so I’ll throw a pair of sneakers, flat boots/booties, and my hiking boots into the car. This is usually all I ever need.

Dinner outfits . New England is home to incredible places for farm-to-table dining, some of which are a bit more fancy. If you plan to go out for a nice dinner or two, you’ll want to pack accordingly. New England isn’t super fancy, so women can do a casual dress/jeans and a nice top with booties in the fall, and men can easily do dark-wash jeans and a button down top.

Reusable water bottle . You’ll need to stay hydrated while out exploring!

Day pack . If you plan to do any hiking, you’ll want to bring a day pack with you to carry your essentials. If you don’t plan to do any hikes, you can probably skip this, as you can keep most everything you need in your car or room.

Does It Snow In New England In The Fall?

Here’s the thing – it might if you’re up in the mountains. However, it doesn’t usually snow during peak foliage times. Usually, New England gets its first snow of the year later in October or early November. So, I wouldn’t worry about packing any snow gear or winter boots for your fall road trip.

How Do To A New England Fall Trip On A Budget

So, first thing’s first, you’ll unfortunately have to rethink what “budget” means in New England, especially during peak season in the fall. It’s generally more expensive than other areas of the country regardless of the reason, so during prime foliage times, prices will go up significantly.

Especially in the past, I never had the money to spend on several nights at hotels during this time of the year, so I have learned to do it on more of a budget. Not necessarily cheap, but not as tough on the wallet 😉 Here are my tips:

• Stay in motels. I love a good hotel splurge, and do it more now than I did in my 20s and early 30s. But for most of my road trips when the focus in exploring outdoors, I stay in motels with efficiency kitchens . You can find some really nice ones, and while they’re likely to be outdated, they’re usually clean and cozy.
• Efficiency kitchens allow you to make some meals at home. For a road trip style trip, this may be more challenging, as it’s hard to bring perishable items with you to store in a fridge. But I usually try to make my own breakfasts to save money, and pack snacks to have for lunch.
• Stay outside of town. If you’re really on a tight budget, you can stay outside of the towns you’re visiting. Places like Franconia, Stowe, and Woodstock charge premium rates for peak season, so you’re likely to find deals a town or two away.
• Go camping! If you’re really adventurous, you can go camping! There are camp sites all over New England, and this will definitely be more affordable. One thing to keep in mind is the colder weather, and for this reason, some camp sites may close down after Indigenous People’s weekend in October. But many remain open, and offer Yurt-style camping, too.

Is Fall In New England Worth It?

A resounding yes! I truly believe this is such a magical time to visit – if not the most magical time. Despite the crowds and the cost, it’s more than worth it. Many of the landscapes you’ll see are actual stock photos and postcards, and since so many people equate the fall season to all things cozy, there’s really no cozier place to be than in New England during foliage season.

More posts you may enjoy:

• Fall In New England: The Best Things To See & Do
• Vermont In The Fall: Festive Things To Do!
• Fall In New Hampshire: The Best Things To Do
• Fall In Massachusetts Ultimate Guide: All The Best Things To Do & Foliage Spots!
• The Best 7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary For Any Season
• Best Stops To Make On A Boston To Stowe, VT Road Trip
• Vermont vs. New Hampshire In The Fall
• Maine In October: Best Towns For Foliage & Things To Do!
• Best Vermont Pumpkin Patches & Farm Stands To Visit In The Fall
• Awesome Corn Mazes In Vermont
• Best Time To Visit New England
• Best Time To Visit Vermont

That’s A Wrap On The Best New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

And there you have it! All my tips and expert advice on planning the most epic New England fall road trip during foliage season! This truly is such a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience that everyone should do at least once, and hopefully, you’re now well on your way to planning your own foliage adventure through New England!

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The perfect New England fall-foliage road trip for 2023

Oct 2, 2023 • 7 min read

On this 424-mile drive through New England, the foliage will dazzle © Chun Chen / 500px / Getty Images

Touring New England in search of autumn’s changing colors has become so popular it has grenerated its own subculture of “leaf-peepers.”

While admiring the leaves during foliage season is possible everywhere in the the region, here’s one road trip that will immerse you in the best of those glorious colors.

New England’s best fall-foliage road trip

Trip length : 5– 7 days; 424 miles (682km) Best time to go : Late September to mid-October Essential photo : Kent Falls set against a backdrop of autumnal colors Top experience : Zip-lining through the tree canopy in Bretton Woods

Scarlet and sugar maples, ashes, birches, beeches, dogwoods, tulip trees, oaks and sassafras all contribute to the carnival of autumn color in New England. But this trip is about much more than just flora and fauna: expect to embrace the harvest spirit makes at family outings at pick-your-own farms, leisurely walks along dappled trails and tables groaning beneath delicious seasonal produce.

1. Lake Candlewood, Connecticut 

With a surface area of 8.4 sq miles, Candlewood is the largest lake in  Connecticut . On its western shore,  Squantz Pond State Park is popular with leaf-peepers who come to amble along the pretty shoreline. In Brookfield and Sherman, quiet vineyards with acres of gnarled grapevines line the hillsides; at  White Silo Farm Winery , the focus is on specialty wines made from farm-grown fruit. For the ultimate bird’s-eye view of the foliage, consider a late afternoon hot-air balloon ride with GONE Ballooning  in nearby Southbury.

The drive: From Danbury at the southern tip of the lake, you have a choice of heading north via US 7, taking in Brookfield and New Milford (or trailing the scenic eastern shoreline along Candlewood Lake Rd S); or heading north along CT 37 and CT 39 via New Fairfield, Squantz Pond and Sherman, before reconnecting with US 7 to Kent.

2. Kent,  Connecticut

Picturesque Kent ranks among the top spots for fall foliage in all of New England. Situated in the Litchfield Hills on the banks of the Housatonic River, the village is surrounded by dense woodlands. For a sweeping view, hike up Cobble Mountain in Macedonia Brook State Park , a wooded oasis two miles north of town. The steep climb to the rocky ridge affords panoramic views of the foliage against a backdrop of the Taconic and Catskill mountain ranges.

The 2175-mile (3500km) Georgia-to-Maine  Appalachian National Scenic Trail  also runs through Kent and up to Salisbury, on the Massachusetts  border. Unlike much of the trail, the Kent section offers a mostly flat five-mile walk alongside the Housatonic, the longest river walk of the entire trail. The trailhead is accessed on River Rd, off CT 341.

The drive:  The 15-mile drive from Kent to Housatonic Meadows State Park along US 7 is one of the most scenic drives in Connecticut. The single-lane road dips and weaves between thick forests, past Kent Falls State Park  (with its tumbling waterfall, visible from the road) and over West Cornwall’s picturesque covered bridge, which spans the Housatonic.

3. Housatonic Meadows State Park, Connecticut

During the spring thaw, the churning waters of the Housatonic challenge kayakers and canoers. By summer, the scenic waterway transforms into a lazy, flat river perfect for fly-fishing. In the Housatonic Meadows State Park, campers vie for a spot on the banks of the river while hikers take to the hills on the Appalachian Trail. Housatonic River Outfitters runs guided fishing trips with gourmet picnics.

Popular with artists and photographers, one of the most photographed fall spots is the Cornwall Bridge (West Cornwall), an antique span that stretches across the broad river, framed by vibrantly colored foliage.

The drive:  Continue north along US 7 toward the Massachusetts border and Great Barrington. After a few miles, you’ll leave the forested slopes of the park behind you and enter expansive rolling countryside dotted with large red-and-white barns. Look out for hand-painted signs advertising farm produce – and consider stopping overnight in Falls Village, which has an excellent B&B.

4. The Berkshires,  Massachusetts

Blanketing the westernmost part of Massachusetts, the rounded mountains of the Berkshires turn crimson and gold as early as mid-September. The effective capital of the Berkshires is Great Barrington, a formerly industrial town whose streets are now lined with art galleries and upscale restaurants.

It’s the perfect place to pack your picnic or rest your legs before or after a hike in the nearby Beartown State Forest . Crisscrossing its 12,000 acres, hiking trails yield spectacular views of wooded hillsides and pretty Benedict Pond. Further north, October Mountain State Forest is the state’s largest tract of green space (16,127 acres), also with ample hiking trails. The name – attributed to Herman Melville – gives a good indication of when this park is at its loveliest, with its multicolored tapestry of hemlocks, birches and oaks.

The drive:  Drive north on US 7, the spine of the Berkshires, cruising through Great Barrington and Stockbridge. In Lee, the highway merges with scenic US 20, from where you can access October Mtn. Continue 16 miles north through Lenox and Pittsfield to Lanesborough. Turn right on N Main St and follow the signs to the park entrance.

5. Mt Greylock State Forest,  Massachusetts

Massachusetts’ highest peak is not so high (only 3491ft / 1064m) – yet a climb up the 92ft-high War Veterans Memorial Tower rewards you with a forested panorama stretching up to 100 miles across the Taconic, Housatonic and Catskill ranges and over five states. Even if the weather seems drab, driving up to the summit may well lift you above the gray blanket, and the view with a layer of cloud floating between tree line and sky is simply magical.

Mt Greylock State Reservation has some 45 miles of hiking trails, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Frequent trail pull-offs on the road up – including some that lead to waterfalls – make it easy to get at least a little hiking in before reaching the summit.

The drive:  Return to US 7 and continue north through the quintessential college town of Williamstown. Cross the Vermont border and continue north through the historic village of Bennington. Just north of Bennington, turn left on Rte 7A and continue north to Manchester.

6. Manchester, Vermont

Stylish Manchester is known for its charming architecture. For fall-foliage views, head south of the center to 3828ft-high  Mt Equinox , the highest mountain accessible by car in the Taconic Range. Wind up the 5.2 miles – with gasp-inducing scenery at every hairpin turn – seemingly to the top of the world, where the 360-degree panorama unfolds, offering views of the Adirondacks , the lush Battenkill Valley and even Montréal ’s Mt Royal . 

If early snow makes Mt Equinox inaccessible, visit 412-acre Hildene , a Georgian Revival mansion once home to the Lincoln family. It’s filled with presidential memorabilia and sits nestled at the edge of the Green Mountains, with access to eight miles of wooded walking trails.

The drive:  Take US 7 north to Burlington. Three miles past Middlebury in New Haven, stop off at Lincoln Peak Vineyard for wine tasting or a picnic lunch on the wraparound porch.

7. Lake Champlain, Vermont

With a surface area of 490 sq miles and straddling  New York , Vermont and  Québec , Lake Champlain is the largest freshwater lake in the US after the  Great Lakes . On its northeastern side, Burlington is a gorgeous base from which enjoy the lake. Explore the lively city by foot, then scoot down to the wooden waterfront promenade, take a swing on the four-person rocking benches and consider a bike ride along the 7.5-mile lakeside path.

For the best off-shore foliage views, we love the  Friend Ship sailboat at  Whistling Man Schooner Company , a 43ft-sloop that accommodates a mere 13 passengers. Next door, ECHO Lake Aquarium & Science Center explores the history and ecosystem of the lake, including a famous snapshot of Champ, Lake Champlain’s mythical sea creature.

The drive:  Take I-89 southeast to Montpelier, passing  Camels Hump State Park and  CC Putnam State Forest . At Montpelier, pick up US 2 heading east to St Johnsbury, where you can hop on I-91 south to I-93 south. Just after Littleton, take US 302 east to Bretton Woods.

8. Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Unbuckle your seat belts and step away from the car. You’re not just peeping at leaves today: you’ll be swooping past them on zip lines that drop 1000ft at 30mph. The four-season Bretton Woods Canopy Tour includes a hike through the woods, a stroll over sky bridges and a swoosh down 10 cables to tree platforms.

If this leaves you craving even higher views, cross US 302 and drive six miles on Base Rd to the coal-burning, steam-powered Mount Washington Cog Railway  at the western base of Mt Washington , the highest peak in New England. This historic railway has been hauling sightseers to the mountain’s 6288ft (1916m) summit since 1869.

The drive:  Continue driving east on US 302, a route that parallels the Saco River and the Conway Scenic Railroad, traversing Crawford Notch State Park . At the junction of NH 16 and US 302, continue east on US 302 into North Conway.

9. North Conway, New Hampshire

Many of the best restaurants, pubs and inns in North Conway come with expansive views of the nearby mountains, making it an ideal place to wrap up a fall-foliage road trip. If you’re traveling with kids or skipped the cog railway ride up Mt Washington, consider an excursion on the antique Valley Train with the Conway Scenic Railroad , a short but sweet round-trip ride through the Mt Washington Valley from North Conway to Conway, 11 miles south. The Moat Mountains and the Saco River will be your scenic backdrop. First-class seats are usually in a restored Pullman observation car.

This article was first published Sep 3, 2019 and updated Oct 2, 2023.

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New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Stunning Stops

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: August 23, 2021

There are many places in the world you can see leaves turn in Autumn, but they pale in comparison to one famed and celebrated region in the US northeast where science, nature and climate combine to put on an extraordinary light show each year. We are of course talking about fabled New England and we’re going to show you 10 places you can’t miss when planning your New England fall foliage road trip, with 5 day itinerary, 7 day itinerary and 10 day itinerary examples included to help you nail down the best possible route for your trip.

We will use our first hand experiences from road tripping New England in fall to bring you tips, advice and unmissable stops to take on your visit. This is one of those true bucket list USA road trip experiences in which it pays to be organized, plan effectively and make the most of every day.

So, let’s get stuck into those 10 unmissable stops and planning your perfect New England fall foliage road trip itinerary!

The Science Behind Fall Colors

What do we know about the changing of colors to give ourselves the best chance of being in the right place at the right time?

Well, we know that fall colors peak furthest north and work southward through the latitudes. So for example, the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina is gorgeous in fall, but the colors won’t change there until much later in the season.

Also, we know elevation plays an important role in when peak colors will be on display. Colors will change first in mountainous regions of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont before they do at lower elevations.

But the most important aspects are weather conditions leading into Autumn, and amount of daylight. It all starts way back in Spring! A late Spring or intense Summer drought can potentially delay peak fall colors by a week or two.

Conditions Affecting Predictions For Peak Fall Colors

In addition to elevation, latitude and weather conditions before fall, there are more specific conditions that can affect peak fall once we actually reach Autumn:

• Soil moisture levels
• Amount of sunlight during the day
• Length of night
• Day and night temperature (important)

So what would constitute as perfect conditions for the best chance at ‘peak’ fall colors being their most radiant and predictable?

• Wet and warm Spring conditions
• Summer without drought or unusually high / low temperatures
• Warm Autumn days and cool but not freezing nights

And what causes the colors to change once conditions are right?

Sunlight pumps leaves full of chlorophyll during Spring and Summer. Once daylight wanes in Autumn, so does the amount of chlorophyll.

That leaves room for other pigments in the leaves, such as anthocyanin and carotenoids to shine.

Why Focus On VT, NH, ME and Even NY

The region of New England technically contains 6 states; Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. In fall, this entire region transforms into an adventure playground for leaf-peeping lovers and passionate photographers.

However, there are three New England states among the six that we feel just have to be prioritized for the very best scenery and most radiant colors; New Hampshire, Maine and in particular Vermont.

But we’re also going to throw a curve ball by including a region not technically part of New England (gasp!) … New York’s Adirondack Mountains are a stone’s throw from the border with Vermont and the colors are just as special.

We want you to see the best places in New England when you take your fall road trip, but we would prefer you to see the best colors. That means skipping the likes of Boston, Portland and Providence on this particular visit to the northeast.

They’re all awesome places and we visited them all on our New England road trip in fall. But they don’t have the colors of rural Vermont and New Hampshire, plus we had days to spare.

Here’s why you should focus on the northern parts of New England for a fall foliage road trip:

Vermont’s rolling hills are overflowing with charming rural towns, barns and covered bridges. But the state is 80% covered in forest and that can only mean one thing; spectacular fall foliage everywhere you look.

Further Reading: The best places to visit in Vermont

New Hampshire

New Hampshire mixes excellent hiking options in stunning mountainous areas with staggeringly beautiful fall foliage colors.

It also has one of the best mini road trip routes in New England during fall – the Kancamagus Highway.

Maine is huge. It is much bigger than the other New England states and that means it’s hard to fit most of the northern parts in to your road trip. Unless you have more than 2 weeks of course.

However, Acadia National Park is one of the very best places you can visit in all of New England in fall so if you have the spare time, it’s hard to skip.

New York’s Adirondack Mountains, including Winter olympic town Lake Placid and its surroundings are beautiful in Autumn. The popular mountainous region is incredibly popular thanks to a host of activities and of course glorious foliage colors.

When Should You Plan Your New England Road Trip For Peak Fall Colors?

It is impossible to plan the perfect ‘peak’ fall road trip itinerary in New England. You would need to be in many places at the same time for that to be possible. We’re not quite there, yet!

Historically, the last 2 weeks of September and the first 2 weeks of October are when the colors change. So that would put October 1st in the middle of that and therefore a ‘peak’ fall foliage target.

Science tells us that colors change in the North and at elevation first, eventually working South and to lower levels.

We’ll get into example itineraries below, but here are some rough dates to use for each itinerary time frame working North to South:

• 5 Day New England Fall Road Trip – We would suggest aiming for September 29 through October 3.
• 7 Day New England Fall Road Trip – Add a day either side, so September 28 through October 4.
• 10 Day New England Fall Road Trip – Add a day before and two after, so September 27 through October 6.
• 14 Day New England Fall Road Trip – Add a day before and three after, so September 26 through October 9.

Should You Book Your Trip In Advance?

Here are two scenarios:

• You don’t book in advance and keep an eye on live fall foliage updates to guarantee hitting peak fall. This also means you have flexibility on bad weather days. However, there are very limited hotels available and those that do have rooms will be more expensive.
• You plan and book your whole trip in advance, getting good value in hotels and can relax. But there’s a chance you won’t time it just right and you will have to deal with whatever weather comes your way.

We can’t offer a ‘better’ solution here because both have pros and cons.

Our trip was mainly booked in advance which meant we spent less but we had to put up with a lot of disappointing rain days, as you will see in the photos below!

Need a hand planning your New England fall road trip? Our popular 40+ page New England Fall Road Trip Guidebook includes the 10 best places to visit, 8 example itineraries ranging from 5-14 days and an extensive interactive map to help you plan a successful leaf-peeping vacation.

Top Tips For Planning Your New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

Finally, before we jump into the 10 unmissable stops and the New England fall road trip itineraries, let’s have a quick look at some important tips to consider when planning your vacation:

• New England is insanely popular in fall.
• Booking accommodation in advance will save you a lot of money.
• Carefully plan where you want to spend each night based around hikes and photography.
• Start in the North and work South through New England.
• Expect frequent rain and clouds in fall and accept that there’s nothing you can do about it!
• Always carry loads of water and snacks in the car.
• Try to find elevated vantage points as often as possible.
• Some of the best and most unique fall photos are along rural country roads.
• You need multiple spare batteries for your camera!
• You can use a drone in many parts of New England for aerial photography.
• Don’t worry if you miss ‘peak’ colors.

Our popular road trip resources:

• Road trip packing list essentials
• How to plan the perfect road trip

10 Places You Can’t Miss On The Best New England Fall Road Trip

Let’s take a closer look at the 10 stops we think are unmissable on a first New England trip to see the fall colors.

1. Lake Placid, New York

Lake Placid of 1980 Winter Olympics ‘Miracle on Ice’ fame is located at the heart of New York’s revered Adirondack Mountains. It is the perfect base for adventure activities throughout all four seasons, from hiking in Summer to skiing in Winter.

The charming town of Lake Placid is an incredibly popular centralized location for leaf peeping in the Adirondacks. As a result, hotels here are in high demand and not cheap from the end of September until mid October. We know from experience when our bank balance took a mighty hit!

Walk around Mirror Lake in town for the easiest way to soak up gorgeous fall colors. If you have time and enjoy challenging hikes, you can’t miss Mount Marcy. It isn’t the prettiest trail but it is the tallest peak in New York.

Things To Do In Lake Placid, NY

• Take a relaxing walk around serene Mirror Lake.
• Visit the Olympic ski jumping complex.
• Photograph John Brown barn.
• Drive to the summit of Whiteface Mountain.
• Take the Cloud Splitter cable car to Little Whiteface.
• Walk through picturesque High Falls Gorge.
• Hike Mount Marcy, the tallest peak in New York.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Lake Placid, NY

• Mirror Lake in town is gorgeous, walk through residential areas surrounded by colorful trees.
• John Brown barn is a hidden gem for fall colors.
• The top of the ski jump provides sweeping views over the Adirondacks.
• Mount Marcy summit is the highest point in the entire region, providing the best views over rolling hills.
• Whiteface Mountain and Little Whiteface offer more stunning views of fall foliage.

Read our Lake Placid guides for more information:

• 10 best things to do in Lake Placid NY
• Mount Marcy complete hiking walkthrough
• 8 best hotels in Lake Placid NY

2. Burlington, Vermont

Burlington in Vermont might not be the first place you think of for a New England fall foliage road trip destination. However, it is one of the easiest places outside of Boston to fly into the region if you are visiting from further afield.

The small town also happens to be filled with beautiful and radiant foliage colors at every turn. From lakeside bike paths to park towers with stunning views, Burlington is the perfect stop off between Lake Placid and the more famous foliage destination of Stowe.

Hotels in downtown Burlington can be limited and expensive in Autumn, so if you are visiting New England on a budget, try looking for hotels in surrounding villages and towns.

Things To Do In Burlington, VT

• Eat, drink and soak up the atmosphere along Church Street.
• Walk through Waterfront Park alongside Lake Champlain.
• Cycle the Burlington bike path to Grand Isle.
• Explore Ethan Allen Homestead and Museum.
• Stand on top of Ethan Allen Tower for amazing views.
• Taste chocolate at Lake Champlain Chocolates flagship store.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Burlington, VT

• Anywhere along the Lake Champlain waterfront where there are trees.
• Ethan Allen Park and the top of the tower in particular have the best fall foliage views in Burlington.
• Ethan Allen homestead and museum are surrounded by beautifully colorful trees.

Read more about Burlington:

• 10 best things to do in Burlington VT
• 8 best hotels in Burlington VT

3. Stowe, Vermont

Stowe is one of the unmissable fall foliage classics on any New England road trip. The white church in town is one of the most photographed churches in the US and almost all of those photographs are taken in fall.

The town is quaint and attractive but be sure to spend the majority of your time up in Stowe Mountain Resort. This is where you will find hikes, Mt Mansfeld, waterfalls and Smugglers Notch.

Colors will change first up in the higher elevations. So, if you’re a little early, head up to the resort. On the other hand, if you’re a little late, stick to the lower elevations around Stowe town for the most vibrant colors.

Personally, we love to hike, we like flying our drone and we enjoy photographing waterfalls. Stowe was one of the best stops on our New England fall road trip circuit for allowing us to do all of those things.

Things To Do In Stowe, VT

• Photograph the famous white church in Stowe town.
• Drive or hike to the summit of Mount Mansfield.
• Drive through stunning Smugglers Notch pass.
• Ride a bike along Stowe Rec Path or Lamoille Valley.
• Take the SkyRide Gondola to Mt Mansfield.
• Hike a wide range of awesome trails.
• Visit both Bingham Falls and Moss Glen Falls.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Stowe, VT

• In Stowe town, the iconic white church backed by a hill of fall colors is unmissable on your New England road trip.
• But the best colors are in Stowe Mountain Resort. The drive up from town is gorgeous.
• No matter how you get to the top of Mt Mansfield, you can guarantee spectacular fall foliage views.
• Smugglers Notch is our top recommendation for Stowe. If you have a drone, this is the place to fly.

Read more about Stowe, Vermont:

• 15 best things to do in Stowe VT
• 12 best hotels in Stowe VT

4. Woodstock, Vermont

Woodstock in central Vermont is arguably the most picturesque and charming town you will visit on your New England fall road trip itinerary. It truly is like something out of a fairytale. We had no choice but to include Woodstock in our popular guide to the 50 best places to visit in the USA .

Remarkably pretty farms with golden leaves dancing in sunlight and reddish-brown leaves covering the ground create picture perfect scenes. Sleepy Hollow Farm and Jenne Road Farm are featured on many fall foliage calendars you will see in shops on your visit to New England.

Don’t miss the many stunning historic covered bridges around Woodstock. Middle covered bridge is right in town, Taftsville and Quechee are very close by and Cornish-Windsor is a 30 minute drive. The beautiful bridge in the photo below is a privately owned bridge near South Woodstock on the main road to Jenne Farm.

Woodstock is one of the more expensive places to visit on a road trip through Vermont, but it is worth taking a hit on the extra chunk of budget. Simply driving around the narrow country roads near Woodstock for a few hours would provide enough fall foliage colors to last a week of photography.

Things To Do In Woodstock, VT

• Walk around the charming town and admire diverse architectural styles.
• Photograph two postcard perfect farms – Jenne Road Farm and Sleep Hollow Farm.
• Visit a host of historic and stunning covered bridges.
• Explore Marsh Billings Rockefeller Park and hike to amazing viewpoint overlooking Woodstock.
• Visit nearby Quechee Gorge and village.
• See Jersey dairy cows at Billings Farm and Museum.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Woodstock, VT

• Woodstock is incredibly photogenic during fall throughout the town and immediate surroundings.
• The lookout over Woodstock from Mount Tom hike is iconic fall photography.
• The best two fall photographs in Woodstock are at Jenne Road Farm and Sleepy Hollow Farm. They are two truly unmissable stops on your New England fall road trip itinerary.
• Drive your car around the narrow rural roads near Woodstock for some of the most special colors.

Read more about Woodstock, Vermont:

• 15 best things to do in Woodstock VT
• 7 best hotels in Woodstock VT

5. Manchester, Vermont

Similarly to Stowe, Manchester is a four season resort with skiing in Winter and hikes during Spring or Summer. In fall, the town located in the heart of Green Mountain National Forest transitions into a colorful paradise for leaf-peepers.

Manchester can be split into the old historic district and the newer modern resort town. The newer part is livelier and closer to amenities but the historic district is quieter, prettier and more colorful.

Use Manchester as a base for one night to explore nearby elevated areas for some of the most expansive views of rolling hills on a New England fall road trip.

Equinox Mountain is the tallest peak in the area. You can hike it or drive it to open up far-reaching views over three US states. But our top tip is to simply stick to the narrow country roads again and you will find more unique fall foliage photographs.

Things To Do In Manchester, VT

• Drive the Skyline Auto Toll Road to Mount Equinox summit.
• Explore Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home.
• Walk around quaint Manchester Historic Village District.
• See the American Museum of Fly Fishing Museum exhibits.
• Buy a book in popular Northshire bookstore.
• Visit nearby covered bridges.
• See the Bennington Battle Monument.
• Visit Robert Frost stone house museum.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Manchester, VT

• Manchester is the heart of the Green Mountains, so the entire area surrounding the town is staggeringly attractive.
• Rolling hills for endless miles covered in glowing fall colors can be seen from any elevated vantage point.
• Equinox Mountain summit provides the best panoramic views over three states.
• Another place you jump in the car and find unique fall photography opportunities on rural roads.
• Manchester Historic Village District is leafy and the church is surrounded by golden yellow leaves.

Read more about Manchester, Vermont:

• 15 best things to do in Manchester VT
• 9 best hotels in Manchester VT

6. Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

Franconia Notch is one of New Hampshire’s premier tourist regions for hiking, picturesque mountains, skiing and of course fall foliage. A two lane highway mountain pass dissects the Kinsman and Franconia mountain ranges, with a number of fantastic recreational stops along the way.

Artists Bluff is a very short but steep hike leading to a rocky ledge. Its summit overlooks Echo Lake and is most popular in fall when the colors change. As you can see, we hiked the trail on an incredibly cloudy and grey day, which doesn’t help with highlighting the beauty of this viewpoint. We have included Artists Bluff in our popular guide to the 50 best hikes in the US .

Franconia Notch State Park is where you will find the stunning Flume Gorge hike. A little over 2 miles of waterfalls, narrow gorges and forested paths welcome thousands of visitors each year. For us, the best part of Flume Gorge were the two ultra-photogenic covered bridges; Flume and Sentinel Pine.

Things To Do In Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

• Hike the short but steep trail to Artists Bluff summit for stunning views.
• Walk through impressive and extremely popular Flume Gorge.
• Hike Cannon Mountain or take the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway.
• See a whole host of waterfalls or hike one of a dozen other mountain trails.
• Ski Cannon Mountain Resort in Winter.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

• The single most well known fall foliage photograph in Franconia Notch NH is from the summit of Artists Bluff.
• However, don’t miss the chance to walk through the incredibly picturesque Flume Gorge in fall.
• Not only are the colors vibrant, but waterfalls are attractive and two special covered bridges are incredibly photogenic.
• Anywhere at elevation, which means every hike up a mountain side or the tramway with sweeping valley views.

Read more in our Franconia Notch guides:

• Artists Bluff Trail Fall Foliage Hike
• Flume Gorge Complete Hiking Walkthrough

7. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s supremely scenic Kancamagus Highway is one of the very best parts of New England to road trip in fall foliage season. We would put it firmly in the category of ‘unmissable’.

The road between Lincoln and Conway NH is only 35 miles long, but it 35 miles of pure foliage bliss. You can either drive it in one go and simply soak up the colors roadside. Or you can stop at a multitude of overlooks, hiking trails, waterfalls, lakes and covered bridges.

If there’s one part of your New England road trip itinerary to time it right for peak foliage colors, you would do well to beat the Kancamagus Highway in its prime.

A note for photographers and videographers – You can use your drone in many parts of the Kancamagus Highway. We captured amazing photographs and videos of endless miles over rolling hills covered in radiant color.

Things To Do On Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

• Stop at various high elevation overlooks with spectacular views over White Mountain National Forest.
• Walk to Sabbaday Falls, Champney Falls and Lower Falls.
• Hike Lincoln Woods or Mount Chocorua.
• Walk out on Rocky Gorge boulders.
• Photograph Russell-Colbath House and the picture perfect Albany Covered Bridge.
• Explore ponds and lakes to your hearts content.

Where To See Fall Foliage On Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

• Views over rolling hills from every overlook are astonishing in fall.
• Once the Kancamagus Highway reaches its highest elevation, you will see an ocean of color in all directions.
• Walk through any forest trail or along any waterfall hike to immerse yourself into those foliage colors.
• Albany covered bridge is one of the most picturesque bridges you will find in New England.
• Rocky Gorge and nearby lake with reflecting fall colors are wonderful.
• Even on both ends of the road in Lincoln (Loon Mountain) and Conway the colors are vibrant.

Read more about the Kancamagus Highway:

• 13 best places to stop along the Kancamagus Highway in fall

8. Mount Washington, New Hampshire

At 6,288 ft tall, Mount Washington is the tallest peak in Northeastern United States. It is renowned for wild and unpredictable weather, including the recording of a world record wind speed over over 230 mph.

As our images indicate, Mount Washington can be very wet and cloudy in Autumn. But if you get slightly more luck on your road trip and time it on a sunny day, you will enjoy some of the most beautiful colors and scenery in the entire region.

Avid hikers can climb to the summit, otherwise you can take a historic cog rail train or drive up an auto toll road to reach the top. Views from almost 2,000 meters high over an ocean of bright colors are incredible.

Things To Do Around Mount Washington, New Hampshire

• Hike a very challenging but rewarding trail to the summit of Mount Washington.
• Consider a night hike, fall colors won’t matter in the dark but it is hugely popular for astro and sunrise photography.
• Alternatively, drive the Mt Washington Auto Road to the summit.
• Or, take the most scenic and historic route to the top – by Cog Railway.
• Conway scenic railroad nearby ventures deep into fall foliage forest.
• Endless miles of hiking, 100 waterfalls and a handful of covered bridges to discover.
• Crawford Notch State Park is close by and features more views, hikes and waterfalls.

Where To See Fall Foliage Around Mount Washington, New Hampshire

• Just gain elevation in the White Mountains and you’ll open up valley views with a sea of foliage colors.
• Mt Washington summit is the iconic NH vantage point for sweeping Autumnal vistas.
• For a unique experience, the Conway Scenic Railroad cuts through some of the best colors in NH.
• Crawford Notch State Park is stunning in fall, with fantastic valley views from hikes.

9. Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

Heading due South of Mt Washington you will find Lake Winnipesaukee encircled by gorgeous fall foliage colors. Unfortunately for us, the rain was back in full swing but you can still see how vibrant the colors are in this area.

You can drive an 81 mile loop road around the entirety of the lake, or take to the waters aboard M/S Mount Washington cruise boat.

Visit Castle in the Clouds for family entertainment and hiking, Weirs Beach for arcades or Wolfeboro for a more relaxing experience. The most popular trail in the area is Mount Major, which we highly recommend for hikers looking for excellent views over the lake.

Things To Do Around Around Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

• Take a cruise on the M/S Mount Washington.
• Or rent a boat of your own for the day.
• Ride the Lake Winnipesaukee scenic railroad.
• Try your hand at arcade games in Weirs Beach.
• Hike the popular half day trail to Mount Major summit for fantastic lake views.

Where To See Fall Foliage Around Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

• Elevation is your fall foliage friend around the lake if you want expansive views.
• Mt Major is the perfect moderate hike to include on your New England fall road trip itinerary.
• But nearby Belknap Mountain is also a popular choice for fall hikers.
• Gunstock Mountain Resort has zip lines and ski lifts for easy elevation gain.
• For easier and more close up Autumnal color vistas, simply hire a boat on the lake and explore.
• Or sit back, relax and soak up the views on Lake Winnipesaukee scenic railroad foliage tour.

10. Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia finds itself in the list of top 10 most visited and best US National Parks each year. Millions of tourists descend on Bar Harbor annually to enjoy a diverse range of amazing things to do inside the awesome park.

Varied hikes suitable for all ages and abilities, including the famous adrenaline pumping climbs Beehive Trail and Precipice Trail , are a huge draw. But despite being a typical Summer destination in the north of America, Acadia is equally as popular in Autumn and that is purely down to its glowing fall foliage colors.

Sunrises from Cadillac Mountain or Schoodic Point can be extraordinarily beautiful if conditions are right, and sunset at Bass Harbor Head Light is a very highly regarded spectacle. You will need to bring your best hiking gear, spare camera batteries and a lot of energy to the wonderful National Park in Maine.

The only problem you will face with including Acadia on a New England fall foliage road trip is its location. You will have a long drive to and from Acadia from Vermont or New Hampshire. However, if you have the time, it is unquestionably worth the extra effort.

Things To Do In Acadia National Park, Maine

• Hike various amazing trails from easy to hard (to exhilarating!).
• Photograph stunning sunrises, landscapes and Bass Harbor Head Light.
• Drive to Cadillac Mountain summit, the tallest peak on the US east coast.
• Walk or cycle maze-like carriage roads through the park.
• Explore Jordan Pond and swim in Echo Lake.
• Eat and drink in glitzy Bar Harbor, Maine.

Where To See Fall Foliage In Acadia National Park, Maine

• Mountain summits from any hike opens up special views over rolling hills covered in fall colors.
• Carriage roads are the perfect way to explore forested trails which are surrounded by trees.
• Drive the national park loop road for easiest access to fall colors.
• Jordan Pond in particular is encircled by vibrant autumnal hues.
• Cadillac Mountain summit opens up 360 degree views over Maine and the ocean.

Read our Acadia National Park guides to learn more:

• 17 best things to do in Acadia National Park
• 10 hikes you can’t miss in Acadia National Park
• Where to stay in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park
• 10 key things to know about visiting Acadia in the fall

Planning Your New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

New England is an enormous region and choosing exactly where to visit can be challenging. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you begin plotting a route:

• Which places are top of your list? Vermont? New Hampshire? Acadia?
• How many days can you spare on your trip?
• Do you want to book accommodation in advance or take it day by day?
• Are you in New England solely to see and photograph fall colors?
• Or are you focused primarily on hiking with colors as an added bonus?
• Do you want to use small and quaint towns as your main places to stay?
• Or are you more interested in being rural and remote each night?
• What is your budget? Can you afford to splurge on activities?

Once you have an idea about how you see your road trip panning out, use that idea as a guide to make the best decisions based on your travel style.

Next, we will go through a number of potential scenarios for 5 day, 7 day and 10 day road trip examples through New England in fall.

Use the examples as a reference but remember, they are generic and based on how we personally would plan our itineraries with hikes and photography in mind.

5 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

Only having 5 days isn’t as much of a negative as it might usually be. Yes, you are going to have to be selective and it is going to be none stop action. But one of the major benefits to a road trip in fall is that all of the best scenery is seen when driving.

Also, the smaller states of Vermont and New Hampshire don’t require a huge amount of drive time between their most scenic places for fall foliage. Include Lake Placid in the Adirondacks and you can easily tick off most of the places in our list in 5 days.

Another consideration is with just 5 days you don’t need to worry as much about ‘following’ peak fall colors. They won’t change too much in that time frame when compared to 10 days.

Example 1 – Lake Placid NY to Manchester VT

D1 – Lake Placid : Walk around Mirror Lake, drive up Whiteface Mountain and explore High Falls Gorge. Stay in Lake Placid.

D2 – Burlington and Stowe : Walk down Church Street, cycle Burlington bike path, explore Smugglers Notch and Stowe Mountain Resort, sunset at Stowe church. Stay in Stowe.

D3 – Franconia Notch and Kancamagus Highway : Hike artists bluff trail, walk around Flume Gorge, drive Kancamagus Highway and down to Wolfeboro. Stay in Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee.

D4 – Lake Winnipesaukee and Woodstock VT : Spend morning exploring the lake or hike Mt Major, then drive to Woodstock in Vermont via Cornish-Windsor covered bridge, Quechee Gorge and Taftsville covered bridge.

D5 – Woodstock and Manchester : Visit the farms near Woodstock, drive through Green Mountains to Manchester and end at the top of Equinox Mountain.

You could start and end in New York City if flying into Newark or JFK works from your origin and budget. Alternatively, Montreal would be a better place to start for Lake Placid, hire a car and drop it off in NYC or Boston after leaving Manchester, VT.

Example 2 – Lake Winnipesaukee NH to Manchester VT

D1 – Lake Winnipesaukee : Explore the lake, hike Mt Major, take a cruise and stay in Wolfeboro.

D2 – Kancamagus Highway and Franconia Notch : Drive Conway to Lincoln across Kancamagus Highway, hike Flume Gorge and Artists Bluff. Sleep in Franconia.

D3 – Stowe and Burlington : Stowe church, hike to waterfalls in Stowe Mountain Resort, drive Smugglers Notch and on to Burlington. Ride the bike path for sunset. Stay in Burlington.

D4 – Lake Placid : Whiteface Mountain, High Falls Gorge, Ski Jump and Mirror Lake. Or hike Mount Marcy instead but that is a full day commitment. Stay in Lake Placid.

D5 – Woodstock and Manchester : Visit the farms, covered bridges and drive through Green Mountain countryside to Manchester, finish with Equinox Mountain again.

This version would allow for a round trip loop from Boston, MA airport or Portland, ME airport.

The key to making the most of this shorter trip is to accept that you will be in the car driving a lot but that is where you will see most of the best scenery.

7 Day / One Week New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

With a week, you can get more creative, include more places or take things slower. You have more flexibility but still not enough time to add a trip to Acadia, unless you really can’t miss it and don’t mind the driving.

Colors can change a noticeable amount in 7 days, so (if possible!) factor in starting your one week trip just before ‘peak’ begins.

Either of the 5 day examples above would work with 7 days by simply taking more time in certain spots. The alternative is to add in more places to visit. Let’s look at both:

Example 1 – Lake Winnipesaukee NH to Manchester VT

D2 – Kancamagus Highway : Take the awesome road trip slowly, stop at every attraction and stay in Loon Mountain or Lincoln.

D3 – Franconia Notch and Stowe : Hike Flume Gorge and Artists Bluff before driving to Stowe to photograph the church. Hike the waterfall trails and see Smugglers Notch. Stay in Stowe.

D4 – Burlington and Lake Placid : Church Street and Burlington bike path, then drive to Lake Placid, get stuck into the best bits of Lake Placid and spend the night there.

D5 – Lake Placid and Woodstock : Spend the morning in Lake Placid and drive to Woodstock later in the day. Hike to Mount Tom for amazing views over Woodstock. Stay in Woodstock.

D6 – Woodstock : Sunrise at Sleepy Hollow Farm, Jenne Road Farm, visit the nearby covered bridges and relax in town. Drive to Manchester later in the day to stay over.

D7 – Manchester : Hildene, Manchester old town and stunning Green Mountain country roads, finish at Equinox Mountain.

This variation could begin and end at either Boston, MA or Portland, ME as in the itinerary above. It just gives you more downtime and time to fully explore the places you will visit.

Example 2 – Manchester VT to Lake Winnipesaukee NH

D1 – Manchester : Drive from Boston airport to Manchester, spend the day at Hildene, Equinox Mountain and exploring the town. Stay in Manchester.

D2 – Woodstock : See the best of Woodstock and spend the night.

D3 – Stowe : Hit the top highlights in Stowe and stay there for the night.

D4 – Mount Washington : Take the cog train, drive to the summit or even take on the hike. Sleep in North Conway.

D5 – Kancamagus Highway : Spend a full day on The Kanc. Sleep in Loon Mountain or Lincoln.

D6 – Franconia Notch : Hike Flume Gorge and Artists Bluff but drive to Lake Winnipesaukee later to spend the night.

D7 – Lake Winnipesaukee : Spend the last day around the lake, cruising, hiking or relaxing.

This loop direction was reversed to give an idea about how you could make it work in a clockwise route. Again this would be starting and ending in Boston or Portland, with JFK or Newark as alternative options.

Instead of driving out to Lake Placid, you could stick to Vermont and New Hampshire, which is where the very best colors are found.

10 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

With a full 10 days to spend on your New England fall road trip, you can either max out your itinerary and see all of the best bits or choose to spend more time in fewer places.

Personally, we’re the max out itinerary type and we would definitely include Acadia National Park in our 10 days. It adds in some serious driving time but the journey there is picturesque, rural and most importantly colorful.

Here’s one way you can include each of the places mentioned in this list, including Acadia National Park (this is the way we drove but we spent 14 days doing this route with other non-fall foliage places included in our itinerary):

Example 1 – Lake Placid, NY to Manchester, VT via Acadia National Park, ME

D1 – Lake Placid : Spend the day hiking and surrounded by gorgeous colors. Sleep Lake Placid.

D2 – Burlington : Full day exploring town and cycle the entire bike path to Grand Isle. Stay in or near Burlington.

D3 – Stowe : Smugglers Notch, Mountain Resort, Mt Mansfield and church in town. Stay in Stowe.

D4 – Franconia and Kancamagus Highway : Hike Artists Bluff and Flume Gorge, drive The Kanc and sleep in North Conway.

D5 – Mt Washington and drive to Acadia : Drive to the summit or take the cog train before driving US-2 all the way to Acadia. Sleep in Bar Harbor.

D6 – Acadia : Sunrise Cadillac Mountain, Hike Acadia Mountain and Beech Mountain, sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Stay in Bar Harbor.

D7 – Acadia : Sunrise Schoodic Point, Hike Beehive Trail and Precipice Trail, Walk around Jordan Pond, Great Ocean Path and carriage roads by bike to see the best fall colors. Final night in Bar Harbor.

D8 – Lake Winnipesaukee : Final morning in Acadia, long drive to Wolfeboro and explore Lake Winnipesaukee.

D9 – Woodstock : Photograph Sleepy Hollow and Jenne Road, hike to Mt Tom, see covered bridges.

D10 – Manchester : Hildene, Mount Equinox, nearby Bennington battle monument and covered bridges.

Tips For The 10 Day Itinerary

The only concern with this itinerary is the inclusion of Acadia National Park. It’s a 4 hour drive from Mt Washington to Acadia and 4 hours 20 minutes back from Acadia to Wolfeboro.

However, if you do have more time you can include stops on the way to and from Acadia to break up the longer drives. US-1 and US-2 are picturesque but slow going. If you’re pushed for time, take the less scenic but faster I-95 instead.

Alternatively, if you’re not so bothered by Acadia, plan to spend even more time in each of the other 9 places in this list. That would give you wiggle room in case of bad weather and plenty of time to relax.

Notice how the route starts furthest north and loops around Acadia then comes back further south?

That’s because with 10 days you should try to ‘follow’ the peak colors as they transition southwards over the first two weeks of October.

New England Fall Road Trip Map

Red Markers – Locations of the 10 best places to visit on a New England fall road trip itinerary.

Click or touch the map to activate.

Zoom in and out, move around the map of New England to find locations for the best places to visit in the area.

More From New England

• Best things to do in Burlington Vermont
• Best things to do in Woodstock Vermont
• Driving the Kancamagus Highway in fall
• How to visit Flume Gorge in New Hampshire
• The best things to do in Lake Placid New York
• The best things to do in Stowe Vermont
• Top things to do in Manchester Vermont
• Unmissable things to do in Acadia National Park

We hope this New England fall foliage road trip guide with itinerary ideas helps you plan the perfect leaf-peeping vacation!

Please let us know if you have any questions about New England or need any help planning your visit in the comments below.

Happy Travels,

Mark and Kristen

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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

29 thoughts on “New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Stunning Stops”

I really appreciate your compressive guide to New England for travel in the Fall. We have enjoyed most of the areas you mention in years past and loved it. My sister is visiting from Australia at perfect Fall Foliage time so we’re planning to do your 10-day roadtrip this year. I was wondering if you have an App you prefer to use to plan each segment of the roadtrip. I used Roadtrippers earlier this year and found it good, but would welcome your suggestions for a roadtrip App. I plan to download your digital guide as well. Thank you and happy travels.

Hi Sharon, we’re happy to hear you will be visiting New England again and this time with your sister. If you are looking for alternatives to Roadtrippers you could check out Wanderlog which is another useful resource. But to be honest we don’t use any apps for our road trips except for the basic and free Google Maps app. We plot points for attractions, restaurants and hotels as we research before visiting a new place, and we plan ahead so we can really get organized. If you download our digital guide and go to the end, you will find a map we created that will open in your Google Maps app and it already contains the locations for top attractions, foliage photo spots, hikes, restaurants and hotels that we discuss throughout the guide. You can of course see more places but we have preloaded the map with the essential spots to visit around New England in fall. Have a fantastic trip!

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, Thank you so very much for your advice. I downloaded the digital guide to use. So looking forward to this trip and having your guide to get organized makes this a lot less daunting. Keep up the great work and happy traveling.

Hi Sharon, Visiting New England in fall is an amazing trip and you will have a wonderful time! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a nice comment and downloading our guide. Just let us know if you have any specific questions as we get closer to fall season 🙂

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, I have accommodations booked from Lake Placid to Woodstock. Since we want to add a couple of nights in Boston to walk the Freedom Trail and visit the Boston Tea Party site, would you recommend skipping Manchester, Vermont and going directly to Boston from Woodstock. Or, would we be missing out if we skip Manchester. Appreciate your advice.

Hi Sharon, you will have covered almost all of the best fall spots between Lake Placid and Woodstock. We like Manchester but it isn’t going to ruin your trip if you skip it, especially if you really want to see more of Boston. After 10 days or so you will have had your fill of fall colors anyway, so Boston will be a welcome change of scenery and pace. Have a fantastic time!

I would love a copy of the book as well, to use as we travel Thank you for a wealth of information!

Wow, amazing information, thank you. Have you written it in book form by any chance? I would love to drive with the book on hand for reference.

Hi Helen, you have asked at just the right time. We are currently in the process of creating a digital guidebook filled with key information and itinerary ideas for the New England fall road trip. It will be ready within the next week or so and we will email you once it is live. You will be able to either keep it on your smartphone or print it if you prefer to have a paper copy.

@Mark and Kristen Morgan, I’m using this article to plan our New England fall leaves trip and would also be interested in a copy of your digital guidebook, please. The information you provide is outstanding — thank you! ~ Carol

Thank you, Carol! We’re happy to hear you are planning a New England trip this fall. You can follow this link to see more details about our digital guidebook. If you do purchase the guidebook, remember to open up the map on page 45 when you are in each place to see the best hikes, foliage spots, attractions, restaurants and hotels. And if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask away. Have a fantastic trip!

Hello! What a wonderful site you have given us :). Question…do any of the New England fall road trips include the Berkshires? I would love to include a quick visit to The Mount/Edith Wharton’s home. Thanks, Jo

Thank you, Jo! Yes absolutely, you could easily add The Mount / Edith Wharton’s Home to the end of our 10 day New England fall road trip itinerary because it is just 1 hour 30 minutes drive to the south of Manchester VT (which is the last stop in our guide), before heading back to the Boston / NY airports. It wouldn’t be much of a detour and if you are heading that way you might also want to consider including a short drive along scenic highway 2, also known as The Mohawk Trail. Have a fantastic trip later this year!

Hi There! We are flying into Portland, (Sept 23rd) Maine and flying out of Boston, Mass (October 2nd) We have about one full week for our Fall Foliage road trip. Knowing we arrive Portland and depart Boston, what would you map out for itinerary.

Part II question, I prefer staying at one hotel for a few days and taking day trips as opposed to staying one night in several places.

Would it be wise to stay 3 nights near Acadia Nat’l Park and then 3 nights in New Hampshire (near all of the Franconia State Park and Kancamagus Hwy ?

Hi Erin, yes staying 3 nights in Bar Harbor and then 3 nights somewhere near Franconia Notch sounds like the best idea if you would prefer to stay in one hotel for each part of your trip. You can easily visit the most popular fall foliage areas in VT and NH from Franconia. Depending on how much driving you want to do, you could split your days into Vermont and New Hampshire. So one day you do Stowe, Woodstock and Manchester (the driving in between is just as picturesque as the towns), then another day you do Mt Washington, Kancamagus, Artists Bluff and Flume Gorge (which are all much closer together). Then stop at Lake Winnipesaukee on the way down to Boston. Hopefully the peak colors will be in north / central VT and NH early Oct for your trip – have a great time!

Love your site! we are planning a a Fall Foliage trip for 2023 over our 34th Anniversary. thinking any where from 10 – 14 days from the last week in Sept. to the first week of Oct. We are thinking to end our trip in Boston for a few days. If I followed tour 10 day trip guide would it make sense to fly into Albany, NY and out of Boston. Or are we better off to make Boston a long weekend trip?

Hi Randy, thanks for getting in touch and we’re happy to hear you’re planning a trip to New England next year, congrats on the 34th! Absolutely, flying into Albany and out of Boston makes perfect sense. If you make your trip 14 days total, you can follow the 10 day itinerary in our guide and then spend 2 or 3 days in Boston at the end. Something to consider is whether or not you want to see Acadia NP, it is a stunning place but it’s a long way out from the rest of New England’s top foliage spots. If you don’t include Acadia, you can spend longer in the fall color hotspots of Stowe, Woodstock and Manchester in VT, plus Franconia Notch, Kancamagus Highway and Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. Let us know if you have any more questions and best of luck with planning!

We are planning a trip to Maine in the fall of 2023 for our 40th anniversary for a total of 7 days. We would be interested in mainly leaf peeping,Arcadia NP, sight seeing/boat tours, driving the back roads and easy hikes. I really like the coast. Now that I have run across this post, I am rethinking our trip. What city should we fly into? Do you recommend spending 2 days in Arcadia NP? Should we hit some of the areas you mentioned in NH? I don’t think we have time to do your whole itinerary in 7 days. Your thoughts?

Hi Randi, glad to hear you have a trip planned to Maine for your 40th anniversary – congrats! Honestly, 7 days isn’t enough time to be rushing around New England trying to cram in everything. If you like the coast and you want to do Acadia, why not fly into Portland in Maine and slowly drive up to Bar Harbor via the back roads? Acadia is great but it is touristy and expensive, plus you won’t get the best fall colors (when compared to NH or VT). Boothbay Harbor is a nice place to stop between Portland and Bar Harbor, and you can do whale watching tours right out of the small town. If Portland doesn’t work for flight times or prices, Boston will be your best bet. Let us know if you need any more help before you travel next year.

Hi. I’m glad I found this. We are planning our 50th Anniversary to see Vermont and Maine in late September. Is it possible to stay in one place and drive to see the sights? We don’t want to keep changing hotels. This is a lifetime dream for us. Thank you.

Hi Jan, congrats on your 50th anniversary! Without knowing exactly which places in Vermont and Maine you want to see, it is possible to stay in one place but that would mean quite a lot of time spent in the car. If you have a 50/50 split, maybe stay somewhere in New Hampshire in the middle? Or if you plan to spend more time in VT, stay somewhere just inside VT near the NH border? Somewhere near Franconia NH might be a good fit so you are central to most of the fall hot spots and far enough North to see peak colors at the end of September. Have a great time!

Great article! While planning and researching for our New England Fall Foliage Adventure we saw right away that trying to predict “peak” conditions was a difficult proposition, at best. With that in mind and because we have a bit of time on our hands we decided our adventure would be from mid September to mid October 2022. We have booked all of our accommodations and now it’s all about deeply researching the areas and filling in the days. Finding your well written and in depth blog helped confirm our research was spot on and added to our happiness that we are actually going to pull this off. Plus, now we have an excellent study guide to boot! Bring on the trails, the mountains, the breweries, the lobster, cheese, cider donuts, Octoberfests and even the rain! Thank YOU and keep up the fantastic and insightful work!

Hi Jeff, thanks for getting in touch and we are so happy to hear you have planned a full month up in New England! Your list of activities is spot on – hiking, scenery, fall colors, food and beer … recipe for a perfect trip! Good luck filling in the days and hopefully you’ll get optimal weather conditions leading into the peak, just remember to keep an eye on the peak fall colors tracker when you are on site in New England. Have a wonderful trip!

Hello! This post is really very useful! We are planning to go to New England from September 30th to October 8th (we have already booked our flight from Italy). Since we would like to spend a couple of days in Boston too, do you recommend to begin with Boston and then start our road trip or to do the other way round? We would very glad if you could give us more details! Thanks a lot!

Hi Simonetta, thanks for getting in touch and we’re happy to hear you will be visiting New England this fall! This is a tough question because nobody can predict when “peak” fall colors will be in each part of New England. You can keep an eye on a live peak foliage tracker and book everything last minute, but that is risky as accommodation will book up. So, we would suggest starting with Boston and then driving up as far North as you will go on your trip (ie Stowe in VT or Franconia in NH) and then working down South to follow the peak. Please let us know if you have any more questions and you might even see us up there somewhere this year! Have a great time 🙂

I’m so happy to have found your blog post. I know how much time and effort goes into planning these type of trips, so I appreciate you writing about it and sharing it. We are looking at doing a mix of rural/city for both NH, VT, and ME. Looking closer to a 10 day trip and flexible on the dates. Would you say the hikes are fairly easy, medium, or difficult? Do you think looking into Air BNB’s out there would be better vs. hotels?

Hi Ani, thanks for getting in touch and we’re glad to hear you have a trip planned for VT, NH and ME. There are countless hikes spanning the difficulty range on this road trip route, so you do have a lot of flexibility over how long you want to spend hiking and how hard the trails are. Artists Bluff is short but has a steep climb, so we would say it is moderate but well worth it. Flume Gorge is easy and shouldn’t be missed. Acadia (if you make it that far) has a host of easy through hard hikes. Lake Winnipesaukee has plenty of hikes to suit all. If you’re looking for hard hikes take on Mt Washington or Mt Mansfield, tallest in NH and VT. You’ll likely only be spending one night or a maximum of 2 at any given place so we would say go for hotels. AirBnB’s are great for uniqueness and meeting people but for one night they are always more expensive with cleaning fees / service fees etc. By all means check prices and see if you can find any good deals or special places but we will be sticking to hotels ourselves the next time we are in New England. Let us know if you need any more help and have a fantastic trip!

Great information, love your post! We have never been to New England and would like to go see the fall colors in late Sept. or Oct. We also want to spend some time in Boston and Cape area. We are flexible on dates and number of days in itinerary. We would be interested in some hikes. After looking at you post I’m thinking Vermont and New Hampshire might work after seeing Boston. Can you help with an itinerary? We would be flying from San Diego, CA. Would appreciate any information! Thank You!

Thanks for getting in touch, Marilen – we’ll respond through email so we can provide more information.

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The Best One Week Fall Foliage Itinerary for New England (Plus More Options!)

Here’s my guide to the best one week fall foliage itinerary in New England. New England is a classic American destination, the perfect place for a road trip.

As a born/bred/educated New England girl myself, I think New England is arguably one of the world’s most beautiful places in the fall.

Country roads wind through dense forests, stone walls, covered bridges, and idyllic farm properties.

Orange, red, and gold colors explode, rippling across the mountains. It’s the stuff of dreams.

If you want to escape the crowds and fall back into nature, I recommend adding a New England road trip to your USA bucket list .

Here’s my sample one week fall foliage itinerary, taking in the best fall colors in New England. I also give you plenty of options for extending your New England road trip if you have more vacation time.

In this 7 day New England itinerary, I spill the beans on the must see scenic spots in New England to experience the festival of colors, where to stay and eat, the top hikes, and photography inspiration.

You’ll start in the historic New England city of Boston and then head to the Berkshires, Vermont, and New Hampshire. I think New Hampshire and Vermont are the best place to see fall foliage, though I may be a tad biased.

If you have more than one week for your New England fall road trip, I give you some other options in Connecticut and Rhode Island to extend your time in this rural playground.

You can easily turn a 7 day fall foliage road trip into a 10-14 day itinerary for New England and stay longer in each place.

Overview Of One Week Fall Foliage Itinerary In New England

• Day 1 : Boston MA
• Day 2 : Berkshires MA
• Day 3 : Dixville Notch State Park NH
• Day 4 : Stowe Vermont
• Day 5 : Smugglers Notch NH
• Day 6 : White Moutains NH
• Day 7 : White Mountains NH
• Extra Time? Add Burlington Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island

One Week Fall Foliage Itinerary For New England

Let’s begin the leaf peeping! Here’s where to go for fall foliage with one week in New England.

Day 1: Boston, Massachusetts

Begin your 7 day fall foliage road trip by flying (or driving) into Boston . Beautiful Boston Massachusetts is one of my favorite city in the United States. And fall is the perfect time to visit.

The country’s oldest city, Boston is steeped in American history. Boston played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.

Boston’s sometimes called the “hub of the world” or the “cradle of liberty.” The city was the source and inspiration for key ideas that shaped America.

READ : 3 Day Itinerary for Boston

Boston has a great foodie scene, wide open green spaces, quaint neighborhoods, and first rate museums. The prettiest neighborhoods, lit in colors in the fall, is Beacon Hill .

And Boston’s got loads of gorgeous fall foliage. To see the colors, head to Boston Public Garden, Boston Common, the Boston Esplanade along the Charles River, Beacon Hill, and Back Bay.

You can book a historic walking tour . The hop on hop off trolley bus takes you to Boston’s top attractions. You can also see check out the colors on a fall foliage lunch cruise .

After touring the city, pick up your rental car. Now, it’s time for some classic new England fall foliage. If you want to skip the big city altogether on this fall foliage trip, just add in one of my bonus destinations instead.

Where To Stay In Boston:

If you opt for downtown, I like the small  XV Beacon  or the  Klimpton Nine Zero Hotel. You could also splurge at the  Ritz Carlton  or the  Four Seasons .

The  Inn at St. Botolph , the  Lenox Hotel , and the  Hilton  in Back Bay are also nice options and central too.

If you can’t resist historic Beacon Hill, check out  The Boxer ,  Liberty , or the elegant  Whitney Hotel .

Where To Eat In Boston:

Barcelona Wine Bar, SVR, Yvonne’s, Beehive, Giacomo’s, Sarma, and o ya

Day 2: The Berkshires, Massachusetts

The Berkshires are a beautiful rural region of western Massachusetts that’s made up of 30 bucolic villages with some top tier leaf peeping, museums, and restaurants.

It’s a place of fall foliage glory In New England. The Berkshires are full of winding roads with rolling meadows and trees ablaze.

For some of the best fall foliage scenery in the Berkshires, take Route 7 and 8 from Great Barrington to North Adams (1:10 hours without stops).

You’ll go past storybook farms, wooden barns, and stone walls. And through the cute towns of Stockbridge, Lee, Lennox, and Pittsfield.

Stockbridge and Lenox are the two prettiest towns in the Berkshires, and make a great base for exploring. Stockbridge is home to the Norman Rockwell Museum and some of the Berkshires’ beautiful Gilded Age castle-cottages.

Lenox is home to The Mount , Edith Wharton’s home, more iconic properties, and fantastic restaurants.

The quaint town of North Adams is an arty town with an eye catching row of multi-colored Victorians called The Porches. If you’re in the mood for a museum after some leaf peeping, there are couple really good ones.

Try the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum (in nearby Adams) or the spectacular Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art .

The Notch Road leads to Mt. Greylock State Reservation . You can drive up to the summit for Massachusetts’ highest viewing point.

There are plenty of marked hiking trails that start from the parking lot. Click here for the online trail map.

Then descend back down, exit the park, and take Route 7. This will take you to the small town of Lanesborough, where you’ll see pastures and horse farms. You can pick your own apples at Lakeview Orchard .

Near Route 7, you can also visit the home of Edith Wharton in Stockbridge. On your way back to North Adams, you can stop in Cheshire at the Whitney’s Farm Market.

Here’s my complete guide to the Berkshires .

Where To Stay In The Berkshires :

In Lenox, you can check out the intimate Wheatleigh resort fashioned as a Florentine palazzo. The Seven Hills Inn is a historic property on beautifully landscapes grounds with cottages.

In Stockbridge, you can stay at the historic Red Lion Inn or the Inn at Stockbridge , a charming B&B.

Where To Eat in the Berkshires:

Gramercy Bistro, Nuedel, Grazie, Mezze, Bistro Zinc, or The Portico at the Wheatleigh

Day 3: Dixville Notch State Park, New Hampshire

On day 3 of your 7 day fall foliage itinerary, get up early and drive 4.5 hours north to Dixville Notch State Park to venture into New Hampshire. Dixville Notch is a very small area. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in unadulterated beauty.

The main road through Dixville features rolling hills and stunning scenery, including beautiful Lake Gloriette. Once there, hike the famed Table Rock Trail. You’ll need to pull off the shoulder and park on Route 26.

Table Rock Trail is a 1.5 mile out and back trail, with a relatively steep 700 feet climb. You’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over gorgeous Dixville Notch from above. If you’ve timed it right, you can even enjoy the sunset from your perch.

Another trail leaves from the parking lot of the Whittemore Family Cemetery on Google Maps. The trail winds its way through a vibrant forest, leading to a cute little bridge and stream. When you’re done hiking, head back to the nearby town of Colebrook for dinner and shut eye.

Where to stay : La Maison Bleue du Lac, Mohawk Cottages

Where to eat : Black Bear Tavern, Parsons Street, Wilderness

Day 4: Stowe, Vermont

Wake up early, grab some breakfast at Mostly Muffins in Colebrook. Then drive 2 hours west towards Stowe Vermont.

Along the way, you’ll pass scads of beautiful fall foliage and adorable rural towns, like the memorable Island Pond in Brighton.

Spend the day exploring the charming town. Where mountainous Stowe really shines is its hiking trails, with a range of options to suit every level of experience. Some take you to towering peaks, others end in waterfalls.

For beautiful fall views of Vermont’s Green Mountains, you can ride the ferry across Lake Champlain.

Another option is taking the Gondola Sky Ride at the Stowe Mountain Resort, for more beautiful aerial mountain views.

When you’re done hiking, snack on some apple cider donuts. Stowe also has a romantic and picture perfect downtown.

Its white steepled church is the focal point. Tiny Main Street is filled with boutiques, crafts stores, and antique shops. There are libraries, museums, theaters, and cultural organizations to keep your entertained.

Where To Stay In Stowe:

Stowe has some very nice hotels. The best option is the Topnotch Resort , with pools, a spa, and saunas. The Lodge at Spruce Peak is another good option. It’s at the base of Stowe Mountain and has awe inspiring views of the area’s lakes and peaks.

You can also check out the Trapp Family Lodge , with old world Austrian charm.

Where To Eat In Stowe :

Plate, Cliff House, Bistro at Ten Acres, Green Goddess Cafe

>> Click here to book a brewery tour in Stowe

Day 5: Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont

Day 5 of your one week New England fall foliage itinerary will be a busy one.

Wake up early and head 20+ minutes to the famed Smuggler’s Notch, detouring off Route 100 to Route 108. This magnificent area has a road that goes through a gap between two mountains (termed a “notch”).

Smuggler’s Notch is similar to Dixville Notch. But it’s even more stunning. The mountains on either side are massive.

There are many beautiful twists, hairpin turns, and massive boulders in the road. Unfortunately, there aren’t many places to stop and take photos. But there are two parking lots, at the Welcome Center and upper end of the notch.

From Smuggler’s Notch, drive south to Pomfret, Vermont. Take Cloudland Road south from Pomfret to Woodstock. You’ll drive along cute dirt roads lined with fall colors, rolling hills, and quaint farms.

If you’re hungry, stop in Woodstock for lunch at Mangalitsa or the Prince and the Pauper Restaurant.

Stop for a photography break at Sleepy Hollow Farm in Woodstock Vermont. It’s a great little stop that captures one of New England’s most photogenic farm properties now Instagram famous.

Sugarbush Farm is another local farm property that you can visit. Their maple syrup is famous.

Now, it’s time to head back to New Hampshire. At the base of the White Mountains, the town of Lincoln makes a good base for touring this area.

Then you don’t have to move every night. Lincoln is a creative foodie town, so plan on some fine dining there after your days of hiking and leaf peeping.

Where To Stay Near Lincoln: Omni Mt. Washington , Sugar Hill Inn , Riverwalk Resort at Loon Mountain , Red Sleigh Inn B&B

Where to eat : The Common Man, Gypsy Cafe, La Vista Italian Cuisine

Day 6: White Mountains, New Hamsphire

On day 6 of your one weeks fall foliage tour of New England, you’ll drive the sinuous Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountains.

It’s one of the most beautiful fall foliage drives in New Hampshire . You can drive the road with this self guided audio tour .

Be prepared to pump the brakes frequently. You’ll be dazzled by the incredibly epic roadside views on this 34 mile stretch of highway.

There a few places to pull over, providing great photo opportunities. Continue east until you hit the Rocky Gorge Parking Lot. Here, you can take a walk along the Swift River and get views of the beautiful Falls Pond.

From Rocky Gorge, backtrack a short distance to drive up Bear Notch Road. Bear Notch features a scenic drive along a mountainside and more roadside pullouts for gorgeous photo opportunities.

At the end of Bear Notch Road, drive north to Crawford Notch State Park .

Here, you can explore the backroads and revel in the beautiful fall colors. If you’d like to do some hiking, there are 35 hiking trails of varying difficulty.

The best hike in this area is the Mount Willard Trail . It’s a relatively steep, but short, 3.2 mile out and back hike to a clifftop vista overlooking Crawford Notch. The views are surreal.

Next, continue driving north where you can detour to the Mt Washington Cog Railway . Here, you can ride a historic train to the summit of Mt. Washington.

The mountain is the tallest one in the northeastern United States at 6,289 feet. At night, head back to your base in Lincoln.

Day 7: White Mountains | Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

On day 7 of your New England fall foliage itinerary, you’ll head to Franconia Notch State Park. The park is a lovely spot nestled in the White Mountains, just 7 minutes from Lincoln.

Start your day with a sunrise hike up to Artist’s Bluff . This is a short 1.4 mile long loop trail up to a hilltop overlooking Echo Lake. The fall foliage here is simply breathtaking.

Continue on to Flume Gorge . This is one of the best stops on a New England road trip. The natural chasm stretches 800 feet along the base of Mt. Liberty.

A boardwalk provides a relatively easy 2 mile loop hike. Waterfalls, streams, and covered bridges keep the eyes riveted the entire way.

You can also be whisked away on the 80 person Canon Mountain Aerial Tramway , which takes you to the top of majestic Cannon Mountain for an “oh wow” view. Cannon Cliff is the northeast’s largest vertical rock face. Trails meander on the mountain.

You can also hike the Falling Waters Trail to beautiful waterfalls. Or bike or hike the 8.7 mile Franconia Notch Recreation Path.

The paved trail offer spectacular views of the White Mountains and access to Echo Lake. More adventurous travelers should pull in at Loon Mountain and zipline 700 feet across the Pemigewasset River.

Where to eat : Polly’s Pancake Parlor, Lovette’s Inn & Restaurant

Extra Time On Your One Week New England Road Trip?

It may be time to head back to Boston or home after your one week New England fall foliage road trip.

But if you have extra time on your hands, there are several places you can easily add to create a longer New England fall foliage itinerary.

1. Burlington Vermont

While you’re in Vermont, after Stowe, add a day in the lovely town of Burlington. As the largest town in a state of small hamlets, Burlington has developed a wonderful art scene.

To some, Burlington is akin to a mini Seattle — a politically and socially progressive enclave of college students, regional power brokers, and creative minds.

The city’s popular waterfront bike path includes miles of paths, many along Lake Champlain. Stop at Ethan Allen Park, with a 40 foot tower providing mountain views.

If you’re a foodie, Burlington will suit. It outshines much of the US with a bounty of locally grown food. Farm to table eating is a well established tradition. There’s even excellent street food at Farmers and Foragers Food Truck.

Where to stay : Willard Street Inn, Made INN Vermont

Where to eat : Bleu Northeast Seafood, Hen of the Wood, Juniper

2. Connecticut

If you want to venture south of Boston, Rhode Island and Connecticut also offer excellent fall foliage drives, with rolling foothills ablaze in color.

The best fall drive in Connecticut is the tree-lined State Route 169. This two lane scenic road connects picture perfect towns in a still rural corner of the state, often called New England’s “Last Green Valley.”

Along this relaxing and uncrowded drive, you’ll pass classic churches, orchards, stone walls, and 19th century homes. The pink neo-Gothic  Roseland Cottage operates as a museum.

It’s open for tours June through mid-October. For a break, stop at Mrs. Bridge’s Pantry for some tea and scones.

Another popular fall drive in Connecticut is from Milford to Litchfield. Along the way, you can stop at Hunt Hill Farm, with a gallery, shop, and cafe.

Continue to New Preston, where can you do some antique shopping at Dawn Hill Antiques . Then take the 8 mile drive around Lake Waramaug. In fall, it’s encircled with red maples, rusty oaks, and yellow birches.

Where to stay : Winvian, Grace Mayflower Inn & Spa, Inn at Stonington

Where to eat : Arethusa Farm, Schoolhouse at Cannondale

3. Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island is the home of the red maple, which turns a glorious gold, purple, and scarlet come fall.

Start your tour of tiny Rhode Island in the amazing town of Providence. Providence combines big city sophistication with small town charm, vibrant culture with hot restaurants. Here’s may one day itinerary for Providence .

For leaf peeping in Providence, the tree lined vista from Prospect Terrace is stunning. There are beautiful trees along the downtown River Walk and on historic Benefit Street.

Drive north from Providence to the Diamond Hill Vineyards, which specializes in pinot noir. Then drive west to the village of Chepachet, where you’ll find Victorian homes and antique shops. A classic stop is at Brown & Hopkins Country Store .

Then hit the road and drive another 40 miles to Exeter. It’s lined with pristine hardwood forests with an abundance of red maple, white oak, elm, and poplar trees.

If time allows, you can continue on to the Colonial seaport town of Wickford, opening to Narragansett Bay.

Where to stay : Renaissance Providence , Graduate Providence

Where to eat : Gracie’s, Al Forno, Bacaro, Birch, Chez Pascal

When Is The Best Time To Take Fall Foliage Road Trip In New England?

The best time to see New England fall foliage is typically from mid September to late October. Even until early November in some places.

But it varies somewhat by state, fall coming earlier the further north you go. Some states have foliage trackers you can check to determine when peak fall foliage occurs: New Hampshire , Vermont , Massachusetts , and Connecticut .

I hope you’ve enjoyed my one week fall foliage itinerary in New England. You may enjoy these other United States travel guides and resources:

• 25 Prettiest Towns in New England
• Must See Places in the Berkshires MA
• 1 Week Road Trip for Vermont
• 10 Day Road Trip in Coastal Maine
• Flexible 10-14 Day Itinerary for Southwest US
• 10 Day Southern California Itinerary
• 21 Less Touristy Towns on the East Coast
• Best Art Towns on the East Coast
• Best Art Towns in California
• Famous Landmarks in Boston

If you’d like to take a fall foliage road trip in New England, pin it for later.

15 thoughts on “The Best One Week Fall Foliage Itinerary for New England (Plus More Options!)”

I like the sound and feel of your one week foliage road trip. When would you recommend doing that trip in the fall?

Thanks Eddie! Generally, mid September to late October is the best time.

Hi Leslie, do you do custom trip itineraries? We would like to fly into Maine and make a triangle Fall tour of Maine, NH and Vermont.

Thanks for your reply!

Hi Steve, I just don’t have time at the moment. I’m about to leave the country for travel again. But there is nothing better than fall in New England!

Thank you so much for this wonderful itinerary. It’s my first trip to the New England states. I am mapping things out now. Question: if I am driving to my final destination of Toronto, Canada, should I drive in the reverse order and go from Boston to the White Mountains to Stowe to Dixvill Notch, etc….?

Yes, that makes sense to me. Enjoy your trip!

Hi. Thanks for your lovely articles and suggestions. We are going on a NE Cruise in September and have available 5 extra days after the cruise in the NE area, we will be driving from Boston. We do not want to move around every night, and after reading your article I am thinking of just going to the Berkshires (maybe Lenox) and Stowe, then touring around those areas in the time we have. My question is where would you spend more time, Berkshires or Stowe? We will do 2 nights at one, and 3 nights at the other.

Definitely the Berkshires. I have a whole article on what to do in the Berkshires, if you use the search bar. I think Stowe is a one day visit unless you’re skiing.

This is awesome information. Thanks for putting this all together. Where would you suggest to stay on Day 6 & 7 ? There are no suggested places to stay in the article. Thanks so much !

There are lots of places to stay in the White Mountains. I should probably update the article. The nicest place is the Omni Mount Washington. You can also check out the Mountain View Grand resort and the White Mountain Hotel and Resort. Or opt for booking an Air Bnb.

This was exactly what I needed! Flying into La Guardia from Texas next week. We are renting a a car and doing a 6-day tour of New England. We were planning to end in Boston so we can go from there back to the airport. Can you give me an idea of where to start with having only 5 nights? Thanks so much for sharing this great information with us newbies!

You could just reverse the order and start in the White Mountains, staying only 1 night there instead. Or you could skip the white mountains and start in Smuggler’s Notch, spending an extra day in the Berkshires. I have a Boston itinerary, if you want one: https://www.thegeographicalcure.com/post/the-perfect-3-day-itinerary-for-boston-massachusetts

Hi Leslie! We’re planning to take your New England car tour and will be driving from southwest OH. We may stay at the American side of Niagara Falls on our way to Boston. Can you offer any tips on lodging or restaurants at Niagara Falls? Thanks much!!

Sorry, no, I haven’t been there in decades. Enjoy your trip Don!

We will be able to complete 5 full of the days of your itinerary, starting and ending in Boston. (Landing in Boston Sunday night, touring Monday – Friday, flying out of Boston Saturday late afternoon).

Which 5 days would you most highly recommend we hit? We do like hiking, if that helps.

Thanks for your great post!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Last Updated on July 4, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

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Perfect New England Fall Road Trip: 10, 5, 3 Day Itinerary 2024

May 31, 2023

Your Influencer Coach & Fellow Content Creator

I'm a travel creator and influencer coach based out of Arizona. This blog is where I share the best itineraries for US & beyond, 63 US National Parks , and influencer tips . Read More About Me ⟶

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What do fiery oranges, sultry yellows, candy-apple reds, quaint cabins, and Gilmore Girl towns all have in common? New England in the fall.

The best way to experience all that and more is with a New England fall road trip itinerary.

So in this post, we’re going to spill all the tea (or pumpkin spice?) on how to pull off the best NE itinerary including information I’ve gathered from three separate New England fall trips I’ve taken over the years.

We’ll cover multiple itineraries: 10 days, 5 days, and 3 days—mainly focused on Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (maps included).

To start, we need to cover some must-know planning details before you embark on your trip!

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Disclaimer: Hey, pumpkin spice lover! This blog contains affiliate links which means I earn a v small percentage of every purchase at no additional cost to you. These affiliate links help support me and my blog, but there is absolutely no pressure to use them!

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Planning Your New England Fall Road Trip

Let’s start with a quick peep at some planning 101’s.

Where is New England📍 — New England is a compilation of US states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

States with the Best Foliage🍁 — New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont—all covered in this post.

When to Go❓ — Late September, Mid-October—First week of October is usually a good ballpark.

Trip Length⏰ — 10 days is ideal—5 to 7 is great too (all covered in this post)

Fly✈️ — Start in Boston or Albany, New York. Check KAYAK for flights starting at $53.

Rental Car🚗 — Also check KAYAK for the best prices in Albany or Boston !

Now, we need to dive into my top “need to knows” for planning your trip.

When is the Best Time to See Fall Colors in New England in 2024?

The best time to see fall colors in New England is beginning to mid-October.

After three years of experience, I have always had the best luck exploring the first week of October.

The peak time to see colors can change depending on how much water the trees receive leading up to the fall season. A dry season can result in less vibrant leaves!

Insider Tip: As you plan, keep a daily eye on the New England peak fall foliage map —which leads us to the next must-know.

Fall Colors Are (Semi) Unpredictable

Planning fall trips to New England can be a tricky business. You see, you’re playing with a season, and seasons can be unpredictable. 

My advice: be as flexible as possible with your New England fall trips.

Daily, you’ll want to keep an eye on the leaf monitors to ensure you’re getting the most accurate reading of colors.

During my trips, I found that sometimes the leaves would change color overnight! 

Insider Tip: Don’t get tied up in going to a single spot for New England fall foliage. Instead, have a general list of places you want to see and go from there. This blog will provide you with plenty of options!

Choosing Your Starting Point

From experience, starting your New England fall road trip itinerary in Albany, NY or Boston, MA (Boston-Logan International) will give you the best flexibility and EPIC itineraries .

My favorite trips have always been a loop, beginning in NY, heading North, and ending in New York’s Adirondacks .

I want to make sure you have options, though.

So first, we’ll cover a 10-day itinerary from Albany, NY. Then as a bonus, we’ll cover starting from Boston (in case you want to do that instead).

Let’s start with the Albany itinerary.

Insider Tip: Leaves tend to change north first and gradually work their way south. When in doubt, hit your northern fall foliage destinations first and move down! 

10-Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary Starting in New York

• Day 1 — Arrive in Albany, NY ; Berkshires
• Day 2 — White Mountains ; Kancamagus Highway
• Day 3 — Franconia Notch State Park
• Day 4 — Crawford Notch State Park
• Day 5 — Acadia National Park
• Day 6 — Acadia National Park
• Day 7 — Dixville Notch State Park
• Day 8 — Stowe, VT ; Smuggler’s Notch
• Day 9 — Lake Placid, NY ; Adirondacks
• Day 10 — Head to Albany, NY

Below is a map that includes all the destinations I listed for the ten-day New England fall road trip and the bonus locations we’ll cover later. 

The map has layers for our alternative itineraries (coverd later), recommended things to do, and places to eat we’ll cover in this post!

Click here for a live version of the map!

You can thank me later ;).

Let’s dive in! Each day has its own list of things to do, places to eat, and where to stay.

Day 1 — Berkshires, MA

Day 1 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~2 hours)

• Morning: Arrive in New York and pick up car
• Afternoon: Drive to Berkshires, ~2hrs
• Evening: Visit Mount Greylock
• Stay: Tourists , The Williams Inn

Now let’s look at the details!

After flying into New York and picking up your car , your New England foliage adventure will begin in the Berkshires, MA. 

I suggest arriving to Albany the evening before day one OR early to late afternoon on day 1 .

This way, you have enough time to drive to the Berkshires and explore the area.

Insider Tip: I love this itinerary so much because starting in Albany allows you to explore the NY Adirondacks too (we discuss this in the post)!

Your drive to the Berkshires from Albany, NY, will be about 1 hour and 20 minutes—it’s a great place to start the fall fun!

Start by heading to Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts, which stands at 3,489ft.

Don’t worry; I’m not making you hike the very first day you get here.

Drive up to the top of Mount Greylock and admire the fall views from above!

For food in the area, Korean Garden is the place for tasty Asian dishes!

Another option is Pera Bistro which offers a Mediterranean menu.

Insider Tip: To and from Mount Greylock, you’ll have stores like Walmart available in case you need supplies and snacks!

Where to Stay Near The Berkshires

Adams and Williamstown are where you’ll find amazing mountain resorts tucked away in the woods—perfect for fall.

Here’s a quick list of places you’d like:

Tourists ($$$) — Luxury accommodations that will make you think you’ve just entered the mountain escape of your dreams. Pet friendly, great food, great music, even BETTER vibes.

The Williams Inn ($$$) — Luxury hotel nestled in the mountains that will make you feel like east coast royalty. Great for couples with spacious, clean rooms and super cozy beds—check out the bar and The Log restaurant!

If camping is more your vibe, you’ll be a bit out of the way, but the Savoy Mountain State Forest has options for tent camping, car camping, and log cabins.

You must reserve a spot ahead of time, though before choosing to camp here during your fall road trip in New England.

Insider Tip: Tomorrow will be one of the longer driving days because you’ll want to head to the White Mountains from here, so rest up!

Day 2 — White Mountains, New Hampshire

Day 2 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~5 hours)

• Morning: Drive the Mohawk Trail Scenic Drive
• Afternoon: Drive to White Mountains, New Hampshire
• Late Afternoon: Explore Kancamagus Highway
• Stay: The Stonehurst Manor , Ledge & Lake Chalet , North Conway Grand Hotel

If day one didn’t satisfy your hunger for pumpkin spice and fall vibes, day two will!

Drive the Mohawk Trail

Before leaving Massachusetts, you’ll drive the Mohawk Trail —one of the most scenic New England foliage drives! 

The entire trail stretches about 69 miles.

The drive includes plenty of mountainside vistas that’ll make you fall in love with MA—see what I did there ;).

Insider Tip: Make sure you bring something like a Sony a6400 and 24-70mm f/2.8 lens for some pictures!

Lincoln, NH

After 4 hours, you’ll arrive in Lincoln, NH — a town in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and a well-known hub for visitors.

Once there, grab something to eat at Gypsy Cafe or a coffee at Half Baked & Fully Brewed ( The Moon Cafe & Bakery is a great alternative)!

Alternative: None of that your vibe? Black Mtn Burger Co is another popular place to eat in Lincoln, NH!

Explore the Kancamagus Highway

Today, you’ll explore some popular attractions along the Kancamagus Highway !

Driving the entire Kancamagus Highway takes about an hour.

The Highway goes 37 miles through the White Mountains, starting in Lincoln, NH, and ending in Conway , NH (where you’ll be staying next). 

Unfortunately, there are no gas stations or food options along the Highway, so bring snacks!

All vehicles must pay a $5 entrance fee. You can read more online at KancamagusHighway.com

Here are a couple of my favorite stops:

Hancock Overlook —Located along the Kancamagus Hairpin Turn, Hancock Overlook will seriously leave you in awe with its view of rolling hills and mountains COVERED in vibrant fall foliage.

Sabbaday Falls —One of New Hampshire’s most visited waterfalls!

Click here to grab a Kancamagus audio tour!

Insider Tip: Lincoln, NH is pretty small, so you’ll be better off driving the entire Highway and staying in the Conway, NH, area.

Flume Gorge

A MUST on your drive is to stop at what’s called Flume Gorge.

It’s famous for its red covered bridge which makes a great photo spot.

To enter Flume Gorge , you’ll have to pay $18 (if you grab your pass online).

In-person passes are $21.  Click here for more details !

Fun Fact: covered bridges are known as “kissing bridges” because of their privacy. Make your way through the Highway until you reach Conway.

Where to Stay in Conway, NH

Conway, NH is a fairly big city and you’ll probably find more things to do in the North Conway area.

So when considering accommodations, try to stay there!

Here are some places to consider:

The Stonehurst Manor ($$$) —A glorious mansion in North Conway where you’ll enjoy a romantic-style room complete with a fireplace! With your stay you can enjoy free dinner and breakfast.

Ledge & Lake Chalet ($$) —A cozy chalet nestled in the White Mountains. Enjoy a fall foliage view from your windows before taking a short walk to Echo Lake!

North Conway Grand Hotel ($$) —A great hotel with everything you could ask for! Enjoy the spa, pool, and proximity to outdoor adventures. You can even cozy up in a king room complete with a personal hot tub (if that’s your style).

Insider Tip: Want a cabin getaway? Check out this guide: Cozy Cabin Rentals in North Conway, NH

Day 3 — Franconia Notch State Park (Amazing New England Fall Road Trip Sunrise)

Day 3 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~2 hours)

• Morning: Artist Bluff
• Afternoon : Explore Franconia Notch State Park
• Evening: Check out more of North Conway

On Day 3 of your New England fall road trip itinerary you’ll get to see the popular Franconia Notch State Park and explore one of my favorite New Hampshire towns: Conway—woohoo!

Hiking Artist Bluff Trail

First stop: Artist Bluff Trail for some leaf peeping in New England this morning!

I’ve gone here for sunrise in the past, but a mid-morning hike is a great choice too!

The drive here from Conway will be about 1 hour, but it’s worth it!

The trail is about 1.9 miles round trip with very minimal elevation gain.

Artist Bluff is where you will get the famous New England foliage view of Echo Lake — prepare for your jaw to DROP . I mean, just look at the pictures.

Insider Tip: The trail gets SO windy at the top, so don’t wear anything that can fly away. 

Franconia Notch State Park

After your hike, take some time to explore the rest of the park!

Below are some attractions to consider:

Echo Lake Beach —You already saw the lake from above. Now go explore the fall-covered shoreline! Click here to book parking reservations —parking is limited.

Hike More Trails —Lonesome Lake Trail, Mt. Pemigewasset Trail, and the Appalachian Trail are more fall hikes you can enjoy.

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway —Enjoy fall views from 4,000 feet in the sky! Taking the sky tram up Cannon Mountain will give you views of New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, AND Canada.

This is a pretty scenic area of New Hampshire—I enjoyed just driving around!

Insider Tip: If you don’t have time to see too much, I at least recommend exploring Echo Lake — it’s just too pretty!

North Conway, NH

After your adventures, head to North Conway . 

Since you already explored the Highway yesterday, you can go straight through!

North Conway, New Hampshire like the New England mountain town of your dreams, complete with a little railroad *choo choo* and boutique shops.

It’s a gem nestled in the White Mountains.

Surrounded by endless trees that go orange in the fall, North Conway is the perfect place to snack on pumpkin spice everything while you cozy up in oversized knit scarves and sweaters.

So, duhhhhhh, it has to be a stop on your itinerary.

You can shop, eat, or hang out at Schouler Park —a large grassy area perfect for a picnic.

Make time to check out the Conway Scenic Railroad. 

If you didn’t get coffee earlier,  The Met  is the place to be! Want something sweet to end your day?

I also recommend you check out the  White Mountain Cupcakery ! Chocolate peanut butter cupcakes— SIGN ME UP.

Insider Tip: Popular food spots for when you arrive in Conway include Chef’s Bistro , Vito Marcello’s Italian Bistro , and Muddy Moose Restaurant & Pub .

Black Cap Trail (Optional)

If you’re in the mood for another hike, Black Cap Trail is great for fall foliage!

Black Cap Trail is about 610ft in elevation gain and a 2.3 miles round trip .

At the top, you’ll have sweeping mountain views of the Presidential Range .

You’ll stay in Conway again— tomorrow will be your last night here!

Insider Tip: Black Cap is a pretty easy hike, so if you didn’t feel like doing Artist Bluff Earlier, this is a great alternative.

Day 4—Crawford Notch State Park (My Fave New England Fall Foliage Stop)

Day 4 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~1.5 hours)

• Morning: Drive to Crawford Notch State Park
• Afternoon: Visit Mount Willard Trail
• Late Afternoon: Frankenstein Cliffs & other major attractions

Today we’re heading a little bit north and going to Crawford Notch State Park where you’ll be deep in the White Mountains—prime spot for fall colors!

Crawford Notch State Park Hiking

Crawford Notch makes up a large pass that carves straight through the White Mountains.

In New Hampshire’s smallest town, Hart’s Location , Crawford Notch State Park, is the hidden mountain gem you didn’t know you needed in your life.

If everything aligns, you could see peak fall colors here, which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Fall will paint the trees with the most intense red color, leaving any fall lover speechless!

One of the best parts about Crawford is that you can bring your furry friends there!

On my last trip to NE, I brought my pup along, and he LOVED this portion of the White Mountain National Forest.

And if you’re heading to Crawford Notch, you must do at least one hike !

That’s the best way to see the colors.

Here are a couple of trails to consider:

Mount Willard Trail —Hike for a jaw-dropping valley full of fall colors. The trail is approximately 3.2 miles round trip with 950ft of elevation gain. 

Frankenstein Cliffs —A more challenging trail that will take you to Arethusa Falls. Some parts of the trail will take you close to parts of the park’s railroad (Frankenstein Trestle)! 

Insider Tip: Since the park lines a small section of the White Mountain Highway, it’s pretty easy to get around.

Crawford Notch Scenic Stops

If hiking isn’t your thing, though, there are plenty of other neat fall experiences you can enjoy here:

Enjoy a Scenic Overlook —You can enjoy tons of overlooks and pullouts as you drive around Crawford. Some have views of fall foliage along the Saco Rover (the river that lines the whole park).

Ride the Conway Scenic Railroad —From Crawford Station, you can ride the Conway Scenic Railroad’s Mountaineer route, which is a ridiculously scenic fall ride through the mountains.

Go Back in Time at Willey House —Visit the historical Willey House and look at old park photographs, eat ice cream, or enjoy the surrounding outdoor scenery.

Saco River —Enjoy exploring the Saco River and the gorgeous foliage around it!

Insider Tip: For the night, you’ll stay in   Conway   again before we continue on your New England fall road trip itinerary—Maine is up next and it’ll be a longer drive!

Day 5—Acadia National Park, Maine

Day 5 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~4 hours)

• Morning: Drive to Acadia National Park
• Afternoon: Bar Harbor
• Evening: Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse for sunset
• Stay: The Primrose , The Inn on Mount Desert , Bar Harbor Grand Hotel

Today’s leg of the road trip will take you all the way up to Maine!

Bar Harbor, Maine

Maine has to be one of my favorite states for New England fall foliage because you get a unique mix of autumn colors and ocean views.

While this is a 4-hour drive, you don’t have to be anywhere until sunset hits. 

So if you have some time to spare, grab some food in Conway and some snacks for the road before continuing your leaf-peeping New England adventures!

And the drive up to Acadia will be beautiful!

You’ll be in the mountains LITTERED with fall colors—ooo la laaa!

Bar Harbor is a town on Mount Desert Island, surrounded by gorgeous cliffs and the ocean.

Known for its stunning coastal vibes and boating, Bar Harbor is the perfect place to enjoy a lobster roll after a full day of exploring the park.

If that sounds like your vibe, you must check out  The Travelin Lobster !

You’ll spend two nights in Bar Harbor—the gateway to Acadia National Park.

Insider Tip: While you’re here, I recommend you take a tour around Bar Harbor and Acadia NP !

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

For your first sunset in Acadia National Park, I suggest visiting the classic Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse . 

Bass Harbor Head was constructed in 1858 and was considered significant for its aid, making transportation possible in Maine.

You may not see much New England fall foliage here, but it’s the easiest way to enjoy your first evening in Acadia National Park.

Expect parking to be limited and hectic! 

For dinner, I recommend checking out  Cafe This Way !

They have something for everyone, from fresh lobster to a vegan burger!

Cafe This Way also has a great breakfast menu, just saying.

Insider Tip: Bass Harbor Head is a popular photography spot but a must-see for visiting the park—plan to get here almost an hour before sunset.

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor

The hotels in Bar Harbor are just as dreamy as the views—check them out:

The Primrose ($$) —An elegant hotel where you’ll be just a mile from Acadia! The Victorian-style rooms will leave you in awe, but so will the fluffy pumpkin pancakes!

The Inn on Mount Desert ($$) —A charming guest home is an adorable Bar Harbor neighborhood. You’ll love staying here for its proximity to downtown and cozy beds that practically hug you to sleep.

Bar Harbor Grand Hotel ($$) —A gorgeous hotel property modeled after the elegant 19th century Bar Harbor homes that used to line the city. It’s centrally located to the beach, park, and downtown—everything is within walking distance!

You’ll start tomorrow with a sunrise mission, so get plenty of rest!

Day 6—Acadia National Park

Day 6 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~1 hour)

• Morning: Adventure through Acadia National Park
• Afternoon: Cadillac Mountain, Jesup Path
• Evening: Beehive Trail for sunset

Today will be your time to see as many things to do in Acadia National Park as possible!

Cadillac Mountain

While exploring Acadia National Park in the fall, you may as well see the first sunrise in the USA!

During October, the sun rises over Cadillac Mountain before anywhere else in the country, so it’s a popular park attraction! 

Staying in Bar Harbor will put you about 15 minutes away. 

After sunrise, I suggest driving 15 minutes back into Bar Harbor for some breakfast! Try  Jordan’s Restaurant !

Insider Tip: To ensure you get parking, head there about an hour before sunrise. 

Hiking Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop

In the afternoon, head to  Jesup Path and Hemlock Path Loop !

It’s an AMAZING trail for seeing New England fall foliage.

The trail is only 1.5 miles round trip and pretty much flat the entire time. 

The loop takes about 30-60 minutes to complete, and you’ll walk along tall trees covered in color the entire time.

If you’re not up for going on Jesup, try one of these awesome things to do:

3-Hour Private Tour —Take a private tour that’ll bring you through the best of what the park has to offer including Park Loop Road, Cadillac Mountain, and Sand Beach!

Foodie Tour —Spend the afternoon exploring Bar Harbor and eat your heart out! This highly rated foodie tour will have you eating lobster rolls, crab cakes and more.

Bike Around —See all of Acadia’s best views by biking around! Rent an e-bike and you’ll get to explore the entire park on your own time all while enjoying a breezy ride through fall colors.

You can also just explore more of Bar Harbor!

Insider Tip: You don’t have to hike the entire Jesup Path if you don’t want to— turn around at any point!

Beehive Trail for Sunset

And now it’s time for sunset—hit that  Beehive Trail ! Make sure you wear sturdy hiking boots !

Beehive Trail is relatively short, sitting at about 1.5 miles round trip , and will take you up a cliffside where you’ll see coastal views and an ocean of fall colors .

You can make a loop out of the hike or turn around at the top of the main cliff.

When I hiked Beehive Trail, rather than making a loop out of it, I went to the top of the cliff and then back down the same way.

It was easier to navigate back to the car since the trail was pretty dark after the sun went down.

So pro tip, bring a headlamp for your sunset excursion! 

Insider Tip: I should also note that this hike includes ladders , which adds to the adventure, hehehehe, but if that scares you, then skip this trail.

Jordan Pond (Alternative)

An alternative would be to head to Jordan Pond and hike a 3.3-mile moderate loop around it.

You can get there by parking at the Jordan Pond parking lot on Park Loop Road.

Parking can get busy, so you’ll still have to get there early.

At Jordan Pond, you’ll get views of The Bubbles , two identical mountain formations that (you guessed it) look like bubbles—they’ll be covered in fall foliage!

Insider Tip: Tomorrow you won’t have to be anywhere until sunset for your leaf peeping New England adventure, BUT this will be a long driving day since you’ll be heading back to New Hampshire.

Day 7—Dixville Notch State Park (Best New England Fall Foliage Sunset Hike)

Day 7 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~4 hours)

• Morning: Relax and eat in Bar Harbor, Maine
• Afternoon: Drive to Dixville Notch State Park
• Evening: Visit Dixville Notch, hike Table Rock
• Stay: Northwoods House , Home with a View , Private Cabin

Dixville Notch is pretty out of the way, but trust me when I say the trail you’ll be exploring is a once-in-a-lifetime hike.

Colebrook, NH

Tonight, you’ll be staying in Colebrook, NH.

There isn’t a whole lot going on in this part of New Hampshire, but Colebrook will have everything you need to fuel up for the next leg of the trip.

Since you don’t have to be anywhere until sunset, you could take your time getting here .

However, you also could drive to Colebrook early (about 15min from Dixville Notch), check into your stay, get something to eat, then make your way towards your sunset hike: Table Rock.

Colebrook is a small town. Some shops and restaurants close early, so this may be a good time to stop at a grocery store for snacks or food you can eat in your hotel room!

Hiking Table Rock New Hampshire

It’s one of the best hikes for New Hampshire fall foliage, and it’s easy to see why—look at the pics! 

The view sits above Lake Gloriette and is a short 1.5-mile trail . 

The only downside to this hike is that it is relatively steep in a very short distance (about 750ft in elevation gain). If you’re weak on the knees, bring trekking poles .

The parking lot for Table Rock is SMALL—plan to be there about 1 to 1.5 hours before sunset. 

Getting to the trailhead early will give you more time to relax at the top! 

When you finish your hike, I suggest going to Colebrook and grabbing some dinner;  House of Pizza  is a popular food option.

Not in the mood for a hike? You can also make a pit stop at Lake Gloriette to have a shoreline view of the colors.

Insider Tip: I imagine Table Rock would look equally great for sunrise, so if that works out better for your New England fall road trip itinerary, you could go that route. 

Where to Stay in Colebrook

For accommodations, Vrbo could be your best bet. Check out these rentals:

Northwoods House ($$) —Stay in this cozy, updated home nestled in the woods! After you explore for the day, you can come back to this home away from home and watch Netflix while you snuggle up on your extra comfy king bed. Pet-friendly.

Home with a View ($$$) —Breakfast and panoramic views of fall colors? Sign me up! Enjoy incredible views of NH from above while you make breakfast, sit on the patio, or look out your window—pictures don’t do it justice.

Private Cabin ($$) —Escape to the woods in this private cabin. A great property to stay for the night while you fall asleep to the sounds of the running stream.

Insider Tip: Tomorrow you’ll be heading into Stowe, Vermont, which will be about a 2 hour drive, so you won’t have to be up super early to continue your leaf peeping New England adventure!

Day 8—Stowe, VT and Smugglers Notch

Day 8 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~3 hours)

• Morning: Drive to Stowe
• Afternoon: Explore Stowe, VT attractions
• Evening: Smugglers Notch
• Stay: The Stowehof Hotel , Timberholm Inn , Green Mountain Inn

I know I’ve talked about pumpkin spice, Gilmore Girls, and fall vibes a lot, but this place feels like it is meant to celebrate fall and ONLY FALL. You’ll see.

Things to do in Stowe, Vermont for Fall

There are plenty of things to do in Stowe, VT in the fall ! So let’s talk about ’em:

Eat —If you’re a veggie lover like me, then give Green Goddess Cafe a try! Not feelin’ in? Head to Piecasso pizza ! They even have vegan cheese you can sub with.

Get Lost in a Maze —The Percy Farm Corn Maze is the place to be if you want some spooooooooky fall vibes—ooooooo, enter if you daaaaAAAre.

Grab a Coffee — Black Cap Coffee and Beer is hipster AF, and we love it, but PK Coffee is where you’ll find a bomb @$$ apple crumble that tastes like an explosion of fall in your mouth—I will NEVER FORGET IT.

Sip on Some Cider —Did I mention you can drive to an APPLE CIDER MILL WHERE YOU CAN HAVE APPLE CIDER? Scott and I love Cold Hollow Cider Mill and would recommend it to anyone as a stop on their New England fall road trip itinerary.

Hop on a Zipline —get up close and personal with the fall foliage by hopping on one of the longest ziplines in the country!

Take a Brewery Tour —Enjoy some hard cider and locally brewed beers on a 5 hour, small group tour!

Click here to book your Stowe day tour!

Insider Tip: Want to see it all? Book an epic day tour that will take you to Smuggler’s Notch, the Cider Mill, Ben & Jerry’s, downtown Stowe, and the Outdoor Center at the Trapp Family Lodge for some epic views of the Green Mountains!

Smugglers’ Notch State Park

Most folks come here to explore Smuggler’s Notch Pass.

Smuggler’s Notch Pass goes through Vermont and has some fantastic New England views!

It’s well-known for its extremely windy road that bobs and weaves through endless fall colors in Vermont’s Green Mountains —don’t skip the drive!

You can spend a chill day in nature enjoying one of the Smuggler’s picnic areas.

To learn more about the park, visit  VTStateParks.com .

Insider Tip: If you want to hike around, check out Hellbrook Trail, Sterling Pond Trail, or Long Trail.

Where to Stay in Stowe, VT

Stowe is the place to book a BOUJIE hotel. This is a bucket list type town, and there are some beautiful resorts!

Check them out:

Timberholm Inn ($$) —The Timberholm Inn is tucked away in the Stowe mountains. This is the perfect place to get your cabin fix in a cozy environment that’ll put you in the middle of prime fall foliage! 

The Stowehof Hotel ($$) —Staying at The Stowehof will make you feel like you’re in a European country. The views here are spectacular, but the interior is extra special. The beautiful fireplaces and library you can enjoy will be the perfect places to rest up after a long day of exploring! Fab location too.

Green Mountain Inn ($$) —Located in Stowe’s Historic Center is this magical inn with an ornate lobby, romantic rooms, and a heated pool you’ll love! Being in the center of town will put you in the middle of all the action.

Insider Tip: If you want a shorter trip, check out my guide on a fall weekend in Vermont !

Day 9—Lake Placid and the Adirondacks

Day 9 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~3 hours)

• Morning: Drive to Adirondacks
• Afternoon: Explore Heart Lake or Indian Head
• Evening: See Lake Placid
• Stay: Crowne Plaza Lake Placid , Mirror Lake Inn , High Peaks Resort

The drive from Stowe, VT to the Lake Placid, NY area will be about 2 hours! This is outside of New England but it’s worth the drive.

Adirondacks

When you arrive, head into the High Peaks Wilderness and hike  Indian Pass and Heart Lake Loop Trail .

Heart Lake Loop is a little over a mile and is a GORGEOUS fall foliage hike! 

You can read about parking for the trailhead on the  Lake Placid website .

Another hike I highly recommend you do is  Indian Head and Rainbow Falls . It’s an easy 11mi hike that will lead to a stunning fjord-type formation surrounded by fall colors! 

After your hike, grab a caffeine fix at  Old Mountain Coffee Company  in Keene, NY. 

They sell chocolate bars there, and I have never had better chocolate—grab one!

Insider Tip: Alternatively, you can go to Mirror Lake and walk the shoreline—another popular destination in the area.

Lake Placid

Lake Placid, New York, is known for its access to the outdoors and, more notably, the winter Olympics—and it’s where you’ll stay for the night!

Mirror Lake sits in the town center.

When you get here, I recommend taking a walk in the downtown area.

It is quaint, cute, and ADORABLE in the fall and has lake views everywhere.

You can shop along Main Street, grab a pastry, or  rent a canoe  and coast along Mirror Lake.

OR, if you want an authentic New England fall foliage adventure, you can get a view of the foliage from above by booking a scenic flight with Payne’s Air Service.

Insider Tip: For food, I suggest capping off your last official day in your fall road trip in New England with a drink and some food at  Lisa G’s !

Woodstock, Vermont (Alternative)

If seeing the Adirondacks doesn’t feel like your vibe, I recommend staying in Stowe, VT, another night and taking a day trip to Woodstock, Vermont .

The drive will be about an hour.

You can enjoy more of Vermont’s fall foliage when you’re there and explore the quaint Woodstock area.

We’ll talk more about Woodstock, VT in our “BONUS” stops section—keep reading!

Insider Tip: Woodstock is also home to the Sleepy Hollow Farm—a must-see for spooky fall vibes!

Where to Stay in Lake Placid, NY

Like Stowe, Lake Placid has some amazing places to stay.

Here are my recommendations based on previous trips I took here:

Crowne Plaza Lake Placid ($$) —This amazing hotel includes all the amenities you need for an extra comfortable stay and has a GORGEOUS view overlooking Mirror Lake.

Mirror Lake Inn ($$$) —A fantastic property overlooking Mirror Lake that has the perfect spa to end your trip with. The entire time you’re there, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Adirondacks!

High Peaks Resort ($$) —Located right in the middle of all the action, this gorgeous resort has private beach access you can use to enjoy Mirror Lake and the surrounding foliage. Pet-friendly too!

Insider Tip: Tomorrow will be a travel day back to Albany, New York!

Day 10—Drive to Albany, NY

Day 10 in Sum (Total Drive Time: ~2 hours)

• Morning: Drive to Albany, NY
• Stay: Albany, NY, or depart

Now it’s time to wrap up our New England fall road trip!

Drive to Albany

This day is short and sweet.

You’ll be driving the 2-hour drive back to Albany, New York, where you might be departing, or you will stay the night and leave the next day. 

Either way, plan your travel accordingly!

If you have time to grab coffee before leaving Lake Placid, I suggest trying  The Coffee Bar !

The lake views here are *chef’s kiss* and will be a great way to cap off your leaf-peeping New England adventure.

Otherwise, that’s a wrap!

Let’s quickly discuss what this trip would look like if you started in Boston, MA.

Insider Tip: Additionally, you can head to the New York Catskills to see more fall foliage (covered in the bonus sections).

BONUS New England Fall Road Trip Itineraries

Let’s quickly go over the other ways you call pull this trip off.

After this, we’ll talk about bonus stops!

10-Day Fall Road Trip in New England Starting in Boston

Alternatively, you can arrive at the Boston-Logan International Airport and drive 2 hours to Conway, NH. 

This would mean your first night would be in Conway, NH. 

You would then proceed with days: 2 through 8 from the Albany itinerary.

Then, on day 9, head towards Boston and stop in Woodstock, VT.

Woodstock, VT is where you can see the Sleepy Hollow Farm. 

Finally, on day 10, you can explore Boston, MA, and prepare to depart!

The map below illustrates what your route would look like.

5 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

Only have five days?

I recommend flying into Manchester, NH, and focusing your time and efforts on seeing New Hampshire and Vermont.

In that case, fly into Manchester, NH, and drive about 2 hours to Conway, NH.

With Conway as your hub, you can have a BLAST exploring the White Mountains (days 2 through 4) AND make a stop in Stowe, VT (day 8).

If you end in Stowe, you’ll have a 2.5-hour drive back to the Manchester area. 

3 Day Fall Foliage Trip

If you only have three days to work with, I suggest exploring New Hampshire fall foliage.

You can spend three days going around the White Mountains and have a fantastic time!

A road trip like this would look similar to days 2 through 4 on our extensive itinerary.

You’d fly into Manchester, NH, and stay in Conway, NH.

If you’re up for it, take a day trip to Stowe from Conway (about a 2.5-hour drive).

New England Fall Foliage Bonus Stops

Regardless of where you start your trip, you should know that there are plenty of unique places we didn’t cover!

Want to switch things up or add additional destinations to your fall road trips in New England?

This section is for you.

Sleepy Hollow Farm in Woodstock, VT

Spend an extra night in Stowe and take a day trip to Woodstock’s Sleepy Hollow Farm. It’s possibly one of the most photogenic farms in Vermont. The best part?

The farm is less than an hour from Stowe, so you don’t have to drive too far! 

If you can, I recommend exploring Woodstock during the day.

You’ll enjoy some hella New England vibes and great coffee (like at Soulfully Good Cafe ). 

Connecticut

If you’re looking to  switch it up , add Connecticut to your list!

During your East Coast fall road trip, you can opt to take Route 9 through the Connecticut River Valley. 

And if you want a unique way to see fall colors, ride on the historic  Essex Steam Train ! 

The Essex will take you on a scenic journey through some of Connecticut’s most beautiful fall views. 

For an authentic leaf-peeping New England experience,  try a fall foliage cruise  (available in other New England states too).

Portland, Maine

There is so much to do in Portland, Maine !

You can go apple picking or even take a tour of a Sugar House where a farmer will let you try some of their fresh maple syrup. 

For example, Merrifield Farm and Sugar Shack have maple cotton candy and fresh vanilla ice cream with maple syrup visitors can buy.

Of course, you can get pancakes here too!

AND…AND, if you want to have a real Portland, Maine experience, you can  book a fall foliage private sightseeing cruise . 

Honestly, I don’t think it gets any more New England than that.

Make sure you grab a lobster roll and head to Portland Head Light too!

Catskills, New York

This region ended up being one of my favorite spots during my fall road trips in New England!

The Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway is a great place to end your fall foliage adventure. 

Minnewaska State Park will make all your leaf-peeping dreams come true! For some of the better foliage views,  hike to Kaaterskill Falls . 

If you’re into cabin vibes, I suggest booking a stay in a luxe country home like this for the night.

It is spacious and has a hot tub, one of my favorite ways to end a long trip. 

The Lake Minnewaska area is about 2 hours from Albany airport.

Finger Lakes Area

In New York, I suggest visiting Taughannock Falls State Park or Watkins Glen at some point on your New England fall road trip itinerary. 

Both of these stops are in the Finger Lakes National Forest area.

It’s a bit out of the way, but it could be worth the visit if you want to explore more of New York.

You can also opt to visit the Seneca Lake area and do a whole  Seneca Lake Wine Tasting Tour . 

I have PACKED this New England fall road trip itinerary with some of my best fall color recommendations.

Whether you’re a fellow PSL lover or just a fan of autumn, I genuinely hope you enjoy your East Coast fall road trip! If you want to see more epic fall adventures, I recommend checking out my New England blogs!

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When is a great time to go in the fall?

Very helpful. Thanks a lot for posting this!

Amazing recommendations! Thank you so much for doing this!

Amazing post…Thanks for sharing…

Hi Dani, Help ,,, need your clarification please, is table rock – Dixville notch state park, is it located in New Hampshire or Vermont ? By any chance if you could remember what state highway or Interstate freeway you took, your help will be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance Sally

Your itinerary is a great help, we’ll follow your suggestion. Thanks for sharing and greatly appreciated !

Hi Dani, this is the best new england trip suggestion I’ve read. Thank you so much for sharing and appreciate every detail you put in!

I have used your New England itinerary for our upcoming fall color tour. However I am having a hard time printing it out. We are arriving inAlbany, New York via Amtrak and continuing on for your 10 day trip starting at the Berkshires and ending in Lake Placid. If you can would you be so kind as to email it to me so I can print it off. I want to follow most of your recommended places to visit and would like a printed copy( seniors, lol) to take along with us. We are leaving on 10-1 21 from Chicago. Any additional tips would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

Sandra Loerop

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I watched about 10 traveling videos this week trying decide where to go. And this post the best one by far best. Shows pics and personal videos, didn’t spend to much time on each place

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I'm a burrito loving explorer who got fired from corporate America and turned that into my dream career as a photographer and blogger. Now I'm here to help you explore life's magic. Thanks for stopping by!

The Perfect 7 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary (+Scenic Drives!)🍁2024

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A New England fall road trip is the best way to experience the magical season of fall. The fall foliage in the region is some of the best on earth, and everyone should see fall in New England at least once in their life. In my opinion, a New England fall road trip is a true bucket list item .

Besides the picture-perfect autumn leaves in every direction, the orchards, fairs, and fall events create a cozy and memorable atmosphere you just won’t find elsewhere.

I’ve spent dozens of fall seasons in New England, both living and visiting, and if you’re looking for the ultimate New England fall road trip itinerary, I can help! I’d love to share with you my favorite spots where you’ll see incredible views, find the most colorful of leaves, and feel entirely like you’ve stepped into an autumn storybook.

PS: Don’t feel like planning your own road trip through New England? Consider joining one of these guided New England fall foliage tours which will do all the heavy lifting for you.

Table of Contents

Where Should You Go on a New England Fall Road Trip?

I want to start by saying that this itinerary is not comprehensive for all six New England states. 

If you want to see ALL of New England, you’ll need more time than what I’ve included here.

For a comprehensive regional journey, I suggest checking out my complete New England Road Trip Itinerary . This flexible road trip is designed for any time of year, not just to highlight the fall foliage, and includes every single state in New England.

In this post, I’ve included options for a 10, 7, and 5 day New England fall road trip. The itineraries I’ve put together focus largely on Vermont and New Hampshire . Both Vermont and New Hampshire are famous for their outstanding fall colors, which is why the trip focuses on this area.

But the southern New England states experience their share of gorgeous fall color as well. If time allows, I absolutely recommend venturing further into New England. Autumn’s glory is found in every single corner of this region.

New England Fall Foliage Road Trip: Essential Info

Let’s talk planning your fall road trip in New England.

You may be wondering: what is the best month for a New England fall road trip? When is the best time to visit New England for fall colors? When do the fall colors in New England peak?

Quick note about fall foliage in New England:

Foliage conditions vary each year due to that year’s temperature, rainfall, and other factors.  Some years have an earlier or later peak, or a more dramatic show of colors. Some foliage seasons are short, and some last a bit longer.

However, even with some variation, you can typically expect to see fall foliage in New England from early/mid-September through the end of October.

Peak foliage, when the leaves are at their best and brightest of the season, typically hits in early to mid October .

The foliage develops from north to south, with northern spots like Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire generally experiencing “peak” before Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Yankee Magazine’s Peak Foliage Map is a perfect visual representation of the fall foliage progression in the region, and you can follow this real time fall foliage tracker for the northeast here and plan your best driving route for fall foliage colors that way, too!

Planning Your Trip

Now that you know approximately when to road trip through New England, you’ll have to decide how long your trip will be.

In my experience, 7 days is the perfect amount of time to explore. It gives you enough time to stop and visit a few destinations, while also allowing for flexibility as you go.

After all, driving is a big part of any road trip. You want to have plenty of time to take it slow, head off the beaten path, or even change your route.

It’s a good idea to stay flexible on a trip like this, as you can’t predict where the absolute best places for foliage will be, and sometimes, just heading a few miles over can make all the difference!

I’ve also created a 5 day itinerary as well as a 10 day itinerary, so you can easily customize your adventure to your needs.

Want to make your trip even longer? Go for it! You can use this northeast fall road trip itinerary as a starting point and expand as desired!

And if you only have a day or two, consider taking one of these scenic fall foliage drives . These shorter fall road trips around New England can be found in every single state.

🚗 Renting a Car: If you’re flying into New England, you’ll need to rent a car for this autumn road trip! I suggest checking out the best rates at Discover Cars.

Tips for Your New England Fall Road Trip

To have the best experience possible, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Make reservations for accommodations and popular attractions well in advance, as this is one of New England’s busiest times of the year.
• The best advice for what to pack for fall in New England is to bring layers. Temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day, and you’ll likely work up a sweat during any hikes or walks.
• It goes without saying that you should always drive carefully, but be aware that this busy tourist season often creates crowds and may even cause slowdowns on roads along popular “leaf-peeping” routes.
• Bring a quality camera to capture the stunning autumn landscapes, and maybe even binoculars for spotting wildlife. If you primarily use your phone for photos, like I do, don’t forget a car charger!
• Don’t leave New England without indulging in its fall culinary delights, including apple cider donuts, pumpkin pie, and hearty clam chowder.
• Consider downloading your road trip routes onto your phone with Google Maps to be used offline, as cell service can be spotty, especially in the mountains.
• Admire the scenery while being mindful of the environment; practice leave no trace principles and respect wildlife habitats.
• Pack a first aid kit, flashlight, extra water, blanket, and snacks in case of unforeseen circumstances. It’s always smart to be extra prepared for a road trip.

7 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

Now let’s dive into the details: where will this New England fall foliage road trip take you?

The main itinerary I’m going to share in this post is this: a one week New England fall road trip. Later, you can read my variations, which offer options for both shorter and longer road trips. We’re going to start this road trip in Boston, which, with its massive Logan International Airport, is the most logical starting point for someone visiting New England from elsewhere.

But don’t skip Boston, if you have time! It’s a classic, deeply historic New England destination that is absolutely worth a visit at any time of year.

I highly recommend spending a few days exploring Boston before or after your road trip.

Resources for Exploring Boston: ⚓Essential Things to Do in Boston for First Timers ⚓One Day in Boston: An Itinerary ⚓ Fall in Boston : Where to Go and What to Do

Day 1: Boston MA to North Conway NH

Jump in your car and head out of Boston north toward New Hampshire. Your road trip has begun!

After your scenic drive, arrive in North Conway and check into your cozy lodging. I suggest any of these charming cabins in the White Mountains , many of which are near North Conway, or these Airbnb options .

Drop off your bags and head straight downtown for some exploring.

Check out the charming boutiques, art galleries, and specialty stores that make up North Conway Village. Don’t miss Zeb’s General Store , a local institution since 1990, where you’ll find a classic, old-fashioned general store bursting with unique souvenirs and gourmet goodies.

When hunger strikes, hit up Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing Co . for some hearty comfort food and a refreshing craft brew. Enjoy the rustic atmosphere and live music as you unwind from your journey.

Then hit the hay and get ready for another busy day tomorrow.

Resources for exploring North Conway & Nearby: 🍁 15+ Best Things to Do in North Conway NH 🍁 Best Restaurants in North Conway 🍁 15 Fun Things to do in Jackson, New Hampshire

Day 2: North Conway NH

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at Peach’s Family Restaurant , where the portions are as generous as the smiles.

Of course, it’s fall in the White Mountains: this place is likely to be packed! Go as early as possible to avoid the crowds of other hungry travelers. Now, it’s time to conquer the outdoors! You have a few options today for adventuring in North Conway and the surrounding areas.

• Cathedral Ledge: Consider a hike up Cathedral Ledge in Echo Lake State Park. It’s a relatively short hike that rewards you with breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and White Mountains.
• Diana’s Baths: Alternatively, opt for the enchanting Diana’s Baths , a series of cascading waterfalls and pools accessible via a family-friendly hike. These look especially lovely surrounded by the New Hampshire foliage
• Black Cap Trail: If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenging hike, tackle the Black Cap Trail , offering panoramic views from the summit.

Later, hop on board on the Conway Scenic Railroad . This vintage-style train offers a leisurely ride through picturesque landscapes, perfect for enjoying the fall foliage from a unique perspective.

The Conway Valley Train is a 55-minute scenic ride, so is ideal for those traveling with kids or who want a quick and cool experience. The railroad also offers longer more extensive fall foliage train journeys. Definitely worth checking out!

In the evening, treat yourself to another delightful dinner at a local favorite or try a new spot for some diverse flavors.

On a past trip to North Conway, my husband and I really enjoyed May Kelly’s Cottage , a tavern serving traditional Irish dishes.

Day 3: Kancamagus Highway to Franconia Notch State Park

Another amazing fall day in the White Mountains awaits you!

Today, you’ll depart North Conway westward along one of New Hampshire’s most iconic roads: the scenic Kancamagus Highway.

Known locally as “the Kanc”, this 56 mile, 2-lane mountain highway (also known as the Kancamagus Scenic Byway ) is particularly breathtaking in the autumn, as the leaves transform into their vibrant splendor.

While you could easily drive the entirety of the Kancamagus in approximately an hour (allow more time in fall), you will absolutely want to take your time.

There are numerous places to stop along the way, including scenic overlooks where you can grab a quick photo or trailheads where you can embark on a hike.

One of the first spots you’ll come across heading out of Conway is Albany Covered Bridge . There is a parking area here (a great opportunity to pay for your $5 White Mountain National Forest day use pass ).

Take one of the trails along the sides of the river to view the bridge, or if you desire, you can climb out onto the large rocks in the river to grab an iconic NH covered bridge photo.

You’ll also definitely will want to stop to check out Sabbaday Falls .

This pretty waterfall can be reached via an easy, flat, well-trodden 0.5 mile hike. It should take about 15 minutes, which makes it a small effort for a big payoff.

After all, there’s nothing like a gorgeous New Hampshire waterfall at the height of fall foliage.

Tips for Driving the Kancamagus in Fall: 🍁This route is popular for good reason, so expect crowds. Take your time driving and watch carefully for pedestrians. 🍁When you stop for photos, etc, make sure you’re in designated parking areas safely off the road. Be aware of the many cars on the highway and stay off the roads when on foot. 🍁Fuel up before leaving North Conway (or Lincoln, if coming from the opposite direction) as there are no gas stations or other amenities along this route.

You’ll have reached the end of the Kancamagus Highway when you arrive in the town of Lincoln . This is a smart place to stop for lunch before continuing on to explore in Franconia Notch State Park.

Franconia Notch State Park

Franconia Notch State Park is one of the crown jewels of the White Mountains. This destination is a testament to the diverse beauty of the Granite State, where rugged peaks, serene lakes, and dense forests come together to create an awe-inspiring landscape that draws thousands of visitors each year.

Head first to the Flume Gorge , an other-wordly natural gorge that features a boardwalk path through towering granite walls and past cascading waterfalls. Add to the scene fall foliage, and you’ve basically entered Tolkien’s Rivendell.

You should allow around 2 hours to explore Flume Gorge in all its winding angles.

Please note there is an entry fee for Flume Gorge, and you’ll save a couple bucks if you book in advance here .

After this busy and active day, you deserve a good meal! I’ve got lots of suggestions in my list of best Lincoln restaurants.

Then it’s time to rest your head.

You will probably love this amazing spot: Lumen Nature Retreat . This is a new glamping site located in nearby North Woodstock, and it’s an ideal place to stay in the fall, right in the heart of nature.

Some of their cozy cabins offer massive windows to look out onto the surrounding trees. Or, you can go even more rustic with tent glamping.

I’ll be staying at Lumen this fall for the first time, and I can’t wait to come back and tell you about it! I’ll definitely be sharing my thoughts here.

Day 4: Franconia Notch to Stowe VT

Get an early start today as you’re off to see Artist’s Bluff, a popular hike that ends in an absolutely spectacular view.

The trail starts in the large dirt parking lot off Rt 18 across the street from Cannon Mountain Ski Resort and heads steeply uphill. While the moderately-rated trail is relatively short, it is steep and robust, with some spots being a bit rocky.

You can expect to be a bit breathless by the time you reach the viewpoint overlooking Echo Lake.

Most hikers recommend starting the trail heading towards Bald Mountain, so tackling the trail clockwise. In the busy fall season, this may be a good option for avoiding the throngs that are heading straight up to the lookout counterclockwise.

Continue to Stowe

Let your GPS guide you on the road trip to Stowe, but try to avoid highways if you can. In my experience, it’s those slower, back roads that give you unexpected, amazing foliage views.

In fact, I’ve seen some incredible foliage along Route 2 near Danville while driving between these two destinations. That is an excellent road to consider taking.

All told, your drive to Stowe will take approximately an hour and a half, without including stops.

Check into your Stowe hotel ( Field Guide is great) and get ready to explore a bit of Stowe’s adorable Main Street.

Welcome to a quintessential New England town, the kind whose image is the subject of countless Vermont postcards and paintings. (In fact, Stowe’s white-steepled Community Church is among the most photographed buildings in Vermont).

As you explore the small, walkable Main Street and side streets, you’ll discover a terrific blend of local businesses that showcase the heart and soul of this picturesque town.

Small art galleries, a cozy coffee shop, an old-fashioned mercantile, and a well-stocked independent bookstore are among the shops you’ll want to visit as you explore downtown Stowe.

Don’t miss Shaw’s General Store, which not only epitomizes the classic New England general store but has done so since 1895!

When dinner hour approaches, head to Doc Pond’s . It’s a laidback restaurant with friendly vibes that is loved by locals and tourists alike. And if you’re staying at Field Guide, it’s just down the road.

Day 5: Stowe VT & Waterbury VT

It’s a beautiful day to take a hike in Stowe! There are numerous hiking trails in the Stowe area to choose from, but for this itinerary I recommend the Sterling Pond trail for a moderate 2 mile hike that ends at a glistening lake.

To get to the trailhead for this hike, you’ll have to drive up Mountain Road and into Smuggler’s Notch. This road becomes very narrow and extremely windy in the heart of the Notch, so while it’s absolutely awesome to check out, be sure to drive slowly and with caution.

And don’t try it with any kind of motorhome or RV!

After your hike, head back in the direction of town and stop at Stowe Mountain Resort. Although there’s no snow this time of year, so skiing is out, you can still enjoy the peaks on a gondola ride!

The famous bright red Stowe Gondola SkyRide takes you to the top of Mount Mansfield, which is the highest peak in Vermont.

The ride up offers splendid views over the colorful trees. Once you’re at the top, grab lunch at The Cliff House or The Waffle, two eatery options.

Now, it wouldn’t be fall in New England if you didn’t add some spookiness into the trip! in the Stowe area, you can visit one of Vermont’s classic covered bridges with a possibly haunted history! Emily’s Bridge, also known as Gold Brook Covered Bridge, is a small covered bridge located on Gold Brook Road, off of Route 100, just south of Stowe village.

According to legend, Emily was supposed to meet her lover at this bridge so they could run away together. But he never showed, and Emily sadly took her own life that night at the bridge. Rumor has it that Emily’s spirit may still haunt the bridge today, and reports of scratches on cars, lights flashing, and other weird happenings just might support that theory. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this is still a beautiful example of Vermont’s covered bridges and well worth seeing-especially in the fall.

Wind up the rest of your day with a sampling of craft brews and dinner at the Trapp Brewery & Bierhall after enjoying views of Stowe from the grounds at The Trapp Family Lodge. Not in the mood for pretzels, spaetzle, and schnitzel? You might prefer to cozy up at family-owned, classic Italian restaurant Trattoria La Festa . Find more of the top-rated Stowe restaurants here .

More Resources for Exploring Stowe: 🍁 20 Best Things to Do in Stowe Vermont: Local Recs for All Seasons 🍁 15 Gorgeous VRBO & Airbnb Stowe VT Vacation Rentals 🍁 11 Best Hotels in Stowe Vermont: Where to Stay in Stowe

Day 6: Stowe VT to Woodstock VT

Today you’re leaving one gorgeous Vermont small town for another. These two destinations are definitely my top recommendations for visitors to the Green Mountain State. The road trip from Stowe to Woodstock is a fairly short one distance-wise, but you can make sure to capture the best possible foliage views by taking Route 100 south. There are also 2 essential places to stop along the way.

The first stop is the Cold Hollow Cider Mill , a Vermont fall necessity that you’re going to absolutely love.

This is THE spot for apple cider donuts, the best food on the planet, and truly the staple of my autumn diet. But not only is Cold Hollow the go-to for apple treats, it’s also a well-stocked, adorable country store, a tasty restaurant, and a hard cider tasting room.

Your second stop is the Ben & Jerry’s Factory . Their ice cream is world famous. Not only because it is delicious but because the company is known for championing progressive causes.

The factory tour is quite fun and it smells amazing in there! After you learn how Cherry Garcia and other favorite flavors are made, you can pay homage to flavors long gone in the “Flavor Graveyard” on a nearby hill. Does anyone remember Magic Brownies?

If you’ve got room left for lunch, grab some, and then continue on to Woodstock.

Once in Woodstock, check into your lodging. The Woodstock Inn is the perfect luxury choice, while The Shire is a solid mid-range option. Both are right downtown. Next, get ready for some pleasant exploring.

Stroll the downtown and the wide village green, which has a covered bridge just steps away. Browse the collection of shops with a wide variety of goods, and don’t miss Gillingham’s, the oldest general store in Vermont. As the afternoon continues, choose a local farm to visit. Billings Farm is a historic working dairy farm where you can learn a lot about the animals and enjoy the surrounding property. Sugarbush Farm is a 4-generation family farm specializing in cheese and maple syrup.

Both farms are terrific, and fortunately, Woodstock is small enough that you can likely squeeze both into your itinerary!

Dinner in Woodstock ends your day, and there are so many great restaurant options .

If you schedule well in advance, Cloudland Farm , is a true farm-to-table experience out of this world. The menu changes daily and everything is crafted completely from scratch for the most memorable Vermont culinary journey.

More Resources for Exploring Woodstock: 🍁 20 Best Things to Do in Woodstock, Vermont 🍁 10 Best Hotels in Woodstock VT: Where to Stay in 2023 🍁 These 12 Restaurants in Woodstock Vermont NEED to Be on Your List

Day 7: Woodstock VT to Boston MA

It’s the final day of your incredible fall road trip around New England. The last leg of the journey takes you back to Boston.

Before departing Woodstock, grab coffee and a scrumptious breakfast at Mon Vert Cafe. I recommend my personal go-to: the maple latte.

Need some suggestions for road trip entertainment? You could grab one of these New England books in audio format on Audible and listen to something oh-so-appropriate for the journey.

8 or 9 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

If you’ve got an extra day or two to explore New England, you should add Salem, Massachusetts to your trip.

Because it’s such an awesome town, it’s incredibly busy in the fall. I repeat, incredibly busy .

But if you’re on a once-in-a-lifetime New England trip, you don’t want to miss this iconic spot. I get it.

Visiting Salem in the month of October is classic and so very atmospheric. My best tip for traveling to Salem is to book your lodging well in advance of this popular season and also start each day as early as possible.

The crowds can get crazy in Salem in the fall, but a 7am start gives you an hour or two for some quiet exploring (and some nice photos of the town!)

10 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

This 10 day itinerary for New England in the fall contains all of the same destinations as the 7 day itinerary, but your first stop instead will be Acadia National Park in Maine .

If you’ve got 10 days to spend exploring New England, adding a coastal stop is an absolute must. Not only is fall a fabulous and beautiful time to visit Acadia, it also tends to be somewhat less busy during this time than in the summer months. Check out all of our resources on things to do in Acadia and nearby Bar Harbor here:

5 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

Need to shorten your road trip? For a 5 day trip, consider removing either Stowe or Woodstock from the itinerary. While both are spectacular destinations, this is the easiest way to shorten your trip.

Best Fall Foliage Drives in New England

Looking for some shorter New England fall road trip routes? There are a number of scenic fall foliage drives to consider, that can be done in just a few hours or stretched into several days.

Newport’s Ocean Drive – Rhode Island

• Distance: 10 miles
• Start and End: Fort Adams Park to Bellevue Ave
• Best Time to Go: September to Early November

I love Newport , period. This charming seaside city, located on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island, is like an extravagant window to the past. Gilded Age mansions such as The Breakers are found all over this town, and the 19th century echoes of wealthy, lavish resort living are as strong today as they were then. 

Fall in Newport provides some great opportunities.

The summer’s peak of tourism has passed, and with it comes a refreshing ocean breeze among the colorful trees that surround mansion estates and scenic parks.

Since the fall foliage is nice, but not the primary factor for your fall road trip to Rhode Island, you can enjoy Newport anytime between September and early November.

Ocean Drive is a 10-mile seaside drive that follows the southern shore of Newport. It is not only one of the loveliest New England scenic drives as it follows along the ocean, but it’s also the perfect route for accessing all the best of Newport.

We think Fort Adams Park is a great place to start your trip! Continue from here to Brenton Cove Shore, where you’ll find the New York Yacht Club. After this, you’ll want to check out Castle Hill’s historical lighthouse in the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. 

Then spend some time relaxing at Brenton Point State Park , one of the major highlights on Ocean Drive. This wide-open green space on the south end of the island, with vast ocean views, is the perfect spot to relax, have a picnic, or go fishing.

Continue past various beaches and scenic outlooks to Bellevue Ave, where you will discover a majority of the lavish 19th century mansions. The Breakers , Marble House , Rough Point , and the Elms are a few of the best. Take a walking tour and learn all about the history of these extravagant homes.

Points of Interest:

• New York Yacht Club
• Castle Hill Lighthouse
• Brenton Point State Park
• Fort Adams Park
• The Breakers
• Marble House
• Rough Point
• The Red Parrot Restaurant

Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park – Maine

• Distance: 27 miles
• Start and End: Hulls Cove Visitor Center to Cadillac Mountain
• Best Time to Go: September to Early October

Acadia National Park in Maine is somewhat of an unsung national park hero.

While people are busy praising the glory of Yellowstone and Yosemite, Acadia continues to stand its ground on the list of top 10 most visited national parks in the U.S!

And for good reason. Camping in the forest by wetlands near the craggy seaside, extensive biking and hiking trails, large ponds and lakes, rocky beaches, and all the best fall foliage is right at your fingertips.

Seaside towns like Bar Harbor also bring a lot of ease and convenience to an adventure-driven destination. 

To get the most enjoyment out of your fall trip, we’d recommend going in September before the temperatures drop significantly; the leaves will be changing, and the crowds will be light at this time!

We think Park Loop Road is the prime route to explore all of Acadia’s best adventures and natural beauty, especially during fall.

This 27-mile, mostly one-way scenic road takes you around the east side of Mount Desert Island. Get oriented at Hulls Cove Visitor Center near Bar Harbor with a map of the island.

Then drive on at your own pace, hitting Sand Beach, the uber-popular Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs. A major highlight you will also not want to miss is Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse .

Further along the route is Sieur-de-Monts , where you can explore the Nature Center and Wild Gardens of Acadia.

Then head to Jordan Pond and Jordan Pond House , where you can learn the history of its important cultural legacy and hike the pond’s loop along meandering boardwalks and native wildlife.

End your national park road trip in Maine by driving to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the perfect spot to catch an amazing autumn sunset.

Points of Interest: 

• Hulls Cove Visitor Center – Bar Harbor 
• Shore Path – Bar Harbor
• Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse – Bass Harbor
• Sand Beach – Bar Harbor
• Thunder Hole – Bar Harbor
• Otter Cliffs – Mount Desert Island
• Sieur-de-Monts – Bar Harbor
• Jordan Pond, Jordan Pond House – Seal Harbor
• Cadillac Mountain – Mount Desert Island

Vermont’s Scenic Route 100 – Vermont

• Distance: 150 miles
• Start and End: Wilmington to Stowe
• Best Time to Go: September to Mid-October

Looking for that quintessential “fall in New England” experience?

You know, the one you see in movies with red barns and grazing cows, an endless expanse of green hills, orange and yellow maple trees, and locally owned shops and artisan fairs?

Well, you’re going to want to put on some cozy plaid, a beanie, and take a cruise up Vermont’s Scenic Route 100 , undoubtedly one of the best fall foliage drives in New England.

In fact, it’s one of my favorite Vermont fall road trip routes!

Vermont’s Route 100 is a winding, scenic road that traverses north for 200 miles from the border of Massachusetts to Lake Memphremagog, along the east side of Green Mountain National Forest.

Dubbed by Yankee Magazine as the best foliage drive in VT (and definitely one of the best in New England!), the variety of landscapes, points of interest, and peak foliage views are unbeatable. 

Start your journey in Wilmington , a quaint farming community with a historical downtown.

Then move north toward Weston, a stretch of highway featuring wildflower fields and cute gazebos.

Stop at the Vermont Country Store for one-of-a-kind handmade goods.

Continuing north, you will pass by beloved local landmarks like Echo Lake State Park and Lake Rescue.

And just above Amherst Lake is Plymouth, the perfect place for history buffs to explore the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site , the homestead Coolidge grew up on. 

Further north still, you’ll enjoy a 10-mile stretch of densely forested highway along the Granville Gulf State Reservation. Keep an eye out for moose and rushing rivers as you carry on toward the Mad River Valley.

This region has become a popular destination due to the area’s chic vibe, killer ski resorts like Killington and Sugarbush, and craft fairs, music festivals, and covered bridges abound.

You’ve almost arrived at the end, so why not indulge in a little Ben & Jerry’s ? Waterbury is home to the Vermont-based ice cream company we all know and love. Take a factory tour and sample some of the quirky flavors!

Last but not least, end your road trip in Stowe, a Vermont town classic with all the fixings. It’s a white-steeple church, ski bum, beer brewing, local artisan kind of village, and the perfect place to lay your head after a long New England fall foliage drive!

• Downtown Wilmington – Wilmington
• Vermont Country Store – Weston 
• Echo Lake, Lake Rescue, Amherst Lake 
• President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site – Plymouth
• Granville Gulf State Reservation – Granville
• Killington Ski Area – Killington
• Sugarbush Resort – Warren
• Ben & Jerry’s Factory – Waterbury
• Stowe Village – Stowe

The Lake Winnipesaukee Loop – New Hampshire

• Distance: 100 miles
• Start and End: Alton

Who doesn’t love a good loop route? There’s just something satisfying about perpetually seeing new sights for the entire adventure, without the backtracking.

The route around Lake Winnipesaukee in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire is the perfect New England fall road trip itinerary. With 8 unique towns bordering NH’s largest and most popular body of water, you’ll discover the ideal blend of outdoor activities and luxury lake living during the cooler, slower months. 

In reality, you can start your journey in any one of these towns and follow the lake’s edge in whichever direction your heart desires. But we think Alton – a historical bay town with a beautiful 4-mile cove – is a great place to begin (and end!).

After taking in the views from their cozy cove, head on to Wolfeboro , a crunchy lake town with its own rail trail and an outdoor art walk. In addition, Wolfeboro’s Wright Museum of World War II is a fantastic educational institution dedicated to World War II history.

And if you’re looking for a souvenir to remember your trip, stop by Black’s Paper Shop for a special gift. 

From Wolfeboro, drive on to Moultonborough, one of the oldest incorporated towns in the U.S. This charming town was founded in 1777 and has some amazing gems, especially the Old Country Store , which is considered the oldest surviving business and general store in the country!

Waste all your pennies at the candy counter, sample unique local foods, or buy some handcrafted home goods. Another gem in Moultonborough is Castle in the Clouds , a magnificent mansion high up in the hills where you can tour the grand estate and learn about the history of its original owners.

Next stop on the loop is Meredith , a central hub of the tourism, luxury lake living, and resort leisure that Lake Winni attracts. In this scenic town, you might find yourself ogling at the grand lake houses and stylish hotels lining the bay.

Pull off the highway and shop your heart out at Mill Falls Marketplace , an open-air shopping center with restaurants, a bookshop, Ben & Jerry’s, and chic indie businesses.

Meredith is a great halfway point to spend the night if the 100-mile loop is too much.

If not, carry on to Laconia while the sun is still shining. If the weather permits, visit Weirs Beach .

If not, visit Funspot , a massive entertainment center that boasts the record for Largest Arcade in the World.

Then Gilford comes next on the loop.

The biggest draw this town sees is to Gunstock Resort , which can be hiked during the off-ski season. And finally, you will arrive back in Alton to complete your epic Lake Winnipesaukee road trip.

We love the lake life, especially on a scenic fall foliage drive!

• Alton Bay – Alton
• Wolfeboro Art Walk – Wolfeboro
• The Wright Museum of World War II – Wolfeboro
• Black’s Paper Shop – Wolfeboro
• The Old Country Store – Moultonborough
• Castle in the Clouds – Moultonborough
• Mill Falls Marketplace – Meredith
• Weirs Beach – Laconia
• Funspot – Laconia
• Gunstock Resort – Gilford

U.S. Coastal Route 1 – Maine

• Distance: 200 miles
• Start and End: Kennebunkport to Bar Harbor
• Best Time to Go: Mid-September to Early November

We all need a little more Maine in our lives, and that’s why we felt like our Acadia Loop road trip wasn’t quite enough – so we’re throwing U.S. Coastal Route 1 into the mix!

This incredible, north-south coastal highway actually starts all the way down in Key West, and traverses 2,390 miles up the east coast to Fort Kent in Maine. 

Maine’s portion of the U.S.’ very first north-south highway system is over 200 miles of pure natural beauty. Crossing through peaceful boating towns, beachside cities, and craggy coastal landmarks, you’ll have the best of Maine’s attractions and fall foliage without all the summer traffic. 

A great place to kick things off is in Kennebunkport , a charming southern Maine beach town.

Walk around the sandy Goose Rocks Beach, then get a good look at a collection of historical streetcars at the Seashore Trolley Museum .

As you continue north through Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach, stop at one of New England’s most iconic landmarks: the Portland Head Light on Cape Elizabeth. This iconic white lighthouse was built in 1791, making it the oldest lighthouse in Maine. 

From here, you’re just a hop, skip, and jump away from Portland , one of the friendliest, “foodiest,” artsiest towns on the East Coast. If you spent an extra day or five here, you wouldn’t regret it. Well, you might regret gorging on copious amounts of Holy Donuts and Duckfat French fries, but that’s a different story. 

Beyond Portland, you’ll pass through Georgetown, Brunswick, and arrive in Rockland .

This small seaside town has lovely harbor views, a charming downtown, and great food to boot. Check out the Farnsworth Art Museum or Archipelago to satisfy your craving for fine art. And if you are in the mood for brunch, dine at the cheerful Home Kitchen Cafe . 

We are on the home stretch now!

A great destination to end your Coastal Route 1 road trip is none other than Bar Harbor, situated on Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor is insanely busy in the summer months but gets a bit sleepier and much more relaxing in September and October. Bar Harbor is a souvenir-hunter’s haven, as well as an adorable, quaint town to walk around and enjoy harbor views from Shore Path.

Not to mention, Bar Harbor gives you incredible access to everything Acadia National Park has to offer.

• Goose Rocks Beach – Kennebunkport
• Seashore Trolley Museum – Kennebunkport
• Portland Head Light – Cape Elizabeth
• The Holy Donut – Portland
• Duckfat – Portland
• Farnsworth Art Museum – Rockland
• Archipelago – Rockland
• Home Kitchen Cafe – Rockland

The Berkshires – Massachusetts

• Distance: 35 miles
• Start and End: Stockbridge to Williamstown
• Best Time to Go: Early September to Late October

Our list of fantastic road trips in New England wouldn’t be complete without including New England’s most historical, highly educated, and diverse state: Massachusetts .

While there are many wonderful regions to explore in MA – from the Cape Cod coastline to bustling Boston – we think there is something so special about the Berkshires.

The Berkshires is a collection of towns in the rolling highlands of western MA.

The area’s pastoral beauty is matched only by its cultural and artistic sophistication. If you are looking for a scenic countryside retreat with plenty of opportunities for historical exploration, leisurely driving, and prime New England fall foliage drives, this is the destination for you.

Start off strong in the town of Stockbridge , where you will find some incredible natural and historical gems.

Explore the Norman Rockwell Museum , housing works by this famous American painter in the very place he spent the last 25 years of his life.

Then pop over to the Berkshire Botanical Garden , which highlights native plants that thrive in the Berkshires. Then continue north for 10 minutes on Route 7 to arrive in Lenox, a town best known for being the former home of author Edith Wharton. 

After touring The Mount , Wharton’s gorgeous estate, head to Pittsfield, yet another town known as the home of a reputable author (seriously – we should just call this the legendary American authors tour).

If you appreciate literature, take a tour of Arrowhead House , the home where novelist Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick. While you are still in Pittsfield, check out the Berkshire Museum , which exhibits a cool mishmash of art, natural history, and ancient civilization.

From Pittsfield, another historical institution awaits you in Hancock at the Hancock Shaker Village .

And after you move along from Hancock and pass through Lanesborough, you’ll end up in North Adams , a historic college and mill town with a strong arts vibe and hiking access to Mount Greylock, the highest peak in MA.

Check out the Mass Museum of Contemporary Art while you’re here. 

Finally, end your Berkshires road trip in Williamstown, a cultural and educational hub in the Berkshires.

This beautiful, “quintessential Berkshire village” is surrounded by mountains, biking and hiking trails, and farmlands. Williams College is the heart of the town, imbuing it with a flourishing arts and culture scene.

Fall in Massachusetts is heavenly, so you’ll find plenty to do and see during a Bay State fall foliage road trip!

• Norman Rockwell Museum – Stockbridge
• Berkshire Botanical Garden – Stockbridge
• The Mount, Edith Wharton House – Lenox
• Arrowhead House – Pittsfield
• Berkshire Museum – Pittsfield
• Hancock Shaker Village – Hancock
• Mount Greylock – North Adams
• Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art – North Adams
• Williams College – Williamstown

Connecticut State Route 169 – Connecticut

• Distance: 47.3 miles
• Start and End: Lisbon to Woodstock

We’re topping off our list of New England fall road trips with Connecticut State Route 169 , a National Scenic Byway featuring all the historic buildings, charming communities, and autumn colors that make New England so memorable.

Connecticut is the third smallest state in the nation, but it’s got a lot going for it as the home of Mystic Seaport, the Mark Twain house, the mighty Connecticut River, and Yale University. 

Starting in eastern Connecticut in the town of Lisbon and moving north to Woodstock near the border of Massachusetts,

Route 169 offers a drive through living history. Start your tour in Lisbon with a foliage stroll through Lisbon Meadows Park.

Then head north on 169 to Waterbury, where you can visit the Prudence Crandall Museum or chill on the Waterbury Green at the city’s center. 

Not much further north you will hit the town of Brooklyn, home to the New England Center of Contemporary Art.

Pay attention to the unique architecture as you meander onward to Pomfret, a town with incredible history that you can observe in the beautiful 19th century churches, homes, and libraries.

Your final destination on the Route 169 tour is the town of Woodstock, a mere 10 minutes north of Pomfret. While here, you can’t miss out on the Roseland Cottage , a historic 1846 house-turned-museum.

This signature Gothic Revival home with its bold pink exterior was once the summer home of the Bowens, one of Connecticut’s prominent Victorian Era families. Explore its ornate, patterned, vibrant rooms and learn about a unique piece of Connecticut history.

• Lisbon Meadows Park – Lisbon
• Prudence Crandall Museum – Waterbury
• Waterbury Green – Waterbury
• New England Center of Contemporary Art – Brooklyn
• Roseland Cottage – Woodstock

No matter how long you explore New England’s 6 amazing states for, I hope you have an incredible adventure in this region I love so much!

7-Day New England Fall Foliage Road Trip Itinerary

Experiencing a New England fall is like stepping into a coloring book. From colorful woodland paths to decorated charming villages and towns, following a New England fall road trip itinerary is the best way to experience that autumn magic you dream about!

During fall 2021, I did a memorable 7-day New England fall road trip where I got to experience the best of fall foliage in four different U.S. states – New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Vermont, the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts and the Catskills of New York. I am excited to share a thorough New England fall itinerary to follow as you plan your leaf-peeping trip for this year!

(Discover the best New England fall foliage tours for 2022.)

I did my Northeast road trip with Hannah Liz Weaver and we had the best time enjoying every scenic drive and small town! As you are planning your New England fall foliage trip, I recommend following my 1-week itinerary listed below in the article.

**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like.

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Traveling to the East Coast for a Fall Road Trip:

Since this New England fall road trip itinerary starts in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, you can either take a flight or drive to this colorful area . The closest international airport to the White Mountains of New Hampshire is Boston Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts.

There is also a regional airport you can fly into called Manchester-Boston Airport in Manchester, New Hampshire. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner .

One of the best ways to see fall foliage in New England is by driving ! Since I came from my home in Northern New Jersey, I drove my own car five hours north to Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. On the way, I picked Hannah up from Boston Logan since she flew from Dallas.

Whether you take your own car or hop on a flight to see the foliage, you will need a vehicle to get around New England and Upstate New York. From the airport, I recommend renting a car .

( Click here  if you are planning to road trip around the  United States  and want to rent an RV.)

If you want to extend your New England road trip, I recommend spending a weekend in Boston and also visiting the Halloween town of Salem .

Where to Stay during a New England Fall Road Trip:

Throughout New England, you can find many great accommodations ranging from all different budgets. In addition, you can also find perfect rental properties in this area.

Below are the accommodations Hannah and I stayed in during our 7-day New England fall road trip:

2 nights in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire: We stayed at The Valley Inn in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.

1 night in Woodstock, Vermont: We stayed at Mountain Meadows Lodge in the nearby town of Killington, Vermont.

2 nights in the Berkshires, Massachusetts: We stayed one night at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and one night at Miraval Berkshires in Lenox, Massachusetts.

2 nights in the Catskills, New York: We stayed at Getaway House in the Eastern Catskill town of Catskill, New York.

The Best New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary:

There isn’t a more perfect time to visit the New England states than in late September and early October. This is usually the best time to see fall colors and the weather is perfect for outdoor activities!

If you want to ensure you experience peak foliage, use this New England tracker . You could also experience beautiful fall foliage in the middle of the month, but most of it is past its peak by late October.

Day 1: Arrive in New Hampshire’s White Mountains – The Best of Fall Foliage in New England

Discover the best fall foliage weekend in NH’s White Mountains .

Hotels to Stay at Surrounding White Mountain National Forest:

Luxury Accommodation: Omni Mount Washington Resort , Bretton Woods, NH

Boutique Accommodation: Stonehurst Manor , North Conway, NH

Mid-Budget Accommodation: Sugar Hill Inn , Sugar Hill, NH

Budget Accommodation: Town and Country Inn and Resort , Shelburne, NH

After arriving in New Hampshire, I recommend checking into your accommodation and settling in. You will be hungry from there, so I suggest enjoying a nice lunch or dinner at Covered Bridge Farm Table . It is a cozy American restaurant overlooking the scenic Penigewasset River and the historic Blair Covered Bridge. (Both New Hampshire and Vermont are known for their iconic covered bridges.)

Enjoy Peak Fall Colors at Flume Gorge:

If you have time on your first day, I advise checking out Flume Gorge . It is known as one of the best jewels of Franconia Notch State Park . Flume Gorge, formed during the Ice Age, features a 2-mile loop trail where you can enjoy stunning nature.

Day 2: Explore Franconia Notch State Park – The Best of Peak Foliage

Enjoy all the beautiful foliage during the fall season in Franconia Notch State Park on your second full day in New Hampshire! First, I suggest enjoying an excellent breakfast at Polly’s Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill before conquering the hiking trails.

What makes Franconia Notch State Park iconic is that the Appalachian Trail runs through it.

Artist Bluff Trail: The Best Hiking Trail during Fall in New England

After breakfast, a great hike to enjoy in Franconia Notch State Park is the Artist Bluff trail! This great hiking trail is one of the best spots to see fall colors during your New England road trip itinerary .

The Artist Bluff trail is a 1.5-mile moderate loop trail that includes two overlooks, some rock scramble and beautiful woodland paths. It is a heavily trafficked hike, especially during the fall.

What is great about doing the Artist Bluff trail during autumn is that there is an overlook offering the best of New Hampshire’s fall foliage over the entire Franconia Notch valley.

Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway: One of the Best Things to do in New England

If you don’t want to hike, I recommend riding the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway in the State Park. It’s a great way to enjoy the colorful foliage!

Cannon Mountain is a 4,080-foot peak. When you take the tramway to the summit, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the White Mountains and its stunning fall foliage. You can also see up to four states and two countries – New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York and Canada !

The tram runs between 9 am to 5 pm from late May through mid-October, but it is subject to change based on weather. It costs $25 USD to take the aerial tramway for adults and teens 13 years and older; $20 USD for children ages 6-12 and it is free for young children ages five and under.

For lunch, a great place to visit is Littleton Freehouse Taproom & Eatery which serves local craft beer and cider along with New England staples like clam chowder. After your meal, I suggest strolling around the charming town of Littleton and checking out some of the shops.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, you must enjoy the scenic Mount Washington Cog Railway , which takes you to the highest mountain in the Northeastern United States.

Another area to go hiking and enjoy the most beautiful autumn foliage is Crawford Notch State Park !

Kancamagus Scenic Byway: Best Scenic Route in NH’s White Mountains

In the afternoon, drive around and enjoy the best views of the White Mountains’ fall foliage on the Kancamagus Scenic Byway . This 34.5-mile drive along Route 112 offers the best viewing areas for leaf peepers and can be added to all New England fall road trips !

Please note that you must have a full gas tank before driving on Kancamagus Highway. Once you drive past the town of Lincoln, there are no gas stations or cell phone reception.

Along the Kancamagus fall foliage drive, you’ll admire some of the best views of the White Mountains during the fall season. You’ll see the beautiful Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls and the Rocky Gorge. There are also plenty of overlook spots to pull over and enjoy stunning views.

Once you’re finished completing the Kancamagus Scenic Byway during your New England fall road trip itinerary, I recommend making a pit stop at Matty B’s in Bartlett to enjoy some pizza.

Day 3: Wander Around the Perfect New England Fall Town of Woodstock, Vermont

Discover the best places in Vermont to see fall colors .

Hotels to Stay at in Woodstock:

Luxury Accommodation: Woodstock Inn & Resort

Boutique Accommodation: 506 on the River Inn

Mid-Budget Accommodation: The Woodstocker B&B

Budget Accommodation: Comfort Inn White River Junction

On the third day of your fall road trip in New England, wake up early and drive to Woodstock, Vermont. It took us over an hour and a half to drive from Waterville Valley, NH to Woodstock, VT. After checking into your hotel, stroll through the charming autumn village!

Please note that Woodstock is a popular destination during autumn due to its charm and historical sites. It’s best to book your accommodation in advance!

Woodstock, Vermont: The Most Charming Town to Visit during a New England Road Trip

After enjoying a late breakfast at Mon Vert Café , walk to the Woodstock Inn . This beautiful place is a luxury hotel with fall décor and plants to enjoy. At Woodstock Inn , you can make a reservation at one of the four restaurants or attend a wine or cooking class. There are also fireplaces around the hotel for you to cozy up and enjoy a glass of wine in front of.

As you stroll around Woodstock, VT, check out the covered bridges surrounded by beautiful fall colors. Even if you don’t have time to see a lot of covered bridges during your New England fall trip, I suggest checking out the Middle Covered Bridge, which is across from the Woodstock Inn , and the Taftsville Covered Bridge that is right off of Route 4, which is the main road that takes you into the heart of town.

Another beautiful spot to see in Woodstock that you must include in your New England fall road trip itinerary is Sleepy Hollow Farm . It is a short drive from the heart of town and one of Woodstock’s most “Instagrammable” spots, so be prepared for crowds when you visit.

Sleepy Hollow Farm isn’t a typical fall farm where you go pumpkin picking and enjoy a hayride. It dates to the 1780s when two young brothers from Connecticut left their family farm for a new life in Central Vermont. They weren’t pioneers but were known for their milking herd and chickens. They would deliver eggs to homes around Woodstock and the surrounding towns.

For dinner in Woodstock, I suggest enjoying a lovely fall meal at 506 Bistro & Bar at 506 on the River Inn ! This cozy, farm-to-table restaurant boasts an incredible seasonal menu with craft cocktails to enjoy. Each dish is inspired by fresh, high-quality ingredients from local Vermont farms.

Day 4: Follow Along a Mini Vermont Road Trip Itinerary

Even though I made my way to the Berkshires on the fourth day of my New England fall road trip itinerary, I recommend spending another night in Woodstock and enjoying a day trip to Smugglers’ Notch and Stowe Mountain Resort .

Before heading up north, I suggest fueling up at Soulfully Good Café in Woodstock. It is a great organic restaurant that has mouthwatering plates.

Smugglers’ Notch:

Situated less than two hours north of Woodstock, Smugglers’ Notch is the perfect fall place to visit during a Vermont road trip itinerary. It boasts the beautiful Green Mountains with stunning fall colors and there are a lot of great half-day and mini hikes to enjoy!

I recommend visiting Smugglers’ Notch before heading to the quaint fall town of Stowe . Some of the best hikes in Smugglers’ Notch are on Mount Mansfield , the highest peak in Vermont. There are also great waterfall hikes like Bingham Falls and Moss Glen Falls .

Stowe, Vermont: The Best Place to do Fall Activities in New England

When you get to Stowe in the afternoon, you must visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center. It is a fun fall spot with a general store, country market, bakery, restaurant and cidery. The surrounding area also boasts breathtaking views of the Green Mountain National Forest.

Cold Hollow Cider Mill is the perfect place to enjoy homemade apple cider donuts, a staple baked good during fall in the Northeast. If you’ve never tried a cider donut, it is a cake donut with cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar or baked plain.

At the market, you can also purchase fresh Vermont maple syrup; a variety of pies; pumpkin, apple and maple butter; pancake mixes and souvenirs.

I recommend eating at Cold Hollow’s Luncheonette for lunch and doing a fall cider tasting. They offer great ciders to choose from and taste, ranging from sweet, fruity, dry and seasonal.

Afterward, visit the Ben & Jerry’s factory for a nice treat! During a fall road trip to Stowe , it is a must to do a factory tour while tasting some of Ben & Jerry’s most renowned ice cream flavors!

Before heading back to Woodstock, take a fun ride on the Gondola Skyride to the summit of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest mountain. It is where you can see some of the best fall foliage in Vermont!

Stowe’s Gondola Skyride operates during the daytime and the price for one adult and teenager, ages 13 and older, is $37 USD and the price for a child, aged 5-12, is $26 USD. Young children under five can ride the gondola with a parent or guardian.

When you return to Woodstock, enjoy dinner and drinks at Dr. Coburn’s Tonic . It is a fun pub with great craft cocktails, flatbreads, burgers and more.

Day 5: Experience Fall in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts

Read all about fall in the Berkshires .

Hotels to Stay at in the Berkshires:

Luxury Accommodation: The Barrington , Great Barrington, MA

Boutique Accommodation: Hotel on North , Pittsfield, MA

Mid-Budget Accommodations: The Black Swan Lee – Lenox , Lee, MA

Budget Accommodation: Holiday Inn & Suites , Pittsfield, MA

Monument Mountain in Stockbridge, Massachusetts: Best Place to See Fall Foliage in the Berkshires

It took us over two and a half hours to drive from Woodstock, VT, to Stockbridge, MA. When you arrive in the Berkshires, I recommend stopping in Lee first.

A great place to get an excellent breakfast or brunch is at Starving Artist Creperie and Café . From there, head to Stockbridge and do the Hickey and Peeskawso Peak Loop trail at Monument Mountain .

Overall, the Hickey and Peeskawso Peak Loop trail is one of the best spots to enjoy fall foliage in the Berkshires while you follow along a New England road trip itinerary. It is a 2.4-mile, moderate and heavily trafficked loop trail that features mini waterfalls, streams, rocky hills and overlooks of the colorful mountains of Western Massachusetts.

Enjoy a the Perfect Fall Afternoon in Pittsfield, Massachusetts:

For lunch, head to Pittsfield to savor a delicious meal at District Kitchen & Bar . It is a swanky restaurant that features tasty seasonal plates.

From there, enjoy an afternoon at Balderdash Cellars , where you can do a wine production tour, taste from different bottles, listen to live music, make memories with friends and admire the beautiful fall foliage.

Have a Relaxing Evening in Great Barrington, Massachusetts:

In the evening, head into the town of Great Barrington to enjoy delicious food and drinks. A fun cocktail bar with incredible small plates is Mooncloud Lounge and an excellent restaurant to eat dinner at is Agaves Mexican Grill .

Great Barrington is also a charming town to stroll through and enjoy boutique shopping, live music venues and art galleries.

Day 6: Admire Fall Foliage in the New York Catskills

Discover the perfect Getaway House in New York .

Hotels to Stay at in the Catskills:

Luxury Accommodation: Emerson Resort & Spa , Mount Tremper, NY

Boutique Accommodation: Urban Cowboy Lodge , Big Indian, NY

Mid-Budget Accommodation: Foxfire Mountain House , Mount Tremper, NY

Budget Accommodation: Catskill Mountain Lodge , Palenville, NY

It takes around an hour to get from the heart of the Berkshires in Massachusetts to the heart of the Catskills in New York .

During your New England fall road trip, adding Upstate New York to your itinerary is a must. Even though New York isn’t technically New England, it is still a stunning destination to see fall colors. It is close to many spots in Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut.

When you first arrive in the Catskills, a lovely spot to grab breakfast or brunch is in Leeds, NY. Gracie’s Luncheonette is a cute “Instagrammable” café that offers great coffee, a lovely Southern comfort breakfast and an excellent lunch menu.

Hike Kaatserskill Falls and Visit Hunter Mountain:

Next, a picturesque spot to enjoy fall hiking with waterfall views during your Northeast road trip is Kaaterskill Falls in Hunter, New York.

Also situated near this popular spot is Hunter Mountain . It is a ski resort in winter, but in autumn, they host a great Oktoberfest event to enjoy amongst the fall colors.

Wander through the Quaint Town of Tannersville, New York:

In the afternoon, head into the charming Catskills village of Tannersville to enjoy shopping and wine tasting at Hudson-Chatham Winery . (The one in Tannersville is their tasting room. If you want to visit the actual vineyards, it’s located in the town of Ghent.)

This great winery is indoors, making it the perfect fall spot to warm up on a crisp autumn day. During a visit to Hudson-Chatham Winery , you can taste various wines from the Hudson Valley wine region.

At night, a great place to savor a delicious Italian dinner and local craft beer is Rip Van Winkle Brewing Company in Catskill, New York.

Day 7: Wrap Up Your New England Fall Trip

On the final day of your New England fall road trip itinerary, you can enjoy another hike in the Catskills, visit a Hudson Valley winery or explore New York’s capital, Albany. Not far from that area is the breathtaking Lake George.

A great airport to fly home from the Catskills of New York is Albany International Airport .

(No matter what hikes you choose in New England, I recommend that you download the  AllTrails  app when you have cell phone reception so that you can find the best trail and use it as navigation.)

Enjoy these other awesome fall destinations in New England:

Visiting Salem, Massachusetts during Halloween

Girls Weekend in Boston

Newport, Rhode Island in the Fall

Planning a memorable USA trip? Find more  USA travel tips here .

I hope you all enjoyed discovering the best 1-week New England fall road trip itinerary. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected].

Basic Facts of the United States:

Currency: United States Dollar, Capital: Washington D.C., NH State Capital: Concord, VT State Capital: Montpelier, MA State Capital: Boston, NY State Capital: Albany, NH/VT/MA/NY Time Zones: All are in Eastern Standard Time

*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more.  Click here  to get insured for your next trip.

Shop my New England Look:

Click here  to shop my  Poshmark  closet!

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This is the perfect week trip to the stunning New England area ~ that area is gorgeous to begin with but in the fall it is fabulous! Nothing like being out in nature during the fall months in New England. Great nature scenes, restaurants, hikes and many more fun filled activities! Can’t wait to visit this area again this fall ~ love you, mom xoxo ♥️👩🏻

It really was such a fun trip last year. New England truly is a gem during the fall!

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• The Perfect New England Fall Road Trip for 2 Weeks

Looking to plan the perfect New England fall road trip and experience all those magical images you’ve seen online for yourself? Then you’re in the right place!

Fall is the best time to visit this region in the northeastern corner of the United States. Hiring a car and undertaking a road trip gives you the freedom to visit a variety of cities, towns, and nature areas.

As and when you like, you can pull over to take photos of the foliage and take yourself off for a hike among the beautiful nature.

But planning a New England fall foliage road trip itinerary takes a lot of time and thought. This is actually a very large area to cover and you need to plan it carefully to coincide with seeing the foliage at its peak. 

Two weeks is a great length of time for the road trip providing that you know how to maximize each day to its best.

That’s where this guide comes into the picture. This article is here to direct you to all the best fall drives in New England and help you organize the perfect adventure. 

* Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. *

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Table of Contents

Useful Info for Planning Your New England Fall Road Trip

What is considered new england.

New England is the name given to a region in the northeast US. The region includes the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. This New England fall trip itinerary covers the first four states listed. 

Factors affecting peak fall foliage colors

First things first, let’s take a look at when peak fall foliage colors actually occur. A few conditions must be met in order for the leaves to change color and reach peak fall colors. 

First, the nights need to be cool but not freezing. The temperatures should be in the 40s °F (5-9 °C) range. If it gets too cold, the leaves will simply fall off the trees without changing color first.

Second, there needs to be plenty of sunlight during the day. If it’s cloudy all the time, the leaves won’t break down chlorophyll (green) as fast, thus the carotenoids (yellow and orange) will be only revealed later.

Third, there needs to be little or no wind. If the leaves are constantly rustling in the breeze, they will also fall off before changing color.

Finally, there needs to have been enough rain earlier in the season. The leaves need moisture in order to produce the vivid colors that we love so much.

Now that you know the science behind fall colors, let’s get into planning the perfect New England fall foliage road trip!

Best time to visit New England for leaf peeping

The best time to see peak fall foliage in New England is typically from the last week of September through the first two weeks of October. However, this can vary slightly depending on the year and the region. 

Generally speaking, the northernmost parts of New England will see the leaves change color first, and then it gradually rolls down into the southernmost parts. For example, you will see the leaves changing color in Upstate Vermont much sooner before you see them changing in Rhode Island.

Due to this, it’s practically impossible to experience the peak fall colors everywhere over the course of 2 weeks. Chances are that during these 2 weeks in New England you will either come across areas that are still a bit green, or that are already past their peak colors or even lost their leaves.

To get more specific information, it’s a good idea to check out the New England Fall Foliage Prediction Map .

This is updated regularly and shows where the foliage is currently at its best and where it is expected to peak in the coming week. I found that this map is pretty accurate but do keep in mind that conditions can always change and affect the timing.

My own 2-week New England fall road trip took place between 2-17 October in 2021. With this timing, Boston and Woodstock were both still a bit green but once we reached Stowe and continued onwards, we caught the peak colors everywhere else.

So if you can, you might want to consider aiming for a similar date range but do keep your eyes on the foliage predictions.

How to get to New England

Boston, Massachusetts, is the best place to start this particular New England fall foliage road trip itinerary.

Boston is served by Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and is well-connected to other US airports as well as destinations further afield. You can fly directly to Boston from many European destinations. One in Boston, you can rent a car and hit the road. 

Once you arrive in Boston to start this fall road trip in New England, my tip is to compare car rental prices in Downtown Boston with those available at the airport. Sometimes they work out cheaper than renting at the airport.

This itinerary starts and ends in Boston so you will rent a vehicle and return it to the same place. 

However, if you have more time on your hands, you might also consider starting your trip in New York and heading northward from there. That way you can also explore the Big Apple! Remember to consult my travel guides to New York before you go. 

Where to stay during your New England fall road trip

As you can see, predicting when the peak fall colors will occur in advance is pretty difficult, which makes planning a bit harder. You don’t want to book your accommodation too far in advance because the leaves might not be at their best yet. But if you wait too long, all the good accommodation will be gone.

Generally, you have two options when it comes to planning your accommodation. Either you can book everything in advance and hope that you timed your trip right, or you can wing it and book things as you go.

The first option has the advantage of snagging up some good deals because the best places book out months in advance. It also gives you a bit more peace of mind knowing that everything is sorted.

The second option is a bit riskier but can also be more rewarding. It gives you the flexibility to change your plans on the fly and chase the fall colors wherever they might be.

If you do choose to wing it, my advice is to have a few accommodation options in mind for each night but don’t book anything until you know for sure that you will be staying there. That way, if everything is booked up you still have a Plan B and C to fall back on.

One more tip for booking your accommodation: If you run into issues finding a hotel in your desired town/city, I suggest looking further out. Change to a map view on the booking platform you use, set the filters to a 30-mile radius of each location, and you should find that you have better luck. 

Seeing as you will be traveling with your own rental car anyway, it shouldn’t interfere too much with this New England fall trip itinerary.

Another thing to keep in mind is that accommodation in New England can be quite expensive, especially in popular leaf-peeping towns. If you’re on a budget, I recommend staying in slightly less touristy towns and driving into the more popular ones for the day. This is what we did and it worked out great!

Another option is to stay at campgrounds. Camping is a great way to save money and it also gets you closer to nature. Just make sure to book your campsite in advance because they fill up quickly during peak season!

Recommended places to stay during your fall road trip

If you follow this New England fall road trip itinerary then I recommend staying in the following cities and towns:

• Boston: either 1 night or 2 nights depending on how your inbound flight works
• Woodstock VT: 2 nights
• Stowe VT: 3 nights
• Colebrook NH: 2 night
• Lincoln NH: 1 night
• Bar Harbor ME: 3 nights
• Salem MA: 1 night

As you progress through the itinerary you will see all my specific recommended hotels as per budget, mid-range, and luxury categories. 

Overview of Your New England Fall Foliage Road Trip Itinerary

Breakdown of your 2 weeks in new england.

Before we dive into all the juicy information, here is a quick overview of all the places you will visit during your New England fall road trip.

• Day 1: Boston (I recommend arriving on Day 0 so that you can settle and then look forward to spending an entire day in the city)
• Day 2: Drive from Boston to Woodstock, VT
• Day 3: Woodstock, VT
• Day 4: Woodstock, VT and drive to Stowe, VT
• Day 5-6: Stowe, VT
• Day 7: Hike the Mount Pisgah Trail North and drive to Colebrook, NH

Day 8: Dixville Notch

• Day 9: Franconia Notch
• Day 10: Scenic drive to Acadia NP via Kancamagus Highway and Conway 
• Day 11-12: Acadia National Park
• Day 13: Portland, Maine
• Day 14: Salem, MA and drive back to Boston 

Map for your New England fall road trip

Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you’re going to visit on this New England fall road trip itinerary. I marked the different parts of the road trip with different colors so you can easily see which places you’re going to visit each day.

If you open up this post on your phone and you click on the bracket in the upper right corner of the map, it will automatically save this map to your Google Maps app so you can always have it with you. Super convenient, right?

New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary for 2 Weeks

Now, let’s get into the finer details of your great adventure! This New England fall foliage road trip itinerary is broken down into each of the days and is packed with advice on what to see in each spot as well as tips on where to eat and where to stay.

This suggested itinerary starts and ends in Boston and all the drive distances and time estimates are included. 

Day 1: Boston

Welcome to Boston! Boston is one of the most popular cities for national and international tourists visiting the US. There’s lots to see and do but fortunately, you can get a decent overview with only one full day in Boston.

However, if you start your fall road trip in New England a day or two early then you can spend a little longer exploring the city. Alternatively, since your road trip will also end here, you can decide to add a few more days to the end as well.

As Boston is served by public transport and many of the main tourist attractions are within walking distance, you will not need to hire a car just yet. You can pick it up when you leave on day 2 of this itinerary.

Best things to do in Boston 

As a major city, there’s no shortage of things to do in Boston. You will need to do your research and decide how to spend your limited time in the city.

Below you can find some of the best things to do in Boston you can’t miss but if you prefer having a step-by-step itinerary, check out my guide on how to spend one day in Boston .

Walk the Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is the number one attraction in Boston.

This 2.5-mile (4 km) trail connects 16 of Boston’s historic landmarks that each relate to happenings from the American Revolution. Sites include Faneuil Hall, the Boston Massacre Site, the Old State House, the Benjamin Franklin Statue, and the King’s Chapel.

You can walk the Freedom Trail independently and enjoy checking out the buildings. The Freedom Trail website provides background information on each site.

Alternatively, you might rather join a guided tour if you want to hear all about the history from a local expert.

Subject to whether you complete the trail alone or join the tour, you should budget between 1-3 hours for this activity. 

Explore the North End

Boston’s North End is the oldest neighborhood in the city. It’s called ‘Little Italy’ due to the expansive Italian restaurants and bakeries. You will also see historic sites that include the 1680 Paul Revere House, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, and the Old North Church.

The North End fits in nicely with your plans to walk the Freedom Trail as it contains some of the landmarks. Take the time to stroll around the area, through Langone Park, and along the waterfront.

Visit the Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art is a must for artistically minded travelers!

Dedicated to all threads of visual arts, performance, film, video, and literature, the collection is vast and diverse. It will provide endless hours of chat for your New England fall foliage road trip once you leave the city behind. 

General admission is $20 and you are recommended to book tickets online in advance. The museum is open from 10 am-5 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays and 10 am – 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. It’s closed on Mondays. 

In case you need another reason to visit, this contemporary art venue offers exceptional views of the harbor.

Tour the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

This fascinating museum tour invites you to experience the political protest of 1773 against the British Parliament’s Tea Act. These events led to the American Revolution. 

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum tour is fully immersive and lets you relive battles and events with live actors, 3D holograms, and replica ships. At the start of the tour, you will receive a handbill from one of the colonists which will explain what part you’ll play. 

As the tour is popular, you will need to book ahead to secure your place. And, of course, there is a tearoom on site!

Where to eat in Boston

Boston has an exemplary food scene that’s blessed with a variety of international restaurants as well as local, regional, and national dishes. 

Seafood is BIG in Boston and if you like shellfish you should try at least one lobster roll during your New England fall road trip. These are like hot dogs but with lobster meat! Clam chowder is another specialty.

These are my recommendations for where to eat in Boston.

• Mike’s Pastry : Definitely swing by this North End bakery that specializes in the tastiest cannoli outside of Italy. It’s always busy so try to get there early. 
• Quincy Mar ket : This covered market contains boutiques as well as a vast array of food options. You can choose from Boston favorites or international food. It’s a top pick for lunch as well as sightseeing even if you eat elsewhere. 
• Saltie Girl : This chic restaurant in Back Bay focuses on raw dishes and seafood. Everything is artistically presented and sustainably minded. Plus, they have fabulous cocktails. 

Where to stay in Boston 

Because you are only spending a couple of nights in Boston, it’s best to stay in central accommodation. Actually, despite being a prominent city, Boston isn’t so large in comparison to other US cities. 

In terms of where to stay in Boston , Downtown Boston is always convenient and has the best selection of budget-friendly accommodation. If it’s your first time visiting or you are planning a shorter stay as per this itinerary then this is ideal. 

Back Bay, the North End, and the South End are all fantastic options for sightseeing, culture, and overall experience too. However, accommodation prices tend to be costlier. 

Here are my recommendations for where to stay in Boston.

LUXURY – The Eliot Suite Hotel

This luxury hotel located in the exciting Back Bay neighborhood is furnished with opulent rooms that have all the trimmings of a 5-star hotel. The sushi bar is a great shout if you fancy dining in one night.

MID-RANGE – Battery Wharf Hotel

Conveniently sited in the North End on the waterfront, some rooms at this mid-range hotel have harbor views. All units are spacious with desks and large windows while private bathrooms have either a shower or a bathtub. 

BUDGET – Moxy Boston Downtown

This budget-friendly hotel in Downtown Boston features themed rooms with stylish private bathrooms. Breakfast is a reasonable add-on and the hotel features reception staff around the clock.

Day 2: Drive from Boston to Woodstock VT

Driving time: 2 hours and 20 minutes (140 miles/225 km) direct from Downtown Boston or 5 hours and 15 minutes (237 miles/381 km) via the scenic route to Woodstock VT

You will need to check out your hotel today and make a decision about what to do with the second day of your New England fall road trip.

Option A, you can spend most of the day continuing to explore Boston and then drive directly to Woodstock in the afternoon or evening. 

Option B, you can turn the drive into a scenic road trip and visit a couple of sights. If you choose to stop off at all the places listed below, this will equate to 5 hours 15 minutes of driving time plus you’ll need to allow time at each place. 

In this case, I would recommend leaving your hotel as early as possible.

Madame Sherri Forest

Driving time: 2 hours 18 minutes (110 miles/177 km) from Boston

If you choose to take the scenic route to Woodstock VT, your first stop will be Madame Sherri Forest. This 513-acre plot of woodland once belonged to a notorious French-American socialite in the early 1900s.

Madame Antoinette Sherri was known for her eccentric parties that were attended by the rich and famous.

Unfortunately, her castle burned to the ground in 1962 but today you can still see the remnants of what once was. The arched stone staircase is the most iconic feature and makes for a great photo opportunity.

The forest is a great place for a short hike and it’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves start to change color. But even if not, it’s a beautiful introduction to New England’s natural scenery.

Once you’ve parked up you can follow the Wantastiquet Trail into the forest and see as much of the reserve as you have time for.

The full Wantastiquet Trail is 2.4 miles (3.7 km) and it’s easy and well-marked. You’ll pass through historic ruins and a lake, and enjoy vantage points over the forest. 

Southern Vermont Natural History Museum 

Driving time: 35 minutes (19 miles/31 km) from the Madame Sherri Forest 

The Southern Vermont Natural History Museum displays taxidermy of 250 species but it also has a sanctuary for injured birds under rehabilitation.

There is a modest admission charge of $5 to visit which goes directly towards the maintenance and care of the live animals.

There is an amazing foliage viewpoint right next to the sanctuary too that you can visit for free. This stretches out atop the Hogback Mountain Conservation Area and is a photographic addition to your New England fall road trip.

Driving time: 30 minutes (23.5 miles/38 km) from the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum

The small town of Bennington is one of the best places to visit in Vermont in the fall . It’s located in the southwest of the state and counts as one of the two shire towns. 

As you’re headed to Woodstock for the night, you won’t have too much time to explore. But you can wander along Main Street and grab a coffee and a snack or swing by the farmers market if your visit falls on a Saturday. 

You can also walk or drive to the Bennington Battle Monument with the option to take the elevator to the top and peer back at Massachusetts).

Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home

Driving time: 30 minutes (22 miles/35.5 km) from Bennington 

Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home is the former summer residence of Robert Todd Lincoln and his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln. It’s located a short drive out of Manchester and a fascinating attraction to include on your New England foliage road trip itinerary.

Robert and Mary oversaw the construction of this Georgian Revival mansion in 1905 and it served as the exclusive home to Lincoln’s descendants until 1975.

This handsome manor estate is open to the public for tours. You can tour the interiors of the building, the landscaped gardens, trails, goat dairy, and the greenhouse. 

Tickets may be purchased on the premises only; there is no option to pre-book your ticket in advance. Once you have a ticket you can roam at leisure but there are also options to take guided tours at select times. Admission is $23. 

Note that the grounds close at 4.30 pm so if you do want to visit Hildene, make sure you head there before exploring the town itself. 

Manchester 

Driving time: 5 minutes (1.7 miles/2.7 km) from Hildene 

Manchester is the other shire town alongside Bennington. Take a mooch along Main Street and don’t miss the picturesque white steeple church. 

There are a number of art destinations if time permits, such as the Southern Vermont Arts Center. If you time your New England foliage road trip right then this open-air sculpture gallery will look even more incredible than usual with its autumnal backdrop.

As with Bennington, Manchester has a reputation for great food so you could always eat dinner in town before completing the final leg of today’s drive. Main Street has an eclectic mix of taverns, upscale restaurants, and food trucks. 

Arriving in Woodstock

Driving time: 1 hour 20 minutes (57.3 miles/92.2 km) from Manchester to Woodstock

After a long day, it ’s time to settle in for your first night in Woodstock VT. Since you ’re looking at an almost 1.5-hour drive from Manchester to Woodstock, chances are it will be already dark outside when you arrive.

So settle in, grab dinner if you haven ’t already in Manchester, and have a good night ’s sleep!

Where to stay in Woodstock

Woodstock is a small town and it’s very popular during the fall season. Remember to book ahead to secure a hotel in the town center or plan to stay a little further out. As I mentioned before, I recommend booking 2 nights in this area.

In case Woodstock is fully booked out, you can take a look at accommodations in Quechee , Killington , or even Rutland .

Although Rutland is a 45-minute drive from Woodstock, this was the closest place where we found a room when booking our accommodation (we booked around 2-3 weeks before our trip).

We personally stayed at Days Inn by Wyndham Rutland/Killington Area , nothing fancy but it was perfect for a good night ’s sleep.

If you book well ahead of time and want to stay in Woodstock itself, take a look at these hotels depending on your budget.

LUXURY – Woodstock Inn & Resort

Located on the Village Green, this 5-star resort is convenient for the downtown sights and restaurants. The building exterior is practically palatial and sets the tone for what awaits you inside. Rooms are fitted with immaculate bathrooms while there is a garden to enjoy.  

MID-RANGE – 506 On the River Inn Woodstock

This central hotel comes with an indoor pool, sauna, gym, and restaurant. All rooms come with a balcony with options to reserve a river view. A daily buffet breakfast is included in the rate. 

BUDGET – The Birch Grove

This budget-friendly hotel provides a daily vegetarian continental breakfast. Rooms are homely and feature a seating area and excellent natural light. The hotel is located a short drive out of town and benefits from being surrounded by forest and mountain vistas.

Day 3: Woodstock

Spend the whole of your third day exploring Woodstock and the surrounding area. Woodstock is a photogenic town that is exquisite throughout the year but really shines during the fall season when the colors turn.

It’s the quintessential small rural town for your New England foliage road trip itinerary. There are countless amazing things to do in Woodstock VT , below you can see my top recommendations.

Explore Woodstock The Green 

Start your day with breakfast at Mon Vert Cafe on Central Street and witness how the town springs to life.

The breakfast menu is based on organic ingredients and you can choose from the likes of eggs, French toast, avocado on toast, and sandwiches.

Don ’t forget to wash it all down with a great cup of coffee! Mon Vert Cafe has a nice patio if it’s warm enough but there’s also space inside.

After breakfast, take a stroll along Central Street and The Green and note the historic buildings in this charming town.

Take a photo of Jenne Road Farm

Driving time: 15 minutes (8.5 miles/13.5 km) from Woodstock

Hop into your rental and drive 15 minutes south to Jenne Road Farm. This Instagrammable farm is privately owned but tourists are welcome to briefly stop to take a photo and perhaps make a purchase of their homemade maple syrup.

This is one of the best fall foliage drives in New England as you’ll see the scarlet-colored barns against the various shades of orange, red, and yellow.

Drive through the Taftsville Covered Bridge

Driving time: 20 minutes (12 miles/19 km) from Jenne Road Farm

The Taftsville Covered Bridge is just one of many historic covered bridges in Vermont . They were built during the 19th and 20th centuries to lessen the impact of flooding, provide shelter, and assist with the herding of livestock. 

The Taftsville Covered Bridge passes over the Ottauquechee River and was built in 1836. In fact, it’s one of the oldest bridges in the region. 

You can drive through the bridge but it’s also a good idea to park and wander down to the riverside to see the waterfall. 

The Taftsville Covered Bridge is a 20-minute drive from Jenne Road Farm. 

Explore the sights of Quechee 

Driving time: 5 minutes (3.5 miles/5.6 km) from Taftsville Covered Bridge to Quechee Covered Bridge, then 12 minutes (7.1 miles/11.5 km) from Quechee back to Woodstock

Quechee is a small village in Vermont where you can stop and have a stroll along Main Street. The Quechee Covered Bridge passes over the Ottauquechee River and marks the entrance to the town. 

This bridge is actually very young: it was only built in 1970 and renovated in 2012. It’s a wide, functional bridge with two lanes for traffic and a separate walkway for pedestrians.

Do park up and savor the experience of walking through and checking out views of the waterfall.

You can also pay a visit to the Quechee Gorge in the Quechee State Park. The gorge is known as the “Little” Grand Canyon of Vermont and I’m sure you’ll see how it earned that name!

The gorge was formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age and has a depth of 165 feet (50 meters). 

There is a fantastic viewing platform at the Quechee Gorge Bridge. Meanwhile, the Quechee Gorge Visitor’s Center is worth a trip during your New England fall road trip in order to understand the local history. 

Day 4: Woodstock and Drive to Stowe

This is your second day in the Woodstock area before relocating to Stowe for a couple of nights. You can check out of your hotel and visit the other places of interest near Woodstock before hitting the road for the short drive to Stowe. 

Sleepy Hollow Farm

Driving time: 7 minutes (2.8 miles/4.5 km) from Woodstock

Sleepy Hollow Farm is another private farmstead in the Woodstock area that is considered one of the best fall drives in New England. The red outhouses are set against a rich backdrop of Vermont hills and forestry. 

Although the farm is private and not open to the public, it is accepted that tourists can drive along Cloudland Road and stop to take a photo of the farm.

The drive from Woodstock takes 15 minutes, and be advised that it’s a very famous photo spot. You should aim to arrive early to avoid having to wait in a long line of cars!

2023 UPDATE: Unfortunately, access to Cloudland Road will be limited to locals only starting from 23 September to 15 October, so if you’re visiting during this period, you won’t be able to see the farm in person.

Sugarbush Farm

Driving time: 15 minutes (4.8 miles/7.7 km) from Sleepy Hollow Farm

Your second farm of the day is one for the foodies: Sugarbush Farm is responsible for some of the tastiest cheeses and maple syrup varieties in Vermont!

This 500-acre farm is owned by the Luce family and is open to the public. You can wander around the farm grounds, follow a designated nature walk in the forest, and pop your head into workshops.

This is great if you’re curious to see how the products are made. You will also learn about how maple syrup is sourced from the land.

There is no fee to visit Sugarbush Farm. However, it’s a kind gesture to make a purchase from the farm shop to support this family-owned business. 

Sugarbush Farm is located a 15-minute drive from Sleepy Hollow Farm.

Billings Farm & Museum

Driving time: 10 minutes (4.5 miles/7.2 km) from Sugarbush Farm

Billings Farm & Museum is located in central Woodstock. As well as being a working Jersey dairy farm, it has a great community ethos and hosts lots of events, and schedules educational programs with schools in the area.

There is an admission charge of $17 to enter and explore the barns, pastures, and kitchens. You can also take a look at the 1890s farm manager’s lodge and check out the collection of tractors.

You could choose to have lunch at the farm cafe or back in town before driving to Stowe. 

Arriving to Stowe

Driving time: 1 hour 15 minutes (72 miles/115 km) from Billings Farm to Stowe

After having lunch either at Billings Farm or in Woodstock, get back into your car and drive straight to Stowe. You ’re looking at a 1 hour 15-minute scenic drive.

Where to stay in Stowe 

You will need to book accommodation for 3 nights in Stowe, making this the longest temporary base during your New England fall foliage road trip. 

As you’re staying for 3 nights, you might prefer to stay in self-catered accommodation while in Stowe. There are so many grocers, independent stores, and farmers’ markets where you can stock up on groceries for a couple of nights.

One thing to note though is that accommodation in Stowe is quite limited and pretty pricy, especially during the fall season.

In case you want to book something further out, you should check out Waterbury (15-minute drive from Stowe), Montpelier (30-minute drive from Stowe), or Burlington (40-minute drive from Stowe). We personally stayed in Days Inn by Wyndham Colchester Burlington .

If your heart is set on staying in Stowe (which is a very good choice by the way!), here are my top picks for different budgets.

LUXURY – Trapp Family Lodge

Bringing a sense of Austria to your New England fall trip itinerary, rooms at the Trapp Family Lodge offer mountain views. The lodge is convenient for wine and beer drinkers – the Wine Cellar and von Trapp Brewing are located on the premises.

MID-RANGE – Sun & Ski Inn and Suites

Spacious rooms come with private bathrooms and a coffee maker. All guests have access to the indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, and mini golf course. Breakfast is included in the rate.

BUDGET – Timberholm Inn

This family-run bed and breakfast overlooks the Green Mountains and is 5 minutes by car to central Stowe. Rooms offer views of the gardens, mountains, or forest and there is a communal lounge with a fireplace and a vast supply of books. Breakfast is included in the rate.

Day 5-6: Stowe

If you loved Woodstock then you will love the next stop on your New England fall road trip as well!

Stowe is another small Vermont town with a cozy vibe and tons of remarkable nature sights and historic attractions. As there is so much to see and do in this area, it’s best to spend a whole two days exploring. 

Best things to do in Stowe 

As the area holds so many attractions, I wrote a complete guide about all the best things to do in Stowe which you can consult for the full experience.

Otherwise, here are some of the most popular things you can take your pick from and devise your own perfect 2-day itinerary.  

Explore Main Street

Stowe Main Street is the epicenter of the town. It’s lined with pretty historic townhouses and churches. There is also the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum and The Current art gallery if you want to squeeze in a culture dose.

Naturally, Main Street is humming with cafes and boutiques so if you want to pick up souvenirs or treat yourself to a long brunch: this is the place!

Drive through Smugglers ’ Notch

One of the best things to do in Stowe, Vermont is to take a drive through Smugglers’ Notch. This narrow passageway was once used by smugglers to transport their goods into the United States from Canada.

Nowadays it’s a popular scenic route and it’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing color. The road winds its way through the mountains and there are plenty of pull-offs where you can stop and take in the view.

There are also a few hiking trails in the area if you want to stretch your legs. The Notch Visitor Center is a great place to start your exploration of Smugglers’ Notch and it has a range of maps and information about the area.

Visit the covered bridges

If you enjoyed seeing the covered bridges near Woodstock then you can continue your investigation while in Stowe.

There are several options that are nearby. In fact, the Giles W. Dewey Memorial Bridge is right in town so you needn’t use the car for this one! 

This bridge was only built in the early 21st century, in honor of a local farmer and philanthropist who passed away in 2000. Uniquely, the Giles W. Dewey Memorial Bridge only covers a pedestrian walkway rather than the road. 

The Gold Brook Covered Bridge passes over the namesake brook. But, it’s more commonly known as Emily’s Bridge. Emily was a young woman from a poor family who fell in love with a wealthy local man during the 1850s.

After he failed to show up and elope as the lovers planned, the woman leaped from this bridge and ended her life. Local fables suggest that her spirit haunts the bridge. 

Grist Mill Covered Bridge is also referred to as the Scott Covered Bridge, the Bryant Covered Bridge, and the Canyon Covered Bridge. It’s beautifully photogenic, especially during this time of year when the structure is devoured by the foliage. Passing through the bridge is one of the best fall drives in New England.

Chase a waterfall

If you love to chase waterfalls while traveling, then you have a couple of options to add to your list while in Stowe. 

One option is Sterling Gorge Falls which is a 15-minute drive north of Stowe. Access is via an easy out and back path through the Green Mountains that takes around 90 minutes to complete. 

A second is the Moss Glen Falls. These falls are only a 10-minute drive northeast of Stowe Main Street and this is actually the tallest waterfall in the state of Vermont. You can hike there in 20 minutes via one trail or take a scenic route that requires 2-3 hours. 

Walk the Stowe Recreation Path  

The Stowe Recreation Path is a 5.3-mile (8.5 km) walkway that links Stowe center with the Top Notch Resort on Mountain Road.

This entire walk is paved and is suitable for walkers and cyclists of varying levels. You don’t need to be an expert hiker and it’s a family-friendly activity. 

If you time your New England foliage road trip right then you will see the forest in its seasonal spectacle!

Take a hike

In addition to the Stowe Recreation Path, there are a number of excellent hiking options around the town if you want something more challenging.

Sunset Rock is an easy hike that takes less than an hour as a round trip. You will follow a steep but short trail through the woodland to a lookout point from where you will be able to view the town and Mount Mansfield. 

Smugglers’ Notch State Park offers a nice spread of short walks that take 1-2 hours to complete as well as challenging trails of 3 hours or 4-6 hours. 

Last but not least, the Sunset Ridge Trail is one of the most popular hikes if you want a closer look at Mount Mansfield. With a length of 5.1 miles (8.2 km) and somewhat challenging conditions, it is considered a moderate hike and will take up the majority of one day. You will need decent hiking boots as well. 

Savor the views from the Stowe Mountain Resort

Stowe Mountain Resort opens for winter sports in late November. But you can visit at any time of year to appreciate the views from the highest mountain peak in Stowe. 

You can drive up to Mountain Road which is one of the best fall foliage drives in New England.

Once you reach the resort, subject to the dates you visit, you can ride up the rest of the way to the summit of Mount Mansfield via the Gondola Skyride . This attraction typically opens from mid-June until mid-October. 

Once at the top, you will appreciate an unbeatable view of the golden foliage.

Where to eat in Stowe

Stowe’s Main Street is great for dining but as you have your car you can also check out places on the outskirts too. These are my suggestions for where to eat in Stowe. 

• Plate : This pretty restaurant presents a fusion of California-inspired recipes using seasonal Stowe-sourced ingredients. Dishes pair to perfection with their craft cocktail menu.
• Von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall : Visit this amazing brewery for Austrian-style brews and food that you can enjoy with a 360-degree view of the scenery.
• Green Goddess Cafe : Pick up an organic breakfast smoothie or a deluxe sandwich or salad for lunch and you’ll feel nourished from head to toe!
• Ben & Jerry’s : The factory for the iconic ice cream chain is located in Stowe. You can visit for a tour and pick up a new flavor while you’re there at the Scoop Shop. 

Day 7: Mount Pisgah Trail North and Drive to Colebrook

Today you will check out of your Stowe accommodation and drive towards Colebrook NH with the option to take a hike while on the way. 

Hike the Mount Pisgah Trail North 

Driving time: 1 hour 10 minutes (52 miles/84 km) from Stowe

The Mount Pisgah Trail North is a moderate hike of 4.8 miles (7.7 km). It has an elevation gain of 1,650 feet (503 meters) and takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete.

Parts of the trail are steep and it can be slippery after recent rainfall so dress sensibly and take care. 

Tackling this hike takes you into the Willoughby State Forest. You’ll follow a path that gradually reaches an observation clearing at the summit and provides a panoramic view of the lake.

Actually, you don ’t even need to go all the way up as there are a couple of viewpoints a bit lower as well that provide stunning views too.

The colors at this time of year are out of this world: the hike is a must for your fall foliage New England road trip if you love to hike!

You can leave your car on the side of the road on Route 5A next to Willoughby Lake and then follow the trail.

If you have a bit more time after your hike, it ’s worth exploring the lake too. The South Beach is especially stunning!

Drive to Colebrook NH

Driving time: 1 hour (44 miles/70 km) from Mount Pisgah

Once you’ve finished the hike you can just drive directly to Colebrook, New Hampshire, or feel free to stop off along the way.

Your drive will pass through the town of Brighton which sits on the banks of Island Pond and the Brighton State Park.

Check out Jesse’s Little Kitchen if you fancy a post-hike pizza binge or Hobo’s Cafe which offers a spread of brunches, grills, and comfort meals. 

Where to stay in Colebrook

Colebrook is a small town with a limited supply of accommodation options during your New England fall road trip. These are my picks for where to stay in Colebrook.

We personally managed to snag up a room at Colebrook C.C. & Motel and it was the perfect base to explore the Dixville Notch area.

If they ’re all booked out or you ’re looking for something else, check out my other recommendations below.

MID-RANGE – Mohawk Cottages

All units at Mohawk Cottages come with either one or two beds, a private bathroom, and a kitchenette. Pets are welcome and the location is perfect for getting into town and exploring the nearby sights.

BUDGET – Ladd Pond Cabins and Campground

This campsite offers a mix of self-contained cabins and lodges with basic kitchen facilities. The grounds are peaceful and give you the chance to soak up the sublime nature. You can even swim in the pond or borrow a kayak. 

You will spend today exploring the area around Colebrook and then return to the same hotel. Here is the itinerary for the day!

Breakfast at Mostly Muffins

Mostly Muffins is a breakfast-only cafe in the heart of Colebrook on Parsons Street. They open at 6 am on weekdays and 7 am on Saturdays (closed on Sundays) in case you want to wake up super early!

Muffins are available in a variety of flavors and you can grab one to go or eat in at the rustic cafe. They also serve amazing lattes – if you love sweet drinks, you have to try their maple latte!

If you would rather dine with a scenic view, ask for a takeaway and drive 5-minutes to Beaver Brook Falls. The scenery is absolutely mindblowing and there are lovely picnic tables where you can sit down and eat your breakfast while admiring the views.

Table Rock Hike

Driving time: 15 minutes (10 miles/16 km) from Colebrook

The Table Rock Hike is a short but moderately challenging hike in the Dixville Notch State Park. This 1.5 miles (2.4 km) out and back route has an elevation gain of 750 feet (229 meters) and takes around 1 hour to complete. 

The trail is easy to follow but it can be prone to mud and slippery leaves so you will need to wear hiking boots. Especially the last part is challenging but nothing you can ’t handle with some caution.

Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with views stretching out over the dense foliage of the state park and Lake Gloriette.

One thing to note though is that you will be standing at the edge of a cliff with a huge drop so make sure to be extra careful.

It’s a truly phenomenal addition to your New England fall road trip itinerary but you’ll need a head for heights. If you have fear of heights, this hike might not be the best option for you.

The trailhead for the Table Rock Hike is located on NH-26.

Lake Gloriette

After completing the Table Rock hike, it ’s worth taking a stroll around the shores of Lake Gloriette as well. It ’s absolutely breathtaking with all the fall colors and if you are lucky and the conditions are great, you can even see some insane reflections on the surface of the water.

You might be wondering: what is the building across the lake that looks like a fairytale castle? That ’s The Balsams resort, a grandiose hotel and ski resort. Unfortunately, it has been closed ever since 2011 for development purposes and it will remain closed until further notice.

Huntington Falls

Driving time: 2 minutes (1 miles/1.6 km) from Table Rock Trailhead

Huntingdon Falls is a gorgeous waterfall located in the woodlands. Once you park up on NH-26 at the Dixville Notch Wayside parking area, you’ll see a smaller waterfall first. This one is visible from the parking lot.

But a short walk through the forest brings you to a second fall that tumbles down from the ravine. The walk is a mere 0.4 miles (0.6 km) and it’s easy and takes less than 20 minutes to reach the second waterfall. 

The waterfall is only a few minutes drive from the Table Rock Hike trailhead. 

Dinner at Black Bear Tavern

Driving time: 15 minutes (12 miles/19 km) back to Colebrook

Once you’re back in Colebrook, my recommendation for dinner is the Black Bear Tavern .

If the weather is comfortable, you can sit out on the terrace and enjoy a sundowner before eating. In addition to wines, beers, and spirits, the tavern has a great spread of signature cocktails. 

The food is high-quality American pub fare with the likes of burgers, grills, and shareable sides.  

In a nutshell, it’s exactly what you need in between a few days of hiking.

Day 9: Franconia Notch and drive to Lincoln

You will check out of your Colebrook accommodation this morning and head towards Lincoln NH with some scenic stops on the way in Franconia Notch State Park. 

Hike to Artist ’s Bluff 

Driving time: 1 hour 20 minutes (65 miles/105 km) from Colebrook

Artist’s Bluff is a 0.5-mile (0.8 km) loop trail that rewards you with magical views of Franconia Notch State Park from the lookout. It’s stunning year-round but particularly special when visited during a fall road trip in New England.

The trail is quite steep and can be a bit slippery but it’s super short – it took us a solid 10-minute to get to the top. Definitely one of the most rewarding hikes I ’ve ever done!

I recommend leaving the car in the Cannon Mountain Rv Park as this is the closest one to the trailhead. The start of the trail is on Profile Road, you will see a wooden sign pointing you in the right direction.

You will come across a fork during your climb – make sure to keep right and follow the sign to Artist Bluff! The other trail is going up to Bald Mountain which is an amazing hike as well but definitely longer.

Once you get to the top, you can enjoy the view of Echo Lake and the surrounding mountains. It was one of my favorite viewpoints during our New England fall road trip!

Flume Gorge 

Driving time: 10 minutes (6.5 miles/10.5 km) from Artist ’s Bluff

Flume Gorge is located just outside of Lincoln, New Hampshire and it’s one of the most popular attractions in the White Mountains region.

The Flume Gorge is a natural chasm that was created by glaciers centuries ago. The walls of the gorge rise to a height of 70 feet (21 m) in some places and it’s home to a number of waterfalls.

You can explore this stunning natural attraction by following a 2-mile (3.2 km) nature trail through the gorge. The walk is super easy and it’s suitable for all fitness levels.

The entire loop takes around 1.5 hours to complete and the park usually closes at 4 pm so you need to be mindful of your timing.

Online reservations cost $18 while buying on-site is $21. In the fall season, tickets sell out pretty quickly and typically they don’t accept walk-ins so it ’s best to arrive with a reservation.

Lincoln NH 

Driving time: 10 minutes (5 miles/8 km) from Flume Gorge

Another night, another cute New England town to call home! Once you’re ready, you can head to your hotel in Lincoln, NH. I recommend booking one night here because tomorrow you ’re going on another adventure!

Where to stay in Lincoln

These are my picks for where to stay in Lincoln NH with different budgets in mind.

LUXURY – RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain

Located in close proximity to Loon Mountain, RiverWalk Resort features a restaurant, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool. The one-bedroom suite can accommodate up to 8 people which is amazing for families or bigger groups.

MID-RANGE – Woodwards White Mountain Resort BW Signature Collection

Rooms at this recently renovated resort are equipped with a microwave, a refrigerator, and coffee-making facilities. Breakfast is included in the rate and the property features a swimming pool and spa. 

BUDGET – Riverbank Motel and Cabins

Located on the banks of the Pemigewasset River, this pleasant motel consists of simple yet comfortable studio rooms with basic kitchen facilities. Guests have access to an indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, tennis courts, and a games room.

Day 10: Scenic drive from Lincoln to Acadia National Park via Conway

Today will be all about road tripping, as you will drive all the way to Acadia National Park from Lincoln! You will drive through one of the most beloved mountain roads, Kancamagus Highways, where you can stop to see different attractions.

The whole driving time is 4.5 hours (245 miles/395 km) without any stops or traffic jams so essentially, you ’ll spend the whole day in transit. I recommend leaving as early as you can as the Kancamagus Highway is known for its insane traffic, especially during fall!

Breakfast at Flapjacks 

Today has many stops so head to Flapjacks on Main Street for a decent breakfast before you leave. They are legendary for pancakes (aka flapjacks, as they call them) with a good offering of sweet and savory variations that will power you up for the day ahead.

Flapjacks is really popular among locals and visitors as well so it ’s not uncommon to see lines in front of the restaurant. As I mentioned before, I suggest starting the day early! They usually open at 7 am.

Kancamagus Highway 

Driving time: 45 minutes (35 miles/56 km) to Conway from Lincoln via the Kancamagus Highway (excluding stops and traffic)

The Kancamagus Highway is one of the best fall drives in New England. It’s technically a 50-minute drive without stops from Lincoln to Conway but I would budget at least 3 hours so that you can stop at the amazing attractions as you pass through the White Mountains. 

I’ve written a complete guide about the Kancamagus Highway fall foliage drive with every possible information you could ever need to plan your drive. However, if you’re in a rush, you can check out the most famous attractions below.

Hancock Overlook

Hancock Overlook is a viewpoint that lets you take in the mountains towering above a blanket of autumnal foliage. It’s a quick stop but extremely worth stopping for if you catch the season just right. 

Sabbaday Falls

Pull over at the Sabbaday Falls Observation Site parking lot and from there it’s a very small hike to see this magical waterfall among the woodlands.

It takes around 15 minutes each way if you want to see the falls. 

Rocky Gorge Scenic Area

Stop at the Rocky Gorge parking lot then you can walk to this scenic lookout at the side of the Swift River.

You’ll see a waterfall coming down the side of the huge boulders and rocks with trees surrounding the area. Again, the walk only takes around 15 minutes each way.

Lower Falls

The Lower Falls is another pretty waterfall on the course of the Swift River. These are viewable after a short stroll from the Lower Falls parking lot on the Kancamagus Highway.

Albany Covered Bridge

One final covered bridge to star on your New England foliage road trip itinerary! This one passes over the Swift River toward the end of the Kancamagus Highway.

It was built in 1858 and renovated in 1970. There should be enough space to pull over and pop out to get a closer look and snap a few photos. 

Conway, New Hampshire

Conway is a small town located in eastern New Hampshire that marks the end of Kancamagus Highway.

This quaint town is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat if you’re feeling hungry. One of the best-rated restaurants in Conway is Sweet Maple Cafe , which serves up amazing breakfast dishes, sandwiches, and salads. They do close at 2 pm so make sure you get there early!

Alternatively, you can stop at Fire 21 Pizza for a quick and tasty slice of pizza. This place is located right on Main Street and it’s the perfect spot to refuel after a day of exploring.

In terms of sightseeing, there are two covered bridges in Conway that are worth checking out: Swift River Covered Bridge and Saco River Covered Bridge.

Both bridges are located close to downtown and they’re easy to find. They’re also popular spots for photographers, so make sure you bring your camera!

Drive to Acadia National Park 

Driving time: 4 hours (211 miles/340 km) to Bar Harbor from Conway

After exploring Kancamagus Highway and stopping for a quick food break in Conway, you need to get back to your car as there is a long drive ahead of you.

The drive from Conway to Bar Harbor is a solid 4-hours which is one of the longest routes you ’ll have to tackle on this New England fall road trip.

Where to stay in Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is located on an island that is connected to the mainland via road. You can stay in the park at one of the designated campgrounds if you want an immersive nature experience. Alternatively, there are hotels and guesthouses dotted around the island.

However, the best place to stay for the course of your visit is Bar Harbor. This is the main town within Acadia NP and has the widest variety of accommodation options as well as restaurants, shops, and amenities.

As you will likely stay for two nights, you can either stay at the same hotel for both nights of your fall road trip in New England. Or, you could stay at two different places and experience different parts of the park.

Your third option is to only stay one night at Acadia NP and then drive to Portland after your second day on the island. You can then stay the night in Portland.

If you want to know more about the best areas to stay in Acadia, check out my in-depth article about where to stay in Acadia .

You can check out the full list of the best hotels in Acadia National Park for every budget , or if you’re in a rush, take a look at my top picks below.

LUXURY – Bar Harbor Inn and Spa

Located on Mount Desert Island, this Bar Harbor hotel is only 6 miles away from the Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park. The oceanfront hotel offers an on-site restaurant and guests can dine with views of the ocean.

MID-RANGE – Saltair Inn Waterfront B&B

This evocative guesthouse grants access to a private beach area and a terrace. Rooms are lavishly appointed with some coming with clawfoot bathtubs. An American breakfast is included in the rate.

BUDGET – Bar Harbor Manor

This clean and comfortable property is conveniently located in Bar Harbor. Rooms are homely and generously proportioned. Staff are extremely hospitable and will be able to provide any pointers on exploring the national park.

Days 11-12: Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island and comprises 47,000 acres of coniferous forest, rocky beaches, and glacier-carved granite peaks.

You will note Cadillac Mountain – the highest point on the East Coast. 

As you have a car already, you can explore the park with your own vehicle. But, if you fancy taking a break from driving, you could always consider using the bus. 

The Island Explorer is a complimentary bus service that departs from Bar Harbor and links with the tourist spots and hiking trails within the park.

In addition to being free, the bus means that you will not encounter parking issues. Spaces are limited in Acadia, and since it ’s one of the most popular East Coast National Parks , sometimes it’s impossible to score a spot.

Particularly at this time of year because the Park Loop Road easily constitutes one of the best fall foliage drives in New England.

Read Next: Acadia National Park in the Fall: Practical Info & Tips for Visiting

Best things to do in Acadia National Park

Once you’ve decided how you’re going to get around, here are the best things to do in Acadia. In case you prefer a step-by-step itinerary, you can refer to my in-depth guide on how to spend 2 days in Acadia National Park .

Walk (or drive) Ocean Path

Ocean Path is a scenic route that connects Sand Beach with Otter Point. 

The trail is 2 miles (3.2 km) and an easy, flat walk. On the way, you will encounter Thunder Hole – a chasm where waves crash and create the sound of thunder. You should expect to complete the out-and-back trail in less than 2 hours.

If you would rather save time for other hikes, you can drive Ocean Path in your vehicle and enjoy the ocean views along the way.

Hike to the Beehive Lookout 

Naturally, there are dozens of hiking trails in Acadia NP that you can enjoy during the two days of your New England fall foliage road trip. 

The Beehive Lookout is one of the best places for views in the entire park. However, you should note that the Beehive Trail is an extremely challenging hike that is intended only for advanced hikers with climbing experience and no issues with heights. It requires you to shimmy along a vertical cliff.

However, you can decide to follow the Bowl Trail instead, which departs from the same trailhead as the Beehive Trail. If you take a shortcut through the forest, you will end up at the Beehive Lookout without having to do the hard climb!

Follow the Jordan Pond Path

If you have time for another hike, the Jordan Pond Path is a lovely choice. At 3.1 miles (5 km) and with flat terrain, the hike can be completed in 1-1.5 hours and is not challenging. 

If you want to extend the hike then you can merge this route with another hike: the Bubbles Trail. The Bubbles is the name given to the two mountains, North Bubble and South Bubble. You’ll spot them as you walk around the lake but summiting them yields an incredible 360-degree view of the area. 

This results in a moderate 7.4 km (4.6 miles) loop hike beginning and culminating at the Jordan Pond Path trailhead. This option does have some pretty steep sections as you venture up through the forest but it’s worth it for the views.

Catch the sunset at Cadillac Mountain 

Cadillac Mountain is 1,530 feet (466 meters) tall and is the highest peak on the East Coast of the US. You can drive to the summit via Cadillac Summit Road and see incredible views over Jordan Pond and the surrounding ranges.

However, you must reserve your drive in advance. This is to prevent overcrowding and carries a small conservation fee of $6 per vehicle. 

30% of the allocated spaces are bookable 90 days ahead of the date. Meanwhile, the remaining 70% are released at 10 am two days ahead of your intended date. You’ll need to be super organized in advance or super crafty at the last minute!

Sunrise and sunset are the most popular times but it’s usually easier to secure a reservation for Golden Hour.

Take a boat tour 

A boat tour is a perfect way to see some wildlife during your New England fall road trip.

Tours depart until late October from Bar Harbor and you will stand a chance of spotting eagles, porpoises, seals, whales, and other marine creatures. 

The 2-hour Sightseeing & Nature Cruise with Acadian Boat Tours is one of the most comprehensive options. On the other hand, the 3.5-hour variation takes you to see the puffins which is always going to be a win!

Where to eat in Acadia

Hiking requires a solid base of energy! Here are my recommendations for where to eat in Acadia NP. 

• Cafe This Way : This Bar Harbor cafe opens bright and early at 6.30 am and is a great spot for breakfast before road tripping around the national park. Eggs, pancakes, French toast, and organic granola will keep you full all day. 
• 2 Cats Bar Harbor : Another amazing breakfast place to fuel up for the day! They prepare bagels, French toast, pancakes, and nutritious homemade granola alongside bottomless coffee and freshly squeezed juices.
• Atlantic Brewing Midtown : Sample locally brewed beer with a hot dog or pretzel at this funky brewery. There’s a terrace which is perfect for catching the last of the sunshine. 
• Jordan Pond House : This attractive restaurant offers views of Jordan Pond and the mountains. Order catch of the day and don’t miss their popovers. 
• Side Street Cafe : This ambient eatery focuses on burgers, clam chowder, and lobster-based dishes. 

Day 13: Portland 

Driving time: 3 hours (175 miles/282 km) from Bar Harbor to Portland

Today you will be visiting one of the prettiest places along the East Coast: Portland, Maine!

Portland is the most populous city in Maine and it’s a worthy addition to your New England fall road trip. This historic city is located on a peninsula and it’s known for its working waterfront, as well as its beautiful lighthouses.

Spending one day in Portland Maine will give you the chance to visit the highlights, however, since it ’s quite far away from Bar Harbor and you still have to drive to Salem afterward, this might feel like too much driving/not enough time to explore the city.

Therefore, an alternative option is to drive to Portland from Acadia NP the previous evening and spend the night there. You can take a look and see which option you prefer and customize the fall foliage New England road trip as you see fit. 

Best things to do in Portland

Portland, Maine is known for its historic downtown area and its influx of lighthouses, many of which remain in use. Here are the best things to do when spending one day in Portland. 

Wander around the Old Port

Old Port is Portland’s historic district and features cobblestone streets and beautifully preserved buildings. The waterfront bustles with restaurants, cafes, fish markets, and shops.

This is a great place to stretch your legs after the long drive from today’s leg of the New England fall road trip while tucking into a lobster roll. 

Visit the Portland Observatory

The Portland Observatory was built in 1807 and originally served as a communication station for the port. It is the only wooden signal towel that still exists in the area. 

After various renovation work during the 20th century and the turn of the 21st century, the Observatory was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

You can go inside the observatory during the summer season until mid-October. Guided tours run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays while Tuesdays and Wednesdays switch to self-guided tours. 

You can book your tickets online in advance; admission is $10. 

Tick off the prettiest lighthouses in Portland

As a testament to the importance of Portland Harbor during the 18th and 19th centuries, you can find many beautiful lighthouses in Portland .

With one day in the city, you can check out a couple of them during your New England foliage road trip. If so, expect this to take up most of the afternoon. 

Bug Light sits across the bay from the Old Port in Bug Light Park. Officially it’s called the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse but it earned its nickname due to how petite it is. 

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is a short drive from Bug Light and you can visit it in conjunction with Fort Preble. This lighthouse sits on a rocky promenade and you can walk out to the end to get a closer look at the building.  

Portland Head Light is the most iconic of the famous Maine lighthouses. It’s located in Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth – 5 miles (8 km) south of Downtown Portland. You can drive there in 15 minutes from the town center and then continue with your drive south to Salem. 

Look across the bay and you might be able to spot Ram Island Ledge Light Station!

Where to eat in Portland

Portland is a great place to sample local seafood and shellfish specialties. But if you’re not keen on fish, there are plenty of other options.

These are my recommendations for where to eat in Portland for lunch or before heading to your hotel in Salem.

• DiMillo’s on the Water : This nautical-themed restaurant offers harbor and ocean views and a menu that celebrates the best seafood and shellfish dishes that Portland is known for. 
• Flatbread Company : For those who aren’t a fan of seafood, turn your attention to this waterside pizzeria. Pizzas are prepared with a wood burner and use organic ingredients and homemade sauces. There are plenty of options for gluten and dairy-free diners. 
• Central Provisions : Lip-smacking small plates, awesome cocktails, and an unbeatable atmosphere! Menus change seasonally and produce is locally sourced.
• Holy Donut : If you’re not that hungry or you’re looking for something sweet, check out Holy Donut. These legendary donuts are made using a potato base and come in a variety of innovative flavors including maple bacon, dark chocolate sea salt, honey lavender, and even cannoli.

Drive to Salem, Massachusetts

Driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes (97 miles/156 km) from Portland to Salem

After spending the day (or at least a couple of hours) in Portland, get back to your car and drive 1.5 hours to your final stop on this New England itinerary: Salem, MA.

Where to stay in Salem

A final reminder about how quickly accommodation in New England gets booked up in the fall season. Of all the places, Salem is one of the busiest especially as you inch closer to Halloween when the town has heaps going on.

Salem offers a wonderful mix of historic hotels and cozy inns that are right in the town center. These are my top picks for where to stay in Salem.

LUXURY – Northey Street House

This historic hotel consists of sublime rooms and a garden for guests to enjoy. It’s located within walking distance of downtown and includes breakfast in the rate. There is a small kitchenette for guests to share.

MID-RANGE – The Merchant

Uniquely decorated with a nod to the heritage of the town and building, this central hotel will appeal to those who appreciate old-worldly charms with a modern twist. Breakfast is included in your stay.

BUDGET – Hawthorne Hotel

Said to be one of the most haunted hotels in town, there’s no spookier place to stay in Salem Massachusetts in the fall! Period features and a characterful dining room with an open fire make this the perfect home away from home.

Day 14: Salem

It’s the last day of your fall foliage New England road trip! You’ll spend the day in Salem before heading back to Boston to complete the itinerary. Unless you want to spend a few extra nights in Salem!

Everyone’s heard of Salem and knows roughly about the history of the Salem Witch Trials. However, until you visit the town for yourself, it’s impossible to truly grasp the extent of the events that occurred in 1692.

These events are traced back to January 1692 when both the daughter and niece of Puritan Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village were taken ill. William Griggs, the village doctor, diagnosed the young women with bewitchment.

Thus, the trials began with accusations being cast at the women and men of Salem. 19 of the accused lost their lives to hanging while one man was pressed to death and countless other victims died in prison.

Modern-day Salem is a charming small town that recounts the events and honors those who lost their lives to the hysteria with the Salem Witch Trials Memorial.

Best things to do in Salem

There are lots of spooky things to do in Salem in the fall season. But, there is also a large choice of historic and outdoor attractions as well. Here are the best things to do in Salem.

See what’s on at Salem Haunted Happenings 

Salem Haunted Happenings is an annual celebration of Halloween and fall that has taken place since 1982.

The program runs across the whole month of October and has events like parades, spooky movie screenings, costume balls, performances, and bespoke ghost tours.

You can find out what’s on this year by consulting the Haunted Happenings website or by downloading the free app.

Visit the Hocus Pocus filming locations

The family Halloween movie of 1993 starring Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker was set and filmed in Salem. You can visit a number of Hocus Pocus filming locations while in town either independently or as part of a guided tour.

The Salem “Hocus Pocus” Movie Locations Walking Tour only occurs during the fall season. So, seeing as you’re planning a New England fall trip itinerary, you can seize the opportunity. 

Check out the Peabody Essex Museum

For an entirely different change of pace, visit the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM). This gallery explores American and Asian art, architecture, and design and places an emphasis on cultural understanding and the importance of innovation.

You can visit the permanent collection and check what the latest special exhibition is. 

Besides the vast art on display, PEM features a garden and a cafe space in a beautiful modern atrium that’s filled with light. Admission to PEM is $20.

Tour witchy museums

It goes without saying that most of the attractions in Salem are witch-themed. Choose to visit the Witch Dungeon Museum where actors will walk you through the happenings of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials before inviting you to explore the dungeon artifacts. 

Meanwhile, the Salem Witch Museum is a sculpture exhibit with a voiceover of the events as well as an exploration of modern-day witchcraft.

The Witch House at Salem served as the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin who presided over the Salem Witch Trial. Built in 1675, the house hosted some of the preliminary questionings.

Nowadays it contains objects and artifacts from the time of the Witch Trials and gives you a sense of how the wealthy lived during the 17th century. 

If you’re traveling with kids for this New England fall road trip, then do check out the Halloween Museum of Salem .

Where to eat in Salem

Downtown Salem offers a mix of quirky cafes, global eats, and friendly taverns with comforting American fare. Here are my suggestions for where to eat in Salem.

• Bella Verona : This cozy trattoria whips up authentic Italian fare that will convince you that you’re in the Tuscan hills. Save space for dessert – their homemade cannoli are top-notch. 
• Wolf Next Door Coffee : This cute cafe specializes in breakfast sandwiches and muffins, pies, baked goods, and excellent coffee. They cater well to vegans and vegetarians.
• Mercy Tavern : A laid-back gastropub that focuses on New England comfort food and international favorites. Menus change frequently but you can expect the likes of burgers, mac ‘n’ cheese, and fish tacos. 

Drive back to Boston

Driving time: 30 minutes (22 miles/35.4 km) to Boston 

After touring all the spooky places in Salem, all that ’ s left to do from your New England fall road trip itinerary is to drive back to Boston and return your rental.

In case you have some more time on your hands, it ’s worth sticking around for a couple more days in Boston but even if you don ’t, I think you had an action-filled road trip that you will remember for a long time!

Planning a trip to New England?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about New England. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

• Vermont in the Fall: Travel Tips & Best Places to Visit
• 16 Incredible Things to Do in Woodstock VT
• 17 Amazing Things to Do in Stowe, Vermont
• 17 Incredible Covered Bridges in Vermont You Need to Visit
• 81 Amazing Vermont Quotes & Captions for Instagram

New Hampshire:

• Kancamagus Highway Fall Foliage Drive: 9 Best Attractions & Tips for Visiting

Massachusetts:

• How to Spend One Day in Boston: Itinerary & Best Things to Do
• 13 Best Day Trips from Boston You Can’t Miss
• Where to Stay in Boston: 8 Best Areas & Hotels
• 133 Best Boston Captions for Instagram (Quotes, Puns & More)
• 19 Spooky Things to Do in Salem MA in October
• How to Spend One Day in Acadia National Park
• The Perfect 2 Days in Acadia National Park Itinerary
• Acadia National Park in the Fall: Practical Info & Tips for Visiting
• How to Spend One Day in Portland, Maine
• 5 Prettiest Lighthouses in Portland Maine You Can’t Miss

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The Perfect New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary for Leaf Peeping

By Helene Sula

New England is a dream come true. But where is the best place for Fall Foliage? Where do the leaves pop in color? And how can you plan the perfect New England road trip for Leaf Peeping?! This is your guide to planning the perfect New England Fall Road Trip and Itinerary for the best spots!

The Northeast USA is the best place for foliage in the world. I go every single year- I truly cannot get enough. And the bets way to see the foliage is with a New England Fall road trip! My Fall foliage road trip guide is tried and tested! I meticulously planned this guide just for you!

This is a bucket list trip, and whether you spend 2, 3, or 5 days or 1-2 weeks, you’ll have a great time! We spent 2 weeks in the Northeast, and I can accurately create a perfect itinerary for you!

I’ll admit it: I thought the glossy photos online and on Instagram of New England’s hillsides were fake. Certainly, those bright yellow and orange and red trees were color enhanced? And, could that stark white barn strewn with pumpkins really be that cute. Turns out the answer is YES. New England is a magical wonderland for your senses and even better in person. 

READ MORE: One Week Fall Foliage Itinerary

I’ve traveled a good bit and I can safely say that this is one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever been to in my life. The beautiful fall foliage drives, the rolling hills speckled with fruity pebble colored trees, hiking trails filled with peak fall colors. The creamy corals, vibrant reds, brilliant yellows, and shocking oranges were truly like stepping into a painting. After the heat of summer and before the Christmas craze, autumn is that perfect mix of a fresh start and the crisp air renews that feeling of excitement and wonder. 

Of course, the beauty of heading to New England in the Fall for a road trip isn’t just the leaf peeping. Although that’s a highlight, there are so many things to do. Apple and pumpkin picking, apple cider donuts, maple treats, hiking, Fall festivals, and more! There are so many beautiful places to see and stay, I honestly want to do this trip every year. It’s that amazing. 

This guide to New England’s Fall gives you everything you need to plan a perfect trip!

Free Itinerary for New England

New england fall road trip itinerary at a glance: 3 day, 7 day, 10 day, and 2 week long itinerary for fall foliage in new england, when is the best time to see the leaves in new england.

• When Is Peak Time to See the Leaves in 2023? 

How to Plan a New England Fall Road Trip

Best new england fall road trip itinerary + map, day one – drive from boston to white mountain national forest in new hampshire, day two – white mountain national forest, conway scenic railway, mount washington lodge, day three – kancamagus highway in new hampshire, day four – franconia notch state park and flume gorge & drive to vermont – montpelier, day five – smuggler’s notch drive, brigham falls, vontrapp house, day six – waterbury , stowe, woodstock , day seven – weston, lincoln’s hildene home, manchester, chester, day eight – jackson & maine – evan’s notch, bethel, day nine – apple picking & bar harbor, day ten – acadia national park, day eleven – camden, portland, drive to salem, massachusetts , day 12 – connor’s farm & salem , day 13 – salem, day 14 – boston & home.

If you're want a quick overview for the best New England road trip here are some options. Truly, the best way to experience the incredible foliage is with a New England Fall Road trip! Below, I'll go into detail for my suggest New England fall road trip itinerary.

Long weekend New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary:

If you only have three days to experience peak Fall foliage in New England I suggest focusing on two states: Vermont and New Hampshire. I love Maine (and Acadia National Park). I adore Connecticut and their amazing farm stands. Rhode Island is also so much fun. BUT if you're short on time, stick to Vermont and New Hampshire.

Day 1: Fly in to Boston and head north to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Explore the Kancamagus Highway and Franconia Notch State Park. If you want, you can either venture further north. Let's say the leaves aren't quite at peak, then go north. I recommend the epic Dixville Notch and the town of Jackson. If they are, stay closer to the middle of the state. Take a train ride in Conway, New Hampshire. End your day there, or head over to Stowe.

Pictured above is Dixville Notch, specifically the area of Colebrook along Lake Gloriette. This is an abandoned resort called “The Balsams.” Our mouths dropped open when we saw the incredible Fall colors here.

Day 2: On today's fall road trip itinerary, head to Stowe, Vermont. This is one of my personal favorite towns. Go to Cold Hollow Cider, explore the many hikes, and check out the Von Trapp Family Lodge. No fall road road trip is complete without a foliage drive through Smugglers Notch! There are so many towns to stop in on your fall foliage road trip: Weston, Waterbury, Montpelier, and Waitsfield.

Day 3: Head to the gorgeous town of Woodstock – it looks like Gilmore Girls come to life! If you have time explore some more cute towns and take a hike to see more foliage. From here, you can go back to Boston with a stop in Salem! If you love witch history, try to spend the day here.

One week New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary:

I have a complete guide for a 7 day fall foliage road trip in the Northeast right here ! But here's a glance at what I suggest!

Day 1: Boston, Massachusetts > White Mountains, New Hampshire

Kick off your New England Fall Road trip by heading up to New Hampshire's White Mountains. After going very year, this is truly the best spot to see peak fall foliage (if you time it right)! The rolling hills you'll see on your Fall road trip are absolutely breathtaking.

Day 2: Kancamagus Highway & Mount Washington, New Hampshire

Drive the Kancamagus Highway, see more of New Hampshire, stop at Silver Cascde, and take some hikes around this area. I love just pulling off the side of the road and seeing amazing colors!

Day 3: Franconia Notch, New Hampshire > Montpelier, Vermont

Explore Franconia Notch State park – sincerely a beautiful place to spend all day. There are many hiking trails around Franconia Notch State Park and it's easy to find hiking and walking paths along the way for your New England Road trip.

Then we'll venture over to the Green Mountain State, Vermont, full of some of the most beautiful places to explore for the Fall Season.

Day 4: Smuggler's Notch & Von Trapp House, Vermont

The hills are alive, in new England! Drive the winding road for more fall foliage in New England. Stop at the Von Trapp House – from the sound of music.

Pictured above is a pumpkin patch near the town of Stowe.

Day 5: Stowe, Vermont

Visit the town of Stowe, go to Cold Hollow Cider, and take a break on your Fall Foliage road trip to explore this picturesque town. A great place to stay is the Stowe Mountain resport.

Day 6: Manchester, Vermont

Explore the historic town of Manchester, see more fall foliage, and take in some of the covered bridges in the area for even more leaf peeping.

Day 7: The Berkshires > Boston, Massachusetts

For day 7 of your New England Fall fall road trip itinerary, head Massachusetts, to the Berkshires. I love this fairytale area to explore!

10 days to 2 Weeks New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary:

If you have more than one week for your New England fall road trip then I've got you! I'll cover this all in detail below but depending on the foliage, I recommend adding on a state (or two!) to your New England fall foliage road trip itinerary. If you have a few more days you might want to explore Rhode Island or Connecticut. Or, honestly, both. They are both small so it's easy to see both. Or, you can add on Maine! Head up to Acadia National park and visit Bar Harbor too for even more foliage. I love going up the East Coast and stopping for leaf peeping, pumpkin patches, apple picking, and adorable farms.

Pictured above is a delicious Maple creemee from the Eldridge family sugar house in New Hampshire, near the town of Tamworth.

Don't miss a THING on your New England Fall Road trip! Get my map here.

This guide goes in detail on how to see the best fall colors in New England for your road trip! There truly is so much beautiful fall and opportunities for leap peeping!

To me, this is one of the best road trips in the USA and the fall colors on this New England fall road trip itinerary will guarantee you see some the most amazing places. The vibrant fall foliage in New England is absolutely breathtaking.

When planning our New England road trip, we knew we wanted to see as many of the leaves at their peak time as possible. My husband Michael did tons of research on this. He looked into when is the best time to see the leaves, the colors, the places to go, and so much more. 

There are so many factors that affect the color: rain, wind, temperature, etc. And that’s not just current, but the entire year can affect the color. For example, the brilliant reds we saw occurred because of a particularly dry year. The drought seemed to bring on more saturated colors. 

But with all that said the best place in New England for Fall Foliage (for us, this is subjective!) has got to be Conway, New Hampshire . We spent a couple of days here and enjoyed every second. We took a scenic train ride and then drove the beautiful Kancamagus. The Kancamagus drive is about 35 miles and has tons of stops along the way. It’s so scenic and beautiful and is well worth the drive. 

Pictured above is the Kancamagus highway in New Hampshire.

Your best bet overall for stunning fall foliage on your road trip is to visit late September through mid October. HOWEVER, this can change every year. To ensure you get the most out of your New England fall foliage adventure, it's important to pay attention to the weather and be flexible. This is why I always recommend renting a car and making your New England fall road trip open-ended so you can see the peak foliage and fall colors. Regardless, a fall road trip is one of the best trips you'll take!

Let’s talk about how you can ensure you can see the leaves!

First, foliage colors and timelines can range from year to year. So keep that in mind when planning your trip. Peak fall foliage in New England starts in the north and works its way down south. So if you’re earlier in the season, the farther north you’ll start, or later in the season, you’ll go further south. Meaning leaves start to change first in Maine, New Hampshire , and Vermont , then in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut . 

We started more in the mid of peak fall foliage and headed to New Hampshire after our flight from Dallas to Boston, MA. Then to Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts for peak autumn colors. 

READ MORE: Hocus Pocus Filming Locations in Salem, Massachusetts

When Is Peak Time to See the Leaves in 2023?  

Right now, for 2023, it appears that the best time to see the leaves in New England will be late September and early October . This is predicted from the New England Fall Foliage map . This is similar to what we experienced in 2021 and 2022. Also recommend checking out this guide from this blog on the color updates and foliage forecast.

For your best bet for a New England Fall Road trip, I'm predicting October to be safe! But in late September, I'd drive further north for more Fall foliage.

We found the Yankee Foliage Leaf Peeper App to be super helpful for planning our trip. 

The New England Fall Foliage Map is helpful to keep an eye on for planning your trip and managing expectations for when the leaves could change colors. This updated map will share when and where they believe is peak time to see the leaves. It’s so important to look at this when planning your trip. Honestly, the leaves go so fast! 

The best way to plan to see the leaves, if that’s your main objective, is to be flexible. If you want to see the leaves at their peak, realize that things can change often and quickly. On our trip we had an RV, which allowed us to chase the leaves. But we are heading back and staying in hotels, so will have a more set schedule. Decide what’s most important for your trip and plan accordingly.

Pictured above is the city of Tamworth in New Hampshire! This is a beautiful spot to explore and there are also so many great places nearby to get yourself a maple creemee!

Maple trees are the dominant trees and the ones that offer such brilliant and dramatic colors. Fall leaves change gradually from darker greens to yellows, reds, and oranges. And then brown, and fall off. Most often, it’s best if you’re able to chase the leaves and have a tentative plan. 

Because Fall is New England’s busiest time of year I definitely recommend that you book hotels and B&B’s in advance!

Another option is to RV throughout New England. While this is the most flexible option, it does have some drawbacks. There are not a lot of places that you can camp for free or boondock in New England. Also, it’s super busy. We drove for hours one night in New Hampshire trying to find camping before just sleeping at a Walmart parking lot. 

Of course, it’s incredible to wake up in all of the glory of the leaves in an RV! We rented an RV with Outdoorsy when we spent 2 weeks in New England. If you’re wanting to RV throughout New England it’s a good idea to have a few apps to help you find camping, know where there are low bridges, and more helpful tips. Here are the best apps for planning a trip .

The dates for our New England Fall Road trip was September 26th through October 8th, 2020. But remember to check the calendar to make sure those dates work for you and your plan!

For 2021, we planned to go the first week of October (a bit later than last year) and head towards Connecticut and Rhode Island since that will be peak time (hopefully!) around there. 

For 2022 I went closer to early October. I actually didn't plan a single place to stay because I was there to go leaf peeping and truly chase the foliage and see Fall Colors. The truth is… I paid for it! Hotels were expensive since I booked last minute in order to see Fall Foliage on my road trip, but it was worth it!

Pictured above is the Silver Cascade waterfall in New Hampshire.

I mapped everything out here for you in a color coded map so you don't miss the best spots for Fall Foliage in New England!

For 2023 I am going for my New England Fall road trip itinerary in late September and focusing on New Hampshire and the White Mountain National forest as well as many of the towns in northern New Hampshire and Vermont.

I’ve created a New England Road Trip itinerary with a map of where to go. Remember, you can shorten this to your travel needs! I highly recommend that you have a car to get around. There are so many cute small towns and the beauty of driving is you can stop and take pictures whenever you please. Some of my favorite stops were just when we saw something beautiful and opted to pull over and explore more. We climbed over a small river and watched the sun set over the mountains as the leaves were ruffled by the wind. It was like magic!

Pictured above is Hart's Location in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. One of the best spots EVER for Fall Foliage in New England!

The hills look like fruity pebbles! I’ve laid out a 14-day itinerary below, but you can change this itinerary to fit your needs. You can easily chop off days as needed!

We picked up our motor home (or rental car for our next trip!) and drove from Boston International Airport straight to New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest . This drive is about 2 and half hours and is worth it to see the beautiful leaves in the morning! You can take a hike in the forest to get a better view of the leaves.

We camped here but a good place to stay in the area is Woodbound Inn . This is a 19th century Inn with rustic cabins and is reasonably priced!

As you make the drive you’ll start to see the gorgeous leaves. But just wait! The White Mountains are truly spectacular and it’s a great place to see the leaves. 

Waking up in White Mountain National Forest actually brought tears to my eyes! It was glorious to see the sunlight permeate the leaves, the rays painting strokes of immaculate colors. 

As we drove through the mountains we were mesmerized by the colors. We started our drive through the forest and admired the colors and beauty along the way.

A stop on our way to Conway, New Hampshire is the cute and tiny town of Sandwich . Yes, that’s really the town name.

We were struck by the beautiful white church and huge maple tree bursting with red leaves. This town is a quick stop but well worth it.

Make your way from Sandwich to Conway, about a 30 minute drive. In Conway is the Scenic Railway and I believe this is a must do! You’ll have an old-fashioned rail road experience that takes you in pretty, vintage cars through forests and small towns. Book tickets in advance – it can sell out!

There are 3 different railroad excursions. We choose the Bartlett-Sawyer Excursion here . We liked this since it wasn't too long or too short!

After the train ride we strolled around Conway. There are lots of shops and restaurants in the area. I recommend Peach’s Restaurant for breakfast and Muddy Moose for dinner. 

If you’re up for a bit more hiking, move on to Diana’s Baths for 1.3 mile hike to a beautiful waterfall. It’s a short and easy hike. 

Around sunset, drive to Mount Washington Lodge . Now owned by the Omni this huge resort was built in 1902 in 18 months by Italian laborers. This is the largest almost all wood building in New Hampshire. This has been a favorite retreat of presidents and celebrities for decades. There’s also a golf course and a beautiful patio for dinner. Of course, this would be a beautiful place to stay the night !

READ MORE: Best Places for Fall In New Hampshire

My favorite route on the trip was the Kancamagus in New Hampshire . Mesmerizing trees and mountains for literally miles and miles. Be prepared to spend the day here! 

I loved stopping to take pictures of the dark winding road with a yellow stripe down the middle and the bright orange trees. It’s Insta-worthy for sure!

Kancamagus Highway is an easy drive that meanders for about 34 miles. You can do all or some of it, but I do recommend that you try to time it during peak foliage because it really is a sight to see!

Kancamagus is the name of the grandson of Passaconaway, the Native American chief, who in 1627, united more than 17 Central New England Tribes into the Pennacook Confederacy. In the 1680s, Kancamagus (meaning fearless one) became the chief. After battling the English settlers, the Pennacook tribes scattered. Around 1681, Kancamagus and his followers moved to upper New Hampshire and Canada. When the English settlers came here, they made a meager living. It took an entire family toiling from dusk to dawn to survive in the harsh climate and catastrophe was constant. 

As the community of farming faded away the Kancamagus remained. There’s no shortage of stunning overlooks, picture perfect spots, and awe-inspiring leaves.

We stopped at the Saco Ranger Station to get some information about the drive and this is where we found a beautiful tunnel of trees! 

As we drove we stopped at the picturesque Albany Covered Bridge . Covered bridges are seen through out New England and are important history, not just beautiful. Stage coaches took these bridges and they linked the outside world. Isolated farmers would go into town every do often to make purchases and share their goods. The 15 mile road took people 3 hours to drive. The men who drove stagecoaches to do errands were colorful characters and good storytellers and handymen.

Keep driving over to Lower Falls , a scenic spot with a river that tumbles over large rocks and boulders. You’ll see crisp red leaves flowing in the water. This is just off the Kancamagus Highway and a good spot for a picnic or a short hike. 

The great part of driving the Kancamagus is there are no bad views. Just drive and enjoy!

A good place for dinner is Burger Mountain , a local restaurant offering made from scratch burgers and sandwiches in a laid-back atmosphere. 

Stay in RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain for panoramic views of the mountains and a chance to see a kaleidoscope of colors overlooking the river.

RVers/Campers: There are tons of places to camp in the White Mountains so I’d suggest checking out anything nearby for the night. This site helps for finding spots .

Located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest is the Franconia Notch State Park . Taking the road here is a spectacular mountain pass that extends from the Flume Gorge at the south to Echo Lake. 

You might have heard of Franconia Notch, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Daniel Webster from the Old Man of the Mountain. 

You can swim in Echo Lake, take the Franconia Notch Bike Path, camp at Lafayette Place or find a spot for your RV at Cannon Mountain RV Park. 

Flume Gorge is a must! Discovered in 1808, this is a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. The trail is an easy, mostly paved hike that is a 2-mile loop. You can reserve your spot in advance or at the entrance upon arrival.

I recommend that you do this earlier in the day to avoid the crowds. 

After our time at the gorge we drove on to Vermont to Dog Mountain ! Yes, really. This is a 40 minute drive to the private mountaintop spot in St. Johnsbury. In 1995 artist Stephen Huneck and his wife bought 150 acres. Stephen fell down a flight of stairs and was left in a coma. When he awoke he spoke of a vision of making woodcuts and carvings of his dog, Sally. 

After his near-death experience, he built “ Dog Chapel ” for people and their dogs to celebrate their special bond. You can see the chapel, bring your dog, and visit his art gallery. This was a unique experience and nestled by some lovely trees.  

For a bite to eat or to check out an old-fashioned country store, head to the town of Burke and to the Northeast Kingdom store . It’s fun to look at the knick-knacks and grab a snack. There’s also a bevy of Vermont staples and handmade goods. 

For a great apple picking experience head to the picturesque Burtt’s Apple Orchard . Located on the side of the hill you can eat cider donuts, pick apples, drink cider, and peruse through pumpkins. This was the perfect place for sunset!

Montpelier is the capital city of Vermont and has a beautiful State House, complete with a gold-domed roof! This is a good place to eat dinner or find a hotel. I recommend The Inn at Montpelier for a pretty and traditional stay in the capital city. If you’re looking for a more luxury stay, check out Capital Plaza Hotel . Beautiful, spacious rooms in an elevated setting.

We were RVing and used Harvest Hosts to stay at Bragg Maple Farm! We got there at night but this was my favorite place we stayed!

See my full guide to Vermont in the Fall!

First things first, a maple creamy. We started our day at Bragg Maple Farm , took a tour and learned how they make maple syrup and bought plenty of maple products and even a Vermont T-shirt. A maple creamy is a delicious soft serve ice cream mixed with maple syrup. Make sure you pick up some maple candy while you’re there. Oh, and don’t worry, we bought enough maple syrup to take home!

Fun fact: Vermont produces more maple syrup than anywhere else!

Smuggler’s Notch is an incredible place for views and hikes! Be aware: this is a very curvy road and at times very tight, so it’s not suitable for big RVs. We had a very small motor home so it was doable, but anything bigger just wouldn’t work. 

Smuggler’s Notch is aptly named as the road goes up through a small gap between the two mountains and offers breathtaking views. This is one of the best places to go for your New England Fall road trip. The narrow highway winds through the rugged landscape giving you peeks at waterfalls and is filled with neon trees. 

You can also take a very steep hike on Sterling Pond Trail . There are lots of hikes in the area. I also recommend the short hike to Bingham Falls . This is a beautiful waterfall that is hard to find as the sign is not well marked on the road. If you have time, you can take the “ Long Trail ” – the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. It’s 272 miles so it’s certainly long, but it follows the ridge of the Green Mountains.

Near Smuggler’s Notch is the town of Stowe (we’ll be visiting tomorrow!). In the late 1800s tourists flocked to Stowe because William H. H. Bingam persuaded the town of Stowe to build a toll road to Mount Mansfied where he built an inn. After, he built Notch House at Big Spring which brought many tourists to Bingham Falls. 

After Smuggler’s Notch we made our way to the famous VonTrapp Family Lodge . After the “Sound of Music” family fled Austria, they came to America. They spent years trying to find a place similar to the mountains and pretty towns of Austria and felt Vermont was the closest match. As someone who has spent a good amount of time in Austria , I have to agree! The rolling hills are a stunning escape.

Here, you can stay in the hotel , tour the grounds, and eat at their restaurants. We ate at the brewery and had magnificent views. The lodge itself looks like it was picked straight from Austria with beautiful woodworking and flowers in the window sill. You can, of course, stay in the lodge and get deals on a room, here!

Get up and at ‘em early, this is going to be a busy day!

It was high time for some hot and fresh cider donuts. I don’t even like donuts that much, but cider donuts are incredible. My mouth is watering just thinking about them! The best place to get them is Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury.

This lovely red store offers gifts, cider, and hot off the fryer donuts. There’s a nice patio and you can order food and drinks here, too. 

Nearby is the Ben & Jerry’s Factory and Ice Cream shop . You can take a guided tour of the factory and eat ice cream. I'm excited to say the tours are open again after years of being closed! There are lots of cute farm stands and pumpkin patches in the area you can stop at along the way for your fall road trip itinerary! If something looks fun, or you see beautiful foliage, pull over!

Don't miss a thing! Get my color-coded map wit over 280+ places for your New England Fall Foliage road trip!

On your way to Stowe, stop off at Emily’s “Haunted” Bridge . New England is known for their beautiful covered bridges, but Emily’s bridge has a unique history. The wooden bridge was built in 1844 and the legend is that Emily was to meet her lover here so they could elope. But he never came, so she committed suicide by hanging herself from the bridge. Now, she haunts the bride and sometimes she’ll jolt cars that pass through the bridge. People also claim to hear strange noises when driving through. 

 If the word “charming” could be defined as a town, I think Stowe just might be it! Stowe looks like it should be in a Folger’s coffee commercial. Beautiful homes and a famous stark white church against a backdrop of colored trees makes for a beautiful picture. There are tons of cute little shops, scenic walks, gift stores, and places to eat. I especially just loved walking around and looking at the beautiful homes. 

To get this view of the church and town below, take the short trek to Tangerine & Oliver Gift shop. This is really the best place to get a view and snap some pictures.

There’s a corn maze in Stowe that’s lots of fun! I love corn mazes and think this is also a great photo opportunity. Percy Corn maze is great for all ages. The maze takes about 30 – 45 minutes to get through and is $6 per person and free for kids under 7. 

If you’re looking for a great cheese shop, stop at Mad River Taste for great local cheese and butter in Waitsfield. 

Woodstock is known as the “prettiest small town in America.” A beautiful town with great restaurants and a beautiful resort. Woodstock Inn & Resort is absolutely gorgeous with dark shutters, white, stately columns and beautiful rooms. This can sell out quickly!

Woodstock Railway connected the town to central Vermont and brought in tourists who marveled at the architecture of the houses and churches. This is also the site of the first ski-tow in the USA. You can tour the grounds and gardens and find more info here.

Here, you can also tour the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller estate , a grand red brick mansion and dairy farm. 

If Woodstock Inn is sold out, you can also stay at the gorgeous 506 On the River Inn . We camped in our RV and drove on to Calvin Coolidge Forest. 

See my top 20 places for Fall Foliage here .

We ate a great breakfast at Back Country Cafe then made our way to the town of Weston. About a 40 minute drive, Weston looks like it’s straight out of Gilmore Girls episode complete with a gazebo. We made a short stop here.

It was a bit of a rainy drive but it was beautiful to see the leaves fall like a blanket across the surprisingly bright green grass waving goodbye to the season.

Hildene , the Lincoln Family Home, is the former summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln and his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln. Nearly all of President Lincoln’s children died, except for Robert who became a lawyer in Chicago and then president of the Pullman company. Under him, Pullman became the largest company in the world. You can take a tour of the home and grounds.  The garden is particularly lovely, and was built in 1907 for Mary as a gift from her daughter Jessie. It was influenced by the gardens Jessie saw in Europe, known as a European parterre, and is created to represent a stained-glass window.

Inside is a museum and you can even see Lincoln’s stovepipe hat.  

We stopped in Manchester and I recommend lunch at Marsh Tavern. You can also check out the beautiful Equinox resort and this is also a good spot to spend the night. The resort is located at the bottom of Mount Equinox and is stunning: brimming with flowers, rocking chairs, and large green shutters. 

Manchester is also known as the home of the original Orvis store. Here there’s a museum along with art and history. We also went to the American Museum of Fly Fishing which I found surprisingly interesting. You can see the history, traditions, and art inspired by fishing. In the nineteenth-century, the American wilderness became a popular destination to escape stress of the modern world and railways made it possible for people to travel and discover hobbies like fishing. 

Head to the Northshire Bookstore for an Instagram worthy arch made out of books and peruse the store. 

A good spot for dinner in Manchester is Ye Olde Tavern , it’s been around since 1790! They serve hearty New England cuisine and classic cocktails. 

Along your route be sure to stop at local pumpkin stands! It's a great spot to pick out treats and pumpkins!

RVers/Campers: We stayed near Carroll, NH on Cherry Mountain Road. There are plenty of pull offs, but they do get busy!

We did a bit of leaf chasing today! Since the leaves were still at peak we headed back to New Hampshire , to Jackson . Jackson is an adorable town known for its “pumpkin people.” All around town shops and businesses display different people made out of pumpkins. You can take a self guided tour to see the pumpkin people.

Also in Jackson you’ll find some covered bridges, shops, and restaurants.

We decided to keep heading down the road and had a picnic near the water at Basin pond Campground . There’s a boat launch here and we watched the boats and ate sandwiches in the breeze.

We made our way to Maine and our first stop in the state was Evans Notch . This is a mountain pass located in the White Mountains right after the border of New Hampshire . This is a perfect perch for views. 

The small town of Bethel , Maine is great to stroll around, eat, and stay. There is beautiful architecture and homes. I recommend The Bethel Inn Resort for a comfy and pretty 3-star hotel in the area.

For dinner you can check out Sud’s Pub for pizza and beers on tap. 

RVers/Campers- we camped at Sunday River Resort. 

READ MORE: Fall Instagram Captions and Photo Ideas

We got up early and headed to Cayford Orchard Farm in Skowhegan. This was my favorite place we went to pick apples. They have a large grounds, a variety of apples, and lots of tasty treats. They will also walk you through the best way to find and pick apples. We picked more than a dozen varieties! I also recommend that you pick up some maple cotton candy while you’re there. Divine!

Next up is the seaside town of Bar Harbor , or, how the locals say it, “Baa Haabaa.” Get to know this charming town by walking the Shore Path. The footpath extends for a half mile and connects the village to the residential streets. 

You can look out on the sea and watch as boats come in with fish and lobster. You’d be remiss not to get lobster in Bar Harbor and there are plenty of great restaurants such as Stewman’s Lobster Pound and Bar Harbor Lobster Company.

Everything was extremely busy, so we kept driving a bit and had a wonderful lobster feast at Side Street Cafe. 

For lodging I recommend Quimby House Inn and Spa for a reasonably priced stay. If you really want to live it up, you can stay at the beautiful Balance Rock Inn . A beautiful hotel right by the water’s edge.

We got up early and spent the day at Acadia National Park . It’s important to note you must make a reservation to come here! There are plenty of things to do and see so get here early to enjoy. 

Here were some of our favorites:

Sand beach – one of the few sandy beaches in the northern part of the world and one of the few cold-water shell-based sand beaches in the world. The offshore rock called “old soaker” diverts a strong current into glacially a formed pocket with campfires, shell fragments, and a pocket sized beach. The beach is filled with sand, but look closer, the sand is 70% broken shells, mussel, sea urchins, and barnacles.

Otter Cliffs and Creek –  Since the early 1800s Otter Creek has been the site of a fishing village with fish houses on the waterfront and homes on the hills. Otter Cliffs served as the most important WWI facility for receiving transatlantic messages- including the first bulletin about the armistice. 

Jordan Pond – a 2.5 Mile loop. Before you take the hike stop at the cafe to get hot popovers! These delicious baked goods are made from eggs, flour, and milk and are baked in a muffin tin. Air trapped in the batter makes the inside hollow and doughy while the outside is flaky and crispy. Served with butter and jam these are a New England favorite.

I recommend staying in Bar Harbor or the area since it’s so close to the park. 

Before you get to Camden, pay $6 and drive up Mount Battie to get sweeping views of Penobscot bay at the Mount Battie Tower and vista. This is one of the most picturesque landscapes along the Atlantic seaboard.

We moseyed around Camden , a small, pretty town sitting on Penobscot Bay. The High Street Historic District features 19th-century homes, a landscaped amphitheater and a restored Opera house. For a lunch spot try Mariner’s. 

We drove on to Portland , Maine, a waterfront town that feels a bit more modern than many of the New England towns. There are lots of restaurants and shops. However, the West End is full of Victorian-era homes and the “Victoria Mansion” museum. Recommended restaurants are Duckfat for panini’s, Belgian fries and milkshakes, Eventide Oysters for seafood, and the Highroller Lobster Co for more lobster. 

For a reasonably priced stay, check out Inn at St. John .

We drove on to Salem and spent 3 nights here! I was glad we did because I absolutely loved Salem. There was so much to see and do. 

Start the day at Connor’s Farm for a fun-filled morning. This is a cute little farm with fresh fruits and vegetables, tasty ice cream, hot cider donuts, a corn maze, pick your own apples, and activities for kids and adults. I’d say the farm is a bit more like a theme park with train rides, games, and a petting zoo.

It’s only a 15 minute drive between Connor’s Farm and Salem so it’s an easy trip, even just to get fresh donuts! 

See the best Farms in New England here!

I found there was lots to see and do in Salem. First, we did a self guided Hocus Pocus walking tour . This is one of my favorite movies, and it just puts you right into the festive spirit. The movie was filmed all over the town, and many of the spots you can’t miss just walking around!

I wrote a full guide with a map for all the filming locations in Salem for Hocus Pocus!

Next, I recommend visiting the Witch House Museum which shows what houses looked like during the 1690s Salem witch trials. You’ll also learn the history of the trials and more about the town. This house is Instagram famous as so many dress up and pose next to it. This was the former home of judge and sheriff Jonathan Corwin and is the only building left with direct ties to the 1692 Salem witch trials. 

Just walk around the town, pop into funky shops, and have a bite to eat. If you have time I also recommend the short Salem trolley tour to get a wider look at all the city has to offer. I was truly surprised about how much I loved Salem! Trolley tours are daily from 10AM to 5PM. 

That night we ate at Turner’s for dinner and it was one of my favorite meals of the trip! Get the stuffed clams and Portuguese fish soup. 

Other recommendations for dinner are Rockefeller’s and Finz. 

There are lots of places to stay in Salem. If you want to stay in somewhere haunted, there’s no better choice than Merchant Hotel . The hotel was built by Joshua Ward, a wealthy sea merchant, so he could watch his ships sailing in. But the land he bought was where Sheriff George Corwin lived and maintained a jail in the 1680s. Sheriff Corwin interrogated anyone suspected of witchcraft and also put them to death. Legend has it that the ghosts of the innocent victims still roam the halls. 

Another option is the Hampton Inn Hotel in Salem, with reasonable prices and walking distance to almost everything.

We spent the day taking a walking tour of Salem. We chose the Witch City Walking Tour and “History & Hauntings of Salem” and I highly recommend it. Lots of good stories, witch legends, and true spooky history, and ghost hauntings. I learned so much! I always find it interesting to see what really brings tourism to a city. Salem’s history is obviously interesting, but it was so surprising to learn that the TV show Bewitched is actually what kicked off the tourism.

The TV show is filmed on a set in Hollywood but the last two weeks of filming the set burned down. They decided to move to show to Salem because of its history with the witch trials. 

They filmed the last few episodes here and the buzz brought along tourism. But locals weren’t always so enthused! They felt they were turning the town into a witch circus. Now, they embrace it, but it wasn’t always that way. 

Salem used to be an extremely wealthy town because of the rich history of fishing and trading. It’s famous not just because of the 1692 witch trials but there’s also the Peabody Essex Museum which has a huge collection of global art and artifacts and even a rebuilt Qing-era Chinese house. There’s also the House of Seven Gables.

One of my favorite things we did was walk around the neighborhoods, particularly the wide Chestnut Street. Every house here is on the national register and each one is grander than the next.

I particularly loved visiting Salem during the Fall since people often dress up to just walk around town. 

Salem can get quite busy, this small town sees 1 million visitors during Halloween! 

READ MORE: Hocus Pocus Filming Locations in Salem or my full guide to Salem during fall here !

If you do have extra time, you can always explore Boston ! Boston is extremely historical with lots of things to see and do. I’ve written about my trip before right here .

I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate Fall than in beautiful New England. The beautiful changing leaves, the pretty wood architecture, the hot cider donuts all seem to perfectly encapsulate the spirit of America. Autumn brings about this sense of unknown and wonder that’s to come. The crisp fall air and changing leaves personify these unknowns. And once we accept those unknowns, we have more capacity to live life to the fullest. After all, it's quite comforting to realize that we are all in the same boat facing the same sea of mystery.

Enjoy planning your New England trip!

More to read:

• Best Places for Fall in Vermont
• Best Places for Fall in New Hampshire
• Best Places for Fall in Connecticut
• Guide to Salem, MA
• Hocus Pocus Filming Locations
• Ultimate One Week Fall Foliage Itinerary
• 20 Best Places for Fall Foliage in New England
• Best Farms, Towns, and Festivals in New England
• Best Places for Europe in the Fall
• Fall Instagram Captions and Photo Ideas

MEET THE AUTHOR

Helene Sula

I believe that one trip can change your life. It did for me. I'm a self proclaimed home body that quit her job, moved abroad, and more often than not, lives out of a carry-on bag. If I'm not traveling, I'm most likely re-reading Harry Potter or watching "Midnight in Paris" while snuggling my dogs. I'm a digital marketing expert who turned my love of travel into a full-time career. And I help others do it too.

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Home » Blog » The ULTIMATE New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

The ULTIMATE New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

The Northeast USA is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the entire world during fall. For that reason you NEED to add a New England fall road trip to your bucket list!

Prior to this trip, exploring the northeast had been on my travel radar for the longest time. I am stoked to say that New England definitely lived up to the hype and I am excited to share this New England fall road trip itinerary with you all! (3 day, 5 day and 7 day itineraries)

Read on to find out all the must-see places for fall foliage, where to stay, what to pack, the top hikes to take, photography inspiration, and more! I even provide you with a handy map to use for planning and navigation. In my opinion this is the BEST New England fall road trip and I hope you get the chance to take it!

Disclaimer : This blog post may feature some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the ways I can keep producing free guides and resources for my readers. Learn more about my affiliate policy  here . Thank you for the support!

New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

Before we jump into it, I do want to add a disclaimer that this road trip was my own experience during the 2018 fall season . Every year is different, some more magical, and others less so.

I will do my best to help you plan the perfect New England fall road trip itinerary, but you will need to go in with an open mind! Honestly, some of the best trips I have ever taken have been when things haven’t gone to plan. Sometimes all the planning in the world cannot change the weather!

Okay, let’s jump into how to plan a fall New England road trip !

How to plan a New England fall road trip

There are generally two ways to approach planning for a New England fall road trip. The first is to meticulously plan everything in the attempt to not waste a moment, and the second (the option we went with) is to pretty much not plan at all. Sounds weird right? Why would you not plan and wouldn’t that potentially waste you time and money? Well, at this time of the year, it kind of works in the opposite way.

The reason for this is that fall colors gradually change from green, to yellow (or orange, red, purple) until they fall off. Not all trees in an area change at the exact same time. There’s a point in the fall transition where most trees are changed to their beautiful shades of yellow, orange or red prior to falling off and with minimal green trees. This is considered “peak fall foliage” or “peak fall color”.

Peak color doesn’t happen at the exact same time every year (usually varying a week or so either way). It can vary due to a variety of factors but this is mostly due to weather. By not booking hotels or camping prior to your Northeast fall road trip, this allows you to be flexible. You can go to the areas that are at “peak color” rather than spend time in a spot that isn’t yet fully changed or worse, the leaves have fallen.

When to start planning your New England fall road trip itinerary

Advantages and disadvantages come with this method of not planning. The major advantage of not booking all your accommodation in advance is flexibility . You won’t miss the colors because they happened to be a week late or earlier than expected. You can drive to wherever the colors happen to be best in that moment.

This comes with a downside though… accommodation prices and availability. Fall is extremely busy in this part of the country . Like you, many others choose to take East Coast fall road trips in the hope of seeing the incredible beauty that comes with the changing of seasons. This means hotels and vacation rentals can book out well in advance, leaving the remaining last-minute bookings quite expensive.

We ended up opting to mostly find accommodation as we went along, including some last-minute vacation rentals and hotels /motels. We tried to stay at a budget of around $80-150 USD per night, which did narrow down our search a little but overall the places were more than adequate, use Expedia to get price comparisons across multiple booking sites and save you time searching for a place to stay. A couple of times we did have to drive to places slightly further out of town to find a more affordable price but this was an okay compromise to have the extra flexibility.

If you need to rent a car, check out Kayak for price comparisons from rental agents. Or you could use this road trip to test out van life! Rent an RV or camper from Outdoorsy , and you won’t have to worry much about accommodations.

Another option is to bring camping gear .

Keep in mind though, at this time of the year some of the campgrounds are beginning to close. Some places we traveled through didn’t seem to have many tent camping options. In saying that, there was the possibility of sleeping in your car. I have a guide all about sleeping in your car on road trips – check it out!

If you are thinking of camping, you can check sites in the area on The Dyrt where you can see which are open and the facilities available as well as reviews from previous campers. Click here , or use my code reneeroaming for a free 30 day trial .

With all that being said, how you want to plan your Northeast fall road trip is up to you. Do you want to take the chance of potentially missing the peak colors and pre-book more affordable/convenient accommodation? Or do you want to pay slightly more for accommodation and make sure you are seeing the best of the colors? It’s up to you. Either way, we found this be the most accurate and up-to-date map of where the colors are peaking .

Mid-October is often the best time to take a New England road trip for leaf peepers, but it’s helpful if you can be flexible with your date. For reference, we took our fall New England road trip on October 8 – 12, 2018 . But don’t take those dates as a sure thing because peak color can change year to year! Just remember to pack your camera to capture those autumnal colors. You can see the equipment I use further down in the post.

Best New England fall road trip itinerary

Below I’m sharing a suggested itinerary for your New England fall road trip, based on our own adventure. First off, here is a map with all the best spots linked and pins for each day of the itinerary, see below.

Now let’s talk through the day-to-day itinerary…

Day 1 – Dixville Notch State Park

Fly into Boston , Massachusetts and pick up a rental car . From here, drive 4 hours north to Dixville Notch to begin your New England fall road trip. Dixville Notch is a very small area, but for what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty!

The main road that travels over Dixville Notch initially winds its way past some cute farmland surrounded by rolling hills. The drive then passes stunning Lake Gloriette , up over Dixville Notch and down the other side of the pass-through incredible fall foliage to a couple of serene picnic areas and walks.

Plan to do the stunning Table Rock trail which is a short one at only 1.5 miles round-trip, but a relatively steep 700 feet climb. This gives you epic 360-degree views over Dixville Notch from above, and the photos are beautiful! If you have timed it right, you might even be able to enjoy sunset from up there.

Unfortunately when we were there, the clouds were low and covering the views.

Instead, we parked at what is labeled Whittemore Family Cemetery on GoogleMaps and hiked a short trail that leaves from the parking lot. This is a great alternative if the weather is not cooperating.

This trail made its way through a vibrant forest that leads to a cute little bridge and stream. The hike would only take 10-15 minutes round-trip without stopping. It was a great way to stretch the legs and take a moment to snap some photos of our first glimpse of fall colors.

After finishing your hike at Table Rock, or the alternative trail, head back to nearby Colebrook for dinner and a good night’s rest in your hotel . You can also book into this great cottage on a farm or Tentrr’s Signature Site for luxury glamping.

Day 2 – Stowe

Wake up early, grab some breakfast at Mostly Muffins in Colebrook (so yummy!) and then drive west towards Stowe , Vermont. On the way, you will pass loads of beautiful fall foliage and small rural towns including the memorable Island Pond. The Great Vermont Corn Maze is also a fun stop if you’re into that sort of thing.

After a beautiful drive to Stowe, you can spend the rest of the day exploring its charm, cute gift stores, and scenic walks. We had lunch at the Green Goddess Cafe and it was amazing! We then took a quick walk along the bike path which leaves from behind the Stowe Community Church and runs along the river. You can also take a brewery tour in Stowe to sample locally made beer, spirits and ciders.

From this vantage, there are some great views of the church worth photographing. Finish the night off with a delicious pizza at Piecasso in town – we definitely recommend this restaurant! Stay the night in Stowe at The Green Mountain Inn or in The Loft at Hobble Inn .

Day 3 – Smugglers Notch & White Mountains

Day 3 of your Northwest fall road trip will be a busy one! Wake up early and head to Smugglers Notch . This area has a road that goes up and through a small gap between two mountains (referred to as a “notch”). It is quite similar to Dixville Notch, but in my opinion, Smugglers is even more spectacular.

This was one of the spots we were most looking forward to on our New England fall road trip, and it didn’t disappoint! The mountains on either side are HUGE, and there are so many beautiful twists and turns in the road to photograph and check out.

Definitely drive this to the other side and back before moving on to your next location. Another option is taking the Gondola SkyRide at the Stowe Mountain Resort, for beautiful aerial mountain views.

From Smuggler’s Notch, drive south to Pomfret, Vermont .

Taking Cloudland Road south from Pomfret to Woodstock will take you along cute dirt roads lined with fall colors, rolling hills, and quaint farms. A necessary stop along this route is the farm located opposite “Elm Grove Farm” on GoogleMaps, often referred to as “Sleepy Hollow Farm” . It’s a great little photography stop that captures one of the most photogenic farm properties you will ever see.

Sugarbush Farm is another local property you can visit, though we didn’t go there ourselves. I hear their maple syrup is delicious!

Now, time to head back to New Hampshire! Your scenic drive today will take you through Franconia Notch State Park. At the base of the White Mountains, the town of  Lincoln is a good place to end day 3 of your New England fall road trip. Stay at Woodwards White Mountain Resort or the Loon Mountain Apartment .

Day 4 – White Mountains

Your New England fall road trip would not be complete without a drive along the famous Kancamagus Highway . Leaving early on day 4 from Lincoln, there are a lot of epic road-side views on this stretch of road. A number of pull-outs also allow for some great photo opportunities. Continue east until you hit the Rocky Gorge Parking Lot. Here you can take a walk along the beautiful Swift River and get views of the beautiful Falls Pond . North Conway is a cute town on the east end of the Kancamagus Highway, and a great spot for lunch or a stroll around town.

From Rocky Gorge, we backtracked a short distance to drive up  Bear Notch Road . Bear Notch provides a scenic drive along a mountainside and more roadside pullouts for some gorgeous photo opportunities.

At the end of Bear Notch Road, drive north to Crawford Notch State Park . Here, you can explore the backroads and snap photos of all the beautiful fall colors. A side-trip option in this area is a hike up the Mount Willard trail . It’s a relatively steep, but short 3.2-mile round-trip hike to a clifftop overlooking Crawford Notch. The views from there are unreal! Again, unfortunately, the weather wasn’t cooperating so we had to skip this one.

Next, continue north where you have the option of taking a short detour to the Mt Washington Cog Railway . Here, you can catch an old-school train up to the summit of Mount Washington, the tallest mountain in the northeastern US at 6,289 feet. Due to the bad weather, we kept driving, but if you are a fan of trains then this should not be missed!

To end your day, depending on availability you can stay in the nearby towns of Carroll, Franconia, Littleton, or Bethlehem.

We stayed in Franconia ourselves and chose to drive to Bethlehem to have dinner at the Cold Mountain Cafe . It if works out with timing, we highly recommend it as a delicious way to end a busy day.

There are great hotels to chose from, the Hampton Inn in Littleton and Stonybrook Motel & Lodge in Franconia are lovely options or you can opt for vacation rentals. On the Mountain Suite in Carroll, Rustic Log Cabin in Sugar Hill and Kilburn Place in Littleton are worth checking into.

Day 5 – White Mountains

Day 5 is the last day of your New England fall road trip, and what better way to start than with a sunrise hike up to Artist’s Bluff . This is a short 1.4-mile walk up to a stunning hilltop that overlooks Echo Lake , and the fall foliage here is insane! Unfortunately, it was raining when we drove past here (a common theme on our trip!) so we opted to skip the hike as the clouds were hiding most of the views.

We continued on to Flume Gorge which is a relatively easy 2-mile loop hike and one of our favorite stops of the trip. Multiple waterfalls, streams, and covered bridges keep the eyes entertained for the whole 2 miles. Do note that there is a $18 per person entry fee (I definitely recommend making advance reservations) but we felt it was very much worth it. In fact, we spent a couple of hours exploring this area and even in the rain it was absolutely gorgeous!

By now your Northeast fall road trip is coming to an end. It’s probably time to head back towards Boston to catch your flight… or onward to your next destination (see more below!)

7 day East Coast fall road trip

If you really want to take an incredible Northeast fall road trip and have some extra days ( 1 week total ), here is what I would recommend. Add a couple of days in between Stowe/Smuggler’s Notch and the White Mountains. It would be fun to spend a day in Burlington and walk along Lake Champlain, or check out Waterbury, Vermont. With these extra days, you can drive further into Upstate New York and the Adirondack Mountains , where the colors were absolutely incredible. There are also abundant hiking opportunities, and the beautiful town of Lake Placid to explore. Lake Placid has some amazing accommodation options and beautiful views so it is definitely worth spending a night there. Try the Crowne Plaza or this Rustic Room or search cabins in the area for larger groups.

As an alternative to the Adirondacks, you could scoot over to Maine and visit Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park . Acadia has some really unique scenery, boasting both coastal views and mountain tops! Bar Harbor has plenty of great vacation rentals available.

Check out my blog, How To Prepare for Hiking Trips , ahead of time to prepare!

As I know many of you will ask, we opted to take a sunset hike in the Adirondacks (see photo above), however I have been asked by locals to please not share the exact location. There are some concerns about the potential damage of increased trail traffic and it was pointed out to us that parking spots are also very limited.

I urge you to be responsible and always abide by Leave No Trace Principles when exploring the outdoors. You can read my blog, Hiking Trail Etiquette Rules You Should Know , to learn more and click here to read my in-depth guide on How To Follow Leave No Trace Principles.

3 day New England Road Trip

You could do this New England fall road trip in 3 days with some adventurous spirit! It would be kind of rushed, and you wouldn’t always be able to be in the best spots for sunrise or sunset. That being said, if it’s all you have, go for it! It’s definitely doable and would also be a blast. I hope you don’t mind missing out on some sleep though 😉

Some options to put together a shorter Northeast fall road trip itinerary would be to cut out the Pomfret / Sleepy Hollow Farm section, as that does add some driving hours. Another way to cut downtime would be to combine your visit to Stowe and Smuggler’s Notch into one day.

New England fall road trip packing guide

There are some essential items you should pack for your Northeast fall road trip to make it as enjoyable as possible! I hadn’t explored much of New England or Upstate New York before this trip and found the weather to be a little up and down. In fact, one minute it was sunny and the next freezing and rainy! You’ll definitely want to pack some additional layers for your leaf peeping adventures.

This packing guide is also tailored towards people who enjoy hiking. If you don’t plan to hit the trails, simply leave off the hiking-specific items when using the guide. For those choosing to camp, I have an entire guide and packing list for car camping essentials , so make sure to check that out!

Insulated jacket

Mid-layer :.

Perfect for chilly mornings and evenings. Opt for something lightweight like a fleece or pullover. Recommended mid-layer .

Insulated jacket :

It’s likely to get colder than you are expecting, especially if you plan to be out during sunrise and sunset hours. In fact, it even snowed in New Hampshire towards the end of our trip! So I would highly recommend packing a puffy jacket or a parka that has insulation. Recommended insulated jacket .

Rain jacket :

Do not attempt to take a Northeast fall road trip without a rain jacket/coat ! It rained at least once every day we were on the East Coast. Although it didn’t ruin our trip, it could have if we didn’t have adequate rain protection. Recommended rain jacket , recommended windbreaker .

Casual clothes :

Pack some casual and/or nicer outfits if you plan to eat out at restaurants. This is of course optional though! Check out my Favorites page on Backcountry for some recommendations.

Hiking shoes:

I was VERY happy that I packed waterproof boots for our East Coast fall adventure! We experienced wet, muddy, and cold conditions and waterproof boots made a huge difference. I suggest choosing a pair that can be worn both casually and also when hiking. If you prefer a more solid, supportive hiking boot the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Hiking Boots are a great choice. We also have a guide on all the best hiking shoes , so don’t forget to check that out when shopping for new hiking boots!

Merino wool socks :

Wool socks are the best for preventing blisters and also letting your feet breathe. Recommended hiking socks .

Hiking pants & Leggings:

Don’t stress too much about bottom layers, just make sure they are comfortable and practical for road tripping. I personally like wearing leggings, jeggings, or comfy jeans on road trips, as then I can transition from car, to around town, to hiking, and more. Choose whatever feels comfortable and practical for you! Recommended hiking pants ; hiking shorts ; hiking skort , hiking dress , hiking leggings .

Beanie & Gloves:

As I mentioned above, it even snowed during our New England fall road trip! I would highly suggest packing a beanie and some warm gloves .

Day pack/hiking backpack :

Choose something with hip and chest straps for optimal comfort and practicality. Recommended backpack . When taking short walks or exploring roadside stops I often prefer to opt for a small hip pack instead of a backpack. Just something to fit my phone, lip balm , sunglasses , and any other essentials.

Navigation :

When driving, have Google Maps or Maps.Me handy. We often lost phone service when driving in the mountains of New England and down back roads. For hiking, carry a physical map and a compass , and download offline maps onto your phone. I use Gaia GPS – click here to get 20% off a Premium membership!

Camera + batteries :

Optional but trust me, you will want a camera to capture the incredible fall foliage! Check out the camera gear I use to capture my travel photos and the camera bag I pack it all in!

Every road trip requires snacks! We found it challenging to find food between towns and also after hours. Bring whatever your favorite snacks like nuts, seeds, granola bars, dried fruit, etc. My go-to snacks . If you enjoy drinking coffee then it’s best to bring along a reusable mug or tumbler. Recommended mug ; insulated tumbler . Having your own travel utensils / cutlery is a great way to cut down on single-use plastics when ordering take-out food.

Road trip playlist + Podcasts:

Don’t forget to download some good tunes and podcasts for your road trip. For music, check out my playlists on Spotify . For podcasts, we have an entire guide on the best road trip podcasts !

Want more packing & gear tips?  Check out our guides on what to wear hiking , car camping gear essentials , how to plan a national parks trip , and the best hiking shoes .

I hope that helps you plan an incredible New England fall road trip! With a little flexibility you’re guaranteed to have an epic road trip, even if the weather doesn’t cooperate the whole time. Have an amazing time and feel free to leave a comment and let me know how you got on 😊

PIN for later planning!

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26 comments

Greetings!What are your suggestions for including Salem MA in a 5 day trip? Thank you so much!

• Pingback: New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary - 4 days in New Hampshire & Vermont - Laura Peruchi | NYC

HELLO! Thank you for posting the perfect Fall road trip. I would love to take your advice and incorporate and extra two days to go up into the Adirondacks. Can you please suggest the best place to go and things to do with that two days? I need to book ASAP because we are going the last week of this September. If you could please get back to me quickly, it would be most appreciated. We are from Florida and know nothing of the area, so any advice would be very helpful. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Chris in Florida

• Pingback: 60 Fabulous Fall Aesthetic Photos » Lady Decluttered

Your blog is packed full of helpful information and absolutely beautiful photos!

I was curious if you could recommend an itinerary that would also include Niagara Falls?

I love your photos! Do you offer tours? Thanks!

Hi Renee, Love this post! My fiancee and I are planning our honeymoon to the Adirondacks this fall, so I loved your suggestions and your photographs are beautiful! I was wondering if you knew where you got the grey hoodie you’re wearing in several of your pictures? It’s so cute and looks prefect for fall day hikes.

Hi! Thanks for the wonderful info! We’re just starting to plan a trip for next year. Question, is there nothing to see on the four hour drive from Boston to Dixville Notch? Again, we’re just starting on this, but it appears you’re going up the same way you’re coming back? Thank you so much for the help and this awesome site! 🙂

Gorgeous photos! I’ve spent time in New England in the fall its incredibly idyllic. (Lived in Maine and Massachusetts for 3 years) The White Mountains is truly one of God’s masterpieces. Excellent post!

Hey there!!! As far as the smugglers notch and Stowe area… is it redundant to do the gondola ride as well as take the drive up smugglers notch? Should we pick one or the other? Thanks!

• Pingback: New England Fall Road Trip: The ULTIMATE Leaf Peeping Itinerary - Renee Roaming - Fitness Sport und Gesundheit

Thank you for the Google Maps — so helpful!

Planning a trip for this October, but we have only 3 days! Trying to decide how to see the most of everything! lol any recommendations for “must sees” for only 3 days!?

I can’t wait to travel to the east coast this fall! (I live in California, and we don’t get much of a fall here). Thanks for sharing your itinerary, I’m planning on a road trip and didn’t know where to start! I was wondering where the second picture was taken? (Of you and the water in the background) Thanks!

Did you find out where that 2nd photo was taken? I also would like to go there this October.

I would like to know the shooting spot of the second photo (Stowe?)

This blog post is just amazing and the pictures so beautiful ! Thank you for sharing your experience. I love travelling and was looking for new ideas, this is definitely one 🙂

Wow, these fall colors looks awesome! Thank’s for this helpful post, Renee!

Thank you for reading Laura!

Thanks for sharing your stunning pictures! I totally agree with what you said about not planning in order to find the best colors. The fall we spent living in Upstate NY and hiking all over the NE contained many of my favorite days of my life so far, there truly isn’t a bad hike when it’s that colorful! It makes up for the 6 months of winter that follows. 🙂

What a magical time that must have been!

Thankyou for all this indepth info Renee. Should be super helpful when I plan my own fall trip. And of course stunning photos that I really enjoyed.

Thank you!!

Wow, the nature there looks amazing. And your Photos are loveley. Thank you both for this blogpost. Maybe, we can travel there one day. My wife and I live in the North of Germany. Last weekend we took our own Fall Roadtrip in the Harz National Park. The first blogpost of this trip is now online. It’s about the lovely oldtown in Quedlinburg 😉 best wishes Christian

Thanks Christian! That sounds like an amazing road trip, I’ll add it to my bucket list 😉

i’d love to see Christian’s blogpost about Quedlinburg (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). I was there last year and it was wonderful. My grandparents live in the Harz Mountains, Please share a link, Christian.

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Home / Blog / Fall Foliage Driving Tours: Best October Road Trips

Fall Foliage Driving Tours: Best October Road Trips

Posted October 13, 2021 in Blog Posts

Think October and you probably imagine a color: vivid orange, from Halloween pumpkins and the vivid leaves of a highland forest. While you can find excellent fall color in almost every part of the country, from the mountains of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to streamside groves in Utah and California, for drivers “fall color” means touring along New England country lanes or winding over Blue Ridge Mountain passes in search of the most intense red and gold maples, yellow birches, and purple dogwoods.

The actual times and qualities of peak fall color has to do with weather and elevation (summer rains followed by cold fall nights makes for the best displays). So timing is everything—leaves are at peak condition for only a few days, usually one side or the other of October 1st, starting earlier in the north and later in the south. Check this fall foliage prediction map to find leaves at their peak across the United States.

To see peak fall color, heading north to south, you can follow the leisurely flow of changing leaves; coming from the south to the north, you’re bound to cross the peak color at least once. More help: most “fall color” states, especially in New England, have online or telephone hotlines where you can get day-by-day status updates about the color of the leaves. Another thing to keep in mind: all month long, “leaf peepers” fill all the available B&Bs, motels and hotels to capacity, so plan ahead if you want to stay overnight.

Appalachian Trail Leaf Peeping

In the eastern US, wherever you start there’s no better route to follow in your quest for fall color than the legendary Appalachian Trail, which snakes along the crest from Maine down to Georgia . Early in October, make your way to the White Mountains area of New Hampshire, where a drive up Mount Washington will give you a grand overview of the heart of New England. Moving south, cruise through Pinkham Notch or over the Kancamagus Highway, and spend some time in idyllic Hanover, home to Dartmouth College. In Vermont, take a hike through Gifford Woods or Granville Gulf, then drive along the Green Mountains via Route 100 into Massachusetts, where quaint towns and villages dot the Berkshires. Between the Berkshires and the outer fringes of New York City, US-7 makes a leisurely run south across the western edge of Connecticut, where towns like Salisbury and Kent are welcome rest stops amidst the fall color scenery.

Though the changing leaves aren’t always as intensely colored as those in New England, October is a great time to take a drive along the middle sections of the Appalachian Trail, within a day’s drive of Washington DC. Running through Delaware Gap and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, past the Civil War battle fields at Gettysburg and Antietam, then on to the historic town of Harpers Ferry, this driving route offers much more than leaves to see. In Virginia, the route is better known as the Skyline Drive, and the forests of Shenandoah National Park are home to cascading waterfalls and high-flying hawks as well as offering stunning autumn color. In the valleys below, detour down to visit Thomas Jefferson’s Charlottesville or Woodrow Wilson’s Staunton.

At its southern end, running across western North Carolina and northern Georgia, the Appalachian Trail route rises to its highest heights along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile scenic drive through the Blue Ridge and Great Smokey Mountains. Starting near the nostalgic Americana of Andy Griffiths’ fictional Mayberry (in real life: Mount Airy NC), the route winds past beautiful mountain hamlets before detouring down to the delightful small city of Asheville. The Blue Ridge Parkway ends up at the magnificent forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most popular park in the US, which is at its scenic best (and busiest!) during the October fall color season.

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Other Fall Foliage Drives in the US

The natchez trace parkway in tennessee and mississippi.

One of the best places in the South to see the leaves change, fall is a popular time to drive the Natchez Trace Parkway . Stark white cotton balls in bloom are a breathtaking contrast to the rich yellows and golds on the trees. This is also a great time of year to explore Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans, as the temperatures are cooler and the crowds have dispersed. Plan your leaf peeping trip along the Natchez Trace with help and updates from the National Park Service .

Alpine Loop in Utah

A great fall road trip is Alpine Loop. From its start at the mouth of American Fork, the road climbs through a stunning canyon past Timpanogos Cave National Monument. (Stop for a cave tour if you have most of the day to make this drive.) It then climbs to an 8,000-foot summit with views of Mount Timpanogos. Just past the summit, consider taking the turnoff to Cascade Springs to see spring water gush from the ground and flow down a series of lushly vegetated travertine terraces. Back on the main scenic drive, the road continues through a grove of aspen trees, passes Sundance Resort (worth a stop) and descends to Provo Canyon. Ticket booths at either end of the drive sell the required $6. Don’t aim for a winter drive here; snow usually closes the road from late October until late May.

Historic Columbia River Highway in Oregon

Baraga to Copper Harbor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

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Fall Foliage in New England in 2024

The perfect travel plan for an entire weekend of fun.

The brilliantly colored maple trees of New England attract visitors every fall from around the world. This page is your portal to the best driving routes, and the places to eat and shop and visit in each New England state. For each state below, you will find:

• Updated foliage reports and state maps
• Scenic drives with maps
• Places to eat and shop
• Walking trails
• Pick-Your-Own farms
• Galleries, Museums, and Places to Explore

Find a State:

• Connecticut - Drives across rolling hills, farms and vineyards, historic architecture, antique hunting
• Maine - Magnificent forests, scattered towns and farms, maritime communities and fresh seafood, blueberries and apples
• Massachusetts - Lots of variety, historic coastal towns, thriving nightlife, expansive fields and the lofty Berkshire Mountains
• New Hampshire - Craggy White Mountains, brilliant lakes, long vistas
• Rhode Island - Charming small towns, magnificent coastal drives
• Vermont - Abundant maple groves, pretty towns in the river valleys

Where to Stay

Decide on your dates of travel and make reservations for inns, hotels, and motels early – preferably starting in July or August. Lots of travelers are competing for hotel rooms in the fall, especially in the northern states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine .

Find foliage-worthy excursions from these fine lodgings in:

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island

Where to Find Color

Once foliage season begins the report will be regularly updated. Also, take a map and explore some of the small, back roads as you wander. Look for roadside signs for pick-your-own farms and farm stands, parks, and public wilderness areas. Get out of the car, stretch, and look around. Don’t be afraid to wander. Ask local people where to find high ground and good vistas.

Current New England Foliage report (Courtesy of The Weather Channel )

Try It From Up in the Air

Consider a foliage viewing adventure from above the treetops. You can do it on chair lift rides at many New England ski areas or on a thrilling flight in a hot air balloon.

--> Get a Bird’s-Eye View of Fall Foliage

Clothing and Gear

Even if days are warm, be prepared for chilly nights with long pants, long sleeves, and a sweater. Wear sneakers and jeans so that you can jump out of the car and scramble over a stone wall or ramble through a hillside meadow. Take a camera, but remember to put it down and just look around. Take visors and sunscreen and binoculars.

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More Foliage

A Bird's Eye view of fall foliage is spectacular

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There are more New England outdoor adventures to experience

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Fall Foliage in New England by Train

September 25, 2024 thru october 1, 2024.

Embark on a captivating week-long journey through New England. Begin in vibrant Boston, exploring its rich history and landmarks, then transition to the scenic beauty of Maine and New Hampshire. Revel in coastal tours, picturesque beaches, and a delectable lobster dinner. Experience the charm of vintage train rides through stunning landscapes, including the White Mountains and the famed Winnipesaukee Railroad. Dive into the Berkshires with its vibrant fall foliage, visit the iconic Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, and cap off your tour filled with the essence and charm of New England.

Transportation

Roundtrip Air Transportation

Several Train Rides

• Boat Ride on Lake Winnipesaukee

7 days, 6 nights

Activity Level Rating

Availability

• 12 Meals (6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners) included

Pickup/Dropoff

• Roundtrip door-to-door livery service

Tour director, driver & local guide tips included

Tour Highlights

• Guided Tour of Boston including Back Bay, Beacon Hill, USS Consitution “Old Ironsides”, JFK Library & Musuem, Quincy Market, etc.
• Train from Woburn to Wells, Maine
• Narrated Driving Tour of Kennebunk & Kennebunkport with sites such as Bush Estate at Walker’s Point & a Maine Lighthouse
• Lobster Dinner
• Wright Museum
• Winnipesaukee Railroad Turkey Dinner Train
• Drive through the White Mountains
• Conway Scenic Railway Train Ride
• Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train
• Fall Foliage Leaf-Peeper Tour in Berkshires
• Rockewell Museum
• Roundtrip air transportation from TUS
• Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
• 6 nights’ lodging at excellent hotels
• Baggage handling at hotels (for one piece)
• Admission to all listed attractions
• Your Professional Pleasurebent Tours Tour Director
• All taxes and tips for included items (except hotel housekeeping)

Day 1 - Arrive in Boston

Depart Tucson and arrive at Logan International Airport. Check into a Boston hotel. Your first night culminates in an independent dining experience at any of the hotel’s esteemed restaurants.

Day 2 - Boston Tour

Dive deep into Boston’s rich history with your local guide on a comprehensive city tour. Traverse iconic districts like the Back Bay, boasting intricate brownstones, and marvel at landmarks like Beacon Hill, the gold-domed state house, and the legendary Boston Common . Capture memories with a photo stop at the USS Constitution “Old Ironsides,” the oldest commissioned warship still afloat, and immerse yourself in the captivating narrative of the Kennedy years at the JFK Library and Museum. Hunger pangs? Savor an independent meal at Quincy Market, a historic hub buzzing with performers, ethnic foods, and over 100 shops. Continue your journey back in time at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Engage in reenactments, board tall ships, and view rare artifacts. Conclude your enlightening day with a delightful dinner of your choosing.

Meals included :  (B)

Day 3 - Explore Maine

Begin your day with breakfast at your Boston Hotel. Journey from Woburn to Wells, Maine by the Amtrak Downeaster, where a local guide awaits. Explore the coastal villages of Kennebunk & Kennebunkport on a narrated driving tour. Drive past the sandy beaches and rocky coastline, past the George Bush estate at Walker’s Point , and many other sites including a Maine Lighthouse. Enjoy an independent lunch at Dock Square and later, stroll through Perkins Cove and the scenic Marginal Way where you can sit and watch the surf or stroll over the pretty drawbridge to boutiques and bobbing lobster boats. Conclude the day at your hotel, followed by a lobster dinner.

Meals included:   (B, D)

Day 4 - Discover New Hampshire

Today we’ll explore New Hampshire. A boat ride on  Lake Winnipesaukee , one of the largest lakes enclosed in one state, and a short coach jaunt brings us to Wolfeboro, the oldest summer resort in America. We enjoy free time for lunch and shopping in Wolfeboro, then tour the Wright Museum with its fascinating exhibits about military and home life in World War II. In the late afternoon, we board the  Winnipesaukee Railroad Turkey Dinner Train . We enjoy delicious hot roast turkey with all the trimmings during our two-hour trip along the lake.

Meals included :  (B, D)

Day 5 - Adventure by Train

We take the Kancamagus Highway through the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. Mid-morning, we arrive at the Conway Scenic Railway to board of our train. We’ll travel on what was once the Maine Central Railroad’s famed Mountain Division line, on tracks that were laid in the 1870s. Enjoy some of the most dramatic natural scenery in the East as we travel through spectacular Crawford Notch – past sheer bluffs, steep ravines, cascading brooks and streams, panoramic mountain vistas, across Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook Bridge en route to Crawford Station. Tonight, we escape the ordinary and relive the romance of dining on the rails as we ride a restored Pullman dining car while enjoying an elegant 5-course dinner on the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train.

Meals included:   (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Uncover Vermont

Today we travel by coach into the Berkshires via Vermont. After our included lunch at the Publyk House, we enjoy a visit to the Vermont Country Store, Purveyors of the Practical and Hard-to-Find. In today’s global economy, merchants at the Vermont Country Store search throughout the nation and abroad to find goods that fill the needs of American and international customers alike. Afterwards, check into your hotel and relax until dinner locally.

Meals included :  (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Farewell to Fall Foliage

It’s almost time to head home, but first we enjoy a Fall Foliage Leaf-peeper tour along the Berkshires scenic back country roads before arriving in  Stockbridge , a picture-postcard town, where  Norman Rockwell  lived and worked. We can explore the Rockwell Museum on our own, stop in the Red Lion Inn to view its extraordinary teapot collection, shop in Stockbridge’s many quaint shops and lunch before we head to the airport for our flight home filled with memories of the fabulous fall colors and wonderful New England.

Meals included:   (B)

Itinerary subject to change.

Boston was founded on September 17, 1630, by Puritan colonists from England and is one of the oldest United States cities.

Boston Common

Established in 1634, Boston Common is the oldest public park in the U.S.

Maine is famous for its lobster industry. It is the largest lobster-producing state in the United States, and Maine lobsters are highly prized for their taste and quality.

Vermont is renowned for its stunning fall foliage. The vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves make it a prime destination for leaf peepers in the fall.

Hotel Information

Encore boston harbor.

Everett, MA

Mountain Club on Loon

Lincoln, NH

Fairfield Inn

Great Barrington, MA

Package Pricing

$4,295 per person, double occupancy.

Deposit: $200

$5,025 per person

Single occupancy, final payment due:, june 18, 2024.

Deposit: n/a

Price Includes

• Roundtrip air transportation from ABQ • Transportation by deluxe motorcoach • Roundtrip door-to-door livery service • 6 nights’ lodging at excellent hotels • Baggage handling at hotels (for one piece) • 12 Meals (6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners) included • Admission to all listed attractions • Your Professional Pleasurebent Tours Tour Director • All taxes and tips for included items (except hotel housekeeping)

Booking Policy

Final Payment: June 18, 2024

CANCELLATION FEES: 

• None through June 18, 2024
• $200 – June 19 – July 23, 2024
• $2,400 – July 24 – August 20, 2024
• 100% After August 20, 2024

In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to help protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer a Travelex Insurance Services protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.

Please click here for more information.

ACTIVITY LEVEL RATING

Level 4: Active

Expectations: The tour includes well-paced walking tours with regular breaks. Up to 2-4 hours of walking each day. To fully take advantage of all this tour has to offer, guests need to be able to walk longer distances, climb several flights of stairs and navigate steps and uneven terrain walking for extended periods of time over more difficult terrain (e.g. cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators). Your itinerary can include significant changes in temperature and altitude and may require a higher number of longer travel days with morning and/or evening activities. Most trips will feature long touring days, many full-day excursions and a full and active itinerary with a faster pace and longer distances. Excursions require standing and walking to city centers where coaches are prohibited.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, expect a vigorous pace and enjoy participating in two to three hours of physical activity per day.

For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.

The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, hotels or contracting agents.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.

AIRLINE TICKETS

You will be issued your boarding pass the morning of our departure, after your arrival at the Tucson International Airport. If you have a frequent flyer number, or a TSA number, please call our office at least 3 days prior to the tour to ensure we can note these in your reservation. If you are joining the tour from locations other than Tucson, we make other arrangements for you to join the tour. Please call our office for more details.

We have arranged for handling for one piece of luggage per person regarding the skycaps (where available) and hotels. If you check through luggage note that the maximum weight for the checked piece of luggage is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height). If your bag weighs over 50 pounds the airlines will levy an extra fee that you will be responsible to pay. If you feel the need to lock your checked through luggage and your bag is searched, your lock could be damaged in the process. You can purchase a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepted and recognized lock at any luggage store. Make sure you ask for a TSA approved lock. These locks are the kind that TSA screeners can open by using a special tool without breaking. Passengers can carry-on 1 bag (dimensions are limited to 10x16x24 inches), plus a personal type bag, like a purse. We advise that you pack your carry-on lightly. There are restrictions regarding your carry on baggage and contents due to enhanced security.

CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES

On our scheduled airline for this tour, passengers are assessed a fee per checked in bag, by the Airlines, upon checking in for the flight.

GRATUITIES/ITEMS INCLUDED IN PRICE

All hotel baggage handling fees are included. We also include basic gratuities for the Tour Director, Coach Driver, Livery Drivers and local Tour Guides. If someone has truly gone above and beyond additional tipping is permitted, but never required.

For your convenience, we have a (round-tour) door-to-door pickup service with each multi-day tour. (This service is not available to all clients depending on your location.) Approximately 2 to 3 days prior to the departure date you will receive a call from our office and we will tell you your assigned pickup time. (These times can vary up to 15 minutes depending on traffic.)

LODGING REQUESTS

If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please call us as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying are listed on the itinerary.

Many hotels around the country have instituted a "reconditioning fee" of $300 or more that is levied upon a guest that smokes in a non-smoking room. If this occurs during our tour you will be responsible for paying this fee to the hotel prior to check-out.

TRAVEL REQUESTS

We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.

RESPONSIBILITY

Pleasurebent Tours acts solely as an agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING/MISC. SUGGESTIONS

The weather in New England, United States in late September can vary, but generally, it is a beautiful time to visit the region with pleasant fall conditions. Here's what you can typically expect:

Temperature: Daytime temperatures can range from the mid-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit (around 18-24 degrees Celsius). However, it can get cooler in the evenings, with temperatures dropping into the 50s or even the 40s (10-15 degrees Celsius).

Fall Foliage: Late September is the beginning of the fall foliage season in New England. The leaves on the trees start to change colors, creating vibrant landscapes of red, orange, and yellow.

Rainfall: Rainfall can vary, but it's not typically a very rainy month. You might encounter occasional showers or overcast days, so it's a good idea to be prepared for some wet weather.

Humidity: Humidity levels tend to decrease compared to the summer months, making it more comfortable for outdoor activities.

Clothing: It's best to dress in layers for your comfort. Be sure to wear shoes that are appropriate for walking on various terrain.

Keep in mind that weather can vary from year to year, so it's a good idea to check a local weather forecast as your travel dates approach for more accurate and up-to-date information.

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Exploring New England’s Fall Foliage: Self-Guided Tours

Autumn in New England is synonymous with vibrant foliage, crisp air, and picturesque landscapes. If you’re seeking the best places to immerse yourself in the season’s splendor, look no further. We have curated a list of 14 self-guided New England fall foliage tours, each offering a unique perspective on this enchanting season.

1. Acadia National Park (Driving)

Acadia National Park, located in Maine, presents a vast canvas of crimson, gold, and amber. Embarking on this self-guided New England fall foliage tour, drive through scenic loops offering panoramic ocean and mountain views. Don’t miss the summit of Cadillac Mountain; on clear days, it’s the first place in the U.S. where you can see the sunrise.

2. Bar Harbor (Walking)

A coastal town adjacent to Acadia, Bar Harbor is a haven for walking enthusiasts. Stroll through its charming streets, filled with local shops and restaurants, all while surrounded by the brilliance of autumn leaves.

3. Blue Ridge Parkway (Driving)

The Blue Ridge Parkway, often referred to as “America’s Favorite Drive”, is a testament to nature’s majesty. A medley of autumnal hues and breathtaking mountain backdrops will accompany you as you drive.

4. Boston Freedom Trail (Walking)

Historic and scenic, the Freedom Trail in Boston is a 2.5-mile-long path through 16 historically significant sites. As you delve into America’s history, the autumnal canopy overhead adds a special touch to the journey.

5. Boston Harbor (Walking)

Experience architecture on Boston Harbor’s waterfront while the cityscape dons its fall attire. This walk offers a blend of history, modernity, and nature’s seasonal artistry.

6. Cades Cove (Driving)

Tucked within the Great Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove is a broad valley surrounded by mountains. The looped drive offers unparalleled views of wildlife, historic buildings, and the golden hues of fall.

7. Cambridge (Driving)

Adjacent to Boston, Cambridge is famous for its esteemed universities. Drive through its tree-lined streets, where gothic architecture gets accentuated with the changing leaves.

8. Cape Ann (Driving)

This rocky cape in north-eastern Massachusetts boasts quaint fishing villages and lighthouses. The coastal roads draped in autumnal colors make it a must-visit during the fall.

9. Cape Cod (Driving)

The charm of Cape Cod is elevated during the fall. Drive along the coastline, watching the cranberry bogs turn deep red, perfectly complementing the ocean’s blue.

10. Central Park (Walking)

New York City’s Central Park is a serene escape amidst the urban hustle. During autumn, it transforms into a vibrant spectacle, making it a perfect place for a self-guided New England fall foliage tour.

11. Great Smoky National Park (Driving)

Known for its mist-covered mountains, this national park becomes even more magical with the onset of fall. Winding roads take you through dense forests painted in shades of autumn.

12. Harvard Yard (Walking)

Situated within Harvard University in Cambridge, this historic yard is a treat during the fall. Walk amidst centennial trees showcasing a riot of colors and soak in the academic ambiance.

13. Kancamagus Scenic Byway (Driving)

This highway in New Hampshire is renowned for its fall foliage vistas. It’s an unadulterated nature drive, with the White Mountains on one side and the Swift River on the other.

14. Lexington and Concord (Driving)

Revisit the beginnings of the American Revolution as you drive through these towns. The historical significance, paired with the autumn scenery, makes it a noteworthy part of any self-guided New England fall foliage tour.

In conclusion, New England is a treasure trove of autumnal delights. Whether you prefer walking through historic cities or driving through nature’s vastness, these self-guided New England fall foliage tours promise an unforgettable experience. So, pack your bags and let the beauty of fall guide your way.

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New England Fall Foliage Tour **WAITLIST**

Motorcoach tour featuring fall foliage of vermont, new hampshire, massachusetts & maine's rocky coast.

This tour includes the best of New England from the rocky coast of Maine to the rolling hills of Vermont! See the beautiful Fall splendor of the New England states as you set out with Daniel’s for this beautiful Fall Trip packed full of iconic destinations. Spend 2 nights in northern Vermont among the Green Mountains where you will visit the quaint village of Stowe – a quintessential Vermont fall foliage scene.  A tour highlight is lunch at the Von Trapp Family Lodge – the Austrian-style lodge is nestled among the Green Mountains of Vermont and is still owned and operated by the family featured in the Sound of Music. Visit a local Cider Mill and watch fresh apples milled into cider, and visit a Vermont Maple Sugar House to learn about the fascinating process of harvesting Vermont maple syrup.  Dance the night away on a Lake Champlain Harvest Moon Dinner Cruise and sail along one of the largest lakes in the US. Visit the Shelburne Museum , explore fascinating and whimsical objects set among beautiful Vermont acreage. Enjoy the view through the tall windows of the motorcoach on a drive along scenic Kancamagus Highway , a National Scenic Byway that winds through New Hampshire and the spectacular White Mountains National Forest – known as one of the top Fall Foliage drives in the USA! Spend 3 nights in a modern suite in mid-coast Maine as you explore Maine’s rocky coast , maritime history , lighthouses , and of course – Lobster ! Visit Bath – full of maritime history along the Kennebec River, and take a Harbor Cruise at Boothbay Harbor – the boating capital of Maine.  Visit the charming shops of Kennebunkport and travel to Cape Elizabeth and Casco Bay to visit Portland Head Light – the oldest lighthouse in Maine. Visit the beautiful coastal town of Bar Harbor  and Acadia National Park with a drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain.  Cross the iconic Newport Bridge into the yacht-filled harbor of Narragansett Bay , RI where America’s wealthiest families spent their summers during the Gilded Age . Today, more than a dozen prestigious properties have been preserved, tour inside one of those magnificent, opulent Newport Rhode Island Mansions . Enjoy some leaf peeping in the Berkshire Mountains with a stop at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA – the artists’ hometown and inspiration for the backdrop of many of his famous paintings. Travel through the Hudson Valley in New York and enjoy a fun stop along the way at Hershey Chocolate World in Hershey, PA!  Incredible Fall scenery on this one! Includes 19 Meals (10 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 7 Dinners)

Cost per person: $3775

Per Person Cost is Based on Double Occupancy. Call for Single Availability.

$500 Deposit Final Payment Due 08/18/2024 Cancellation Waiver $289

5 best fall foliage cruises in New England, Canada and beyond

If you feel left out whenever your social media feeds blow up with beautiful pictures of fall foliage, you probably should plan your own leaf-peeping trip. Sure, you could arrange an epic road trip, complete with traffic jams and overpriced, overcrowded tourist traps. Or, you could take a fall foliage cruise.

From a cruise ship, you can enjoy the autumnal hues of the Canadian and New England coastline as you sail between northeastern U.S. home ports like New York and Boston and Canada's Montreal or Quebec City. Book shore excursions for a more relaxing day out; the bus driver will navigate the traffic along tree-lined byways to scenic vistas, and your mealtimes will be prearranged (or held on board your ship's multiple dining venues).

If you'd rather explore fall's colors outside of the Northeast, a few cruise lines will take you to fall foliage destinations in other parts of the U.S., too.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

You'll want to book your Canada and New England cruise at least six months (if not a year or more) in advance for the best pricing and availability. Here, we present the five best fall foliage cruises you should consider in New England, Canada and beyond.

7-day Canada and New England Discovery cruise on Holland America

Holland America 's 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam is a delightfully midsize ship, so you don't have to worry about crowds as you sail between Boston and Quebec City. The ship starts sailing this route in late August, but for the best leaf peeping, you'll want to book one of the two October departures.

Ports of call include Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Portland or Bar Harbor, Maine. Take your pick of scenic drives or strolls through gardens or along hiking paths, camera at the ready. On board, spend your evenings rocking out to live music or enjoying a leisurely meal of steak or seafood at the Pinnacle Grill.

Best for : Holland America attracts mainly retirees and couples who appreciate the line's focus on fine dining and live performances. Zuiderdam's itinerary is ideal for anyone who doesn't mind flying in and out of different cities in order to travel farther north into Canada than the one-way sailings.

Related: 11 best cruises to Canada and New England

7-day Canada and New England cruise on Princess Cruises

For an easy round-trip New York cruise that leans more into New England than Canada, consider Princess Cruises ' weeklong October sailings on the 3,660-passenger Enchanted Princess. Choose from itineraries with four or five ports, including Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Bar Harbor; Halifax; and (only on certain sailings) Saint John, New Brunswick.

If seascapes are your thing, don't miss the beautiful coastal landscape by the Bay of Fundy (from Saint John) or Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. Head to the hills in Bar Harbor for elevated views, or escape to sea with a harbor cruise from Newport.

Best for : Princess Cruises also attracts mature couples and lovers of classic cruising, but the 2019-debuted Enchanted Princess is much larger and bigger than Holland America's Zuiderdam. Kick back with the line's signature Movies Under the Stars (complete with blankets for fall nights in New England), or enjoy multiple specialty restaurants devoted to Italian specialties, steakhouse fare and seafood. Bundle up for a romantic breakfast on your balcony while the colorful coastline passes by.

Related: The best time for a Canada and New England cruise

7-night Canada cruise on Royal Caribbean

Combine an easy Boston round-trip sailing with a fall foliage cruise focused more on Canadian than New England ports with Royal Caribbean 's seven-night voyages on the 2,191-passenger Jewel of the Seas, setting sail in September and October 2024, and 2,142-passenger Brilliance of the Seas, departing in September and October 2025. Most itineraries call in Portland, Maine; Saint John; Sydney; and Halifax.

The ships are among Royal Caribbean's older and smaller ships, so don't go in expecting a humongous megaship with wild top-deck amenities (a good thing or not, depending on your style). You'll still find plenty of dining options (including Izumi for Japanese cuisine and Giovanni's Table for Italian), the line's signature circular Viking Crown Lounge and — perfect for fall weather — an indoor, adults-only solarium.

Best for : Royal Caribbean fans seeking a midsize ship experience with fewer children on board should book this cruise. Anyone looking for a round-trip cruise to Canada that doesn't require a passport will appreciate the convenient Boston departure port (with plenty of beautiful fall foliage on its own) and three port calls in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Related: Canada and New England cruise packing list: What to pack for every season

7-night Puget Sound and San Juan Islands cruise on American Cruise Lines

Canada and New England aren't the only regions of the U.S. known for their fall foliage. American Cruise Lines offers several small-ship sailings in October to other leaf-peeping regions, including the Hudson River Valley, the Upper Mississippi and the Chesapeake Bay.

But for something completely different, why not try the line's seven-night, round-trip Puget Sound and San Juan Islands cruise from Seattle on the 90-passenger American Spirit or the 170-passenger American Constellation?

Your itinerary will take you to Anacortes, Friday Harbor, Port Angeles (gateway to Victoria, British Columbia, and Olympic National Park), Port Townsend and Poulsbo, Washington, with a day spent cruising around the San Juan Islands. Take advantage of the Fidalgo Island walking trails near Anacortes, and don't miss the photogenic Deception Pass nearby. Gaze at the Olympic and Cascade mountains in their fall glory, and enjoy the fall weather in historic waterfront towns.

Best for : Travelers looking for a different destination for their fall foliage cruise, but also cruisers who prioritize time on shore over time on the ship. American Cruise Lines' ships are tiny, just four to six decks, with amenities limited to a restaurant, a couple of lounges, small fitness areas and a sun deck, perhaps with a putting green. Be prepared to entertain yourself in the evenings — or go to bed early so you're energized for a full day in port nearly every day. Also, know that these ships generally draw an older retiree crowd.

12-day Canada and New England Fall Foliage cruise on Seabourn

Smaller ships can visit more off-the-beaten-path ports than their big-ship counterparts. Seabourn 's 458-passenger Seabourn Quest (2024) and Seabourn Sojourn (2025) sail 12-day cruises between New York and Montreal. Itineraries vary slightly by sail date, but visit several destinations in Quebec, including Trois-Rivieres, Quebec City, Baie-Comeau and Saguenay, with scenic cruising along the Saguenay Fjord. The ship also visits Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Halifax, Nova Scotia; it stops at a couple of American ports, too, such as Newport, Rhode Island, and Boston, Martha's Vineyard or Provincetown, Massachusetts.

This is also one of the best fall foliage cruises if you're looking for an all-inclusive voyage in luxurious surroundings. On Seabourn Quest, every cabin is a suite with a view (not to mention a walk-in closet and spacious bathroom with tub). You can enjoy gourmet cuisine, complimentary wine and cocktails and a friendly crew that will go above and beyond for you.

Best for : Luxury lovers who wish to be pampered on their leaf-peeping vacation will enjoy this nearly two-week cruise around Canada and New England. The extended itinerary features several days at sea to enjoy the ship's spa or delicious afternoon tea service, as well as some lesser-visited ports and, on select departures, an overnight in Halifax. It's ideal for travelers who want to make the most of their fall Northeast trip.

Bottom line

You might be surprised by how many choices you have for late-September and October fall foliage cruises. In addition to Seabourn, all the major luxury cruise lines dedicate a few cruises to this region, including such lines as Silversea Cruises , Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Windstar Cruises , Oceania Cruises and Crystal . Big ships like NCL's Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway also get into the leaf-peeping action.

Here, we've picked the best fall foliage cruises for different itinerary configurations and ship styles. They might be our favorites, but only you know which combination of ports and onboard experience is the perfect match for your travel style.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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New England Fall Foliage Bus Tours 2020

Hop Aboard a Motorcoach for a Tour of New England's Autumn Highlights

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

The safest way to view the vivid fall foliage on an autumn drive through New England is to let someone else do the driving. Thankfully, there are several tour operators who do just that. Bus tours through the area range from a day trip up to a full week on the road, stopping nightly in charming hotels or bed and breakfasts sprinkled throughout the New England countryside. Leaving the itinerary to a tour guide also means you can take the guesswork out of where to go and when , since they'll know exactly where to catch the peak autumn foliage.

Of all the ways to see autumn's highlights on a guided tour , bus trips offer the most comfort and some of the best opportunities for bonding with fellow leaf peepers.

Keep in mind that several tour companies have canceled organized group tours for fall 2020. But if you can't book a bus tour, that doesn't mean you can't visit the most scenic places in New England on your own.

Celebrate Connecticut

You don’t have to venture beyond Connecticut’s borders to spy dramatic fall colors. Celebrate Connecticut is a travel consultant that helps visitors plan out the perfect Connecticut itinerary. Instead of joining a guided tour, let travel planners know what you want to see, who you're traveling with, and how long you'll be there, then just sit back and let them do the rest. They'll map out the best places to see fall foliage in the state based on when you're visiting, in addition to recommending the best places to stay and eat, and arrange transportation if needed.

Bluebird Guided Tours

Tours by Bluebird Guided Tours are canceled in 2020.

Bluebird Guided Tours company offers a New York and New England trip available for would-be leaf peepers. Fly to New York City on your own, then set out for a week of memorable experiences in Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; Manchester, Vermont; and Niagara Falls. The bus route takes you through every New England state except Maine, but you'll also travel the width of scenic upstate New York .

One-Day Fall Foliage Bus Trip from Boston

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The One-Day Fall Foliage Bus Trip is canceled in 2020.

Set out from Boston on a nine-hour bus tour of the New England countryside this fall. Cute towns, apple orchards, mountain scenes, a farm store visit, and lunch in New Hampshire are among the sights and experiences you'll enjoy. Book your seat on the Fall Foliage Sightseeing & Lunch Tour via Viator.com, priced from $115 per person including complimentary hotel pick-up.

Caravan Tours

Tours by Caravan Tours are canceled in 2020.

Caravan Tours offers eight-day  New England Fall Foliage  escorted bus tours departing from Boston on many dates throughout September and October. You'll see lovely leaves in all six New England states, along with many of New England's notable attractions and destinations.

Go Collette

Northeast tours by Go Collette are canceled in 2020.

Go Collette offers a number of bus excursions each fall to New England destinations. The eight-day Colors of New England tour through four states includes quintessential fall activities like apple cider making and regional treasures like Main seaside views.

Go Ahead Tours

Tours through New England with Go Ahead Tours are canceled in 2020.

Departures sell out fast for Go Ahead's Vermont to Massachusetts Fall Foliage Tour , which starts in Burlington, Vermont , and takes you to New England's cherished landmarks along byways festooned with fall color. On this eight-day bus trip (with optional Boston extension), you'll experience fall's best tastes and see famous attractions in four states including Boston's Freedom Trail and the Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory. 

Holiday Tours

Tous in New England by Holiday Tours are canceled in 2020.

North Carolina-based Holiday Tours offers a seven-day  Rail & Sail New England Fall Foliage  bus tour that takes passengers on some of the best New England foliage stops, including the famed Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire. It also includes scenic train trips and boat excursions for prime leaf viewing. 

New England tours offered by Cosmos are canceled in 2020.

Departing from and returning to Boston, the eight-day  Classic New England tour offered by Cosmos features comfortable motorcoach transportation and experiences in all six New England states, including an optional whale watch, an authentic lobster bake add-on excursion, a visit to Vermont's oldest sugarhouse, and more.

Northeast Unlimited Tours

Fall tours with Northeast Unlimited Tours are canceled in 2020.

Northeast Unlimited makes an eight-day  Taste of New England  escorted bus tour of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. Tours depart from and return to Boston, so you can fly in from anywhere and join in the fun.

Tauck tours are canceled for all of New England in 2020.

The British tour company Tauck keeps travelers on the go throughout the fall foliage season in New England with a number of motor coach  itineraries  to consider, including the Grand New England tour featuring insights from filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan. Departures from Boston are available.

Gunther Charters & Tours

All fall tours by Gunter Charters & Tours are canceled in 2020.

The Maryland-based bus tour company Gunther Charters & Tours offers a five-day New England Fall Foliage tour, which includes stunning views and memorable sights in Vermont and New Hampshire. Other seasonal tours include the Coastal New England Ghosts, Witches, and Gravestones tour.

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