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New England Road Trip: Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in 10 Days

10-day road trip through maine, new hampshire, and vermont.

New England is a popular US destination to view the leaves changing colors in the Fall. Summer brings gorgeous weather, many outdoor activities, and equally beautiful views. This 10-day road trip travels from mountain villages to fishing villages. You will visit lighthouses, rocky coastlines, waterfalls, mountain resorts, elevated hiking trails through gorges, and covered bridges with the opportunity to eat lobster rolls, maple syrup, and apple cider donuts along the way.

You are excited to begin your road trip through New England and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, must-see attractions, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do on a New England road trip while working full time is overwhelming and you don’t have hours to spend on the internet. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this 10-day New England road trip itinerary.

READ Two Week New England Road Trip Itinerary: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut

New England Road Trip Planner

When is the best time to visit new england.

New England’s warmest months are in July and August. This is tourist season and prices will be at a premium. Late September and early October are also popular times to visit New England for the changing colors of the trees. Spring (April, early May) is “mud season”. Many hiking trails will not be open yet and open trails are muddy. The winter runs from December through late March. Many businesses shut down and reopen on Memorial Day. It is common for roads to close due to bad weather, especially the Kancamagus Highway. New England is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding, January and February bring the most snow. Ski resorts fill quickly, be sure to book your stay early. Maple syrup season runs from February to April.

What is the Best Way to Travel Through New England?

You will need your own transportation to follow this 10-day New England road trip itinerary. Save precious PTO by flying from your home to Portland Maine and renting a car to continue the journey.

How Long Do You Need to See the Best of New England?

The New England region is located in the Northeastern section of the US. It includes the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. This itinerary is a 10-day road trip through Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. If you have two weeks of PTO, extend the road trip into Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut .

How Expensive is New England?

Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont prices vary. According to Budget Your Trip , expect to pay an average of $166 per day in Maine, $179 per day in New Hampshire, and $229 per day in Vermont.

What to Pack for a New England Road Trip

Summer is warm and humid, pack for temperatures between 70°F and 85°F Black flies and mosquitoes are common during summer months, be sure to bring insect repellent. Prepare for temperatures between 64°F and 73°F in the spring. Rain and thunderstorms are common, snow is possible. Expect mud on hiking trails during spring months and pack shoes appropriately. Fall temperatures range from 66°F to 55°F during the day and can fall below freezing overnight. Pack for below-zero temperatures and snow in the winter months.

New England Road Trip Highlights

Portland Maine | White Mountains | Kancamagus Highway | Stowe Vermont | Trapp Family Lodge | Flume Gorge | Montpelier Vermont | Burlington Vermont | Green Mountains | Lake Champlain | Ben & Jerry’s Factory | Crawford Notch State Park | Bangor Maine | Stephen King House | West Quoddy Head Lighthouse | Schoodic Peninsula | Winter Harbor Maine | Bar Harbor Maine | Acadia National Park | Jordan Pond | Downeast Highway

Day by Day Guide for a New England Road Trip (10 days)

ROUTE AT A GLANCE: Portland Maine – White Mountains – Stowe Vermont – Burlington Vermont – Bangor Maine – Acadia National Park

MILES: 1300 miles (approximately)

HOW MANY DAYS: 10 Days

Day One: Arrive in Portland Maine

This is a jam-packed New England itinerary. As a result, the first day begins after your workday. Book the latest flight of the day into Portland Maine. Change into airplane clothes at work and go straight to the airport. Pick up the rental car and stop at a grocery store and stock up on water, snacks, and insect repellant before checking into your hotel for one night. Consider going out for a craft beer. Portland has the highest number of microbreweries per capita in the country. There are currently 17 microbreweries, one for every 4,000 residents.  You will find New England IPAs, Belgians, British Ales, and everything in between. Not a craft beer fan? Head to Wharf Avenue for a cocktail. Don’t stay out too late, the adventure starts early in the morning. Overnight in Portland Maine.

READ How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Portland Maine

Day Two: New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Hwy

Spend the day in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The Kancamagus Highway receives 4k visitors a day and is the most popular area in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Route 112, the ‘Kanc’, runs 34 miles from Conway to Lincoln and is the perfect hub for exploring all the area has to offer. This scenic drive is full of rushing rivers, waterfalls, gorges, hiking, covered bridges, and overlooks. Overnight in Lincoln New Hampshire.

READ Exploring New Hampshire’s the White Mountains: Route Planning Guide 

Stops on the Kancamagus Highway Include:

Albany Covered Bridge

Lower Falls

Rocky Gorge Scenic Area

Sabbaday Falls

Sugar Hill Overlook

Lily Pond Vista (be on the lookout for moose)

CL Graham Wangan Overlook

The Lady’s Bathtub Swimming Area

As Time Allows:

Drive west and hike the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves elevated platforms and waterfall

Drive south to Blair Covered Bridge, Beebe River (Campton) Falls, and Bump Covered Bridge

See the bear show at Clark’s Trading Post

Day Three: Stowe Vermont, Waterfalls and the Sound of Music

Stowe Vermont is a historic village full of adventure activities, waterfalls, hiking, swimming holes, cider donuts, and covered bridges. On the drive, you will pass through the gorgeous Franconia Notch area and several mountain towns. You are in the heart of maple syrup country, be sure to stop for tastings and souvenirs. Overnight in Stowe Vermont, consider the Trapp Family Lodge.

READ Top Things to Do in the Stowe Vermont 

Stops on the Drive to Stowe Vermont Include:

Photograph the Indian Head rock formation

Hike the 2-mile Flume Gorge elevated boardwalk past Flume Covered Bridge and Avalanche Falls (1.5 hours)

Hike 1.2 RT to Kinsman Falls

Consider stopping for a ride on the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway

Stop to admire Echo Lake Beach

Detour to visit The Frost Place, see the poetry trail and front porch for Robert Frost

Stop in the picturesque town of Littleton for lunch

Visit the Cabot Creamery, Bragg Farm Sugar House, or Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks for tastings and souvenirs

Visit Montpelier and stay for dinner

Day Four Burlington Vermont, the Green Mountains, and Lake Champlain

Burlington Vermont sits in the Green Mountains overlooking Lake Champlain with views of the Adirondack Mountains. Burlington is known for flannel, tie-dye, craft beer, a lake monster, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Bernie Sanders, and Phish. Be sure to update your playlist! Overnight in Burlington Vermont.

READ Top Things to Do in Burlington Vermont 

Stops on the Drive to Burlington Vermont Include:

Head to Main Street for breakfast and a walk around the historic city

Hike the 5.2 miles RT to Moss Glen Falls OR

Hike the .5 Rt to Bingham Falls

Ride the Stowe Mountain Resort gondola and enjoy the mountain views

Stop by the Trapp Family Lodge and take the Sound of Music tour

Photograph the Gold Brook Covered Bridge

Stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill for cider donuts (do not skip this)

Tour the Ben & Jerry’s Factory

Photograph Reverence (Whales Tails) off the highway on the way to Burlington

Stop at Shelburne Farms for cider donuts and pick your own apples, pears, and peaches

Take a ferry across Lake Champlain or walk into the Lake on the Island Line Trail

Have dinner on Church Street in Burlington

Day Five Back to New Hampshire’s the White Mountains

Start the day early and return to New Hampshire’s White Mountains for a day full of covered bridges and chasing waterfalls. Overnight in North Conway New Hampshire.

White Mountain Stops Include:

Go for a swim in Ammonoosuc Falls lower falls

Stop to photograph Omni Mount Washington Resort and Upper Ammonoosuc Falls

Ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit, 3 hours

See the roadside Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade waterfalls

Drive through Crawford Notch State Park and hike 1.2 miles RT to Ripley Falls

Hike 2.8 miles RT to Arethusa Falls

Stop at Attitash Mountain Resort and ride the Alpine mountain coaster

Visit the Bartlett Covered Bridge and the Honeymoon Covered Bridge

See the roadside Jackson Falls waterfall

Walk 10 minutes to Glen Ellis Falls

Stop at Pinkham Notch and hike .6 RT to see Crystal Cascade

Hike 1.1 RT to Thompson Falls

Hike 1.6 miles RT to the Emerald Pool swimming hole in Evans Notch

Day Six Bangor Maine and the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse

Leave New Hampshire and drive across Maine to the tip of the coastline. Stop in Bangor Maine on the way to see the home of Steven King. Did you know Banger is the real-life town of Derry in the King novels? Visit the beautiful West Quoddy Head Lighthouse before driving the coat to the Schoodic Peninsula and Winter Harbor. Overnight in Bar Harbor Maine.

Stops on the Drive to Bar Harbor Maine:

Stop by the Stephen King House at 47 W Broadway, Bangor, ME

Take the SK Tour of Bangor to see filming sites

Continue on to the coast and the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse

Stop at Prospect Harbor and the Prospect Harbor Lighthouse

Drive the Schoodic Peninsula to Schoodic Point and enjoy the coast view

Visit the fishing village of Winter Harbor

Stop at the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound for dinner

Day Seven Arcadia National Park, Popovers and Carriage Rides

Acadia National Park receives 3.4 million visitors each year and is known for its gorgeous fall foliage. You will find 120 miles of trails, a rocky coastline, lighthouses, stone bridges, carriage houses, and blueberry popovers. Note: Much of Park Loop Road is one way and parking lots are small. Start the day early! Overnight in Bar Harbor Maine.

READ Acadia National Park Travel Guide 

Acadia National Park Highlights Include:

See the nation’s first sunrise from Cadillac Mountain

Be at Thunder Hole for high tide to watch nature’s show

Hike the 1.5-mile Beehive Trail (rated difficult with iron rungs and steep drop-offs)

Drive Park Loop Road, Rockefeller’s Four Million Dollar Road photographing the Carriage Road Bridges as you go

Take a walk along Jordan Pond Bridge and photograph the Bubbles in the distance

Eat a famous popover at the restaurant before taking a carriage ride through the trails

Check out as many rocky overlooks as parking allows.

Stop at Visit Sand Beach, the Cider House Rules filming location, on your way out of the park.

Souvenir shop Bar Harbor’s Main Street

Have dinner at Geddy’s, and try the lobster pizza

Day Eight The Downeast Highway, Lighthouses, and Lobster Shacks

Maine’s Route 1 is 3,478 miles of rocky coast with over 65 lighthouses and 23 islands full of picture-perfect fishing villages and lobster shacks. Below is a list of stops with addresses between Acadia National Park and Portland Maine. Start the day early and visit as many as possible. The day ends in Portland Maine, a foodie destination with many, many options . Overnight in Portland Maine.

READ Maine’s Downeast Highway, Trip Planner

Stops Along Maine’s Downeast Highway:

Dyce Head Lighthouse, 1 Battle Ave, Castine, ME 04421

Penobscot Narrows Bridge, US-1, Stockton Springs, ME 04981

Fort Point Lighthouse, Lighthouse Rd, Stockton Springs, ME 04981

Grindle Point Sailor’s Museum and Lighthouse, 615 Ferry Rd, Islesboro, ME 04848

Camden, Maine fishing village and waterfront

Curtis Island Lighthouse, Camden, ME 04843

Rockport Harbor, 40 Pleasant St, Rockport, ME 04856

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, 44.104031, -69.077487, Rockland, ME 04841

Owls Head Lighthouse, 186 Lighthouse Rd, Owls Head, ME 04854

Lunch at McLoons Lobster Shack, 315 Island Rd, South Thomaston, ME 04858

Marshall Point Lighthouse, Marshall Point Rd, Port Clyde, ME 04855

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park, 3115 Bristol Rd, Pemaquid, ME 04558

Shuck-your-own oysters at Glidden Point Oyster Farms, 637 River Rd, Edgecomb, ME 04556

Boothbay Lobster Wharf, 97 Atlantic Ave, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

Burnt Island Lighthouse, Southport, ME 04576

Hendricks Head Lighthouse, Light House Ln, Southport, ME 04576

Perkins Island Lighthouse, Georgetown, ME 04548

Doubling Point Lighthouse, Doubling Point Rd, Arrowsic, ME 04530

Squirrel Point Light, Arrowsic, ME 04530

Gurnet Trading Co., 602 Gurnet Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011 à dinner

Visit the first and largest L.L. Bean store, 95 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032

See the world globe spin at Garmin, 2 DeLorme Dr, Yarmouth, ME 04096

Return to Portland and have dinner at Gilbert’s Chowder House in the Old Port

Day Nine Portland Maine

Portland Maine is an amazing city with enough things to do see and do to fill and long weekend. If you are unable to spend more than one day, I suggest the Real Portland Tour . Overnight in Portland Maine.

READ Top Things to Do in Portland Maine

One day in Portland Maine:

Stop by Holy Donut for a chocolate sea salt donut (buy another for tomorrow)

Take the Real Portland Tour, read about it here

Spend the evening strolling around the Old Port

Stop in a microbrewery (or two)

Enjoy a final lobster at Portland Lobster Company or oysters at Eventide

Day Ten Depart

Join the 5 am sunrise run across Casco Bay , allow 3 hours

Eat blueberry pancakes for breakfast at Becky’s Diner

Check out of the hotel

Head to the airport and return the rental car

Scroll through your photos as you wait for your departing flight

Be sure to check the Office of Tourism in New Hampshire , Maine , and V ermont for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

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Have a great vacation!

The 10 day trip sounds fun! We’d love to do a road trip as well and will follow your advice to visit New England in July. Thank you for sharing this super detailed post. I already bookmarked it and start planning soon.

The Northeast Region of the U.S. has been around for centuries and has seen its fair share of history. It’s no wonder that there are so many amazing places to visit! Indeed, a New England road trip is a perfect way to experience the beauty of this region.

This sounds like the perfect road trip through Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. I would probably need more time to take in everything. A tour at the Ben& Jerry Factory sounds intriguing. Do they have an ice-cream parlor as well, where you can taste special ice-creams? Your lighthouse pictures are fabulous too!

This is my favorite road trip guide so far; I love how detailed it is! I literally enjoyed the locations solely based on the photographs. I now appreciate New England — from the stunning scenery to the numerous outdoor activities and, of course, the mouthwatering lobsters!

I miss the lobster!!

This is such a power-packed post with so many useful tips for the New England Road trip. From itineraries to what to pack and best time to visit – you seemed to have covered it all. I your itinerary, I loved your day two with those waterfalls and I so hope to spot the moose at Lily pond.

We did a similar trip for our honeymoon and had 10 days. I love the covered bridges, the charming small towns and scenic mountains in Vermont. Wonderful memories came flooding back reading your post.

We did a short New England Road trip one year. But we definitely missed out on so many sights. And we never made it as far as Vermont! I love the variety of sights you showed for stops along the way. We would make so many stops at waterfalls and covered bridges! I am keeping this post for our next New England road trip planning.

That’s great to hear!

Interesting to know that the New England region has a different face in every season from autumn leaves to muddy trails to skiing! I love this itinerary and would definitely want to extend it till Rhode island. Spring point ledge lighthouse looks very picturesque. I wouldn’t miss buying tons of Maple candy and Maple syrup at Franconia Notch area.

This post reminded me of our trip to the New England last summer. A beautiful part of the country that I want to revisit in a slow travel. We missed exploring Portland because we couldn’t find a space to park in the city. I want to go back in the fall.

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6 Days / 5 Nights

May-October, 2024 Sept-Oct slightly higher

Departure from your location may require en route lodging. Call for details.

Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine

A group bus tour, this package includes:.

• 5 Nights Lodging
• 5 Breakfasts
• 4 Dinners, including a "Lobster Bake"
• Welcome Reception
• Evening of Entertainment
• Touring with Local Guides
• Coolidge Birthplace and Homestead
• Lighthouse Lovers Cruise
• L.L. Bean in Freeport
• Bath Covered Bridge
• Village of Littleton
• Chutters General Store
• View of "The Basin"
• Quechee Gorge
• Loon Mountain Gondola Ride (in season)
• Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
• Kennebunkport Tour and Dock Square
• Green Mountain Sugarhouse
• Portland's Old Port
• Portland City Tour
• Bud Light Park (Portland Harbor Lighthouse)
• Gift for All
• Luggage Handling
• All Taxes and Meal Gratuities
• 2 Comps Per Bus of 40 or more

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6- to 10-Day North New England Tour

Northern New England has its culture, but most people who tour here are looking for outdoor adventure . This itinerary can also be followed as two shorter trips .

The suggested tour itinerary below gives you a good introduction to the three northern New England states of Maine , New Hampshire and Vermont , and is especially good for those interested in the outdoors .

The itinerary may be divided into two shorter independent tours of four days and six days :, or followed as a full 10-day tour :

Days 1 through 4 is a short tour of the seacoasts of New Hampshire and Maine , returning to Boston on Day 4 instead of going to Bethel ME.

Days 5 through 10 is a six-day tour of New Hampshire and Vermont : drive north from Boston to North Conway NH , and pick up the itinerary at that point on Day 5.

Full 10-Day Tour

Day 1 - NH & Maine Beaches

Head north from Boston on I-93, then I-95, stopping at Portsmouth NH for lunch and a tour of Strawbery Banke and a stop at a New Hampshire beach. Continue to the southern Maine coast for beaches, culture and shopping, staying the night in Ogunquit or Kennebunkport , or, if you prefer, in Portland .

Day 2 - Midcoast Maine

Continue northward along I-95, stopping for some shopping in Freeport, home of L L Bean and many factory outlets. Just before Brunswick , follow US 1, continuing through Bath. Spend part of the day around Boothbay Harbor, or Camden, or Blue Hill, but plan to stay the night in one of Bar Harbor ' s sumptuous inns.

Day 3 - Acadia & Bar Harbor

Explore Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor , with another overnight here.

Day 4 - Inland Maine

Return to Portland and drive north on the Maine Turnpike and Maine Route 26 via Sabbathday Lake and Poland Spring t o Bethel , for the night.

Day 5 - NH White Mountains

Follow US 2 west to Gorham NH, then NH 16 south through Pinkham Notch to Glen and North Conway. Have lunch in North Conway, or buy supplies for a picnic, then drive westward along the Kancamagus Highway , the heart of the White Mountains .

Stop for a picnic and a short hike at one of the White Mountain National Forest areas along the highway.

Spend the night at Lincoln or North Woodstock , at the western end of the highway.

Day 6 - Northern Vermont

Drive north from Lincoln through Franconia Notch , stopping to see the Flume Gorge and other natural wonders.

Stop for lunch in Littleton , then head southwest on US 302 into Vermont . You may want to take a look at the Rock of Ages granite quarry and Hope Cemetery in Barre , next to Montpelier . Spend the night in Stowe , Burlington , or Sugarbush Valley .

Day 7 - Central Vermont

Visit the Shelburne Museum south of Burlington , then follow US 7 south through Middlebury and the Middlebury Gap to Hancock, on VT Route 100. Drive south on VT 100, perhaps with a detour to Woodstock or Plymouth . Stay the night in Woodstock , Weston or Grafton .

Day 8 - Southern Vermont

Spend today exploring the beautiful towns and villages of southern Vermont: Manchester, Dorset, Grafton, Newfane, Weston. Spend the night in any one of these.

Day 9 - Berkshire Hills

From Manchester , go south along US 7 via Arlington to Bennington for a visit to Old Bennington, the Bennington Battle Monument , and Bennington Museum . If you have the time, you can slip across the state line to see Williamstown MA and the wonderful Clark Art Institute and/or Mass MoCa in North Adams . Stay the night in Bennington .

Day 10 - Mt Monadnock

Go east along VT Route 9, the Molly Stark Trail, via Marlboro to Brattleboro , perhaps with a detour to Newfane for lunch. Continue via Keene NH and Mount Monadnock back to Boston , or homeward.

South NE Tour

Cape cod & islands, 4-days boston, all ne tours.

Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont Tourbook Guide

Including portland, maine, and acadia national park.

Explore the natural beauty and history of New England with the Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont digital AAA TourBook guide. With scenic coastlines, verdant valleys and towering mountains, this region offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Art lovers and history buffs will find much to see in the area's many museums and historic attractions. Plan your next trip with AAA's digital TourBook travel guide, available on mobile, tablet or desktop.

With the help of the Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont guide, you'll get advice from AAA travel experts about the best things to see and do, where to stay and how to plan the trip of a lifetime. You'll learn insider travel tips and answers to many top questions asked by travelers.

Here are examples of things you'll find in the Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont guide:

• Why the Flume Gorge is worth a visit
• What to see in Acadia National Park
• How to get to scenic overlooks offering views of four states
• Why skiing at Maine's Camden Snow Bowl is a bucket list experience
• Where you can see a 500-foot-long, hand-carved miniature circus parade
• How to experience a whale-watching cruise
• Where to camp, hike and fish in state parks and national public lands
• Why Maine was a magnet for poets, artists and authors
• How to safely explore the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves

What are some of the must-dos covered in this guide?

We know no two travelers are alike, so we've included a wide variety of things to do in each TourBook guide, from national parks and recreational activities to museums and theme parks.

We cover the top outdoor spots in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, including Acadia National Park and Green Mountain and White Mountain national forests. Learn about local history at the Maine State Museum, the Enfield Shaker Museum or the Bennington Museum. Go behind-the-scenes on a dairy farm at Billings Farm & Museum, or see how cheese and maple sugar are made at Sugarbush Farm. Get up-close with wildlife on a whale- and seal-watching cruise, or stroll amid stunning displays of native plants at the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden.

You'll find these attractions and more in this digital destination guide.

Will this guide help me plan a road trip?

Yes! This guide includes inspiration for scenic drives in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. You can also use the high-quality maps to get started planning your own route.

Is national parkland information included?

Yes. The Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont TourBook guide includes detailed information and travel tips for Acadia National Park.

Explore the Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont TourBook guide and start planning your next travel adventure today!

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12 Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary (Vermont, New Hampshire, & Coastal Maine)

Last updated on March 11th, 2024

In this guide we’re sharing a 12 day New England fall road trip itinerary that includes some of the best sights to see in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, based on our own trip to the area. Visiting New England in the fall was a dream of ours for YEARS! And finally, in 2021 we were able to make it happen and it exceeded all of our expectations.  For over a month, we drove around parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine in search of the best fall foliage, cute towns, delicious food, and beautiful nature. And what we found were some of our top hikes of the year, one of our new favorite national parks, some of the friendliest locals, and more colorful trees than we had ever seen in our lifetime. New England in the fall gets a lot of hype, but we can confirm, it’s 100% magical.

Watch all of our adventures across New England, including Vermont, New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and coastal Maine!

And we’re excited to help you experience it for yourself! In this 12 day New England fall road trip itinerary we’re sharing a condensed version of our road trip (cutting out all of our boring work days we had between adventuring), plus all of our tips for visiting the region in the fall, where to stay each night, and so much more!

Looking For More Things To Do In New England?

• How to spend 2 days in Boston
• 7 day Vermont road trip Itinerary
• The ULTIMATE guide to driving the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire
• The BEST things to do in the White Mountains in New Hampshire
• The Best Things to do in Acadia National Park
• How to backpack the Cutler Coast in Maine
• Acadia National Park Itinerary

About New England

New england road trip route, fall in new england (weather, when to visit + foliage tracking), where to stay during your new england fall road trip, other things to know before your new england fall road trip, what to bring on your new england fall road trip, 12 day new england fall road trip itinerary.

New England is the northeast region of the United States and includes Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. This area got the name “New England” back in 1616 from an English explorer named John Smith and was soon settled by English immigrants.  It’s known for charming towns, coastal views, delicious and fresh seafood, epic fall foliage, mountainous adventures, ivy league schools, cold winters, loads of history, and so much more. There’s a little something for everyone in New England!

Important disclosure about this guide:

This guide is only covering Vermont, New Hampshire, and coastal Maine and is based on our experience and the places we were able to visit. While we unfortunately couldn’t visit all of New England and there are many amazing locations not included in this guide, we highly recommend these spots and itinerary to see some of the best scenery the region has to offer!

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the  Leave No Trace principles  to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come! These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

Below is a map of the general route that we’ll be covering in this itinerary, to help give you an idea of where you’ll be going. This route was created with the intention of visiting places in order of when they experience peak foliage, but we cannot guarantee that you’ll hit peak in every spot. We’re sharing more information about fall foliage and when to plan your trip a little further down in this guide! 

Flying to New England

The route map above assumes you’ll be flying to visit New England and the best airport to fly into will be the Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) , which is a massive airport that is serviced by all major airlines and offers nonstop flights from many destinations in the United States. The drive from Boston to the first stop on this itinerary is about 3.5 hours, so we highly suggest booking an early flight so you can take advantage of extra time in New England. 

Driving to New England

If you’re driving to New England, the road trip route above may need to be modified a bit, as your road trip will possibly start in a different city than Boston. One thing to keep in mind when driving to New England is that many routes have tolls. If you want to avoid paying for tolls, make sure to turn off tolls on your Google Maps settings. We were able to get around New England by avoiding tolls and didn’t spend too much extra time in the van.

How to get around New England

Since this is a road trip itinerary, you’ll definitely need to rent a car or drive your own to fully enjoy all of the sights on this guide, as public transportation isn’t really an option between all of the towns without hiring a tour guide. When visiting New England in the fall, any type of vehicle will work just fine on a road trip, as none of these stops require 4×4 to get to and you should not encounter snow. Our Sprinter van was able to navigate New England well and we didn’t run into too many issues parking a larger vehicle either!

While New England offers activities for all four seasons, including skiing in the winter, fresh maple syrup in the spring, and hiking in the summer, one of the best times to visit is in the fall, when the trees explode with oranges, reds, and yellows, the air is crisp, and the fresh cider donuts just taste extra heavenly. However, visiting in the fall can require a bit more planning, tracking, and things to know, as the window to see this foliage can be unpredictable and small. Below is everything you need to know before visiting New England in the fall.

During our month in New England we experienced highs in the 50s-70s, and lows in the 30s-40s, making the days not too chilly, but cold enough that in the mornings a hot cider just really hits the spot. While most days were sunny or partly sunny, we did have a handful of days where it was foggy or there were torrential downpours. We thankfully had the flexibility to adjust plans and avoid adventuring on most rainy days, but do expect some variety of weather and come prepared to enjoy the area rain or shine. 

What causes the leaves to change colors?

We aren’t scientists, but the quick explanation of why leaves change is that during the spring and summer, the leaves are rich in chlorophyll, which absorbs sunlight and turns it into food for the tree through photosynthesis. This gives the leaves the bright green color you see during this part of the year. During the fall, as the days become shorter and cooler, the leaves stop this process and the chlorophyll breaks down, which causes the colors of the leaves to change to the red, orange, and yellows you see in the fall. A big factor of when this process happens is the weather. The perfect equation is a mix of sunny, warm days and cool (but not freezing) nights. And since it requires such science, we hear that some years can be less vibrant than others, but regardless of the vibrancy, it will be beautiful. 

When is peak foliage?

Since fall foliage relies on weather, peak foliage varies year to year and is hard to predict. One good thing to know is that leaves change in higher elevations first and then work their way down to lower elevations. So if you find yourself on the coast of New England in early October and the leaves have yet to change, you can likely find colors if you go up into the mountains. While the timing of peak foliage does vary, here are some general timeframes where each region on this guide experiences the best colors, as well as what dates we visited this region and what our experience was like, plus the fall foliage trackers we used. Tip: Besides the trackers we are including below, we suggest looking at AllTrails and Instagram for recent photos of spots you plan to visit to get a better idea of what fall foliage is currently like.

Vermont was the first stop on our New England fall road trip and while we timed our visit a bit too early, we still did get to see some colors in higher elevations. For Vermont, we used this tracker to see current reports of foliage conditions, as well as signed up for these reports . But here are general timeframes for both Vermont regions we will cover in this guide. Stowe: Early October We were in the Stowe area from September 26-29, 2021 and there was still a lot of green. A week or two after this would’ve been extra colorful we think. We were slightly bummed to not see this area popping with color, but the spots later on during our road trip made up for it. Northeast Kingdom: End of September-early October We visited this region on October 1, 2021 and the colors were definitely a lot more colorful than Stowe. We think we were there within a week of ultimate peak foliage, but what we saw was phenomenal. 

New Hampshire

The only region of New Hampshire we are covering on this guide is the White Mountains, which is home to the highest elevations in the state and therefore peaks earlier than the more southern areas of New Hampshire.  We used this tracker for New Hampshire and read these reports and found them to be pretty accurate. It appears that the White Mountains typically peak around the second week of October (starting October 7). We visited October 6-8 and the colors were probably the best we saw the entire trip!

Coastal Maine

Coastal Maine is one of the later regions to experience fall color, as it is at or only slightly above sea level. For Maine, we used this tracker to track the foliage.  Acadia National Park: Mid-October We visited Acadia October 18-19 and we believe this was around peak. Since there is a large mix of types of trees in the park, not every tree will be colorful, but there are still good pops of color. Portland: Mid-October We visited Portland on October 21-22, which was the timeframe that the coastal cities in Maine were experiencing peak foliage. While Portland isn’t really a foliage hotspot (you go more for the coastal aspect than the foliage in our opinion), it was still nice to see some color!

Our suggestion of when to visit

For this itinerary, we suggest timing your road trip somewhere between the last week of September-mid October. During our visit, the first couple weeks of October proved to be the best time for foliage for the majority of areas, but this can vary every year.  It’s extremely hard to perfectly time your trip to have every spot be at peak foliage, so our top tip for exploring New England in the fall is to be flexible and enjoy what you can see! While some spots may be a bit duller, others will likely be bursting with color. 

Since this road trip itinerary covers quite a bit of ground, we’d suggest staying in different places throughout the trip to limit how much time you spend driving each day. We will include suggestions of places to stay under each day of the itinerary, including hotels, Airbnbs, campgrounds, and boondocking (if applicable). 

Curious how we get FREE flights and hotels? Check out our list of our favorite travel cards that have saved us thousands of dollars!

Before you go, here are a few important things to know before hitting the road on your New England road trip!

Download offline maps

There were a few areas where we didn’t have the best cell phone service, which can be tricky if you’re trying to figure out where to go, both on the road or on the trail. We highly recommend downloading offline AllTrails Maps and offline Google Maps so you can navigate without cell phone service and don’t get lost!

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership ? Use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)! We use AllTrails+ on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

Traveling in an RV? Harvest Hosts are a lifesaver!

Since we travel in a van, we typically sleep in our van at night, instead of hotels or Airbnbs, and preferably for free. While we found a couple free camping areas in New England, as well as slept at many Walmarts, boondocking out east in general can be pretty tricky, with very limited free public land, but thankfully there are many Harvest Hosts in the area! Harvest Hosts is a paid membership that lets you stay at farms, breweries, wineries, golf courses, and other spots for FREE, with the expectation that you will support the business. While this means you do need to spend some money and it’s not totally free, it’s usually a unique experience and you get to support a local business.  We slept at a total of 4 Harvest Hosts while in Vermont, including a cider mill, farm, golf course, and maple syrup farm, with other options of places to stay we did not use Harvest Hosts in New Hampshire or Maine. If you’re also traveling in a van or RV, we highly recommend Harvest Hosts while in the area.

Want to get 15% off a Harvest Hosts membership? Click this link and then use the code HHFRIENDS15 !

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Almost everything is dog friendly

The majority of the spots on this guide are dog friendly, including most of Acadia National Park! It is pretty rare that dogs are allowed on trails in a national park, so this was a very awesome surprise. To see which trails in Acadia allow dogs (and which do not), check out this page .

Learn how we travel with a dog and what we do with Kona when she cannot join us on our adventures.

Start early

Our #1 tip anywhere we go is to start early! It can get crowded with tour buses (we got stuck behind a few huge bus groups), as well as other leaf peepers during peak foliage. We tried to start our days early and hit the trails around sunrise and it paid off every time! And if you can, try to avoid hot spots like Stowe, Acadia National Park, and the Kancamagus Highway on the weekends in the fall. They’ll be extra busy from New England locals trying to sneak a peek of the foliage. 

A common question we get when sharing our adventures is what we bring with us. We have almost all of our gear listed here , but here are some items we especially recommend bringing to New England!

Hiking Gear

Since most of the best things to do in New England include outdoor activities, you’ll want to bring plenty of outdoor gear and clothing. To see everything we take hiking, as well as our favorite clothing, check out our hiking gear . 

The weather can vary in New England, so layers are good to have! During our trip we experienced warmer days, colder days, and rainy days, so having a variety of jackets, hand warmers , beanies, and scarves will be helpful. We also suggest bringing a mix of nicer and outdoorsy clothing so that you have options for both city and nature adventures.

Visiting New England in the fall is a photographer’s dream! If you like to snap photos, don’t forget to pack your camera gear, a tripod, extra batteries, and a charger. If you’re curious what photography gear we use, you can check it all out here . Note: Some areas on this guide do NOT allow drones, like the Kancamagus Highway and Acadia National Park. Please read up on drone laws for each area if you plan to fly your drone.

Below is our suggested 12 day New England itinerary, which includes the best spots to experience fall in Vermont, New Hampshire, and coastal Maine, based on our experience. It is almost identical to our trip, minus a couple spots that would be a bit more out of the way if you’re short on time. This itinerary can of course be adjusted to what you want to do, how much you want to do in a day, and how much time you have. We have also included a variety of activity options for some days, that way you can adjust it to your preferences and abilities. We have also included some add-on options if you have more time and are looking for more things to do!

Day 1: Travel to Vermont (+ enjoy Maple Syrup!)

For the first day of your New England road trip, head to Stowe, Vermont, which is about a 3.5 hour drive from Boston, for those flying to the area. If you arrive early enough, we suggest spending part of the day learning and tasting one of the most iconic food items in Vermont…maple syrup! Vermont is the largest maple syrup producer in the United States, with 2.22 million gallons produced last year, over half of the total production for the US. Every year, starting in late January or early February, sugaring season occurs, which is when sap is collected from trees and maple syrup is actually made. This process lasts for 4-6 weeks and although fall is not during the sugaring season, it’s still worth visiting a farm to learn about the process and of course, try maple syrup! The easiest way to learn about maple syrup is to go to Sugarbush Farm , who offers self guided tours of their farm. While there, make sure to get a maple creemee, which is an extra creamy maple soft serve ice cream. They have a delicious sweet, maple taste. We LOVED them! For a more in-depth maple syrup tour experience, we HIGHLY recommend touring Baird Farm , which is in Chittenden, Vermont. This is a 4th generation family farm that is located on a gorgeous property and has incredibly kind, passionate, and knowledgeable owners. And unlike Sugarbush Farm and many other maple syrup farms in Vermont, who offer self guided tours where you can watch videos and see some equipment, Baird Farm actually takes you on a tour themselves (for FREE)!  The only downside of Baird Farm is that they only offer tours in the mornings on certain days of the week, so it may not work with your schedule. If it does, please book in advance!

Watch part of our tour at Baird Farm to get a better idea of what to expect and learn some maple syrup facts!

Regardless of which tour you experience, it’ll be a sweet start to your road trip! After getting a bit of a sugar rush, head to the Waterbury and Stowe area for the night. For dinner, some suggested spots to check out are:

• Piecasso (a pizza spot we loved!)
• Idletyme Brewing Company
• von Trapp Brewery and Bierhall (the family from the Sound of Music!)
• Trattoria La Festa

Where to stay

For day 1, we suggest staying in the Waterbury and Stowe areas, which is where the next two days of your road trip will be. Here are some suggestions of where you can stay there! Hotels: Best Western Plus Waterbury-Stowe , Fairfield Inn & Suites Waterbury Stowe , Trapp Family Lodge , Green Mountain Inn , and Timberholm Inn . Airbnbs: The Coffee Roost , True Vermont Cabin , Bright & Airy Guest House , Cozy Bungalow Home , and Classic Stowe Ski Chalet . Campgrounds: Smuggler’s Notch State Park Campground , Gold Brook Campground

Optional Add on: Day in Burlington, Vermont Burlington is a vibrant, welcoming, and beautiful city that is located on the shore of Lake Champlain. It is the most populous city in Vermont and is home to the University of Vermont, many local restaurants and shops, parks, and lake views.  We really enjoyed spending one day here ( watch our experience ), but since it doesn’t boast as much fall foliage as other areas, we are not including it in the main itinerary. But to see how we suggest spending a day in Burlington, check out our Vermont road trip itinerary , where we share tons of tips!

Day 2: Waterbury + Stowe

Watch us explore Waterbury and Stowe, including apple cider donuts, a corn maze, and a covered bridge!

About Waterbury & Stowe

Waterbury and Stowe are likely some of the most popular areas to visit in Vermont and it’s no secret why! Nestled in the Green Mountains, the towns are quaint and charming, the views are amazing, there are great local businesses, both small and large, and plenty of activities year round. The two towns are located about 15 minutes apart and connected by the Green Mountain Byway, with Waterbury to the south and Stowe to the north, making them easy to visit together. There are many things to do and places to eat or drink in the area, so we’re providing many options in this day’s itinerary so you can choose what you’re most interested in.

• Have a sweet start to the day with apple cider and apple cider donuts at Cold Hollow Cider Mill ! This place is so amazing and makes some insanely fresh tasting cider and donuts, both of which you can watch them make! They have a room in the back where you can learn a bit about the apple cider process and watch them work and in the front, you can see them frying up fresh donuts.  If you want something savory as well, they have a restaurant next door that serves breakfast, lunch, and hard cider. For the coffee lovers, some good coffee shops in the area are Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea (Waterbury), Black Cap Coffee & Beer (Stowe), Woodland Baking and Coffee (Stowe), and PK Coffee (Stowe).
• Spend the morning and afternoon exploring Waterbury and Stowe! Here are some options, listed in order from Waterbury up to Stowe, which you can mix and match to plan your perfect day. Kayak on the Waterbury Reservoir : The Waterbury Reservoir is the 9th largest body of water in Vermont and was created in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservations Corps as a way to protect nearby towns from floods. There is a state park on the reservoir called Waterbury Center State Park , where you can rent kayaks and enjoy the mountain views from the water. Note: dogs are not allowed here. Visit Ben & Jerry’s : Ben & Jerry’s started in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont in 1978 and today its factory and headquarters are located in Waterbury. They offer factory tours (currently closed until sometime in 2022), ice cream by the scoop, and even a flavor graveyard where you can see flavors from the past, with headstones. See the Gold Brook Covered Bridge: There are 104 covered bridges in Vermont, the highest density of covered bridges in the US, which were originally created to protect bridges from the harsh New England weather. Today they make for great photo opps and a popular covered bridge between Waterbury and Stowe is the Gold Brook Covered Bridge , also known as Emily’s Bridge because of a very sad story of a girl named Emily who hung herself from the bridge after her lover that she was supposed to elope with never showed up. Hike up to the Stowe Pinnacle Overlook: Just down the road from the Gold Brook Covered Bridge is the Stowe Pinnacle Trail , which is 3.7 miles with 1,604 feet of gain (so it’s pretty steep!) and takes you to an overlook with views of the Green Mountains. Walk around Stowe: When we think of a classic New England town, we think of Stowe. The town is tucked in the mountains, has beautiful Colonial style buildings, and an iconic New England church steeple. It’s a great place to walk around, shop a bit, and has some good spots if you need lunch, a sweet treat, or beer. Here are some spots to check out: – Grab a sweet treat at Laughing Moon Chocolates . – Grab lunch or beer at Idletyme Brewing Company . – Tour The Alchemist Brewery , which is currently only offering daily tours at 5 PM. Bike the Stowe Path: A popular thing to do in Stowe is to go on the Stowe Recreation Path . This is a 5.5 mile (one way) path that takes you through Stowe and by farms and restaurants. This pathway is best on a bike, but we enjoyed walking Kona on part of the path as well! Get lost in a corn maze: For a fun fall activity, make sure to check out the Percy Farm Corn Maze . Every year Paul Percy mows a unique maze in his farm’s corn field, which costs $8 per adult (cash or check only), for visitors to try to conquer. We found it to be trickier than expected and it took almost an hour to get out! Chase some waterfalls: The Stowe area is home to a handful of beautiful waterfalls. We hiked to Moss Glen Falls , which is only about 0.25 miles from the trailhead (parking is pretty limited) and takes you to a gorgeous, multi-tiered waterfall. Another popular option in the area is Bingham Falls , which is a 0.5 mile round trip hike!
• Have dinner at Piecasso , which is a delicious pizza spot in Stowe (we loved it!). A couple other options are Idletyme Brewing Company , von Trapp Brewery and Bierhall (the family from the Sound of Music!), or Trattoria La Festa , an authentic Italian spot.

We suggest staying in Waterbury or Stowe again for this night!

Day 3: Mount Mansfield

Watch us hike to the top of Mount Mansfield on a foggy day!

About Mount Mansfield

Mount Mansfield is the tallest point in the state of Vermont at 4,393 feet. The mountain is known for looking like someone laying down and different portions of the mountain are named after different features, including the forehead, nose, upper and lower lips, and the chin, which is the summit. 

How to get to the top of Mount Mansfield

There are three main ways to get to the top of Mount Mansfield: hiking, driving, or a gondola. Hiking (our top pick!): If you choose to hike to the top of Mount Mansfield (which is what we did), there are tons of trail options, but we suggest the Mount Mansfield Loop , which is 7.3 miles and gains 2,880 feet. This trail starts at Underhill State Park ($4 per adult fee), which is about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Waterbury and Stowe. If you go this route, we suggest taking the Maple Ridge Trail up and Sunset Ridge Trail down, as the Maple Ridge Trail has two trickier spots, including a gap to jump and a rock wall you have to climb up, which is easier going up than down. We show these spots in better detail in this video and these spots can be tricky with a dog, but we were able to get Kona through them safely. You can also hike up and down the Sunset Ridge trail, which is still steep and rocky, but has less tricky spots. Despite us having ZERO views at the top, we had a blast hiking this trail, as it offered some challenges along the way to keep things interesting! We suggest arriving early, as parking can get full on a busy day, as can the summit, since there are many ways to get to the top. Driving: To drive up Mount Mansfield you’ll take the Auto Toll Road , which costs $29 per car + $11 per passenger. The road takes you to 3,850 feet, where you can either enjoy the views from there, or continue on the Long Trail for about 1.25 miles each way. Note: RVs and campers, bicycles, motorcycles, or dually trucks are NOT allowed on this road. Gondola: The final way to the top is to ride the Stowe Mountain Resort Gondola , which costs $37 per adult and $26 per child for the ride up and down the mountain. Once off the gondola, you can take the Cliff Trail to the Long Trail to the summit for under 1 mile each way. 

What to do after Mount Mansfield

After making it to the top of Mount Mansfield, we suggest driving the Smugglers Notch Scenic Drive (Route 108) back towards Stowe, which goes through the forest and has unique rock outcroppings. Once back in Stowe, grab food at one of the spots we shared on day 2 (we loved Piecasso!) and if you have more time, do any other activities listed on day 2 that you didn’t have a chance to check out!

For day 3 you could either stay in Waterbury or Stowe one more night or head towards your final destination in Vermont, the Northeast Kingdom, which is under 1.5 hours from Stowe. This will give you an early start for your final day! If you choose to stay closer to the Northeast Kingdom, here are some options: Hotels: Comfort Inn & Suites Near Burke Mountain Airbnbs: Cozy Cottage in the Northeast Kingdom , Waterfront Lake House on Crystal Lake , and Remodeled 2 bedroom + loft lakefront cottage Campgrounds: Whitecaps Campground , Will-O Wood Campground , Belview Campground , and Kingdom Campground

Day 4: Northeast Kingdom

Watch us explore the Northeast Kingdom, including two epic hikes! And to learn more about our favorite hikes in the area, read our Mount Pisgah and Bald Mountain guides!

About the Northeast Kingdom

The Northeast Kingdom (abbreviated NEK) is an area in northeast Vermont, which got its nickname from a former US Senator and governor, George Aiken, who loved the area and thought it should be a kingdom. And we couldn’t agree more…it is magical! The Northeast Kingdom is home to small towns, forests, farmland, mountains, and beautiful Iakes, including Lake Willoughby, which is the second largest lake in the state and looks like a mini Norwegian fjord. This region of Vermont was our absolute favorite and we highly recommend the trek up there, especially if visiting during fall foliage.

• Get an early start and hike up Mount Pisgah (4.1 miles round trip, 1,653 feet of elevation gain), which has phenomenal views of Lake Willoughby from a few different viewpoints. It is relatively short, but steep, and it can get busy, so we recommend starting around sunrise if you can. You can learn more about the hike, including what to expect and photos from the different viewpoints in this guide .
• Spend the rest of the morning hanging out at Lake Willoughby! Lake Willoughby has two beaches, with the North Beach being much larger and more of a “lay out” kind of beach, while the South Beach is more of a cove for boats, but in our opinion has the better view. There is also a clothing optional cove near South Beach. If you want to kayak on the lake, White Caps Campground offers rentals to the public, as does Clyde River Recreation , which is located north of the lake, but they can drop off the kayaks for you!
• Grab lunch at The Parker Pie Company , which is about 25 minutes away from Lake Willoughby.
• End the day with a late afternoon or sunset hike up Bald Mountain (4.2 miles round trip, 1,463 feet of elevation gain), which takes you to an old fire tower, with incredible 360º views at the top. We share more about the hike, including more information about the fire tower in our Bald Mountain guide!

You could stay in the Northeast Kingdom one more night, but we suggest driving 1-1.5 hours to the White Mountains so that you can get an early start in the morning! There are quite a few options when it comes to where to stay in the White Mountains, including Littleton, Lincoln, and the North Conway area. For a longer list of options, check out our guide to the White Mountains , but here are a few choices to consider. Hotels: Hampton Inn Littleton , Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln , Residence Inn North Conway , Home2 Suites North Conway , White Mountain Hotel and Resort Airbnbs: Dream A-Frame , Relaxing Resort Getaway , The Overlook , Mountain Chic New Hampshire Family Getaway   Campgrounds: Twin Mountain/Mt. Washington KOA , Lafayette Place Campground , Hancock Campground , Big Rock Campground   Boondocking: Haystack Road , Gale River Road , Walmart in Littleton

Day 5: White Mountains

Watch us explore the White Mountains, including shorter hikes, scenic drives, unique sights, and delicious food! And to learn about even more things to do in the White Mountains, check out this guide !

About the White Mountains

The White Mountains are quite possibly the best kept secret in the US. Covering about 25% of New Hampshire, plus part of Western Maine, these mountains are some of the most rugged in all of New England. The range is a part of the Appalachian Mountains, with a high point of 6,288 feet, the highest point in the northeast. In this area you can find small towns, waterfalls, ski resorts, state parks, unique activities, and tons of mountain peaks, including the majority of the state’s 48 4,000 footers , which are peaks over 4,000 feet tall and with a prominence of at least 200 feet.

• Start your time in the White Mountains with sunrise at Artist Bluff , which is a short, 1.5 mile trail that takes you to an overlook of Echo Lake and part of Franconia Notch. Because of its short distance (although it is pretty steep and rocky at the end) and beautiful view, it is a very popular spot. We suggest arriving around sunrise for the best chance of some solitude, however, don’t expect to be alone. It was very busy even on a cloudy weekday morning!
• Grab breakfast at Polly’s Pancake Parlor . This is said to be THE PLACE to get breakfast in the White Mountains. We suggest calling them right as you’re finishing the hike to get your name on the list, as the wait can be long.
• Make sure to make a reservation for a time slot in advance, as it can get busy and certain times may fill up. 
• Dogs are not allowed in the Flume Gorge, so make sure they have a safe place to be.
• The gorge closes in mid to late October and while part of the park is accessible in the winter, the actual gorge is not (they remove the walkways).
• Travel up Mount Washington , the highest peak in New Hampshire and the northeast! It is known for having some of the most insane wind at the top, with the highest recorded being 231 MPH in 1934, the second highest wind speed ever recorded on earth. And it still has hurricane force winds about once every three days, which means you never really know what you’ll get at the top! You can either get to the top by car, cog railway, or by foot (but we suggest dedicating an entire day to hiking to the top). Driving If you drive , it costs between $39-$45 for the car and driver, with additional fees for passengers ($14-$20), children ($9), and motorcycles ($45). So while not a cheap experience, it makes for a memorable drive! There are vehicle restrictions though and our van was not allowed to drive this road. Make sure you know the rules beforehand so you don’t have to find out the hard way when arriving. Cog Railway The Cog Railway is a unique way to get to the top of the Mount Washington summit! This was the world’s first mountain cog railway, created in the 1860s, and on the 3 hour ride you will get to experience history and see amazing views. There is also a museum at the base, where you can learn more about the history of the cog railway. This experience is not cheap, which is why we skipped it, although it did look like a blast. Pricing does vary based on the type of train and you can see rates and the schedule here .
• Have dinner at either Black Mtn. Burger Co. (Lincoln), Rek-Lis Brewing Company (Bethlehem), or Wicked Fresh Craft Burgers (North Conway). 

You will want to stay the night in the White Mountains. We provided some suggestions under day 4!

Day 6: White Mountains

• Today’s big activity: driving the Kancamagus Highway (Kanc-ah-mah-gus), also known as the Kanc. This 34.5 mile scenic drive is named after Chief Kancamagus, who was a Native American known as the “Fearless One” and ruled Southern New Hampshire in the 17th century. The road started as two separate, unconnected roads, one road from Lincoln and one in Conway, and in the 30s, the CCC worked to connect the two roads, which took 25 years to finish. It’s now one of the most popular and accessible things to do in the White Mountains! There are many stops to make along the way, but for the sake of keeping this itinerary somewhat short, check out this detailed guide to driving the Kancamagus Highway to see our must-visit stops. Tip: We suggest starting right before sunrise so you can see the sunrise at the Hancock Overlook. This will also help you beat the crowds. Plan to spend half a day driving and stopping.
• At the end of the Kanc is a magical stand full of cheesy goodness called Cheese Louise . We highly recommend grabbing a fancy grilled cheese here after your drive!
• If you still have some time left, spend the rest of the day at Crawford Notch State Park , which has a gorgeous drive with towering peaks, but also has different hikes and sights to see! Our favorite stop was the 3.1 mile hike to Mount Willard , which has epic views of the valley below and if you time it right with peak colors, is an explosion of golden trees!
• Have dinner at Wicked Fresh Craft Burgers or Flatbread Company in North Conway. 

We suggest staying one more night in the White Mountains!

Day 7: White Mountains + Drive to Maine

For your final day in the White Mountains, we suggest doing a longer hike in the area. We recommend the Franconia Ridge Loop , which is 9.3 miles and gains 3,809 feet of elevation as it takes you to the top of Little Haystack, Mount Lincoln, and Mount Lafayette, plus by a hut that sells goodies. It took us a total of 7 hours to hike this, including stops. This hike has been rated the #1 trail on AllTrails for New Hampshire and is said to have some of the best views in New England. While we still need to hike more in New England to confirm that, we can say that the views on this hike are INCREDIBLE!

Watch us hike the Franconia Ridge Loop, the #1 hike in New Hampshire! And for more information, check out our detailed guide for the hike!

If you want some other trail ideas, we share more hikes in this guide ! We suggest starting your hike at sunrise to beat crowds and get done early enough because after your hike, it’s time to drive to Maine! And first up: Acadia National Park, which is about a 5 hour drive. This will be a long day, so if you’re not up for this much in one day, you could just spend the day driving to Maine and skipping a hike. 

We suggest staying near Acadia National Park so you can get an early start tomorrow! Here are some lodging options: Hotels: Atlantic Oceanside Hotel , The West Street Hotel , The Inn on Mount Desert , Hampton Inn Bar Harbor , Hampton Inn Ellsworth Vacation Rentals: Secluded Hilltop Home , Renovated downtown Bar Harbor apartment , Amazing Ocean Front View Campgrounds: Acadia’s two campgrounds , Bar Harbor Campground , Smuggler’s Den Campground , KOA Bar Harbor/Oceanside Holiday . Boondocking: Walmart in Ellsworth

Optional Add on: Cutler Coast The Cutler Coast is one spot we visited that we did not include as its own day and it’s not because we didn’t love it (we thought it was incredible!), but more so because it’s remote and would be hard to do in this timeframe.  Located near the Canadian border, it’s about 5.5 hours from the White Mountains, 4 hours from Portland, and 2 hours from Acadia. We’d suggest adding this on as your first stop in Maine if you choose to visit, that way you can work your way down the coast from there. To learn more about visiting the Cutler Coast, including how to backpack it or day hike it, check out this guide .

Day 8: Acadia National Park

Watch our first time at Acadia National Park, including sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, hiking the Precipice Trail , and a delicious iconic food! For more information about Acadia, read our guides with more things to do in Acadia National Park and 2-4 day Itinerary for Acadia National Park .

About Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is primarily located on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, with 5% of the park also on the Schoodic Peninsula, on the Atlantic Ocean and is the only United States National Park in the Northeast. The park is the 8th most visited US National Park and for good reason. With gorgeous scenery everywhere you look, a mix of easy and challenging hikes, an iconic food item, and a great town nearby, Acadia offers something for everyone.

• The best way to start your time at Acadia National Park is sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain ! Cadillac Mountain is the highest peak on the North Atlantic seaboard at 1,530 feet and from early October to early March it is the first place in the United States to view the sunrise. This is one of the most iconic things to do in Acadia National Park and over the years has become so popular and busy that the park now requires a vehicle reservation to drive the road anytime of the day, including at sunrise. These reservations can sell out VERY fast (in under a minute!) and if you’re unable to get one, you do have other options and can hike to the top on a couple different trails or ride a bike. Read our guide to learn more about how to see the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, including when permits become available and how we were able to snag one.
• It gets pretty steep and rugged towards the top and requires use of your hands. 
• Dogs are technically allowed, but Kona had a hard time with the top part and we wouldn’t take her again.
• Enjoy popovers and tea at the Jordan Pond House Restaurant , which is a classic Acadia experience that dates back over 100 years! This restaurant gets very busy, so try to arrive right before they open to get your name on the list. It’s worth it though to sit outside on their back lawn and enjoy popovers with a view. Curious what a popover is? It is a light roll made from an egg batter, with a high proportion of liquid in the batter that creates steam that causes the popovers to puff up, similar to Yorkshire Pudding in England.
• Head over to the west side of Mount Desert Island and hike the Beech Cliff Ladders (1.8 miles round trip), which is one of the four iron rung hikes in the park, which are hikes that have ladders, iron rungs, ledges, and other challenging features to use to climb up steep rock faces. This is one of the easiest iron rung hikes and was one of the best surprises of our time in the park. Located in a less busy area of the park, we hardly saw any people on this trail and the mix of challenging features and views made it a blast! Once you get up the four ladders, you have great views of Echo Lake. Continue onto the Beech Cliff loop for even more views!
• Head into Bar Harbor and grab dinner. There are tons of restaurants to choose from and while we personally did not eat a meal in Bar Harbor, we can attest that Mount Desert Island Ice Cream is amazing! 

You’ll want to stay at the same lodging as the night before, as you have one more day at Acadia National Park.

Day 9: Acadia National Park

• Head to the park right before sunrise and hike either the Beehive Loop (1.4 miles round trip) or Precipice Loop (2.1 miles round trip). These are the two most popular iron rung hikes in the park. During our visit we did the Precipice Loop, which is the most challenging and exposed of them all and LOVED it. You can watch our experience here and learn more about the hike in this guide . Regardless of which you choose, make sure to start early to ensure you have time to enjoy it without lots of people!
• Head to Sand Beach, which is a 290 yard long beach and is the only sandy beach at Acadia National Park. The clear, bright blue water and soft sand will transport you to somewhere more tropical. While there, hike the Great Head Trail (1.6 miles), which is an easy stroll with great views of the coast.
• If you are up for more, continue onto the Ocean Path , which is a flat, well maintained path that takes you along the ocean and Park Loop Road, with different sights along the way. From there, you can also go up Gorham Mountain for stunning views of Sand Beach, the coast, and Mount Desert Island from above. We did Great Head, Ocean Path, and Gorham Mountain as one big 5.6 mile loop and loved it!
• Spend the rest of the day in Bar Harbor, grabbing dinner and walking around town. If you time your visit correctly, you can also go to Bar Island , which is an island right across from town. This island is actually part of the national park and during low tide, you can walk across to it! If you do this, it is only safe and accessible to walk across 1.5 hours before and after low tide. So please make sure to study tide charts to ensure you stay safe and don’t get stuck! 

We suggest staying one more night near Acadia!

Day 10: Drive to Portland, Maine + go lobstering!

Watch us go lobstering in Maine, which was one of our favorite experiences in New England!

Today’s big goal is to drive to Portland, Maine, which is about 3 hours from Acadia National Park. Depending on how early you leave, you could stop in some of the coastal towns along the way, like Camden , which is a charming town (we recommend driving up Mount Battie !), grabbing a tasty treat at Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe , and swinging by the massive L.L. Bean flagship campus in Freeport. Once arriving in Portland, we HIGHLY recommend going on a lobstering cruise with Lucky Catch Cruises . This was one of our favorite things we did in New England!  On this lobstering tour you get to not only go out on the water and learn about how lobsters are caught, but you also get hands-on experience, from baiting and emptying traps, measuring lobsters, banding claws, learning the difference between males and females, and so much more.  The crew really makes you feel like you’re a fisherman and puts you to work. It was one of the most fun and educational tours we have ever been on! (Watch our full experience here ) And at the end, you have the option to buy a lobster from the boat at market price (ours was $10) and then can take it over to Portland Lobster Company , where they’ll steam it and provide some sides, like fries, corn, and coleslaw for only $12. While we definitely preferred our lobster in roll form, it was so fun to catch lobsters and eat one fresh right afterwards! Tip: make sure to bring cash to buy a lobster AND for a tip!

Hotels: Hampton Inn Portland Downtown – Waterfront , Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront, Hyatt Place Portland – Old Port , Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront , Courtyard by Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront Airbnbs: East End, Walk to the Old Port , Extraordinary Architectural Masterpiece Downtown , Bright & Spacious Apartment with Amazing Shower Campgrounds: Bayley’s Camping Resort , Saco / Old Orchard Beach KOA Holiday , Old Orchard Beach Campground Boondocking: Falmouth Walmart , Freeport Village Station

Day 11: Portland, Maine

Watch how we spent one day in Portland, Maine, hitting up the spots on this day’s itinerary! For more ideas of things to do in Portland, Maine, check out this guide .

About Portland Maine

Portland is the largest city in the state of Maine, with 40% of Maine’s residents living in the general area. But despite this, it still retains a small city feel, with historic buildings and no giant skyscrapers (the tallest building will soon be an 18 story building).  And while the city itself is beautiful to look at, what we loved about Portland is that it has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re a fine dining foodie or prefer a good food truck (like us!), enjoy museums and art, love to walk around parks and experience history, or prefer to be out on the water, there is no shortage of things to do in Portland, Maine for any type of traveler.   While not a fall foliage hot spot, this is a great city to end your adventures!

• Grab coffee at Tandem Coffee Roasters , which not only roasts their own coffee, but also makes breakfast biscuits that we hear are solid (arrive early to snag one). This coffee shop is located in a converted 1960s gas station and you know it’s good when locals are lined up before it even opens.
• Enjoy donuts at The Holy Donut for their famous Maine potato donuts, which have a unique texture from a regular donut, but are so hearty and delicious. We got three donuts total, including a Chocolate Sea Salt (this flavor is their most popular), Pumpkin Head, and Maple Bacon, which was hands down our favorite. They also have gluten free and vegan donuts too!
• Head to Fort Williams Park for the morning and afternoon. This is a free park that was formerly a military fort. Construction of the fort began in 1873 and the fort became officially named Fort Williams in 1899. During World War 1 the fort was manned by artillery companies and National Guard troops and during WWII it served as the headquarters of the Harbor Defenses of Portland, before becoming more of a training site in 1951. Today there are a couple batteries to check out, an old mansion , and one of the most iconic lighthouses in the US, called the Portland Head Light . This lighthouse was the first lighthouse completed and put into service by the government under the Lighthouse Act of 1789. It was first lit in 1791, using 16 whale oil lamps. The tower and keeper’s quarters have changed a bit over time and the tower now stands at 80 ft tall. And it is said to be the most photographed lighthouse in America, and also the oldest in Maine.
• Right in Fort Williams Park is Bite Into Maine , which was said to have one of the best lobster rolls in town. We tried their Maine style rolls, which are cold and are tossed in mayo and have chives on top, and the Connecticut style, which is hot and has melted butter that they pour on top right in front of you. We loved them both! They also have delicious homemade Whoopie Pies, which is Maine’s official state treat. It’s two chocolate cake-like rounds with a creamy filling between them and is said to have been popular in Maine since 1925. It was delicious! And we washed it all down with the state fruit of Maine, but in soda form, Blueberry soda. Lobstered out? Try Eventide Oyster Co. for oysters and other seafood, Duckfat for duck fat fries (they also have a frites shack in town), poutine, and sandwiches, or Terlingua for BBQ.
• Walk around the Old Port neighborhood, which is extremely walkable and has so much historic charm, different shops and boutiques, and tons of restaurants.
• Enjoy your final meal at one of the spots we suggested above!

We suggest staying one more night in Portland!

Day 12: Head back home

And now for the worst part of the road trip…leaving! Whether you have more adventures planned in New England (or elsewhere) or are heading home, this officially marks the end of our itinerary. We hope you enjoyed these areas of New England as much as we did and got to experience some great foliage!

Ready to experience the beauty of New England in the fall?

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4 thoughts on “ 12 day new england fall road trip itinerary (vermont, new hampshire, & coastal maine) ”.

Thank you so so much for your blogs on Vermont on New Hampshire! My wife and I are going there in 3 weeks time and we are so excited! You’re blog is the best travel blog I have ever read, so informative and helpful and well written with perfect level of detail! It’s funny because the 2 of you remind me of my wife and I. We are also very adventurous and have enjoyed some great hiking trips in the last couple of years. we like to blog on our trips too but only for our families to read. I am excited to follow you guys on your adventures, you are very inspiring! Thank you so much!

We hope y’all have the BEST time! It’s sooo gorgeous there! Thank you for the kind words about our website, we really appreciate it, as we try to make these guides as helpful as possible. 😀

Adam and Kathryn, your videos are both entertaining and informative! My wife and I very much appreciate that you always put the date that you visited a city so that viewers can get a good idea of what to expect regarding weather and in this case, peak colors. You might be surprised at how many vloggers do not share that info. We watched a few of your videos before we road-tripped to Oregon from southern California (Silver Falls, Haystack Rock, Portland, etc.) and received excellent tips on things to do, so thank you very much for that. You always have good suggestions of places to visit and food to eat.

We just booked a 14 day trip to see the autumn colors of New England from October 5th to the 18th. Hopefully, we will get to experience some peak foliage and good weather in that time frame. The plan is to visit many of the cities and trails that you guys did, both in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine (lobster rolls!), then work our way over to Saratoga Springs, visit Howe Cavern and chase a few waterfalls in Ithaca and the Catskills. It’s an epic color tour! I’m originally from the New York and Connecticut area, but never experienced autumn in the states above and in iconic places such as Stowe and the Kanc. We’re so looking forward to it!

As filmmakers, we commend you on your production. We know how much time and effort goes into researching, writing and filming, but can only imagine how much more challenging things get when on the road. This comment is to thank you both and to encourage you to continue your adventures. I’m sure you’re having the time of your lives, but on top of that, many people are receiving great value and inspiration – a true win win. 🙂

PS What was your favorite place to get a creemee? We plan to enjoy several on our trip, but wanted to get your opinion on which one is best. Are the ones with the maple crunchies better than the ones with the maple filling?

Hi! Thank you for the kind words and for following along! We hope you have a great fall trip to the Northeast, it’s so beautiful that time of year. Regarding creemees, our favorite is probably from Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks! Our favorite maple syrup farm is hands down Baird Farm, but they don’t offer creemees unfortunately.

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June 9 – 15, 2024

Magnificent maine & vermont, featuring the trapp family lodge, this tour includes, tapestry series.

Small groups, big experiences, independent spirit.

Hotel accommodations, including baggage handling

6 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Guided sightseeing, visits, and admissions as outlined in the day-by-day itinerary.

Departure Transfer

Return transportation to Logan International Airport (BOS)

Tour Manager

Full time throughout the trip

Hand-Selected Hotels

Top-rated highlights.

• Kick-off Welcome Meeting
• Boston Panoramic City Tour
• Historic Faneuil Hall
• Portsmouth, New Hampshire
• Quilted Threads Fabric Shop
• Night Owl Quilting Studio
• Vermont’s Green Mountains
• Woodstock, Vermont
• Vermont Country Store
• Quechee Gorge
• Trapp Family Lodge
• Shelburne Museum
• Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory
• Coastal Maine Scenic Drive
• Freeport, Maine
• Cotton Weeds Quilt Shop
• Kennebunkport, Maine
• New England Farewell Dinner

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Tour Begins: Boston, Massachusetts

Tour ends: boston, massachusetts.

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as you settle into your hotel. Perhaps explore Boston’s lively Back Bay before meeting your tour manager and fellow quilt-lovers at the evening Welcome Meeting . Share your excitement with your new travel companions as the journey begins. As you drift off to sleep in Boston, you can’t help but dream of the quilting treasures and adventures that await.

Fuel up with breakfast before embarking on a guided panoramic city tour of Boston . Savor lunch and shopping at the famed Faneuil Hall in the heart of Quincy Market . Later, relax on the short drive to downtown Portsmouth , on New Hampshire’s seacoast. Enjoy free time to explore the charming shops and boutiques or perhaps visit Strawbery Banke, an open-air museum. Tonight, dive into the old port city’s charm, dining at one of the many downtown waterfront restaurants. As you conclude your evening, you reflect on the blend of historical and culinary experiences that made the day uniquely memorable

Enjoy mountain views as you traverse southern New Hampshire, stopping at Night Owl Quilting Studio and Quilted Threads , both mesmerizing quilt and needlework shops bursting with vibrant fabrics and notions. In Vermont, soak in the tranquility of the Green Mountains while visiting the Vermont Country Store for lunch and shopping. After arriving in Stowe , savor traditional German dishes at Trapp Family Lodge , your home for the next two nights. As the day comes to an end, enjoy the scenic beauty of a starry night as seen only from atop Vermont’s Green Mountains .

After admiring the exceptional collection of handmade quilts at the Shelburne Museum , you’ll have time to explore the 24 acres of striking gardens and exhibits, experiencing the beauty and history of this unique museum. After lunch, travel to Middlebury to indulge in ice cream and visit the quirky “ flavor graveyard ” at the incomparable Ben & Jerry’s factory , delighting in the whimsical atmosphere and tasty treats. As you lay down for the night, you can’t help but smile, remembering the quirky fun at Ben & Jerry’s and the stunning quilts and collections at the museum.

Spend your morning at leisure uncovering Trapp’s flower and herb gardens or hike to the stone chapel hidden in the forest above the hotel. In Woodstock , savor lunch and free time shopping the galleries and boutiques before a scenic drive through New Hampshire’s White Mountains, taking in the awe-inspiring landscapes. Arriving in Maine , unwind at your downtown Freeport hotel, just steps away from L.L. Bean’s flagship headquarters , and get ready for the next day’s adventures. As you retire for the night, the images of the awe-inspiring landscapes and the charm of Woodstock linger in your mind.

Ignite your creativity at Cotton Weeds Quilt Shop , a quilter’s paradise brimming with fabrics, hand-dyed batiks, kits, and more, offering endless inspiration for your next project. Spend the afternoon exploring downtown Freeport, discovering local gems and unique shops. Later, enjoy a scenic drive along Maine’s fabled coastline , taking in the picturesque views as you prepare for a scrumptious New England Farewell Dinner to celebrate your unforgettable journey. As you settle in for the night, your mind is abuzz with ideas from Cotton Weeds Quilt Shop, already looking forward to your next quilting project.

Uncover the charming seaside village of Kennebunkport , where you can shop for last-minute souvenirs and seize one more opportunity to savor a delicious Maine lobster roll. As you journey back to Boston, share contact information with your newfound friends and reminisce about your incredible tour experiences before arriving at the airport, concluding your extraordinary adventure. As you board your flight home, you take one last look at Boston, already reminiscing about your quilt lover’s adventure and the memories you’ve created.

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The Flexible New England Road Trip Itinerary You Need in 2024 ❤️

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Are you planning the ultimate New England road trip? Let me help! After exploring New England for more than 20 years, I have put together this comprehensive guide to exploring this charming region. The best way to see New England is by car, and this 2-3 week itinerary offers a grand tour of New England, covering the best places to visit , especially for first-time visitors.

Spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, this itinerary shows you the best of New England, from quaint coastal towns to lush mountain landscapes. The itinerary is also well-paced to allow you to spend time seeing the sites, enjoy local activities, and cross items off your New England bucket list . And, the itinerary is flexible and can be adapted to your needs, interests, and desired trip length.

Whether you’re in for the full journey or seeking shorter road trip variations (I’ve included those, too!), this guide caters to your wanderlust, ensuring a memorable and personalized exploration of New England’s beauty. Let’s go!

PS: Pop this New England playlist on—it’s perfect for a road trip!

Table of Contents

New England Road Trip FAQ

When’s the best time of year to road trip new england.

New England is gorgeous in all seasons, but for the easiest driving (and best New England road tripping experiences), summer and fall are ideal.

If you want the fall foliage experience, late September and early October are the key weeks to plan for. Of course, these times of years are also peak tourist season, so expect more traffic and higher hotel prices.

(PS: If you want to do a shorter road trip or a route that’s perfect for fall, check out my 7 day New England Fall Road Trip itinerary!

One of my favorite times of the year in New England is mid to late May. The weather is beautiful, and the region’s roads and attractions are generally less busy. The budding greenery is especially gorgeous and fresh, too.

Early September can also be lovely, just after kids have returned to school and summer has ended. Expect crisp temperatures and leaves just beginning to change colors.

A winter road trip may be doable, but remember, New England can be quite snowy, so you’ll want to have a reliable vehicle outfitted with snow tires, and you’ll need to stay aware of changing weather conditions and road closures.

How many days do you need for a road trip to New England?

You need 2-3 weeks for a comprehensive road trip around New England. This is the ideal amount of time needed to cover the major highlights of all six New England states.

If you don’t have that much time, you can still pack a lot into a shorter trip. A minimum of 7 to 10 days is ideal for a thorough yet relaxed New England road trip. For a 7-10 day trip, consider my Southern or Northern New England itineraries, or do shorter segments of the full 2-3 week itinerary.

Where should I start my road trip through New England?

I’ve started this New England travel itinerary in Boston, as it’s the biggest city in New England and home to a major airport, Boston Logan International. This airport is easy to fly into and rent a vehicle. Boston is also a great destination on its own, so my itinerary includes a couple days exploring the city.

Ps: Ready to rent a car for your New England drive? Click here to find the best rates on rental cars !

The Perfect New England Road Trip Itinerary

Days 1 & 2: boston, massachusetts.

You’ll start your New England excursion from Boston, Massachusetts: an absolutely fantastic city.

Boston is a well-known place that’s filled to the brim with history. From famous historical events like the Boston Tea Party to its reputation as a modern-day sports town, you’ll never be bored here.

Some great things to do in Boston :

• Visit the North End and dine on amazing Italian food . Don’t miss grabbing cannoli from Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry.
• Stroll around quaint Beacon Hill
• Tempt your taste buds with a Boston Food Tour
• Go shopping on classy Newbury Street
• Follow the Freedom Trail to learn Boston’s revolutionary history
• Join an expert-led walking tour for a more in-depth experience of the city
• Check out one of the many great Boston museums, including the Museum of Science which I especially love
• Join a Boston Duck Tour and ride in one of the famous amphibious vehicles

Hotel Suggestion in Boston: Fairmont Copley Plaza

Need more guidance for Boston? Check out my post on The Top Things to Do in Boston for first timers , and I’ve also got some recommendations on where to grab coffee, breakfast , a beer, or a bite to eat in Boston , too !

PS: Looking for a shorter road trip from Boston? Check out my New England trip itinerary focusing on the journey from Boston to Acadia National Park .

Days 3 & 4: Newport, Rhode Island

On Day 3, drive from Boston to Newport. This is a straightforward route, with about 2 hours of drive time. Glitz and glamour. That’s what you’ll find in Newport, Rhode Island. This town is perhaps best known for its iconic Gilded Age mansions . These opulent buildings were once the summer cottages of America’s rich and famous families.

Today, many of them have been converted into museums that you can wander through and admire some of New England’s opulence past.

Some of my favorite things to do in Newport:

• Visit a mansion or two. I recommend The Breakers if you only have time for one of Newport’s mansions
• Hop on this fun Gilded Age Mansions Tour, which takes you around via trolley
• Stroll along the scenic Cliff Walk
• Dine at the White Horse Tavern, America’s oldest operating restaurant

Hotel Suggestion in Newport: Hotel Viking

For further Newport ideas : Click here to read more about the top things to do in Newport, including beaches, restaurants, hotels , and vacation rentals too!

READ NEXT   15 Festive Things to Do for Christmas in Newport RI

Day 5: Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic, Connecticut is a wonderful little seaside town that feels like a must-do on a New England adventure. It is one of my favorite places in New England, and there is plenty to do here: history, culture, art, sailing. And, for seafood lovers, Mystic’s coastal location offers a variety of delicious seafood dining options

Like pretty much every other scenic New England town, there’s a cute little downtown area with great shopping, dining, and activities.

A few terrific things to do in Mystic:

• Explore Mystic Seaport , a historic shipyard and museum destination you could spend hours touring
• Watch the Mystic drawbridge (the Mystic River Bascule Bridge) go up, especially while enjoying some Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream !
• See the adorable beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium
• Browse the epic shops in Olde Mystick Village including my personal favorite: Alice’s Haunted Little Bookshop

Hotel recommendation for Mystic: The Whaler’s Inn

Further reading on Mystic: Check out my tips for all the fun things to do , best restaurants to eat at , and the best places to stay in Mystic!

READ NEXT   25 Best Beach Towns in New England for Coastal Fun

Day 6: Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

As you roadtrip New England, your next destination is the enchanting Litchfield Hills . This is another easy drive day, as the distance from Mystic to the Litchfield region is a short 2 hours. And if you’re traveling in the fall, the Connecticut fall foliage along this route creates a magical backdrop. To me, this area in the northwest corner of the state is a hidden gem .

Here you’ll find all the classic New England pastimes you know and love. In particular, there is an abundance of outdoor activities (hiking, paddling, fishing) as well as exceptional antique shops.

The Litchfield Hills make up a large portion of this region, and include towns such as Torrington, Woodbury, Kent, Cornwall, and Washington (very English sounding names, aren’t they?)

A few excellent things to do in the Litchfield Hills:

• Live out your Gilmore Girls Dreams. This region is well known for being the inspiration for the iconic tv show that perfectly encapsulates New England small town charm .
• Grab ice cream from Arethusa Farm
• Go covered bridge chasing – Bulls Bridge in Kent has a worthwhile nearby hiking trail
• Hike to Campbell Falls, a beautiful waterfall (this trail technically takes you over the border into Massachusetts, too, so it’s a 2-for-1!)

Recommended hotel in the Litchfield Hills: The Mayflower Inn & Spa : legend has it that it was the inspiration for Lorelei Gilmore’s inn, the Dragonfly.

READ NEXT   18 Wonderful Weekend Getaways from Boston

Day 7: Lenox, Massachusetts

Continue on your New England road trip into the Berkshires of Massachusetts . Here you will encounter art, nature, and culture combined. This region has been very popular among vacationers for many years.  And the town of Lenox is the center of it all.

Best things to do in Lenox:

• Enjoy a concert at the famous Tanglewood (these are a staple in summer, and you can hear everything from leading symphonies to folk singers like James Taylor
• Take in a performance at Shakespeare & Company. This theatre produces excellent shows; I’ve been twice!
• Take a hike on one of the area’s many scenic trails
• Step back in time at the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, a 1890s home that’s open for tours.
• If you are interested in literature, you may also wish to stop by the Mount, Edith Wharton’s turn-of-the-century estate.

Where to stay in Lenox:

More resources for your trip to Lenox and the Berkshires: 🍁 Best Restaurants in Lenox 🍁 10 Charming Cabins in the Berkshires 🍁 Best Hikes in the Berkshires

Day 8: Manchester, Vermont

Finally, you’ve made it into the spectacular state of Vermont (my personal favorite, if you couldn’t tell). It’s a fairly easy drive from the Berkshires in Massachusetts up to Manchester in the southwestern corner of Vermont, only a couple of hours. And this is another route that is especially glorious if you opt to do a New England fall road trip .

Manchester is one of the most beautiful places in Vermont, marrying quaint village charm with touches of modern luxury. It’s no surprise that it’s very popular among travelers.

Some of my favorite things to do in Manchester:

• Tour Hildene , the beautiful Lincoln family home (Yes, some of Abraham Lincoln’s children lived here!)
• Drive to the top of Mt. Equinox on Skyline Drive (or consider hiking the trail up to the summit)
• In the fall, pick pumpkins from the patch at Equinox Valley Nursery (and don’t miss the cider donuts!)
• Shop til you drop at Manchester’s many outlet stores
• Dine at the stately Ye Olde Tavern
• Pop into Northshire Bookstore , one of the leading independent bookstores in New England

Hotel Recommendation for Manchester: Kimpton Taconic Hotel

More resources on Manchester: Read my entire Manchester VT travel guide for more of the top Manchester activities, as well as these articles on the best restaurants , breakfast spots , and hotels in Manchester .

READ NEXT   25 Best Hikes in New England: New England Hiking Options for Everyone

PS: If you’re very interested in exploring Vermont, a trip through Manchester, Burlington, and Stowe make the ideal Vermont road trip itinerary .

Day 9: Burlington, Vermont

Just around 2 hours north of Manchester (taking the beautiful and scenic Route 7) you’ll find yourself in Burlington: Vermont’s biggest city. It’s also often mislabeled as Vermont’s capital, but that honor goes to Montpelier. Still, you’re likely to run into Bernie Sanders in either town!

Burlington is where my husband and I lived for several years. It’s a fantastic town that is hip, artsy, and full of good, local food . Seriously, in Vermont, you need to eat. There’s so much delicious cheese, coffee, beer, maple syrup, and much, much more.

To get you started on your culinary adventures, check out this post on my favorite Burlington breweries and bars , and this one on my beloved coffee shops. Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy brunch in BTV . We do breakfast here right.

The gem of Burlington is Lake Champlain, the sprawling, sparkling lake that the city overlooks. Here is the chance to go sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, or take a ferry across to New York state.

If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, visit one of the many beautiful parks and natural areas. Burlington is amazing for outdoor activities. If you want to get moving, the Burlington Bike Path stretches for miles, hugging the lake’s edge. This is ideal for running or cycling. You can even rent bikes right on the bike path.

More epic things to do in Burlington VT:

• Sail on Lake Champlain on the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise
• Walk down Church Street for shopping, eats, people-watching, and more
• Hike Mt. Philo, a nearby easy hike with the payoff of a fantastic view

Hotel recommendation in Burlington: Hotel Vermont

Even more resources for your Burlington trip:  🍁 21 Hikes Near Burlington VT to Add to Your Bucket List  🍁 10 Can’t-Miss Free Things to do in Burlington VT  🍁 9 Incredible Day Trips from Burlington VT 🍁 Where to Stay in Burlington VT in 2023: Best Burlington Hotels

PS: Considering visiting Burlington in 2024? It’s one of the cities that the total solar eclipse will pass fully over on April 8, 2024, so start planning ASAP!

Days 10 & 11: Stowe, Vermont

From Burlington, head south on I89 to Exit 10. From there, you’ll take the scenic Route 100 past Waterbury and out to Stowe. When people think of the classic Vermont places, they’re likely thinking of Stowe.

It’s absolutely gorgeous: a charming town surrounded by mountains. The short Main Street and its side streets boast a white-steepled church, an old-timey general store, and a ski museum.

Simply put, Stowe is adorable. I have been to Stowe countless times and I highly recommend it as one of the premier New England road trip destinations!

Wonderful things to do in Stowe:

• Traverse the trails and property at the Trapp Family Lodge , and grab a beer afterwards at their European-style brewery and Bierhall
• Shop the adorable shops on Main Street
• Visit a haunted covered bridge if you dare (Emily’s Bridge)
• Spend a day skiing on one of the area’s fantastic ski mountains
• One of my number one tips: on your way to Stowe, stop by Cold Hollow Cider Mill for all things apple (a must-visit in the fall) and the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory tour .

Where to stay in Stowe: Field Guide Lodge , Topnotch Resort , or the Trapp Family Lodge

More on Stowe: I have an entire post dedicated to Things to Do in Stowe, Vermont, the best restaurants , the best breakfast , the best hikes , the best hotels , everything!

READ NEXT   15 Gorgeous VRBO & Airbnb Stowe VT Vacation Rentals (2023)

READ NEXT   Stowe Vermont in Summer: 11 Fun Things to do for All Ages

Days 12 & 13: The White Mountains, New Hampshire

No adventure in New England could be complete without some mountain time. And this is especially true if you’re planning a New England fall road trip .

New Hampshire’s White Mountains are impressive and exciting. They’re the tallest in New England (with Mount Washington tallest of all) and offer spectacular hiking and more. There are several places you could base yourself during this portion of the road trip, but I recommend North Conway, Lincoln, or North Woodstock, as they each offer lots of amenities and accommodations, and are a reasonable distance from the most popular attractions in the region.

Unmissable things to do in the White Mountains:

• Take in some of the coolest natural wonders of the White Mountains , such as the Basin, a granite “pothole” that is found at the base of a waterfall in Franconia Notch State Park
• Go hiking! This is the #1 item on any New Hampshire bucket list . And here is a guide to some of the best hikes in New Hampshire .
• Meander through Flume Gorge. This is a natural ravine that formed over many years and now a hiking trail with a boardwalk passes through it. This is a wonderful hike with some amazing scenery. Another spot that is extra special with the fall foliage
• Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln, an old-fashioned New Hampshire classic
• A scenic drive along The Kancamangus Highway. This epic stretch of road runs 26 miles between Lincoln and Conway and is one of New Hampshire’s most scenic roads . There are many great spots to stop and explore further and this is undoubtedly one of the best places to see New England fall foliage.
• Shop in North Conway, and don’t miss Zeb’s General Store for a taste of pure nostalgia.
• Tube or paddle in the Saco River. On a friend’s recent bachelorette party trip, we used Saco River Tubing and had an absolute blast!
• Near Bartlett you can stop by Diana’s Baths, a beautiful area of cascading waterfalls and gentle pools. On a hot summer’s day, it’s the perfect place to cool off.

Where to Stay in the White Mountains: Lumen Nature Retreat

More White Mountains travel guides:  🍁  Best Things to Do in North Conway, NH  🍁  Best Things to Do in Lincoln, NH  🍁  Best Things to Do in Franconia, NH  🍁  15 Amazing Cabins in the White Mountains, NH

READ NEXT   Your Guide to Mt Washington NH: The Highest Peak in the Northeast!

Days 14 & 15: Portland, Maine

Finally, the last state on the great New England road trip. This is Maine, “the way life should be.”

Maine is massive so there’s no way to do the state justice in this itinerary; I’m essentially covering a few of the must-see areas. You could spend weeks on a road trip of Maine alone. (See also these  8 autumn scenic drives in Maine delivering up insane fall colors).

If you do wish to explore the rest of Maine (and you absolutely should) I recommend taking a look at my epic list of 50+ Fun Things to Do in Maine , as well as this guide to the top places to visit in Maine . But let’s continue with our amazing road trip!

Stop for a bit in Portland, a modern portside town that may surprise you. There’s a hip city right on the water in Portland, Maine, and this is a hot spot for restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, bakeries , and entertainment .

Fun things to do in Portland:

• Visit a brewery. Beer lovers will be happy to know that Portland has 18 breweries all its own .
• Check out one of several lighthouses in the area . There are 5 less than 20 minutes’ drive from Portland, including the iconic Portland Head Light.
• Grab some of that famous Maine lobster.
• Stuff your face with Maine potato donuts from local staple The Holy Donut
• Walk the pretty Old Port and patronize the eclectic shops and restaurants
• Don’t miss dining at Hot Suppa , a West End restaurant where I enjoyed the best breakfast of my life (and a spectacular maple latte)
• Traveling with kids? The Children’s Museum of Maine on Thompson’s Point is a total blast!

Portland hotel recommendation : Hotel Francis in the West End

Further resources for discovering Portland:  🍁 The Best Things to Do in Portland, Maine  🍁 Weekend in Portland Itinerary  🍁 7 Spots for the Best Breakfast in Portland Maine  🍁 14 Exceptional Airbnb Portland Maine Rentals 🍁 12 Best Hotels in Portland Maine

Days 16 & 17: Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine

Now we travel north to Bar Harbor. Admittedly, it looks like a far drive on the map. In reality, from Portland to Bar Harbor is just over a 3-hour drive. And trust me, visiting Mt. Desert Island is SO worth it.

Bar Harbor is the seaside town that will be your base for exploring Acadia National Park . You will be in awe over this beautiful part of Maine. Here is where rocky cliffs tumble into the sea, with iconic lighthouses at the top.

There’s abundant wildlife on land and in the sea, and countless opportunities for terrific hiking.

But the region is not just about the outdoors. Bar Harbor has lovely shops, restaurants, and extremely cozy inns . Truly, the region is ideal for travelers of all kinds. You’ll also find great camping, cabins , and vacation rentals in and near Acadia, too.

My top recommendations in Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor:

• Tackle the exhilarating Beehive Hike, that involves a bit of climbing and rewards you with unparalleled views
• Order popovers at the Jordan Pond House (delicious!)
• Take a whale watch or other wildlife tour from Bar Harbor
• Drive up Cadillac Mountain before dawn to catch the sunrise from the first place light touches in the Continental US
• Marvel at the natural wonder of Thunder Hole
• Bike the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor hotel recommendation: The Bar Harbor Inn

More on Acadia: Check out my 3 Day Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park Itinerary for an awesome trip!

Read Next :  10 Coastal Towns in Maine That are Hidden Gems

Day 18: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Your New England driving tour itinerary is nearing its end, but you’ve got a few more stops to make—-stops you won’t want to miss.

Portsmouth is first. We’re back in New Hampshire now! Between Maine and Massachusetts, New Hampshire is home to a very small strip of coastline. The hub of the Seacoast is Portsmouth, a small yet lively city with a great deal of history. You can see colonial architecture all over this beautiful city.

Taking a New England winter road trip? Portsmouth should definitely be on your list, as they do a month of celebrations and events with Vintage Christmas, one of the most magical New England Christmas celebrations !

Best things to do in Portsmouth:

• Strawbery Banke Museum: an outdoor living history museum.
• Dine at one of the many awesome restaurants: Portsmouth has become a major foodie destination in recent years
• Go shopping at the numerous boutiques around town. Some standouts: Gus & Ruby Letterpress , Pickwick’s Mercantile , and G. Williker’s Toy Shop
• Be surrounded by books and grab a tasty beverage at Book & Bar
• Wander the lovely Prescott Park
• Attend some award-winning theatre at Seacoast Repertory Theatre

Hotel suggestion in Portsmouth: The Hotel Portsmouth

Further Portsmouth NH travel resources for your trip : 🍁 The Best Things to Do in Portsmouth, NH 🍁 Top 10 Bars in Portsmouth NH

READ NEXT   18 Magical New England Christmas Towns that are Straight Out of a Hallmark Movie (Updated 2023)

Day 19: Salem, Massachusetts

Your final stop is the historically infamous Salem, Massachusetts. And though you’ll definitely want to spend time exploring its history with the Salem Witch Trials, there’s plenty to do in the area that isn’t witchy, too.

You can hit the highlights of Salem in one day, or extend for another 2-3.

If possible, you don’t necessarily want to plan your trip to Salem to coincide with Halloween. Although the town has a distinct, fun vibe this time of year, October is also its busiest and most crowded month.

No matter when you go, however, there are definitely some things not to be missed:

• Go to The Witch House, an atmospheric home you’ve definitely seen on Instagram, and a building that is one of the only Salem locations with direct ties to the witch trials. (One of the judges lived here).
• Get witchy in the magickal shops. Whether you want something more fun and touristy, or you’re after the real deal, Salem has a wide range of shops selling all kinds of goods.
• Tour the House of the Seven Gables
• Walk the neighborhoods around Federal Street and admire the stately historic homes
• Find the Hocus Pocus film locations! (Use my guide to take a DIY Hocus Pocus tour )
• Get spooked on a nighttime ghost tour ( top recommendations here !)
• Grab a photo with Samantha at the Bewitched Statue

Hotel recommendation for Salem : The Hawthorne Hotel or Hotel Salem (they have a great rooftop bar)

More on Salem: Check out its great restaurants , scope out some of its haunted history , and maybe even stay overnight in one of Salem’s classic New England inns or Airbnbs ! Nearby towns of Rockport, Gloucester , and Marblehead are worth visiting too if you’d like to explore more of this area of coastal New England.

READ NEXT   12 Fun and FREE Things to Do in Salem MA

Day 20 / End: – Boston, Massachusetts

You did it! You’ve completed an epic New England road trip! Congratulations! You’ve seen some of the prettiest places in the country, and you did it all by car!

Days 21+: Optional Add-Ons: Cape Cod/Nantucket/Martha’s Vineyard

You may be wondering why I didn’t include some of New England’s coastal gems on this New England road trip itinerary? I did this because destinations such as Cape Cod , Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard are harder to get to and don’t fit in well with the traditional road trip format. After all, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are islands, so they are not an easy destination to access without in-depth planning.

Not only are they more complicated to travel to, these Massachusetts coastal destinations are terrific and truly worthy of their own vacations . I highly recommend devoting a trip specifically to exploring New England’s amazing coast.

If you wish to add to your road trip, by all means, hop in the car and continue the drive to Cape Cod. From there you can easily take a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. And I hope these resources will help you as you plan:

More travel ideas here:

• 25 Things to Do on Cape Cod (Besides the Beach!)
• 13 Best Hotels on Cape Cod: Where to Stay on the Cape
• 10 Best Hotels on Nantucket: Where to Stay for a Nantucket Getaway
• 25+ Fun Things to Do in Martha’s Vineyard

The Ultimate New England Road Trip Map (2-3 weeks)

The map below includes all of the destinations I’ve outlined above.

In need of some extra New England road trip ideas? If you’re limited on time, check out my Northern and Southern New England road trip itineraries. These are ideal for 5 day, 7 day, or 10 day New England road trips. Your own personal planning maps are below!

Northern New England Road Trip 7-10 Day Itinerary

• Woodstock, VT
• Waitsfield, VT
• Lincoln, NH
• Portland, ME

Here’s a great New England road trip route if you just don’t have time to go everywhere, but you want to see the highlights of northern New England. In any trip you’ll have to make some choices about what to see and what to miss, sadly, but with this road trip itinerary, you’ll definitely have a broad experience of Northern New England.

This one week New England itinerary contains many of the same stops you’ll find on the ultimate version (that covers all six states). But this one also has the addition of Woodstock, Vermont, which is a classic New England spot, really a ‘Currier and Ives town.’

Southern New England Road Trip 7-10 Day Itinerary

• Provincetown, MA
• Newport, RI
• Providence, RI
• Stonington, CT
• Litchfield Hills, CT
• Gloucester, MA

The Southern New England road trip route is ideal for those who really seek a coastal trip, or who aren’t quite as interested in exploring the mountains. This trip adds a whole bunch of extra stops so you can really dive into coastal New England.

It gives you a feel for the more outdoorsy areas of these southern New England states, too, as the itinerary brings you through the Berkshires, and through charming parts of Connecticut. Definitely an option for a lovely New England summer road trip itinerary.

Shorter Scenic Drives in New England

Are you just looking for a short scenic route that allows you to see dramatic coastal cliffs, mountainscapes, scenic countryside, and more of New England’s charm?

Whether you’re looking for fall scenic drives in New England, beautiful routes along the coast, or just a short yet pretty New England drive, you might just find what you’re looking for on this list of short, scenic drives in New England.

Scenic Drives in New Hampshire

The Coastal Byway (Route 1A)

Location: Portsmouth to Seabrook 

Distance: 18.5 miles 

Where to Stop:  

• Hampton Beach
• Surf Portsmouth , Portsmouth 
• Strawbery Banke Museum , Portsmouth

Robert Frost Scenic Byway

Location: Southern New Hampshire

Distance: 43 miles (The Old Stagecoach Byway and the Robert Frost Byway combined) 

Where to Stop: 

• Robert Frost Farm State Park , Derry 
• Civil War Memorial, Chester
• Matthew Thornton House, Derry 
• Town Beach, Hampstead

New Hampshire Route 112 (Kancamagus Highway)

Location: Conway to Bath

Distance: 56.39 miles 

• Sabbaday Falls 
• Albany Covered Bridge 
• Swift River Lower Falls  
• Russell-Colbath House 
• Sugar Hill Scenic Overlook

The Lake Winnipesaukee Loop

Location: The Lakes Region 

Distance: 97 miles

• George’s Diner , Meredith 
• Mt. Major Trail, Alton 
• Dewey’s Ice Cream Parlor and Cafe , Center Harbor 
• Cotton Valley Rail Trail , Wolfeboro 
• Abenakee Tower , Tuftonboro

Scenic Drives in Maine

• Moosehead Lake

Location: Kennebec and Moose River Valley

Distance: 59 miles

Where to Stop:

• Lily Bay State Park
• B52 Crash Site
• Mount Kineo
• Stress Free Moose Pub & Cafe

U.S. Coastal Route 1 

Location: Kennebunkport to Bar Harbor

Distance: 200 miles

• Goose Rocks Beach , Kennebunkport
• Portland Head Light , Cape Elizabeth
• Old Orchard Beach Boardwalk, Old Orchard Beach
• The Holy Donut, Portland
• Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland
• Jordan’s Restaurant , Bar Harbor

Acadia All American Road from Trenton to Acadia

Location: Trenton to Bar Harbor

Distance: 40 miles

• Thunder Hole
• Bar Harbor Inn & Spa

Scenic Drives in Vermont

Location: Wilmington to Jay 

Distance: 184 miles

• Molly Stark State Park, Wilmington
• Dot’s Restaurant , Wilmington
• The Vermont Country Store ,  Weston
• Green Mountain Sugar House ,  Ludlow
• Moss Glen Falls, Granville
• Ben & Jerry’s Factory , Waterbury
• Cold Hollow Cider Mill ,  Waterbury Center
• Trapp Family Lodge ,  Stowe

Route 9 – The Molly Stark Byway

Location: Brattleboro to Bennington 

Distance: 40.1 miles

• Vermont Country Deli , Brattleboro
• Creamery Bridge, Brattleboro
• Southern Vermont Natural History Museum, West Marlboro
• Hogback Mountain Scenic Lookout, Wilmington
• Bennington Battle Monument, Bennington
• The Apple Barn and Country Bakeshop – Bennington

Location: Bennington to Burlington 

Distance: 122 miles

• The Bennington Battle Monument, Bennington
• The Robert Frost Stone House Museum , Shaftsbury
• Cider donuts at the Equinox Valley Nursery , Manchester
• Downtown Murals, Rutland
• Woodchuck Cider , Middlebury
• The Burlington Waterfront – Burlington
• Church Street/Downtown – Burlington

Rhode Island Scenic Drives

Ocean drive.

Location: Fort Adams Park to Bellevue Ave

Distance: 10 Miles

• Castle Hill Lighthouse
• Brenton Point State Park
• Fort Adams Park
• The Breakers
• Marble House
• Rough Point
• The Red Parrot Restaurant

Scenic Drives in Connecticut

Connecticut state route 169.

Location: Norwich to Woodstock

Distance: 36 miles

• Lisbon Meadows Park, Lisbon
• Prudence Crandall Museum , Waterbury
• New England Center of Contemporary Art, Brooklyn
• Roseland Cottage , Woodstock

Connecticut Shoreline Drive

Location: New Haven to Stonington Borough

Distance: about 80 miles (depending on which routes you take!)

• Eat in Little Italy, New Haven
• Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
• Harvey’s Beach, Old Saybrook
• Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme
• Mystic Aquarium, Mystic

Scenic Drives in Massachusetts

The berkshires.

Location: Stockbridge to Williamstown

Distance: 35 miles

• Norman Rockwell Museum , Stockbridge
• Berkshire Botanical Garden,  Stockbridge
• The Mount, Edith Wharton House , Lenox
• Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield
• Hancock Shaker Village, Hancock
• Mount Greylock , North Adams
• Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art , North Adams
• Williams College – Williamstown

Essex Coastal Scenic Byway

Location: Gloucester to Newburyport 

Distance: 24 miles

• Hammond Castle Museum, Gloucester
• Crane Wildlife Refuge, Essex
• Eat at the Clam Box , Ipswich MA
• Plum Island Beach, Newburyport
• Maudslay State Park, Newburyport

Wrapping Up this Northeast Road Trip

I hope this New England travel guide has given you all the information you need to help you plan a trip to the region’s most exciting and gorgeous places. With multi-day options to choose from and choices that are great for every season, I have aimed to cover all of the top places to road trip throughout these six amazing states.

Even more resources for your New England adventures: 🍁 25 Fantastic New England Day Trips 🍁 Hidden Gems in New England: 15 Secret Places to Visit 🍁 Best Fall Foliage New England Tours Worth Your Money

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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!

New England Wanderlust contains affiliate links, and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from any purchases you choose to make from our links, at no additional cost to you. For more information, please refer to our  Privacy Policy .

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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4 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary – Vermont, New Hampshire, & Maine

New England is such a beautiful place to visit, and it can be difficult to decide where to spend your time when it’s all so wonderful. We’ve put together a 4 day, 3 state itinerary based on our recent trip through the Northeast. We’ve included all of our favorite things, added some suggestions for where to stay, and finished it out with tips on how you can extend the trip if you have a few more days to explore these beautiful states.

But before we get started with our 4 day itinerary to see Vermont, New Hampshire, & Maine, here are a few quick tips.

New England Road Trip Tips:

Prepare for all different weather. Spring comes late in the Northeast and we still needed jackets for the mornings and evenings in early June. But we also experienced a heat wave come through, so pack everything from sweatshirts to shorts.

Buy the souvenir at the first place you find it. You’ll probably see plenty of maple syrup for sale even in New Hampshire and Maine, but consider everything else a specialty item and get it when you see it.

If the weather is nice, be prepared for crowds. Winter is long in New England, so when the weather is nice, everyone is out enjoying it. If you’re traveling while the fall foliage is on display, be prepared for even more crowds as everyone wants to do some leaf peeping.

Our Favorite Road Trip Souvenirs

Choosing souvenirs on a road trip is hard, because you’ll see so many amazing options. Here are our favorite souvenirs that won’t just sit around and collect dust.

• Christmas ornament – This is our #1 choice for souvenirs and often the only one we purchase. We love seeing all our mementos from past trips every year when we put up the tree.
• Gourmet foods – Wisiting Vermont and Maine and NOT buying gourmet foods would be a challenge! The most obvious choices would be maple syrup and blueberry jam, but you’ll find everything from tea and honey to candy and cookies.
• Tshirt or sweatshirt – My favorites are national parks shirts and state map shirts. Classy and simple and something you’ll wear over and over. Another fun and useable clothing item: socks.
• Tea Towels – Tea towels are beautiful and useful and if you’re like me, you could always use a fresh new one.
• Books – We saw so many amazing collections of local books for kids as well as nonfiction and fiction books for adults. Local bookstores often have their state’s books in their own labeled section for easy browsing.
• Puzzle – A photograph you don’t have to take and an activity for the whole family.
• Postcards – We have a postcard collection as well as an ornament collection, so it’s fun (and cheap!) to pick out a new postcard when we go somewhere new.

New England Road Trip Itinerary

Day 0 – Get to Stowe

Dinner: Have dinner at the Trapp Family Lodge or the Von Trapp Beirhall.

Accommodations: Stay at Trapp Family Lodge or Green Mountain Inn

Day 1 – Explore Stowe, Waterbury, and Montpelier

2 hours of driving

When you think of Vermont, you probably think of covered bridges, quaint towns, changing leaves, maple syrup, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. We’re going to experience all those things in one day, changing leaves not guaranteed.

Stowe Village

Start the day with a maple latte at Black Cap Coffee and spend an hour wandering Stowe Village. Take a photo with the Stowe mural on the side of Laughing Moon Chocolates. Browse the beautiful kitchen items at The Country Store on Main. Pop into Bear Pond Books Store for a kids book, coffee table book, or puzzle about Vermont. Pick up gourmet Vermont foods at Stowe Mercantile.

Gold Brook Covered Bridge

Also called Emily’s Bridge, this piece of Vermont history has a spooky story.

Cold Hollow Cider Mill

Learn about cider making and sample the delicious cider at the back of the store. If you are looking to bring home souvenirs, this is a great location to find a wide variety of Vermont-made goods. Stop for lunch next door at Apple Core Luncheonette.

Ben & Jerry’s

Take the Ben & Jerry’s Factory tour to learn more about this Vermont institution. Then walk through the infamous Flavor Graveyard to see past flavors that have bitten the dust. If your day isn’t too full of sugary treats already, get a cone from their scoop shop.

Bragg Farm Sugar House

Get your fill of maple goodies at Bragg Farm. Start with their video to learn about sugaring. Taste their four kinds of maple syrup and choose a jug of your favorite. Pick up some maple candy or maple kisses to take home with you. Grab a maple creemee (or a maple chocolate twist – both delicious!) and visit the resident goats and ponies outside.

Coburn Covered Bridge

Many covered bridges in Vermont are now pedestrian only, but you can drive through the Coburn Covered Bridge and it’s just a few minutes away from our next stop.

Martin Covered Bridge Park

Walk through Martin Covered Bridge and continue down the mowed trails if you’d like to enjoy this little green space.

Drive 1 hour to Franconia, NH

Accommodations: Stay overnight at Sugar Hill Inn, Inn at Sunset Hill, or Franconia Inn.

Day 2 – Explore Franconia Notch State Park and the Kancamagus Highway

4 hours of driving

Old Man of the Mountain Historic Site

The Old Man of the Mountain is New Hampshire’s signature site, featured on all of their state route signs, their license plates, and on the back of their statehood quarter. Deterioration of the fragile stone profile has been documented for over 100 years, and multiple attempts have been made to repair and preserve it using steel rods and turnbuckles. In 2003 the formation collapsed.

Now you can visit the historic site. A paved walkway leads to Profile Lake and a viewing platform with steel ‘profilers’ that allow you to see what the Old Man used to look like. Coin operated viewfinders at the base of the cliff show a before and after of the mountain profile. If you’d like, you can return via part of the Pemi Trail, by crossing the wooden bridge and following the rocky trail back up towards the parking lot.

Take the half mile out and back Basin Cascade hike or make it part of a longer hike along the Pemi Trail. Either way, you’ll enjoy the Pemigewasset River as it winds and falls right alongside the path, giving you something new to look at with each new turn. This is a great hike for keeping kids engaged.

There’s also a wheelchair accessible path to the Basin.

Kancamagus Highway

The drive from Lincoln to Conway is full of beautiful overlooks and amazing spots to stop and explore. We spent an entire day on the Kancamagus Highway, so you’ll have to move pretty quickly if you want to make more than a couple of stops. Our favorites were Sabbaday Falls and Rocky Gorge Scenic Area. Lower Falls is also a great stop if you’d like to do some swimming. These White Mountain National Forest sites have a $5 parking fee but are free if you have a National Parks Pass. Parking lots fill up quickly on weekends with good weather.

Drive 3 hours to Camden, Maine.

Accommodations: Stay at one of the historic local inns. The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is a short drive from Camden and looks particularly lovely. 16 Bay View is right in the center of town with views of the harbor.

Day 3 – Explore Camden

2.5 hours of driving

Camden is such a cute little coastal Maine town! It’s incredibly walkable and so scenic with views of the harbor and beautiful old architecture. If you like boutiques, you’ll love the shopping here!

Explore Camden on Foot

Start your morning with coffee at Owl & Turtle Bookshop Café. Browse French & Brawn Marketplace and try Moxie, a local favorite soda. Have lunch on the water at Camden Deli or Marriner’s. Walk through Harbor Park down to the waterfront to see Megunticook Falls. Then cross the street to see the Camden Amphitheater and the beautiful architecture of the public library. Don’t miss the beautiful circle of stone benches and book carvings. Grab a cone from River Ducks ice cream and enjoy it on the Tannery Lane Footbridge and enjoy the flower baskets lining the bridge.

Harbor Overlooks

Drive down Bay View Street to Camden City Park and walk down the hill to the rocky beach. Continue a little further down this road to the Curtis Lighthouse Overlook. This short path through the woods is marked with a simple wooden sign.

Red Barn Marketplace

Hop in your car and check out Red Barn Marketplace, driving past the historic homes on High Street. Shop for antiques and locally made gifts or enjoy coffee and pastries, or both!

Merryspring Nature Center

Take a leisurely walk at this free nature garden. With over a dozen different garden sections and 4 miles of trails, you could spend an entire day enjoying Merryspring Nature Center.

Camden Hills State Park

Camden Hills State Park offers an overlook of the town and harbor as well as the historic Mt. Battie Tower. It’s also a popular sunset spot.

Drive 1 hour and 45 minutes to Bar Harbor.

Accommodations: Book a room at one of the many local inns for 2 nights.

Day 4 – Explore Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

One day at Acadia National Park, like most national parks, is hard to narrow down. Here’s our suggestions for one full day exploring the two biggest highlights of Mount Desert Island: the town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.

We’ll give you 2 options, the sunrise option and the sunset option.

Cadillac Mountain

If you don’t mind starting the morning very early, sunrise at Cadillac Mountain would be an excellent choice. You’ll need to make a reservation for this well in advance of your trip as sunrise access to this area of the park is limited.

Park Loop Road

Drive the one-way loop of Park Loop Road, stopping to see Egg Rock Lighthouse at Schooner Head Overlook. If you’d like a challenging trail and you’re not afraid of heights, the Beehive Trail with iron rungs up the face of the mountain has beautiful views from the top. If you’d prefer a flatter hike, the Jordan Pond Path is also lovely. Sand Beach is also a beautiful stop, but it shares a parking lot with the Beehive Trail, so this can be a difficult place to find parking starting in the late morning. If it’s high tide, stop at Thunder Hole and see if you can hear the thunderous boom of the crashing waves. Finish the loop with a stop at Jordan Pond. Bring a picnic to eat on the rocks or stop for lunch on your way back to Bar Harbor.

Afternoon in Bar Harbor

Drive to Bar Harbor for the afternoon. Wander the Village Green. Get blueberry ice cream at Mount Desert Island Ice Cream or CJ’s Big Dipper. Do some shopping on Main Street. Two of our favorite stores were The Acadia Shop and Sherman’s Bookstore. Have some seafood at Thirsty Whale Tavern or enjoy the kitschy décor and classic American fare at Route 66 Restaurant. Walk down to Agamont Park to see the harbor or if it’s low tide, walk the Bar Island Land Bridge. Keep an eye on the tide schedule though. The land bridge is only accessible for a few hours and if you lose track of time, you might find yourself stranded on Bar Island for hours until the next low tide.

Bass Harbor Lighthouse

Drive to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. If you want to be there for sunset, go early because the parking lot is not large and it’s a popular spot. If you go early in the evening, Ship Harbor Trail, Wonderland Trail, and Echo Lake Beach are all on your way back.

Breakfast in Bar Harbor

If you opt for a slower morning, stop by Mount Desert Bakery or A Slice of Eden for a pastry or bagel. Spend a few hours wandering the shops in Bar Harbor. The Acadia Shop was one of our favorites. You might also enjoy Agamont Park and if it’s low tide, you can walk out to Bar Island on the land bridge that appears for about 3 hours around low tide. Be careful to allow time to walk back. Otherwise you will be stranded for about 9 hours until the next low tide.

Drive to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Take the paved path on the right to the lighthouse itself, or take the trail on the left down some stairs to the rocky lighthouse overlook. While you’re on this side of the island, you might also enjoy hiking Ship Harbor Trail or Wonderland Trail or stopping at Echo Lake Beach.

Have lunch at the Travelin Lobster, The Upper Deck, or Abel’s Lobster on your way around the island.

Next you’ll follow Park Loop Road around the main part of Acadia National Park, stopping at overlooks and trails that interest you. Our favorites were the view of Egg Rock Lighthouse from Schooner Head Overlook, Sand Beach, and Jordan Pond. If it’s high tide, climb down the rocks at Thunder Hole to hear the thunderous crashing waves. The Beehive Trail is a challenging but short hike with iron rungs and stone staircases. Jordan Pond Path is a lovely flat hike, if that appeals more to you. Sand Beach and the Beehive Trail share a parking lot, so it can be tough to find parking here mid-day. Have dinner at Jordan Pond House Restaurant or pack a picnic to eat on the rocks at Jordan Pond.

Watch the sunset at the top of Cadillac Mountain. You’ll want to park in the first lot on the left and find a place to sit on the large expanse of rock facing west. If you have time to explore a bit, drive to the top overlook first, but you’ll want to come down and park in the lower west-facing lot for sunset. Note: During peak season, you will need to reserve timed entry to Cadillac Mountain and parking in the sunset lot will fill up fast.

Extend the Trip:

5 Days: We always think National Parks deserve more than a 1 day visit, so additional days in Bar Harbor and Acadia is the first place we’d recommend adding time. Our four day Coastal Maine itinerary LINK outlines how to spend 2 days in Bar Harbor and Acadia.

6-7 Days: To extend your time in each state, find more things we recommend in these itineraries: Vermont New Hampshire Maine Acadia National Park

Make it an RV Trip:

If you’d like to expand this road trip into an RV adventure like we did, the secret is having a Harvest Hosts membership. We built this entire road trip around 24 hour stays at Harvest Hosts with 2 longer campground stays in the middle, Fransted RV Park in Franconia and Blackwoods Campground at Acadia National Park.

After you sign up for a Harvest Hosts account, you’ll be able to see all the amazing businesses in New England that would be happy to host you and you can start building your trip. And the best thing is that some of the destinations I mentioned in this post are host businesses! How amazing would it be to tour a maple sugar farm, enjoy maple creemees on the lawn, and then camp for the night with no fees beyond the purchases you made at the farm? And then you wake up and have the place all to yourself for a few hours! Let me tell you, it’s pretty great! (Learn more about why we love Harvest Hosts here!)

Our loose 3 week itinerary for the trip:

Days 1-2: Traveling to New England Days 3-7: Vermont Days 8-12: New Hampshire Days 13-20: Maine Days 21-24: Traveling home

See more of our New England series: 3 Day Vermont Road Trip Itinerary 2 Day New Hampshire Road Trip Itinerary 4 Day Coastal Maine Road Trip Itinerary Ultimate Guide to Acadia National Park

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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!

If you enjoyed this blog, please share it on Pinterest !

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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

Sent from my iPad

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!

Golden Age Traveling

Age is Just a Number!

New England Tour – 8 Days in Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts

Tour Package Includes:

• 7 nights in handpicked hotels
• 7 breakfasts
• 2 dinners with beer or wine
• 1 food tasting
• 6 sightseeing tours
• Expert Tour Director & local guides
• Private deluxe motor coach

Included highlights

• Trapp Family Lodge
• Burlington harbor cruise
• Ben & Jerry’s factory tour
• Lake Champlain cruise
• Mount Washington Cog Railway
• Kennebunkport
• Boston’s Freedom Trail

Burlington, Vermont (2 nights)

  Day 1: Arrival in Burlington

Welcome to Vermont! Make your way to your hotel to get settled in.

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Vermont

Included meals: Breakfast, Welcome dinner

An all-day tour introduces you to Vermont’s delicious local fare and small towns.

• Stop in Stowe to enjoy a guided tour of the Trapp Family Lodge with a member of the Von Trapp family
• Walk the streets of charming downtown Stowe
• Enjoy a walk led by your Tour Director through the quaint town of Burlington before setting off on a cruise of Lake Champlain

Join your group for a welcome dinner this evening.

North Conway, New Hampshire (2 nights)

Day 3: North Conway via the White Mountains

Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

Travel east to New Hampshire, taking in breathtaking scenery as you go.

• Before leaving Vermont, tour the Ben & Jerry’s Factory and enjoy samples of ice cream in Waterbury
• Pass through the White Mountains, stopping at the Franconia Notch and the Old Man of the Mountain Memorial Park along the way
• Drive through the landscapes of the state’s most famous scenic byway, the Kancamagus Highway

Then, continue on to North Conway.

Please note: The Ben & Jerry’s factory tour is not guaranteed as it is is still currently closed due to restrictions.

Day 4: Mount Washington & White Mountain Trail drive

Included meal: Breakfast

Make your way to Mount Washington, located in the scenic White Mountains.

• Board the Mount Washington Cog Railway for a beautiful ride to the region’s highest summit
• Take in the incredible vistas that the region is known for, like Owl’s Head, Bretton Woods, and the historic “notches”

Maine Coast (1 night)

Day 5: Maine Coast via Portland & Kennebunkport

Transfer to the coast of Maine by way of the state’s picturesque Lakes District.

• Stop in Portland and join your Tour Director on a tour of the city
• Pass the Portland Observatory and Fort Allen Park
• Visit the Old Port neighborhood, filled with independent bookshops and quaint local boutiques
• Travel to Kennebunkport and pass by Walker’s Point Estate, the Bush family’s summer home

Continue on to the Maine Coast and enjoy a free evening or add an excursion.

Boston, Massachusetts (2 nights)

Day 6: Boston via Salem

Stop in Salem, the Witch City, to visit the famed House of Seven Gables. Later, arrive in Boston for a guided tour of one of the oldest cities in America.

• Sweep through 250 years of American history on the Freedom Trail
• Pass by Boston Common, Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church
• View Faneuil Hall, the Old State House, and King’s Chapel
• Visit the Bunker Hill Monument and view the USS Constitution located in Charlestown Navy Yard
• End your tour in Harvard Square, where you’ll have free time to wander through the university’s campus

Day 7: Free day in Boston

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Enjoy a free day in Boston or add an excursion.

Later this evening, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your group.

Flight Home

Day 8: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Boston.

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5 thoughts on “ new england tour – 8 days in vermont, maine and massachusetts ”.

Samantha, sounds like a really great trip!!, You get to do so much in the 8 days. Lovely photos too!

Samantha, you are reminding me of time I’ve spent in those states, loving the Fall leaves and winter snows! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Being from why upstate New York in the adirondacks, this post brought back so many memories. We spend so much time in Vermont, we could see the Bennington Monument from my uncle’s farm in Cambridge NY! My sister lives in Maine now so hopefully a trip to see her will be in the works soon!

Loved this post and the pictures. I am pretty sure I took a very similar one like the first one in this post, the lighthouse, it’s in Cape Elizabeth, right? The NE states are wonderful to visit, especially in fall.

Hi Tamara, good eye! Yes, it is from Cape Elizabeth in New Hampshire. My nephew used to live in NP and loved going there. I know it wasn’t the states of the tour, but I thought it was so pretty and couldn’t resist, lol.

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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

Fall Foliage Tour

October 3-9, 2024, come with us to vermont, new hampshire and maine to see the fall colors.

Daily Itinerary

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Join us as we experience New England where autumn is radiant and the air is filled with hues of orange, red and yellow! This will be a spectacular tour to the beautiful northeast region of the US. We will learn how maple syrup is made, taste some of the best cheddar cheese on earth and enjoy clam chowder on the coast of Maine! Our travels will include visiting the Trapp Family Lodge, home of the Sound of Music Von Trapp Family, and enjoying an Austrian inspired lunch at the family estate in Vermont. We will board the world’s first mountain climbing cogwheel train in New Hampshire to climb to the peak of Mt Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern United States. A lobster cruise in Maine and a walk on the Freedom Trail in Boston will round out our amazing week of travel.

Invite your friends and family to see this amazing season of color!

P.O. Box 118696 Carrollton, TX 75011 [email protected]

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As 2023 draws to a close we would like to thank all of our clients for your continued support. We had a terrific year and it was great to see so many folks back on the road. It is our goal to provide your guests with the best travel experiences and we look forward to working with you in 2024 and beyond. We have some new additions to our normal catalog, so please do not hesitate to reach out to either of us with any questions on one of our published packages - also remember that we are happy to customize a tour for your specific group needs anywhere in the US. Thank you, Chris and Brenda

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NEW ENGLAND ROAD TRIP: VERMONT & NEW HAMPSHIRE

This is the first year I experienced fall foliage in New England and it did not disappoint! I’ve lived in New York for many years but never had the opportunity to go on a road trip to chase fall foliage and now that I’ve done it, I cannot wait to do them every year. Northeast USA is one of the most beautiful places to visit for fall foliage and YOU must experience it for yourself. I’m excited to share with you the places we visited to help you plan your next New England road trip around Vermont and New Hampshire. We spent a total of 6 days and 5 nights exploring New England and below is an itinerary of our trip.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR TRIP TO SEE FALL FOLIAGE

Planning a trip to see the fall foliage can be tricky because the seasonal changes can be very unpredictable. Typically the peak time to visit is the first two weeks of October. We visited on Oct -12th and it was slightly past peak. You can either go with the flow or plan out your trip. Going with the flow allows you to simply explore and see the fall foliage during their peak but there is less flexibility in accommodations since it may be booked. Planning out your trip gives you better options for accommodations at better prices but it may restrict you from seeing the fall foliage in that area.

I highly recommend using the fall foliage map to prepare for your trip. The map was pretty accurate and the leaves turned a week earlier than usual this year. Since we were late planners a lot of the accommodations were already sold out. I recommend planning ahead of time if there are specific locations or cute Airbnb/hotels you want to stay at.

WHAT TO PACK

There are some essential items to pack for your trip to the Northeast. The weather can be a bit unpredictable as well so it’s important to pack just the right clothes. The weather can get warm during the afternoon but it can get quite brisk early in the day and in the evening. I would recommend packing an insulated jacket/light down puffer, raincoat, waterproof boots, hiking boots, sweaters, leggings/comfortable pants, beanies, glove, and a small backpack.

DAY 1 & 2: STOWE, VERMONT

Where we stayed: airbnb.

Stowe, Vermont is about a 5-hour drive up north from Manhattan. We spent 2 nights in Stowe in an Airbnb which is only a few minute’s drive into town. I would suggest spending at least 3 nights. We barely had the time and did not get much time to explore the town. If you have extra days I suggest spending a few nights in Burlington or Manchester, VT as well.

If visiting Stowe, you must drive Smuggler’s Notch , it’s a scenic road that leads to the top with plenty of pull out areas for photos and hiking trails. You can also take the Gondola Sky Ride for amazing views of Stowe.

A few photo locations are of the Stowe Church located at the Salon Salon parking lot and for a pumpkin patch head over to Shaw’s Market . Other photo options are the Gold Brook Bridge .

• Artisan Coffee
• Cold Hollow Cider Mill
• Stowe Cider
• Idelytme Brewing Company
• Cliff House Restaurant

DAY 3: WOODSTOCK, VERMONT

Where we stayed: the shire woodstock hotel.

Just a 1-hour drive down from Stowe is Woodstock, VT. Ideally, you can make a stop here first before going to Stowe but due to our accommodations, we went to Stowe first and spent 1 night in Woodstock. I loved our hotel, it’s super cute and in the center of town.

We stopped by Elm Grove Farm (Sleepy Hollow Farm) for its picturesque scenery, a must-visit when in Woodstock. A few locations that we did not stop by but recommend are Taftsville Bridge, Middle Bridge, and Sugarbush Farm .

DAY 4: NEW HAMPSHIRE

Early morning on our way to Jackson, New Hampshire we made a few stops along the way that I recommend you doing or you can also spend 1-2 nights in Lincoln, NH where these locations are located.

Our first stop was Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train , about an hour from Woodstock. Although we didn’t get the chance to try the dinner experience we were able to see the train pass by and the bridge behind the cafe. This is a great location for photos but also a unique dinner experience. Make sure to make your reservations in advance, tickets are about $85-$99.

Then we drove 15 minutes from Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train and went hiking at the Artist Bluff Trial . The trial is only a 1.5-mile loop with a lot of stairs and a view of Echo Lake. The view is stunning but it can get quite windy so bring a jacket.

If you’re into hiking, you should visit Flume George at White Mountain Park. It is a 2-mile hike with beautiful waterfalls. This is also about 15-20 minutes from Artist Bluff so if you have time I definitely recommend doing it.

From Lincoln, you will want to drive along the Kancamagus Highway ! This is a scenic road that leads to Conway, NH, and has plenty of turn out areas to park for photos. It was already dark when we were driving but I wish we had the chance to see this stunning highway.

Where We Stayed: The Inn at Thorn Hill

Our original plan was to stay in Conway, NH but since we were unable to find accommodations we stayed 20 minutes north in Jackson. I would recommend it, it’s a cute small town and the hotel is rated the top hotel in Jackson. The food is great at the hotel but if you’re looking for some bar food, I recommend ordering the pizza from Red Fox Bar & Grill .

DAY 5: NEW HAMPSHIRE

We spent the rest of our trip taking fall foliage photos in the area! If you have time to explore I recommend Crawford Notch for stunning photos of another railroad track and Rocky Gorge Scenic Area located in the White Mountain National Forest. You will find beautiful waterfalls, walk along the Swift River and the Falls Pond .

DAY: BACK TO NYC

On our way home back to Manhattan we found a beautiful lake, Chocorua Lake. Of course, we had to stop for a few photos! It was absolutely beautiful and the perfect way to end our trip!

Overall our trip went by too fast! I would suggest spending 1-2 weeks if possible and exploring other areas of New England. Next year, I’m definitely going back to chase fall foliage. I hope this blog post helps you plan your next trip!

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October 27, 2020 at 1:48 pm

OMG!! How beautiful is that area!! And all the trees on those fall colors look amazing. Definitely an amazing place to enjoy a fall trip 😉 xx

Eli | Curly Style

October 5, 2022 at 11:03 am

Great photos ! where is the train track location ?

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Hi! I’m Christine, a full time travel blogger who loves to travel, eat and inspire others to live a life of adventures.

I’m a big foodie so be prepared to see mouth watering photos of what I eat! =)

MY PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR

September 20, 2020

PHOTOSHOP/LIGHTROOM COURSES FROM UDEMY

New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Stunning Stops

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: August 23, 2021

UPDATED: May 22, 2024

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 help planning your New England road trip?

Our popular New England fall travel guidebook helps you with planning every aspect of your road trip, including the best places to stop, where to see fall colors, where to eat and stay, itinerary ideas and map!

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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All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

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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7 Days in New Hampshire and Vermont: The Perfect New England Fall Road Trip

September 14, 2023.

If you’re looking for the best New England fall road trip, you’re in the right place! If you're dreaming of vibrant fall foliage, tasting Vermont maple syrup and summiting mountains with incredible views, this itinerary has you covered.

This itinerary suggests the best things to do, places to stay and more for a week long road trip in New Hampshire and Vermont. If you have less time, I recommend choosing one state to focus on. While you could visit these areas much faster, I recommend at least 2-3 days in each so you can have a full experience, plus have some buffer time for bad weather or unexpected traffic. You could also easily spend a week or longer in just one of these states.

My philosophy is that you should still travel no matter how little time you have. But if you are short on time, I recommend focusing on one area instead of spending a ton of your time in the car.

This is based on my experience spending several weeks in New England in Fall 2022.

Table of Contents

New hampshire vs. vermont, when is peak foliage in new hampshire and vermont, new england road trip: 7 day itinerary, where to stay in the new hampshire white mountains, artist’s bluff at sunrise, drive the kancamagus highway, cheese louise, mt washington, hike the mount lafayette and franconia ridge trail, mount willard, north and middle sugarloaf peaks, nichol’s ledge, explore downtown stowe, where to stay in stowe, mt mansfield, ben and jerry’s headquarters, cold hollow cider mill, gold brook covered bridge, moss glen falls, percy farm corn maze, idletyme brewing company, killington peak, explore woodstock, where to stay in woodstock, final thoughts.

If you have less time and are trying to pick between New Hampshire and Vermont for a fall trip, here are my thoughts!

The New Hampshire White Mountains are the best for hiking. There are so many incredible hiking trails there, at all levels. In my opinion, hiking is the best way to experience the fall colors.

Vermont is superior if you’re looking for quaint small towns and farms. Stowe and Woodstock are exactly what I think of when I think of a New England small town in the fall. Plus, visiting local farms such Baird Farm and Morse Farm is really special.

When it comes to scenic drives, New Hampshire has more mountain vistas while Vermont has more idyllic farm settings and rolling pastures. Ranking the drives really comes down to personal preference as both are beautiful.

In terms of crowds, I found both to be quite busy, but the worst crowds were in Stowe. The traffic in Stowe gets really backed up. This also happens in the New Hampshire White Mountains, but the numerous hiking opportunities in the New Hampshire White Mountains offer you more chances to escape the crowds. No matter where you are, you’ll want to add some buffer time for traffic.

In the end, I personally preferred New Hampshire because I loved the hiking trails so much. But I also spent more time in New Hampshire, so a longer trip to Vermont in the future could change my mind! It really comes down to personal preference and both are worth visiting.

The exact timing of peak foliage in Vermont and New Hampshire will change year to year, so it’s hard to plan a trip perfectly around the leaves. Typically, foliage changes first in higher elevation areas and reaches the valleys a little later. You likely won’t be able to predict the perfect time before you book your travels, so I recommend choosing anytime between the last week of September and the first two weeks of October.

Check out the foliage trackers for Vermont and New Hampshire as your trip is approaching to see what areas will be the best. If seeing the leaves in peak is your top priority, try to book refundable stays and stay flexible. But in my opinion, you can’t go wrong even if you’re not there on the exact day of peak. Foliage may look slightly different on the opposite side of the mountain or a street over. Not to mention that lighting and time of day will make a difference as well. Anytime during these few weeks, you can usually find some beautiful leaves if you keep looking.

In 2022, peak foliage in most of these areas occurred around October 5th - 12th. I explored from September 24th - October 10th and enjoyed beautiful foliage in various areas for the entire time.

This itinerary includes several hiking trails and one trail in particular that is quite difficult. If you’re new to hiking, check out my beginner hiking guide !

Road Trip Overview:

• Day One: Fly into Boston, drive 2.5 hours to the New Hampshire White Mountains
• Day Two: Hike Artist's Bluff, drive the Kancamagus Highway, drive to the tallest peak in New Hampshire.
• Day Three: Hike an epic, but challenging trail in New Hampshire.
• Day Four: Hike one or two shorter trails in the White Mountains and then drive to Vermont to continue your road trip.
• Day Five: Explore destinations around Stowe.
• Day Six: Tour a maple syrup farm, visit the second tallest Vermont peak and explore Woodstock.
• Day Seven: Drive back to Boston to complete your trip.

If you have less time, check out my 5-day version of this itinerary.

New England Road Trip Map

Use this map to visualize the road trip route: each day is a different color!

Fly into Boston and drive to New Hampshire

On day one, I recommend flying into Boston , renting a car and making your way to the New Hampshire White Mountains. Depending on where you’re staying, the drive will likely be two to two and a half hours. You may also want to stop at a grocery store and stock up on snacks and meals for hiking and traveling.

There are several great hotels and Airbnbs in Lincoln, Conway and the surrounding towns, so you can’t really go wrong. I personally love the Lincoln area to be centrally located between the Kancamagus Highway, Artist’s Bluff, Mt Lafayette and other popular trails.

In Lincoln, check out the Holiday Inn Express & Suites for a great, standard stay. For something more unique, check out the Wilderness Inn Bed & Breakfast .

You can also look for accommodations in the Thornton and Woodstock area, just south of Lincoln. Check out the Lumen Nature Retreat if you like glamping. They offer A-frame tents and safari tents with all of the amenities you could need.

I stayed in this modern cabin in Thornton and loved that it was right next to the river, was pet friendly and had fast wifi for us to work remotely.

As for food in this area, I really enjoyed StrEatz, Gypsy Cafe and White Mountain Bagel Co.

Hike to an iconic view, take a scenic drive with stops along the way and drive to the tallest peak in New Hampshire.

Artist’s Bluff is an iconic trail that leads to a view of Echo Lake perfectly framed with the surrounding mountains. When the foliage is at its peak, expect a sea of red, orange and yellow leaves.

Artist’s Bluff is extremely popular so do not expect to have it to yourself. There is a lot of room at the peak, but the crowds during peak times will make you feel like you’re at a concert instead of on a hike.

Personally, I only recommend going at sunrise on a weekday. It wasn’t too packed when I visited for sunrise. Based on the photos and videos I’ve seen, I really don’t think it would be enjoyable during the day or at sunset while the leaves are at their peak.

The hike to reach Artist’s Bluff can be done in about a half mile if you park at the Cannon Mountain RV Park. If you would like to see some more views, I highly recommend doing the 1.5 mile loop trail that includes Bald Mountain.

Start at lot 4, the main parking lot, and go counterclockwise to see Artist’s Bluff first. About a half mile from Artist’s Bluff, climb up on Bald Mountain for additional views of the surrounding area. This is a higher viewpoint where you won't see the lake, but you’ll still have an expansive view of fall colors.

The trails to both Artist’s Bluff and Bald Mountain include climbing over tree roots and some rock scrambling. Climbing to Bald Mountain is harder than Artist’s Bluff. Make sure you have proper hiking shoes and plenty of water. If you are coming for sunrise or sunset, be sure to bring a headlamp.

Artist’s Bluff is crowded but it’s popular for a reason! If it’s your first time in New Hampshire for the fall, this is definitely a spot that should be on your list.

For a complete list of the best day hikes in the White Mountains, check out my White Mountains hiking guide .

Begins 20 minutes from Artist’s Bluff

The Kancamagus Highway is a 35 mile stretch of road that connects the towns of Lincoln and Conway. This scenic drive is the perfect way to see fall foliage and take in a variety of views!

The road has a mix of scenic stops and short hikes, as well as longer hikes if you have time. I recommend spending a half day stopping at a variety of views and doing a few of the trails.

Note that there is a $5 fee for parking at the various viewpoints, or you can display your America the Beautiful pass. You should also know that drones are not allowed to land within a quarter mile of the road or within any forest protection area. Finally, be sure to obey the no parking signs.

Pro Tip: Download the Guide Along Audio tour of the Kancamagus Highway to learn about stops along the way while you're driving!

There is little cell reception on the Kancamagus Highway, so download offlines maps ahead of time and go in with a plan. I also saw a moose during one drive on the Kancamagus! Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially during sunrise, sunset and at night.

Here are the best stops to make from Lincoln to Conway (West to East):

Lincoln Wood Suspension Bridge: Walk out onto the suspension bridge for beautiful views of the East Branch Pemigewasset River and the surrounding trees. Many longer trails begin here too.

Otter Rocks: This is a quick stop where you can have a picnic or enjoy the mini waterfalls in the river.

Hancock Overlook: Hancock Overlook is right at an epic hairpin turn in the road and is a great place to watch the sunset.

Panoramic Overlook: This is an unmarked overlook located about a half mile from the Hancock Overlook. It’s another great place for sunset but parking is limited.

Pemigewasset Overlook: This beautiful overlook has a covered area and a bit more parking than the previous two. It’s another overlook that faces Southwest for sunset.

CL Graham Wangan: This overlook faces northeast, making it perfect for sunrise. It is probably my favorite overlook because of the beautiful mountain and fall foliage views it offers.

Lily Pond: This is a quick stop to see a beautiful pond. You’ll walk on a short path through some trees and the lake will reveal itself. It’s a beautiful place to capture reflections and look for wildlife.

Sugar Hill Scenic Overlook: This is another beautiful overlook that faces Northeast for sunrise.

Sabbaday Falls : This short and easy trail is definitely worth your time, but expect crowds during peak times. You’ll hike an easy 0.7 mile trail to reach a unique waterfall. The water flows through a narrow gorge area, turns a seemingly right angle and is a vibrant blue color.

Bear Notch Road: For a less crowded experience, take the Bear Notch Road spur to see some additional overlooks. There are three overlooks that offer beautiful viewpoints.

Champney Falls: If you’re up for a slightly longer hike, Champney Falls is definitely worth doing. This is a 3 mile moderate hike that has 682 feet of elevation gain. After a walk through the forest, you’ll reach two waterfalls. You’ll discover the more interesting waterfall when you walk past the first waterfall and enter an area with towering rock faces. You may need to walk over some wet rocks to reach it, so be sure to watch your step. The waterfall flows down a seemingly straight wall of rock and it’s really neat to see it up close.

Rocky Gorge and Lower Falls: These are quick but beautiful areas where you can see how water has carved away at rocks in the gorge. Rocky gorge has a bridge and a larger waterfall, while Lower Falls features a smaller waterfall.

Albany Covered Bridge and the Boulder Loop Trail: Boulder Loop is a 3 mile moderate hike that leads to some amazing views. The trail has a little over 900 feet of elevation gain and will take you past some large boulders and through the forest before reaching a fantastic view. It’s a great viewpoint to enjoy expansive views of fall foliage.

Note that you can park at two different parking lots for the Boulder Loop, either before or after the covered bridge. The Albany Covered Bridge is a classic covered bridge that was first constructed in 1858. It’s worth a quick stop even if you’re not planning on hiking the Boulder Loop.

For this itinerary, I recommend choosing between the Champney Falls trail and the Boulder Loop trail so that you have enough time to reach Mt. Washington.

Cheese Louise is a grilled cheese restaurant right at the end of the Kancamagus Highway as you’re reaching Conway! This makes it the perfect spot to grab some lunch.

They serve up some unique and delicious grilled cheese options along with hearty tomato soup. I really enjoyed the Godmother grilled cheese which includes pesto, tomatoes and balsamic reduction.

Located 45 minutes from Cheese Louise

Mount Washington is the highest point in New Hampshire and there are several ways to reach the top! If you don’t have enough time to hike, I highly recommend driving to the top.

The road is quite historic. It first opened in 1861 to the use of horse drawn carriages and is one of America’s oldest man-made attractions. The road has stood the test of time and continues to be improved as necessary.

The drive up is not for those afraid of heights. The road is very steep at times and there are some areas with drop offs. At one point, you reach a grade of 22%. Importantly, you’ll need to put your car in low gear while driving back down so as not to overheat your brakes.

There are multiple viewpoints where you can take a break before reaching the top. At the top, you’ll enjoy incredible views (on a clear day). There are also some gift shops, a museum and a cafe.

Weather can be unpredictable at the top. Mount Washington often experiences high winds; it is known for the fastest surface wind recorded in the Northern and Western Hemispheres was recorded there in 1934 at 231 mph.

There is a driving tour app so you can learn about the road during the drive. Plus, you’ll get the famous bumper sticker that reads “This Car Climbed Mt. Washington.”

During peak times, driving to the top of Mt. Washington typically costs $45 for the car and driver, plus $20 for each additional passenger. It took us 30 minutes of driving each way and we spent an hour at the top.

Other ways to reach the top of Mt. Washington include taking the Cog Railway, going on a guided tour or hiking. The Cog Railway is more expensive than driving to the top but provides a unique experience.

There are multiple hiking trails to reach the top, but you can get there in the shortest distance on the Tuckerman and Lion’s Head trails. This hike is 7.4 miles with 4,242 feet of elevation gain.

No matter how you visit, Mt. Washington is definitely worth exploring on a clear day.

Hike an epic, but challenging trail in New Hampshire

If you’re up for a challenging hike, I highly recommend the hike to Franconia Ridge and Mount Lafayette . This 9 mile loop trail is one of the most popular hikes in New Hampshire for good reason.

Note that the weather on these mountains varies drastically in the fall. I hiked it on a nice, clear day, but there was snow, ice and intense wind just one day prior. Always check the forecast before climbing a peak (I recommend looking at mountain-forecast.com). Also make sure you’re prepared for different conditions with layers, microspikes and the rest of the 10 essentials for this challenging hike.

I recommend going counterclockwise to hike up the steepest area on the Falling Water Trail.

On the Falling Water Trail, you’ll see some beautiful waterfalls and do a few river crossings. There is a lot of rock scrambling on this trail and some areas get slippery with water. You also may have to get your feet wet on a couple of the river crossings. I recommend trekking poles for balance.

After 2.8 miles, you’ll climb out of the forest onto Haystack Peak and be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. From there, you’ll hike another 1.5 miles along the ridge and reach the peaks of Lincoln and Mount Lafayette. Both Mount Lafayette and Mount Lincoln have an elevation of over 4,000 feet.

The entire ridge hike has incredible views. There are a few rock scrambling areas but it is not as difficult as the forest portions of the hike (in my opinion).

As you ascend down the last peak, you’ll see the Greenleaf Hut in the distance. This is such a nice treat on this long hike! The hut offers overnight lodging, bathrooms, food and drink. I enjoyed soup, bread and coffee before continuing my descent. Bring cash to purchase food (they also take venmo but service is spotty). You can also refill your water here for free.

The hike down from Greenleaf Hut was a bit harder than I thought it would be. There are several rocky areas and some can be quite slippery. If you’re not used to hiking in the area, expect it to take longer than you think.

Overall, this hike is challenging but incredibly rewarding. If you’re an experienced hiker who wants a difficult hike, this is a must-do on your trip to the New Hampshire White Mountains.

Hike one or two shorter trails in the White Mountains and then drive to Vermont to continue your road trip

Mount Willard popular trail leads to a beautiful view of a narrow valley between two mountains, yellow foliage and Crawford Notch Road.

The trail begins at the Crawford Notch Train Depot, so expect crowds if the train is about to leave. The trailhead is on the opposite side of the tracks. Make sure you pay attention to signage and/or download the map on All Trails, as some miss hikers the left turn and hike the wrong trail.

The trail is 3.1 miles with 895 feet of elevation gain. You will hike up in the forest along a stream (some areas may be slippery) until you reach the viewpoint. The end is quite beautiful and there is a nice amount of space to spread out, have a snack and enjoy the views.

The North and Middle Sugarloaf Peaks are a great place to summit two peaks with expansive views during peak foliage.

The total trail is 3.3 miles with a little over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. If you want the hike to be slightly shorter, I recommend only doing the Middle Sugarloaf Peak. Like Mount Willard, most of the trail is the forest and you won’t get many views until the end. But the views are incredible at the top and this was one of my favorite places to see fall foliage at its peak.

About an hour and 20 minutes from Mt Willard and the Sugarloaf Peaks

Begin your drive to Stowe, Vermont (located a little under 2 hours from the Sugarloaf Trailhead). However, I recommend a detour to hike to the top of Nichol’s Ledge along the way.

Nichol’s Ledge is rated easy and just over a half mile with 242 feet of elevation gain. This quick trail leads to a stunning view of Nichols Pond surrounded by rolling hills. Especially when the foliage is at its peak, this is such a beautiful view.

Note the parking lot is small and this may be crowded during peak times. Also make sure to avoid Town Hwy 58 when driving here if you do not have a 4x4 vehicle.

45 Minutes from Nichol’s Ledge

Arrive in downtown Stowe and explore a bit before or after checking into your hotel. Be sure to take in the view of the Stowe Community Church from Salon Salon!

If it’s still daylight, it’s worth taking a walk on the Stowe Recreation Path. If you’re looking for dinner downtown, check out Harrison’s or Plate (reservations are recommended).

Stowe has several great hotels and Airbnbs to choose from, but it is a small town that receives a ton of visitors in the fall. It is best to book early and expect some places to be expensive.

For a more affordable hotel that is still super chic and in a great location, check out the Field Guide Lodge . They have well-designed rooms and are within walking distance of downtown Stowe.

If you want to be in the center of downtown Stowe, check out Green Mountain Inn . This historic hotel has welcomed guests since 1833 and also has a nice restaurant.

Another place to stay near town is the Timberholm Inn . This cozy lodge offers outdoor amenities such as a fire pit and a hot tub and is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for peace and quiet.

There are also some great Airbnbs nearby. Check out this studio apartment above a coffee roaster , this cabin in nature near Stowe or this beautiful home within walking distance of downtown Stowe.

Road trip to various destinations surrounding Stowe

Spend your first full day in Vermont exploring the various sights around Stowe.

If it’s a clear day, start by driving to the top of Mt Mansfield (you can hike instead if you have time!). This is a great thing to do earlier in the day to beat the crowds. I tried to go an hour before closing and they had already sold all the remaining spots for the day.

Mt Mansfield is the highest point in Vermont and offers amazing views of the Green Mountains. The road to the top is 4.5 miles, unpaved and includes some hairpin turns. Note that to actually reach the summit from the Auto Road, you’ll need to hike about 3 miles round trip from the parking area to the peak.

There is no food or drink at the top, so pack a picnic and take in the views. Another option is to take the gondola to the top. To reach the peak from the gondola, there is a shorter but more difficult trail to reach the peak. You would follow along the Cliff Trail and climb over boulders along the way.

No matter how you reach the top, Mt Mansfield is an epic peak that offers beautiful views of the surrounding Green Mountains.

25 Minutes from Mt Mansfield

After Mt Mansfield, I recommend driving south to Ben and Jerry’s and then making your way back north towards Stowe with these various stops. Cold Hollow Cider Mill is difficult to turn into if you’re coming from the North.

Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream is headquartered in Vermont and you can tour the factory, enjoy some ice cream and see their flavor graveyard. If you would like to tour the factory, you need to reserve a ticket in advance. Tickets are released every Tuesday for the following Tuesday-Sunday and sell out during busy times.

If you don’t snag a tour ticket, it’s still worth seeing their flavor graveyard. There are humorous gravestones honoring their retired ice cream flavors throughout the years. They also have ice cream scoops and gifts for sale with no tickets required.

5 Minutes from Ben and Jerry’s

Cold Hollow Cider Mill is a must for apple cider donuts and apple cider. They serve the best apple cider and cider donuts I’ve ever had! You can sample their cold cider for free and purchase hot cider, donuts and many more goodies. You’ll find a wide variety of jams, salsas and many more snacks and gifts.

Along with cider and donut shop, they have a farm to table restaurant that serves great breakfast and lunch options. Here you can enjoy breakfast sandwiches, hard cider, paninis and more.

10 Minutes from Cold Hollow Cider Mill

The Gold Brook Covered Bridge is a scenic stop with some sad history. It is also known as “Emily’s Bridge” and is said to be quite haunted. According to legend, a girl named Emily was supposed to meet her partner here to elope in the mid-1800s. When he didn’t show, she took her own life here.

It is said that there have been claw-like marks on the side of cars and strange voices inside the tunnel. The bridge was featured on Most Terrifying Places in America in 2018.

20 Minutes from Gold Brook Covered Bridge

Moss Glen Falls is a scenic waterfall that can be reached via a short, quarter mile hike. There is limited parking and this is a popular spot, so allow some buffer time.

The hike begins on a flat, boardwalk trail and then you will climb a short hill to reach the falls. Be sure to stay on the trail to help protect vegetation.

The trail may be muddy and a bit slippery in areas, I recommend wearing good shoes!

15 Minutes from Moss Glen Falls

If it’s still open for the day, test your navigation skills at the Percy Farm Corn Maze! Nothing says “fall” like a corn maze and this one is extra fun because it can be challenging to navigate.

The maze sits on about 8 acres, is dog friendly and a lot of fun. They give instructions to call them for help if you find yourself unable to find your way out. It took us just under 45 minutes to find our way out!

While you’re in the maze, you’ll get to take in some beautiful views of Mt Mansfield in the distance.

2 Minutes from Percy Farm Corn Maze

Idletyme Brewing Company is a great place for dinner if you enjoy breweries! I enjoyed their brewski sampler which allows you to try 10 beers. My favorite was the Sour Blue.

To eat, I enjoyed the gouda soup and their soft pretzel. This is a popular place but we were able to get a seat outside around 5:15 PM (they have heaters!). If you’re eating later, make a reservation or be prepared to wait.

Check out your hotel and head to another area of Vermont for the next day of your trip. Tour a maple syrup farm, go to Killington Peak and explore Woodstock.

An hour and 45 minutes from Stowe

Vermont is known for its maple syrup for good reason. They produce the most maple syrup in the country by far with over 2.5 million gallons produced in 2022. Therefore, one of the most iconic things you can do in Vermont is tour a maple syrup farm.

I highly recommend a tour of Baird Farm ! They are a family-owned business with a 560-acre farm in Chittenden, Vermont. They offer free tours that include a walk to their maple trees and a tour of the sugarhouse. Make sure you make a reservation in advance!

I learned SO much on my tour with Jacob. We got to see a small portion of the 100+ miles of collection tubes, see how the syrup is filtered and try 7 different types of syrups. I was especially impressed with their infusions and loved the mint infused syrup.

Baird Farm is located a little under 2 hours from Stowe and less than an hour from Woodstock and Killington Peak. I highly recommend including it on your Vermont itinerary! A tour of a sugarbush is worth it in Vermont whether you go here or not, but I recommend supporting a small business if possible.

30 Minutes from Baird Farm

Hike or take the gondola to the second tallest peak in Vermont for stunning views, especially during peak foliage! I actually did both the hike and gondola ride.

There are a few different trails that can lead you to the peak. I hiked it via the Bucklin Trail. This path is 7.2 miles, has over 2,400 feet of elevation gain and is rated hard. It starts flat for the first couple miles, and then gets very steep.

The trail is pretty straightforward until the last bit which includes a short section of rock scrambling. The hike is mostly in the forest and you won’t see expansive views until the end. When I reached the top, the peak was completely socked in with fog and we couldn’t see anything.

When we reached the bottom, we realized that the weather had cleared and we could now see the peak. Therefore, we decided to pay and take the gondola back up to see the view. It was worth it to take in the expansive views! Prices are cheaper if you pay for your gondola tickets online instead of upon arrival. I paid $27 per person.

Kilington is a ski resort by winter and a popular place for mountain bikers and hikers in the summer. The top of the mountain typically has a snack shack, a restaurant and restrooms. You will see views as soon as you exit the gondola, but to get the best views, you should hike about 0.1 miles from the gondola to summit the peak. The trail includes some rocks, so I recommend proper hiking shoes.

No matter how you reach the top, it’s worth seeing Killington Peak on a clear day! You can see views for miles and it’s especially beautiful during the fall.

30 Minutes from the Killington Peak gondola

After Baird Farm and Killington Peak, make your way east to Woodstock to spend the rest of your day.

If Mont Vert Cafe is still open, it’s a great place to grab lunch, coffee and pastries. If you’re in the mood for a treat, try a Maple Cremee from Woodstock Scoops!

A maple creemee is a Vermont speciality: maple-flavored soft serve ice cream. Even if you aren’t a huge maple syrup fan, it’s worth trying one! Many places also have the option to add crumbled maple sprinkles or swirl the maple ice cream with another flavor. Make sure you have a maple creemee before leaving Vermont!

2023 Update: Due to high crowd levels at the Sleepy Hollow Farm, the town of Pomfret will be closing the road off to non-residents from September 23 - October 15. Enjoy my photo and focus on the other beautiful places around Woodstock.

The most iconic spot in Woodstock is the Sleepy Hollow Farm. This picturesque farm is a private home that photographers love, especially during the fall. It’s a beautiful spot because it’s surrounded by rolling hills, has a reflective lake and a rustic barn. The quaint farm tells a story of the idyllic farm life you may imagine when you think of Vermont. This is an especially nice place for photos at sunset or sunrise.

This location is super popular so expect crowds. It’s located on a one way road and you’ll want to make sure to respect parking signs. This is also private property (currently owned by Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry), so avoid walking onto the driveway and stay on the road. The address is 3429 Cloudland Rd, Woodstock VT 05091.

Another beautiful spot in Woodstock is the Middle Covered Bridge. If you have enough time, it’s worth walking around downtown and enjoying the various shops as well.

If you’re looking for an affordable stay in the heart of Woodstock, check out The Shire or The Vesper . The Shire is a cozy hotel that includes some rooms with river views.

The Vesper is a bed & breakfast that is beautifully decorated and family owned. Both of these hotels are within walking distance of restaurants and shops in downtown Woodstock.

If you’re looking for something more quiet, look for a home outside of town. Check out this cozy cabin with mountain views and a firepit, or this rustic cabin right next to a stream.

Drive back to Boston from Vermont

On your final day in New England, make your way back to Boston to catch your flight. Boston is located two and a half hours from Woodstock.

A great stop to make along the way is the Quechee Gorge. If you’re short on time, you can get a great view from the bridge on Woodstock Road. If you have more time, there are some nice hiking trails here.

Another stop you can make is at Gould Hill Farm. Enjoy their apple cider donuts and locally-made ice cream, or take home a souvenir from their farm store.

A fall road trip through New Hampshire and Vermont should be on everyone’s bucket list! But even if you miss peak foliage, this area is worth exploring year round. I hope this helps you plan your trip and get some New England travel inspiration.

For more New England Travel Guides, check out these blogs:

• How to Spend One Day in Boston
• The Best Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
• The Best Day Hikes in the New Hampshire White Mountains
• The Best Things To Do in the New Hampshire White Mountains
• A Fall Guide for Acadia National Park
• The Perfect Day Trip to Connecticut
• The Perfect 5 Day New England Road Trip
• How to Spend 1 Day in Rhode Island

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New England

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