10 Best Things To Do in New England During the Fall
This post is brought to you in collaboration with my sister who is an amazing travel planner and Halloween guru. I grew up in New England but I haven’t lived there during the fall season in 9 years … wow I feel old. So I decided to get the inside scoop from my sister who still lives there and participates in these activities every fall season. This blog is going to go over the 10 best things to do in New England during the fall season.
New England isn’t a place you want to go during the winter unless you like skiing on icy slopes. New England is really beautiful in the summer but don’t get caught in the humid months. New England likes to rain a lot in spring. So with that being said, the best time to visit the New England area is in the fall. Why? You will be lured away by the beauty of the changing of leaves. The reds, oranges, and even yellow hues that come with New England falling of nature are jaw-dropping. If you haven’t experienced it ever, here’s the blog post to not only inspire you but make sure you hit the best parts of it when you do get to go.
Mount Greylock in Massachusetts
This mountain is a ski mountain in the winter but showcases beautiful foliage views in the fall. It is the highest point in Massachusetts making it the perfect mountain. On a clear day, you can see miles of beautiful colors. The mountain is about a 3-hour drive west of Boston and there are many access points to it. There are plenty of hardy hiking trails but if that’s not for you, there is also a scenic drive to the top. At the top of the mountain near the Bascom Lodge, there is a Veterans War Memorial Tower that stands 90 feet in the air. It is a beautiful sight to see especially when your backdrop is full of fall foliage.
Mohawk Trail on Massachusetts
Another amazing spot in Massachusetts is the Mohawk Trail. It gets its name because Mohawk Native Americans once journeyed through this route. The Mohawk Trail was the first scenic road in New England and is still one of the most popular. It consists of 50,000 acres of parks and forests. In this region, a perfect place for a weekend getaway, you can hike, go shopping, and eat, all while enjoying the best fall foliage.
Gondola up to Stratton Mountain, Vermont
Again, hiking up this mountain is always an option but a gondola ride just sounds so much better! This mountain is Southern Vermont’s highest peak and the gondola ride will give you views over 4 states. Once you get to the summit you can then hike to the fire tower or go on one of the walking trails. Your tickets can now be purchased online ahead of time and they last the entire day for an unlimited number of rides up or down the mountain. The cost of a ticket is $20 for adults and $10 for juniors.
Citizen Cider: Burlington, Vermont
So, Burlington, Vermont is just a vibe in general and I would honestly suggest taking a whole weekend to experience it. It is such a cute mountain town while also located right on the water of Lake Champlain. The town is full of trendy coffee shops, all the best shopping stalls, and many amazing bars & restaurants. This town seriously won’t disappoint unless you go in winter. Just kidding, it’s still insanely beautiful but also insanely cold. One spot located in Burlington that is the perfect fall activity is going to Citizen Cider. This company takes local apples and ferments them to create hard ciders. It is a brewery that has hard ciders and seltzers. What a perfect treat after hiking Burlington’s finest hike spots or enjoying the views and fall foliage from lake Champlain.
Adam’s Apple and Orchid Farm Market, Vermont
My sister stumbled upon this on her way home (back to Connecticut) from Citizen Cider and says she still dreams about their donuts. It is located in Williston which is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Burlington. The orchard has beautiful views of the Green Mountains which definitely shows off the beautiful foliage. Not only is it an orchard, but it is also a market that offers quality Vermont food products like maple syrup. If you do go here, you have to get a dozen of the cinnamon sugar and a dozen of the maple bacon donuts. I promise it won’t disappoint.
Go Hiking in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is home of the white mountains and Franconia Notch State Park. New Hampshire has more than 4000 miles of hiking trails and there is so much to explore and fall beauty to see! Some of the best hikes to see the leaves changing colors are Presidential Visage Ledge Trail, Randolph, A Rock With a View Birchtoft Trail, Dublin (will see the skyline of Boston on a clear day), Waterworks, Mount Major, Alton Bay, Pitcher Mountain Fire Tower, and Mount Flume.
Drive the Scenic Route to Long Trail brewery, Vermont
Route 100 is the only route in Vermont that extends from north to south and through the entire state. Along this route, the fall foliage will not disappoint. It’s Vermont’s longest state highway and is considered to be the prettiest. You can stop along the way in quaint New England-style towns or spend the night lakeside. If you are looking to road trip through Vermont, this is a great road to start and end your journey on.
Salem, Massachusetts
This is for all my Halloween lovers. Not only is Salem a cute town with beautiful views and amazing fall foliage, but it is also the home of the Salem witch trials. This means this cute town goes ALL out during the Halloween season. It is located about 20 minutes from downtown Boston. Some activities to indulge in while you are visiting, Salem guided walking tour, go to the House of the Seven Gables, Do a tour at the Salem Witch Museum, Salem Witch trials Memoriam, go to the Hocus Pocus House
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Plymouth, New Hampshire is the cutest little town located right at the foothills of some beautiful landscape. There is so much to do and see in Plymouth but even more so when there is incredible fall foliage. You could go camping, parachuting, go to all different breweries, eat some incredible seafood. If you do go to Plymouth, there is one thing you have to do. Go to the Smith Bridge and enjoy the antique bridge against the fall scenery, it is truly a delight.
Clydes Cider Mill, Mystic, Connecticut
Maybe I’m biased because I’m from Connecticut but this one is my favorite. It is located in Mystic which is one of my favorite CT towns. Especially in the fall, nothing is more beautiful than some changing leaves and ocean views. Clydes doesn’t open until the beginning of September, so check it out soon! It’s a national historic landmark and has been making cider since 1881. It is the last steam-powered cider mill in the U.S today. The beautiful landmark is like going back in time. You can enjoy apple cider, apple wine, jams, fudge, local honey, and my favorite: apple cider donuts. It is conveniently located about a 10-minute drive from the old historic downtown mystic.
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