New England is renowned for its dazzling fall foliage. With its rich palette of fiery reds, golden yellows, and vibrant oranges, the region is a must-visit in the fall. While you’ll encounter stunning colours throughout the region, some spots offer truly magical displays that deserve a place on your travel itinerary. Want to know where they are?
This guide outlines the best places to experience and photograph the seasonal beauty of New England’s fall foliage from mountain vistas, tranquil lakes, to charming small-towns.
If you are looking for an itinerary for New England during fall, we have the perfect one for you that will take you through Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont and includes all of the places listed in this guide: The ultimate New England fall road trip itinerary.
Alternatively, we have a shorter 3-day Vermont fall itinerary or a 3-day New Hampshire fall itinerary.
We also have a list of the top 10 towns to visit in New England during the fall.
Where is New England?
New England is a region in the northeastern United States encompassing six states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Known for its colonial history, quaint towns, forested mountains, and rocky Atlantic coastline, New England transforms into a wonderland of colour during the fall months.
Why visit New England for fall foliage?
New England’s fall foliage is not just a natural spectacle, it’s an experience that encompasses scenic drives, charming villages, and outdoor adventures making it a must visit destination for leaf peepers, photographers and those looking for that cosy fall feeling. Fall in New England is one of the best experiences you could have.
When to visit for peak fall foliage?
The transformation of New England’s trees typically begins in mid-September and extends through early November. However, the peak foliage period, referring to the time period when leaves are the most vibrant and rich in colour can vary depending on factors like weather, altitude, and latitude. Generally:
- Northern areas: (Vermont, northern New Hampshire, and Maine) peak in late September to early October.
- Southern areas: (Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) hit their peak from mid to late October.
If you can be flexible for when you visit New England, websites such as Explore Fall provide fall foliage maps offering daily reports and data on the state of the foliage colour. However, if you need to book your trip in advance like we did, opt for the first two weeks in October as this is usually the most consistent time for brightest colours.
Where to see the best fall foliage in New England?
While every state in New England will experience a colourful transformation during the fall, there are a few places in particular that offer a true spectacle of fall foliage that make them stand out on their own. They offer various fall landscapes. Some, where colourful trees completely carpet the landscape, and others, where fall foliage perfectly frames rolling countryside or quintessential New England towns that make this region extra special during fall.
Here’s where to go…
The Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
This iconic 34.5 mile scenic drive through the White Mountains is well known as one of the best fall foliage viewing areas in the country and it really is a must-see for all leaf-peepers. The Highways is now designated an American Scenic Byway for its rich history, beauty, and culture. Every year, leaf peepers show up in full force to drive the Kancamagus Highway just to get a glimpse of the brilliant coloured fall foliage.
To experience the highway in full, we recommend joining the highway in Conway and ending in Lincoln (or vice versa). As you drive along the highway, there are numerous places to stop and take in the views, and of course, the fall foliage. We recommend the following stops along the highway (in order from Conway) to see the best fall colours and also experience the diversity of the highway:
- Albany Covered Bridge: A picture-perfect spot surrounded by fall hues.
- Lower Falls: A beautiful area ideal for picnics, photos, and climbing over rocks.
- Rocky Gorge: A dramatic cascade framed by vibrant leaves.
- Sabbaday Falls: A short hike that leads to a stunning waterfall surrounded by fiery foliage.
- Sugar Hill Overlook and Panoramic Overlook: Sweeping mountain views bursting with autumn colours. Some of the best fall colours we saw.
- Lincoln Woods: A trail leading over a suspension foot bridge and following an abandoned railroad surrounded by towering tress.
Driving the Kancamagus Highway without stops takes about 45 minutes, but to fully enjoy its beauty, allow at least 4–5 hours for stops and exploration.
Crawford Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Continuing in the White Mountains, Crawford Notch is a pass which winds its way through this beautiful region just north of the Kancamagus Highway. The sprawling forest is a fall foliage paradise with clear mountain lakes, wildlife and beautiful scenery. Here, every vista is painted with shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. Must see spots for fall foliage in Crawford Notch State Park include:
- Frankenstein Cliff: This is a rewarding hike which has panoramic foliage views across the valley, as well points of interest including a waterfall and an old railway bridge.
- Willey House Dam: On calm days, the pond mirrors the vibrant leaves coating the mountainside creating a stunning scene as seen in the photo below.
- Mount Willard: This is a moderate hike offering sweeping views of Crawford Notch.
Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
Franconia Notch is another spectacular mountain pass through the White Mountains, north of the Kancamangus Highway and West of Crawford Notch. Again, this area offers rich foliage viewing including:
- Flume Gorge: An area with many waterfalls and cliffs framed by colourful trees in the fall.
- Echo Lake: Which is perfect for a reflective autumn stroll or a kayak ride on a calm day.
- Governor Gallen Memorial: This is a scenic viewpoint of Mount Lafayette which is especially striking in fall.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a town in northern Vermont which is often dubbed the ‘fall foliage capital of Vermont’. The town and surrounding area boasts a combination of vibrant leaves, charming architecture, and mountain views. The best places to capture the fall foliage are:
- Mount Mansfield: Drive the Auto Toll Road or take the leisurely Gondola SkyRide to enjoy sweeping views of the fall landscape.
- Smugglers’ Notch State Park: A narrow mountain pass surrounded by dense foliage, making it a perfect scenic drive or hiking destination.
- Stowe Village: Explore the quintessential New England town, complete with cladded buildings and the iconic white-steeple church surrounded by fall colours. The best place to photograph Stowe is by the ‘Stowe Community Church View Point’ which is just north of the river and about a 5-minute walk from the town centre.
Peacham, Vermont
Peacham is one of the most picturesque and photographed small towns in New England that offers fall foliage with countryside views. Rolling green hills, red barns, and a white church combine with foliage to create postcard-perfect scenery. For the iconic view overlooking the town, walk to the top of the field behind the Peacham Fire Department. Make sure to stroll around this beautiful town though for more beautiful views. The cafe and gift shop in the centre of the town are also prefect rest stops.
Woodstock, Vermont
Named the ‘quintessential New England village’, Woodstock has a timeless charm with historic homes, covered bridges, and a cute town green. The streets are lined with huge trees that turn yellow in the fall and the historic Ebenezer Fitch House draws crowds during the fall as the tree outside the house turns a stunning gold. Many of the homes and buildings throughout the town go all out on fall decorations making it a perfect destination this time of year.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park lies on the Atlantic coast on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. It is a popular destination in the fall when the park’s forests come alive with colour and the mountains are blanketed in reds, oranges and yellows. As well as being one of the best places in New England for leaf peeping, it is also great for for hiking, allowing you to take magical walks through the colourful forest. There are varying levels of hikes throughout the park ranging from easy to more challenging. Two hikes we recommend:
- The Jesup Trail. This short and flat walk along boardwalk takes you through a forest of white birch trees which are stunning on a fall day.
- For a more challenging hike, the Beehive Trail takes you to an incredible view of the surrounding mountains and ocean where you can lookout over the fall foliage. The trail is popular and includes ladders and drops offs.
If hiking is not for you, then we recommend driving to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point in the park. Here you can see across the island out to the ocean with a carpet of fall foliage beneath you. Reservations are required to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain usually until mid-late October. Check the National Park website for exact dates.
Tips for a memorable fall foliage trip
1. Plan ahead: Peak season draws large crowds, especially in popular areas like the Kancamagus Highway, Stowe, and Woodstock. Book accommodations early! We started booking accommodation in early April and many places were already fully booked.
2. Take Scenic Drives: Many of the best foliage spots are accessible by car. Bring a map or GPS, as mobile service can be spotty in rural areas.
3. Pack for Weather Changes: Fall weather in New England can be unpredictable from warm sunny days to non-stop pouring down with rain days. Bring layered clothing and sturdy footwear.
4. Don’t Rush: Take time to explore hidden gems off the beaten path, whether it’s a quaint roadside café or a lesser-known hiking trail.
