With fall in the air and the leaves starting to turn, I wanted to share my top New England fall trips. We are centrally located here in Connecticut, by New England standards, so we are lucky to have so much idyllic fall beauty right outside our door. The mountains are an hour away and the coastline is less than that. This corner of the country packs so much fall beauty in such a small region. New England with its mountains and lakes to the north, river valleys in the middle, and coastline to south and east feels it was made for autumn drives. Mix in the old stone walls, an abundance of trees and farms, and the historic architecture, and it’s like stepping into a fall movie every October.
Here are some of my personal favorite New England fall travels…
The New Hampshire White Mountains
An early morning view I shot from the Artist Bluff Trail in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire.
This is a pilgrimage you must do at least once in your life. We love enjoying the White Mountains in the fall. There is nowhere else quite like it. The mountains are full of deciduous trees and pines, and there are so many great hiking trails to see those amazing views. I have never been to a mountain region anywhere else in the country with more colorful fall foliage than here in New Hampshire. It can get a little crazy with tourists along the Kancamagus Highway when the colors are at their best, but it’s worth it. There are plenty of less traversed roads and hikes that are not as busy. I love to wake up early and do my hiking in the mornings. It’s less crowded, but you just have to watch the fog because that can spoil some views. Just driving through the region is a joy in itself.
You can read you my New Hampshire Fall Travel Guide here for the specifics.
The Green Mountains of Vermont
A shot I captured in Stowe, Vermont on a very rainy day.
The Green Mountains of Vermont are majestic. It’s so close to where we live in Connecticut that we are here a few times in the fall. It makes for a great weekend away. The way the fog rolls in is just beautiful, and there are so many charming towns to enjoy. There are plenty of covered bridges along the way too. Towns we love most are Manchester, Dorset, Stowe, and Woodstock. Also, Vermont is full of country stores. The famous Vermont Country Store has two locations, and we love stopping at one on our family cabin weekend. The smaller country stores are worth the visit too. The restaurant scene is quite good as well. Many restaurants have outdoor fireside seating. There are so many other towns to explore, but those four above, I’d consider your Vermont fall starter pack.
The River Valley & Litchfield Hills of Connecticut
A shot from a September stay at the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut.
In our tiny home state of Connecticut, we are so very lucky to have an abundance of fall beauty. We love a country weekend away in the Litchfield Hills. The Mayflower Inn & Spa is our favorite place to stay, and yes, this is the inn that was inspiration for The Independence Inn on Gilmore Girls. Washington, Litchfield, and Kent are all charming towns to enjoy. There are so many farm stops in this area, and just driving along the winding roads is beautiful. You can stop at the West Cornwall Bridge for a stunning stop on the Housatonic River. It’s one of the few remaining covered bridges in Connecticut.
The Connecticut River Valley is another stunner in the fall. Our hometown of Old Wethersfield is a great stop. It’s so festive and super charming come October. Every inch of the town is decorated for the season, and the museum offers a Witches & Tombstones tour. We love breakfast or lunch at Heirloom Market and a dinner at The Charles or Lucky Lou’s. We have a cute country store and some darling shops to visit. Also, there is so much history here. Did you know that the first witch trials that predate Salem happened here? Did you know Washington and Rochambeau planned the last battle of the Revolutionary War here? That there is a rich shipbuilding and trade history at The Cove? Famous Americans including Benjamin Franklin stayed here? It’s a gem and full of history. I’m going to write up a post on it for you soon.
Wethersfield and Glastonbury have some great farms and orchards to enjoy too. Some recs include The Anderson Farms Stand, The Old Cider Mill (the best apple fritters), and Belltown Orchards & Market (our favorite cider donuts).
If you want a beautiful detour, consider visiting Farmington. The Hillstead Museum is stunning when peak foliage hits, and you can hike the grounds here. Also, the homes around Miss Porter’s are so charming.
Nearby Essex is another favorite fall stop. It’s a beautiful town with a rich history as well. I love this part of the Connecticut River Valley. The Main Street has a great shopping scene. The Griswold Inn makes for a perfect end to your day with a fireside dinner and overnight stay. Their fall menu is always delicious!
Fall in Mystic, Connecticut
A shot of B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in Mystic, CT. A favorite stop every fall.
The Mystic region including Mystic, Stonington, and Noank offers a great mix of coastal appeal and country fall drives lined with stone walls. We love to stop at B.F. Clydes for an apple slushie and cider donut. There are charming farms like Whittle’s and Stone Acres. The restaurant scene is fantastic here too. If you want to go to a lobster shack for chowder and a fresh lobster roll, Noank is a great stop. There’s some amazing culinary experiences in Mystic. It’s become quite a foodie town. Shopping in Mystic’s historic downtown and Stonington Borough is a must. You can even get out on the water at the end of September and early October. There are private charters and The Mystic Seaport Museum offers cruises and sails too.
The Maine Coastline
A shot of the Portland Head Light right before a storm rolled in.
The coastline of Maine is quite stunning in the fall. If you are dreaming of a fisherman fall, this is the trip for you. The mix of pines, rocky shores, lighthouses, and fall foliage make this a must experience. We love to stop in York and visit Nubble Light and then make our way up the rocky coast to Acadia National Park. Some favorite stops include Perkins Cove, Kennebunkport, Portland, Freeport (and the L.L. Bean Flagship), Boothbay, Camden, and Bar Harbor. Also, driving Coastal Highway 1 is a must, and there are some good antique shops to stop at along the way. It’s one of our favorite places to hunt for treasures. You must get a lobster roll too, because you are in Maine!
There are so many other New England places to enjoy in the fall, but these are my personal favorites for the season.