One of the best times to visit New England, a region in the north east of America, is undoubtedly in the autumn. The trees are beginning to change, while the weather is still warm enough to amble through state parks, appreciating the area’s abundant natural beauty. There are harvests and food festivals in abundance, and the odds of finding a good farmers’ market on your road trip are more than likely. Appreciators of the changing leaves are known as ‘leaf peepers’, so why not join them and explore New England this autumn?
Connecticut
If you’ve got some time to kill, a visit to Connecticut’s famous DiGrazia vineyards is well worth the stopover. To the east of the vast Candlewood Lake, the vineyards are family-run, and you can enjoy delicious wine tastings while feasting on a picnic in the beautiful outdoor area.
When you’re finished here, head to Danbury in the south, and enjoy an experience that is quintessentially New England, before driving up the western shore of Candlewood Lake to Squantz Pond State Park. Here you can enjoy the changing leaves while kayaking, boating, swimming and even fishing.
Maine
Home to the Maine Harvest Festival between the 14th and 15th November, Maine is a wonderful place to visit in autumn. If you’ve got time, travel to Portland docks and take a boat trip to Peaks Island, where you’ll be able to hire bicycles and take the family for a scenic ride.
If you’re visiting on the 18th October, you’ll be lucky enough to catch Great Maine Apple Day, which will see vendors selling apple-based treats as well as homemade candles, maple syrups and ice cream. Autumn is peak season for Maine lobster, and many head to New Harbor to taste some of the season’s best, at Shaw’s Fish & Lobster Wharf.
Massachusetts
There are some wonderful driving routes through Massachusetts, which are particularly enjoyable during the later months. Spend a long day at the sandy beach in South Cape Beach State Park, and spend a few hours exploring the 100-acre gardens of the Heritage Museum, which boasts a great range of family programs.
If you’re staying the night and have a fondness for craft beer, the Mayflower Brewing Company near Plymouth serves some of the best in the area, while Flax Pond Farms further north will give you an impressive sight of a 35-acre cranberry farm, and you’ll be able to taste fresh juice, while learning delicious cranberry-based recipes.
New Hampshire
New England’s highest crest can be found in New Hampshire, in the White Mountains, and while this may seem daunting, there are many family-friendly routes and tours, allowing you to explore the vast beauty of this area.
Canopy and zip line tours give visitors the opportunity to soar through the treetops, but unparalleled views can be enjoyed at the top of the Mount Washington Cog Railway line. From here, on a clear day, you’ll be able to see Canada and the Atlantic Ocean, while being surrounded by the unique ecosystem of Mount Washington.
Rhode Island
The best and brightest leaves are usually enjoyed in Rhode Island in October, and we love the diverse crops that are grown at Salisbury Farm where you’ll find plump strawberries, sweet and tangy raspberries and large round pumpkins. During the months of autumn, the farm offers free hay rides on weekends, and they also boast New England’s original corn maze, which is great fun. The friendly farm shop sells fresh produce and autumnal decorations, and the kids will love picking their own fruit and vegetables.
Vermont
As early as mid-September you can enjoy the changing colours of autumn in Vermont, which begins in the north before gradually moving south, but it’s always a good idea to research the peak times before you visit. Farms such as the Retreat Farm offer advice on walking trails through the surrounding woodlands, and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill is a great place to taste deliciously warm Cider Doughnuts while picking up seasonal gifts for loved ones back home.
One of our favourite places to visit in September is Chappelle’s potato farm, in Williamstown. Visitors can pick their own potatoes, and it’s quite a popular activity with children and adults of all ages getting involved!
Exploring New England this autumn? Drive from state to state with your own rented car, and chase the trees as their colours change.
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