Even for those who live there, they look forward to the magical moments of bright autumn glory which grace this area for a fleetingly short few weeks each year. The best time to be there depends on how far north one plans to go. Early October is a good time to see the foliage at its best somewhere within a one day’s drive in New England. Here are some cool ideas on things to do in autumn in New England.
Finding Beautiful New England Back Roads
Take a leisurely country drive on one of the minor highways. Route 1 runs from Connecticut up through Maine and is one way to go to see the sights, particularly if shopping is a keen interest. To be honest, the back highways are best. Route 7 in Connecticut and Massachusetts, Route 100 in Vermont, Route 113 in New Hampshire and 202 in Maine are just a couple of the better roads to try. Go on a chamber of commerce website for the area or AAA can give advise on the best scenic routes.
Find the best kept secrets. Parts of Connecticut, particularly the northwest corner, are even more lovely than popular fall hotspots like Middlebury, Vermont. Connecticut has gorgeous lakes, rivers, farmlands and wildlife reserves for the best (and least strenuous) bikes and hikes. Western Massachusetts has the Berkshire Mountains and wonderful small towns and villages with galleries, pottery centers and restaurants.
Exploring Fall Country Fairs in Connecticut and Massachusetts
Explore the countryside including the apple orchards, haunted hay rides, pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Taking in a country fair to see farm animals, devour cotton candy and enjoy great live music is a real treat. Skip the “Big E” (Eastern States Exhibition, like a giant country fair with ten times as many people) in favor of the smaller town attractions like Topsfield in Massachusetts and the Labor Day Weekend Goshen Fair in northwestern Connecticut. Virtually every fall weekend has a fair or other harvest related event in this area.
Fair hopping in northern New England is also common in the fall but many of the festivals are labeled by the crops. Apple fairs, strawberry festivals and wine tasting events are annual parties in many towns that may include a parade with floats, a carnival with rides and games, or a dinner and informal dancing in the evening.
Finding the Great Outdoors of Autumn in Northern New England
See the mountains. There is nothing more spectacular than climbing Mount Washington in New Hampshire either by foot, in a car or the cog railroad in the late summer or early fall. Or, try a gondola ride on a mountain peak to see the best peek at the peak of fall color. Motorcycling on the hilly roads of New England is a perfect way to spend time.
Make sure to take home at least a bushel of fresh apples from the many orchards, a case of local wine from your trek along a wine trail and a plump pumpkin as a souvenir. Enjoying the lovely inns and bed and breakfast places, many in old former taverns or antique houses, could be an annual tradition for a family reunion or romantic anniversary locale. Relax and drink in the beauty before it fades into winter winds and snowscapes. Plan to come back for a ski weekend after the holidays.
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