Is there any color palette more iconic this time of year than New England fall foliage? The reds, the yellows, the oranges—ask a New Englander, and they’re likely to say that autumn hasn’t begun until the fall colors start inching their way down from the north. Up here, living with the rhythm of the seasons and being surrounded by technicolor beauty is a fact of life.
But no need to be an official resident of New England to catch a glimpse of peak fall foliage, which usually hits around the third or fourth week of October. Visitors can head north to do a little leaf peeping of their own. Here, some of the most opportune places to see all the beauty for yourself, should you decide to travel to do some New England leaf peeping this year.
Boston, Massachusetts
No trip to New England is complete without at least a quick stop in its largest city. Whether you’re flying in through Logan International Airport, or embarking on a New England road trip to points north, it’s easy to incorporate some time in The City on a Hill. While you won’t get those undulating, unending forested views you’ll find elsewhere in the region, there is still plenty of foliage to be found in Boston—particularly along the Charles River Esplanade and in Franklin Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York’s Central Park. Looking for a place to stay? Check out The Newbury Boston, with luxurious rooms by Champalimaud Design and views over the trees of the city’s iconic Public Garden and Common.
Mystic, Connecticut
Being just a quick train ride from Boston or New York City makes this coastal Connecticut town a popular weekend getaway for city folk—and its charming surroundings make it a favorite shoot location for Hallmark movies. There’s history, there’s the Mystic Aquarium which is great for kids, and there is also fantastic food to be found—especially at Shipwright’s Daughter, where chef David Standridge was just named Best Chef: Northeast at this year’s James Beard Awards. Stroll along the waterfront where the Mystic River meets Long Island Sound, and rest your head at the posh new Delamar Mystic, which opened its doors in 2024.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
The westernmost part of Massachusetts is just two hours’ drive from Boston (three from New York) yet feels worlds away. Rolling hills, apple orchards, and an alchemy of old meets new that many find intoxicating. Spend a morning wandering the grounds at Naumkeag, a historic Gilded Age estate, then zip over to MASS MoCA, one of the country’s largest museums of contemporary art. Where to stay? Tourists for a modern, Scandi-inspired escape, or Miraval Berkshires for a luxe wellness retreat.
White Mountains, New Hampshire
The White Mountains are the beating heart of leaf peeping in New England. It’s amazing how quickly you can drive from downtown Boston up into the wilderness (about two hours flat), and find yourself surrounded by an expanse of foliage that stretches out in every direction—making this a playground for hikers, bikers and road trippers, too. For a road trip, there is no more quintessential drive this time of year than the Kancamagus Highway, or the auto road up Mount Washington, New Hampshire’s highest mountain. There’s great hiking to be found in Franconia Notch State Park, and the dramatic waterfalls of the Flume Gorge are a scenic must-visit, too.
Newport, Rhode Island
Long known as a summer colony for New York’s Gilded Age elite, Rhode Island’s toniest waterfront town is also ideal in the off-season, too—when the crowds thin out and the traffic dies down, but there are still sunny days to be had. Visit the iconic mansions along tree-lined Bellevue Avenue, make a stop at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, then go for a scenic drive along Ocean Drive, where you’ll see fall foliage framed against the stunning Rhode Island Sound. For an unforgettable stay, check in to the Turret Suite at Castle Hill Inn, a Relais Châteaux—it features a cozy fireplace, and a freestanding soaking tub at the top of the hotel’s iconic turret overlooking Newport Harbor. In short: the perfect place to cozy up after a full day of New England leaf-peeping.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Long walks on the beach and fall foliage all at once? Both are possible in Kennebunkport, a popular summer destination that continues to sing well into the fall. In just ninety minutes by car from Boston, you can experience wide, sandy beaches, walking trails at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, and some of New England’s best restaurants. Book a table at the award-winning Earth at Hidden Pond, which serves farm-to-table fare amidst a grove of spruce and birch trees, or at Ocean Restaurant, where you can get fantastic seafood overlooking the Atlantic. For overnighting, there’s nowhere more cozy than the Kennebunkport Captain’s Collection, a series of renovated whaling captains’ homes where each guest room is unique.
Portland, Maine
This seaside city is one of America’s most exciting food destinations, thanks to a recent influx of culinary talent and an abundance of couldn’t-be-fresher seafood. Book a room at the new Longfellow Hotel, which recently opened in the city’s charming and walkable West End, and head out from here in any direction to find foliage adventures. For a souvenir, pick up some delectable THC treats from Pot + Pan such as mini bundt cakes and pumpkin spice latté chocolate bars; this female-owned confectionery just opened its first retail store here, and truly represents the wave of small businesses which makes Portland exciting. If you have a few more days to spare, drive another three hours north to Acadia National Park, where there’s even more leaf peeping to be found.
Stowe, Vermont
Maple syrup, artisan goods, excellent craft beer, and cheese—Vermont is a paradise for makers of all sorts, and the ski town of Stowe is a fantastic basecamp from which to experience it all. For a scenic New England road trip: stick to Route 100, which goes through the middle of town, and crisscrosses the Green Mountains in either direction; or head up Route 108, which winds dramatically through Smugglers Notch (before it closes for the season, typically in mid-November). On either route, you’ll drive over mountain passes, through river valleys, and by covered bridges where time seems to stand still. For accommodations, stay at the newly opened AWOL Stowe, which offers a Nordic-style spa deck with saunas and a cold plunge pool, as well as rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows to perfectly frame those foliage views.
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Driving the ninety minutes up from New York City to this northwest corner of the Constitution State is like driving back in time. This area of New England has exploded in popularity in recent years—thanks to such proponents as Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon, who has a home there—but its charming, bucolic side remains intact. After all that road-tripping, farm standing, and antiquing, you’ll be in need of some R&R—so book a stay and a spa treatment at the lovely Mayflower Inn Spa. Technically, you don’t even need to leave their 58-acre property to savor some heavenly foliage.
