BEFORE THE LEAVES BEGIN TO FALL
Fall Foliage Destinations in New England
For some, the changing colors of the leaves in the trees signals
a sad end to summer. But for millions, it signals the start of
the sweetest season of them all:
Fall foliage in New England
 From
late summer until around November 1st, Mother Nature paints her
pictures in every shade in the spectrum, from the deepest oil
colors of the reds and purples to the delicate pastels of the
yellows and greens. Starting at the northernmost points in New
England, she slowly sweeps her brush across the landscape, from
the mountaintops to the city parks, from sea to rural settings
in the west.
Planning your fall foliage tour depends on the vacation dates
you have available. But anytime during this almost two month
period will provide plenty of "leaf peeping" if you
go to the right places. In other words, by mid-September the
leaves in Maine are approaching their peak while the trees in
Connecticut are just beginning to turn. Conversely, by November
first when western Connecticut is in full flower, the trees in
Maine will have already lost their leaves.
 The
warmer and wetter the summer, the longer and later the season
will last. A cooler and/or dryer than normal summer will hasten
the process and put peak viewing times in a narrower shutter.
The best way to get an idea is to visit the individual state
websites for their predictions on the best time to see the leaves.
Also, most newspapers in New England keep a running report during
the season, noting the arrival of perfect scenery throughout
the region.
For those of you who like the comfort and convenience of a guided
tour, there are many bus tours (and even a train/bicycle option)
which keep right on top of the changes and can provide optimum
viewing from the comfort of the bus or from the frequent stops
at overlooks and to stroll out into the trees.
The do-it-yourself-ers can always plan out an auto tour which
leaves you free to linger in a particularly beautiful spot or
to push on if an area doesn't meet your expectations.
And of course, the more adventurous traveler will find that
walking, hiking and biking can provide you with opportunities
to see spectacular foliage which would otherwise not be accessible
from the main roads.
Coinciding with the coming of harvest time, the hotels and inns,
restaurants and farm stands will provide you with many spectacular
dining experiences all along your route.
Remember, New England fall foliage tours attract millions of
people from not only all over the country, but from all over
the world. It is not unusual to run into not only many Europeans
in autumn in the region, but people from even the Far East! Do
not be lulled into a sense that peak tourist season is over and
that accommodations will be plentiful. Be sure to make reservations
in plenty of time so as not to miss out on some of the more spectacular
scenes.
Here are some state-by-state tips for your fall foliage planning.
MAINE
For the first peek at the peak foliage season, Maine is your
destination. Starting in September, the leaves in the northwestern
area of the state have begun to turn. Starting up in the mountains
north of Baxter State Park, the leaves will rapidly reach their
peak in a long, southeasterly arc, sweeping steadily down to
the shoreline near the southern coastal resorts in the Kennebunk/Ogunquit
area. A 10 day trek across Maine at this time will provide you
with every setting in which to view spectacular foliage, from
the mountain tops through the free-standing forests to the wooded
areas directly to the west of the Atlantic coast.
VERMONT
The state of Vermont is considered the center of New England's
fall foliage spectacular. Starting in the northern part of the
state up near Canada, St. Johnsbury hosts an annual Fall Foliage
Festival. Heading south, the Green Mountains and Smuggler's Notch
State Park are optimum for viewing. The ski resorts are all perfect
places from which to centralize a trip. There's plenty of lodging
and dining and other amenities not at their peak demand and the
season lasts longer than many others.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The White Mountains is the place to go. It is the most popular
foliage tour destination in New England, but they're also plenty
prepared. Simply driving the Kancamagus Highway from Conway to
North Woodstock will provide you with scores of stunning opportunities.
And the locals will be more than happy to clue you in to scenes
off the beaten path. For a quick trip from New York or southern
New England, the Mount Monadnock State Park region is a cornucopia
of delights within just a few hours drive.
MASSACHUSETTS
The Berkshire mountains of western Massachusetts are easily accessible
from any starting point. These foothills of the Adirondacks are
one of the most popular destinations for the "leaf peeper".
In the heart of the state, the two main roads, the Mass Turnpike
and Route 2 provide dozens of great opportunities while heading
east to west or vice-versa. There are many easily accessible
areas right off the main roads, but simply sticking to those
main roads will provide you with spectacular scenery without
ever even leaving the car! This is a really easy way to see the
sights, especially for the novice.
CONNECTICUT
A trip around the border of this state will provide you with
multiple opportunities and can be accomplished in just a couple
of days. For a longer stay, the northwestern area of the state
is an optimum location for a more extended stay.
RHODE ISLAND
The beauty of fall foliage in "The Biggest Little State
in the Union" is that not only are the colors spectacular,
but also it has the longest and latest season. And being so small
it is possible to travel throughout the state on the 2 main roads
heading east-west (Routes 101 and 6) or north-south (Routes 95
and 102) and see all there is to see in just a couple of days,
while staying in one of southern Rhode Islands seaside communities
or enjoying luxury accommodations in the greater Providence area.
Here's a checklist to help plan your fall foliage tour.
- Look for foliage festivals, harvest celebrations or other
autumn-oriented events. They are usually centered in a prime
foliage location and can provide many opportunities for other
kinds of recreation when you're ready for a break or in the
evenings.
- Book your rooms early. Autumn in New England is just as
busy in the fall as it is in high summer and during ski season.
You're competing with people from all over the world for accommodations.
- Try planning for weekday excursions. You can enjoy the scenery
in less-crowded conditions during the week and then relax in
the surroundings of your accommodations on the weekend without
fighting the crowds.
- Make sure to bring your camera! Just look at the amount
of award-winning photographs of fall foliage to give you an
idea of the number of memories you'll wish to preserve.
- Take advantage of the full array of possibilities. Whether
driving yourself or on a tour, make sure there will be opportunities
to head down the side roads and back roads and to explore on
foot or by bike. Many of the most spectacular scenes are available
only off the beaten path.
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