Whether your New England vacation rental is in a small town in Connecticut, by a lake in Maine, or in a large city such as Boston, you’ll undoubtedly be within driving distance of beautiful fall foliage. Leaf-peeping season is here, and even the locals can’t get enough of the scenery. Here are the top 10 places to see fall foliage in New England:
1. Talcott Mountain State Park, Simsbury, CT
Located in the north central part of Connecticut, Simsbury is a beautiful place to see fall foliage. Talcott Mountain State Park includes both the Metacomet Trail and the Tower Trail. The Tower trail, which is 1.25 miles, goes up to the Heublein Tower on top of the mountain. From the top of the mountain you can see the Berkshires and Mount Monadnock in the distance.
2. Camden Hills State Park, Camden, ME
Mt. Battie, which is in Camden Hills State Park, offers views of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay. If you want to see the foliage but don’t want to hike, you can drive up the Mt. Battle Auto Road. The park is open all year from 9am to sunset. Find a vacation rental in the small harbor town of Camden, where you can go on a harbor cruise or explore the small shops.
3. Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal, Maine
Head over to Bradbury Mountain State Park for peak season in late September to mid October. You can see gorgeous views of the Calendar Islands in Casco Bay. The mountain doesn’t require a long climb, making it ideal for families. In addition to hiking, it’s a popular spot for mountain biking, camping, and watching hawk migration in the spring.
4. Manchester, Vermont
Almost anywhere you drive in Vermont will lead you to scenic fall foliage. However, one of the better spots is the Equinox Preservation Trust in Manchester. Located in the Green Mountains, it’s a great area for mountain biking, horse back riding, and hiking.
5. Brunswick, Maine
Brunswick is a town on the coast of southern Maine and is a great location to start your drive through fall foliage. You can start in Brunswick and go down Route 1 and explore the surrounding towns and end at Mount Battie in Camden.
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6. Montgomery, Vermont
See fall foliage from a completely new view by taking an Aerial Tram ride through Montgomery Vermont at the Jay Peak Resort. Montgomery is also know for its’ mountain bike trails and its’ six covered bridges.
7. White Mountains, New Hampshire
There are several driving trails through the White Mountains. The Northern Loop goes through several towns such as Littleton and Bethlehem, as well as Frost Place, which used to be poet Robert Frost’s farm. There’s also the Southern Driving Loop, which begins in Plymouth. The entire White Mountains trail is about 100 miles and begins at the White Mountains Visitor Center.
8. Dover, MA
If your vacation rental is in the Boston area, make sure to check out the Noanet Woodlands in Dover, Massachusetts. For views of the iconic Boston skyline, hike to the Noanet Peak. There are 17 miles of trails that are great for riding, mountain biking, hiking, and even snowshoeing.
9. Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
The loop around beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire is 75 miles and takes you through a variety of towns, such as Wolfeboro and Laconia. The lake is the largest in the state and is a fun family vacation destination. Enjoy kayaking, zip lining, hiking, and even corn mazes.
10. Dennis Hill State Park, Norfolk, CT
Dennis Hill is a 240-acre estate in Norfolk, Connecticut. The summit offers panoramic views of Vermont’s Green Mountains and New Hampshire. A popular spot is the large pavilion at the top of the hill, which used to be a summer residence of a New York surgeon.
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