6 New England Fall Foliage Hot Spots
Experiencing the changing colors of fall foliage is truly a highlight of exploring New England. The forests are alight in brilliant hues, a display that can be shocking in its vividness.
It’s hard to plan for the perfect autumn trip, as varied weather conditions mean the leaves change at different times each year, so be sure to check an up-to-date foliage map in advance. In the northern states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, colors begin to change in mid-September, continuing through mid-October. The first color appears at northern latitudes and high altitudes, working south and toward sea level as the season progresses.
Whether you plan to explore the northern states, the southern states, or—better yet—both, here are some of the best places to peep New England’s fall foliage.
1. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
The twists and turns of this 34-mile road through the White Mountains pass through gorgeous forests that are brilliant in autumn.
2. Mad River Valley, Vermont
A broad valley flanked with peaks on each side, this gorgeous spot offers wide-open views and easy access to higher-elevation terrain.
3. Acadia National Park, Maine
Offset by the island’s many evergreen trees, fall colors are especially dramatic here, with kettle ponds and harbors to reflect the leaves.
4. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
With subtler displays than in the northern forests, Cape Cod doesn’t attract crowds of leaf peepers, but autumn turns its oaks a beautiful rusty hue, plants in the dunes are frosted with gold, and the area’s cranberry harvest ripens in Technicolor.
- Multiple Routes: Choose from flexible road trips like a fall foliage tour, getaways from the cities, or the ultimate two-week route through all of New England
- Eat, Sleep, Stop and Explore: With lists of the best hikes, views, eateries, and more, you can trek among spruce trees in the White Mountains, cycle through Acadia National Park, or cruise down bucolic lanes of Woodstock. Take to the sea and spot humpback whales and puffin colonies, shop for wood-fired maple syrup, or snag a buttery lobster roll after a day at the beach. Dive into Boston’s revolutionary history, sample farm-fresh produce in the Berkshires, party in Providence, or sip your way through some of the area’s best microbreweries
- Maps and driving tools: Easy-to-use maps keep you oriented on and off the highway, along with site-to-site mileage, driving times, detailed directions, and full-color photos throughout
- Local Expertise: Lifelong New Englander and road warrior Miles Howard shares the local secrets of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island
- Planning Your Trip: Know when and where to get gas, how to avoid traffic, tips for driving in different road and weather conditions, and suggestions for LGBTQ travelers, seniors, and road trippers with kids
Looking to explore more of America on wheels? Try Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip! Spending more time in the city? Check out Moon 52 Things to Do in Boston.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
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5. Mount Greylock, Massachusetts
Climb or drive to the highest point in Massachusetts for panoramic views across the Berkshires, where gently rolling farmland is flocked with deciduous forests.
6. Litchfield, Connecticut
All white-tipped steeples and historic houses, this town offers the perfect frame for changing leaves, while local apple farms open for pick-your-own.
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