Editor’s Note: Today’s guest post is written by Aki Schilz, see her full bio below.
Visiting New England in fall, it’s easy to see why the famous poet Robert Frost chose to spend his life there, even naming one of his collections after New Hampshire. And no season is more poetic here than autumn, with the huge number of indigenous trees in full glory all over its six states – Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut – making this one of the top travel destinations in the U.S.A. in the off-peak season. Luckily, there are plenty of tour operators who offer package holidays to New England in the autumn months and many of them are designed to get the most out of your trip and the season, with rail journeys and coach trips to make sure you visit the colorful valleys and mountains and their stunning panoramas, as well as getting deep into the heart of New England, to get a real taste of life at its most vibrant and authentic. Many tours are designed with ‘leaf-peeping’ in mind, which is good news for nature lovers and tree enthusiasts!
If you happen to fall into that class of traveler, then Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine are great leaf-peeping destinations. Remember, the leaf-peeping season starts mid to late September, peaking in the middle of October. You’ll want to get booking early as this spectacular season is unmissable and therefore popular with tourists. If you’re lucky, you might even catch an elusive ‘Indian Summer’, with temperatures not quite cold but the trees in full blaze of russet, orange, red and deep ochre.
Whether you are coming to leaf-peep or not, the landscapes of New England are nothing short of stunning, from the coniferous forests of the White Mountain region with an impressive selection of red pine, balsam fir, red spruce, paper birch and white spruce, to the flatter wetland regions with an impressive fauna. The fall is a great season for bird-watching, (the forests are home to a high number of bird species, including the Golden-Crowned Kinglet) and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of an American black bear before they start tucking themselves away to hibernate.
If you do have the luxury and advantage of being here on an escorted tour or a package holiday, then you’ll be able to get in as many sights as possible, with time in between to pop into a cozy lodge for a warming seafood or potato-based meal. And while you’re here, don’t forget to taste some of the region’s world-famous maple syrup!
So, if you want to take the road less traveled, why not discover the unspoiled beauty and autumnal splendor of New England in fall. Each state offers a fantastic variety of scenery, pace and energy, with a strong sense of culture and a rural friendliness that’s warm even in winter. It’s only when you’re here that you realize it’s possible, after all, to see, ‘Five mountain ranges one behind the other, under the sunset far into Vermont’. Just as Robert Frost said. You just have to be here, and see it, to believe it.
Today’s guest post is written by Aki Schilz. She is a writer and freelance journalist that has written news articles and reviews for various websites and publications including YH!World and EMMA. She currently spends her time between Bath and London and writes poetry in her spare time. You can find Aki on Twitter @AkiSchilz.
*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!
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14 comments
The best shots as usual! I have to say that autumn makes me a bit blue, maybe because it puts and end to the summer, but I do love its colors, they are very warm..
I can see your point. I love winter so I always enjoy fall but sometimes it is sad to feel the air getting cold. @Angela,
beautiful images.. love those leaves
I was there in late August, and now I’m wishing I had just held off a bit longer for the fall :] Great post!
Well you’ll just have another reason to return. The best time for seeing the colors is probably about the 2nd week of October 🙂 @Seattle Dredge,
wow great write up. I haven’t visit those state in Fall, but I’m sure they are very beautiful in term of the color changing. Great photo opportunity for sure.
Oh fall is the best time to go. Bright leaves, perfect blue sky. One day if you have the chance you should go – plus there’s a ben & jerry’s factory in Vt w/ free samples! @Sarah Wu,
Never been to New England and actually until reading this all I thought about when it came to New England was the Patriots. Now I wouldn’t actually visiting and spending a few days up there.
hahaha…Yes, the Patriots. New England is def. worth a few days- esp. Boston, Vermont, etc. It’s really pretty! @Bluegreen Kirk,
I love your shot of the golden leaf parade on the wet ground. It’s iconic. And some year I’ll see them in person. But I love Vermont and Maine in the summer. Hiking the Adirondack Trail near Woodstock is glorious. And scarfing down a lobster roll in Portland is downright sweet!
Thanks for commenting Terry! I’m glad you like the photo but unfortunately it isn’t mine! I plucked it from Flickr after I realized I didn’t have any leaf pictures – haven’t been home in the fall for 6 years so I guess that’s why. I agree, Vermont & Maine in the summer are beautiful! @Terry Trucco/Overnight New York,
While mid October is okay for Massachusetts or Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire peak a little earlier (I lived in New England for 6 years). For Vermont you’re looking at late September, and really, MA’s peak is a bit earlier in October. Some years it can be the second week, but you risk having missed it if you plan your trip too late.
Oh where did you leave in new england? I grew up here – didn’t know you also lived here. 🙂 @Kelsey,
@Bethany, I lived in Amherst, MA and Boston. Lived there from 2002-2008.
oh fun. I grew up about 40 mins from Amherst – there right now actually. hahah. Lived in Boston for a few years – what a great city! @Kelsey,
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