5 Best Fall Activities in New England

There is nothing like fall in New England! The cool, crisp weather and breathtaking foliage make it a great time to vacation in the area. There are plenty of unique festivals and many great outdoor activities to take part in. If you’re going to visit this season, here are the top New England fall activities we recommend you check out!

Go Leaf Peeping

You can’t travel to New England during the fall months without taking some time to enjoy the changing leaves and picturesque colors of the season. You can drive along popular scenic routes or lace up your shoes and explore hiking trails while leaves crunch beneath your feet. Some of the most popular spots to see the foliage include the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts, and Acadia National Park in Maine.

Pick Apples

Fall is apple harvest season in New England, and there are numerous orchards where you can pick your own apples. This is a fun and family-friendly activity, as these orchards oftentimes offer live music, hayrides, cider and wine tasting, and other fall-flavored treats. Top New England apple orchards include Maple Bank Farm in Connecticut, Russell Orchards in Massachusetts, and Champlain Orchards in Vermont.

Explore the Great Outdoors

The cool and comfortable fall weather makes it an excellent time for hiking and outdoor adventures. New England is home to dozens of scenic trails. Travelers favor visiting the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Green Mountains in Vermont, and the Acadia National Park in Maine. You can also go zipline through the foliage in Bretton Woods, NH, hop aboard a foliage hot air balloon ride in Plainville, Connecticut, or set sail on a riverboat foliage cruise in Connecticut.

Find the Best Fall Festivals

Some of the best fall activities in New England can be found at various fall festivals. This includes harvest festivals, cider tastings, Oktoberfests, and more. Some can’t-miss festivals include:

• Freeport Fall Festival in Maine with live music, craft vendors, food trucks, and kids activities.
• Applecrest Farm Fall Festivals in New Hampshire take place every weekend during the fall months and offer live music, tractor rides, a corn maze, face painting, fresh made cider donuts, and pick your own pumpkins and apples.
• Autumnfest in Rhode Island features a parade, amusement park rides, fair food, a beer garden, and live bands.
• Lenox Apple Squeeze in Massachusetts is named the top festival in the Berkshires and offers kids activities, a 5K race, town wagon rides, live music, and more. Plus, all the foods offered are made with apples as the festival title implies. You can try cides, pies, donuts, and so much more.

Find Your Perfect Pumpkin

Get in the Halloween spirit with a visit to one of New England’s many gorgeous pumpkin patches. Pick your own to carve or use it to make a taste pumpkin pie. These farms usually offer many other seasonal activities such a hayrides, petting zoos, cornmazes, fall treats, and more. Some of the best pumpkin patches in New England include Pumpkin Valley Farm in Maine, Cider Hill Farm in Massachusetts, and Green Mountain Orchards in Vermont.