The apple cider is out, the kids are back in school, you’ve got your favorite sweater on, fall in New England has officially started! Luckily for New England residents, the month of October is the perfect time to cruise around the different towns of New England to admire the beautiful scenery it has to offer. More specifically, the orange, red, and gold colored leaves of autumn in parts of New England attract tons of visitors from all over the world, and generally, these leaves peak around Columbus Day weekend! Below are tons of suggestions on the best places to go leaf peeking in New England and some tips on how to get there!
First on our list is the famous Mohawk Trail, considered one of the most beautiful drives in the state of Massachusetts. You will start off at Route 2 in North Adams and continue on it until Greenfield or even Boston. Although it is curvy and mountainous, navigating it is relatively easy and there are several stops to enjoy the vista, such as Mount Greylock, the Green Mountains, and Hoosac Valley. As you continue along, you will coast through small beautiful Western MA towns, such as Shelburne Falls before continuing through to the Berkshires. As you drive along this trail, you will have no shortage of places to stop and take photos of the scenery and the foliage!
Another amazing route to take for the fall foliage is The Old King’s Highway, located on Route 6A in Cape Cod. Although it’s a narrow road, it is absolutely teeming with historical sites, antique stores, and art galleries and you will surely be wrapped up in the magnificent foliage surrounding you. Not only is it a relaxing drive compared to the rest of the routes available near Cape Cod, you will be driving through historic villages such as Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, and Brewster! Most of the homes and churches are shaded by lots of trees which is the perfect scenic vista during your drive, so make sure you relax, stop, and take lots of photos!
If driving around New England is not a possibility for you, don’t fret! First off, just because Boston is a city it does not mean that it’s less beautiful in the fall compared to the suburbs! Rather than spending the time and money to try and drive around crowded highways, here are some places you can go right in the heart of the city without ever leaving it! Firstly, do not miss out on going to the Boston Public Gardens located in the Boston Commons during the fall months, the color of the trees are spectacular. The nearest T station is Arlington on the Green Line, and of course admission is free! Marvel at the shifting tapestry of trees and shrubs that surround this quaint little area in the heart of Boston.
Next up on the list is the Charles River Esplanade, which is the long stretch of pathway along the Charles River, near Beacon Hill and Back Bay. During the month of October, the esplanade turns into a paradise of gold and orange, as the Boston fall foliage reaches its peak. As soon as you enter this area along the Charles, feel free to walk, jog, bicycle, or even sit by the many piers available, which will surely make you feel like you have escaped the city.
Another place where the fall foliage is in full view is Mount Auburn Cemetery, located about 2 miles west of Boston, in Cambridge. Don’t be put off by the fact that it is a cemetery, as there are over 5,000 trees representing 630 species, making it one of the best places to admire the Boston fall foliage! Mount Auburn is known as America’s first garden cemetery and it certainly does not disappoint. Filled with hills, ponds, woodlands, and dells, there are plenty of spots to relax and view the colorful vistas of trees.
Let us know your favorite place to go during the fall!
