Exploring New England’s Autumn Charm
Every season in New England has its special charm but to me, none better than fall. The air is crisp and the sky deepens into cobalt blue. Falling leaves of red and gold, soft sweaters, carved pumpkins and apple picking define the season.
As Autumn approaches, New England offers unique travel experiences with its spectacular natural scenery, architecture and rural heritage. If you’ve never seen this part of the country before, you owe it to yourself to visit. It is an especially beautiful time of the year with its brilliant fall foliage.
My husband and I spent twenty years exploring the back roads of New England. A scenic fall drive over the gentle rolling hills filled with beautiful colored trees never disappointed.
Picture-book New England villages are so pretty that they don’t look real. Historic homes cluster around a village green. At the center is a white storybook church with a tall steeple. It rises up above the golden canopy of trees.
We often took short drives to neighboring quaint towns for their fair, festival, or other event during the autumn harvest. We would stroll through the village green in the cool air and browse boutique shops with their one of a kind handcrafted items. It was nice to linger over lunch at the charming village inn. We chatted with first-time visitors about what they should not miss seeing.
On a weekday, when it wasn’t as crowded, we loved taking a ride up to the White mountains. We drove the beautiful 35 mile long Kancamagus Highway for the unbeatable views. It is the most well known drive you can take. It is especially beautiful when the fall foliage is at its peak, usually in the first two weeks of October.
The best part of leaf peeping is that it is beautiful to see the leaves in any weather. For those not familiar with the term “leaf peeping,” it’s a phrase used by locals. They use it when going for a drive, visiting farms, and attending festivals in small towns and rural areas. All this while admiring the fall foliage.
One of our favorite towns to spend a night or two in was Woodstock, Vermont, voted prettiest town in America. It is the quintessential Vermont town that is straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. From its classic inns, brick streets, quaint boutiques, great restaurants and country store, it doesn’t get much better. Everything you have read and seen about New England is there. This ranges from the covered bridge in the village center to renowned cheese and maple products.
If you’re looking to get out into nature and appreciate the region’s natural beauty, visit an apple orchard. New Englanders love nothing more than a day of old-fashioned fun picking apples. There are hundreds of orchards for them to choose from.
Apple picking is something the whole family, from grandparents to young children, can enjoy doing together. They pack into their car and take a scenic ride to their favorite farm. Oftentimes the large farms have live entertainment and face painting for the children. They usually have a petting farm, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and offer hay rides.
The hay rides take you out into the orchards to pick your apples. Most orchards will have a dozen or so well known varieties. If you pick your own apples, ask someone what apples they suggest depending on how you want to enjoy them.
I used to recommend various varieties of apples when people came to our orchard, Orchard Hill Farm. If you want apples for eating out of hand, I suggest picking Cortland, Empire and Fuji. Gala, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious and Stayman Winesap are a great choice as well.
For tart apples that hold their shape for buttery desserts, I suggest picking Bramley, Granny Smith, Newtown Pippen. These apples are great for pies and tarts. Northern Spy, Rome and Roxbury Russet are other good options if the orchards you visit are growing them.
Besides picking your own apples, most orchards sell already picked apples. They also sell freshly pressed cider, pies, jams and jellies. Vegetables, flowers, and small gifts are usually available too. I also recommend that you buy some hot cider donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar before leaving their farm store. They are irresistible.
****
Whole guide books have been written about New England and fall road trips. Whether you visit for a few days or a week, you will love the experience. There is nothing lovelier in my mind than a charming small town decked out in nature’s finest colors. I suggest booking a stay at one of the traditional inns. Pull out your boots, fuzzy socks, plaid flannel shirts, and soft sweaters. Pack them in a bag for a fall trip to beautiful New England.
Beautiful photos. It’s all looks stunning and wonderful. Thanks for sharing, Karen.
This is a place I would love to visit, especially in the fall. Your pictures are fabulous.
Karen, your beautiful images and descriptions make me want to pack my bag and get there as fast as I can! The colors are fabulous and those apples look delicious!
Gosh…the colours are absolutely stunning!
Angie
http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com
I do miss fall foliage living this far south. The pumpking festival looks great.
The photos are stunning. This is the only area of our country we have not visited and I don’t know why.
The autumnal colours are magnificent, Karen.
I’ve been fortunate to live in places where autumn has featured its grand colour scheme.
Oh my, the colors are absolutely stunning! I must visit someday.
They really do look like storybook scenes. And those apples! Could be out of Snow White lol. Seriously though, gorgeous colours and pictures. Enjoy the colourful season.
such glorious photos Karen. I love those autumn colours. we are heading into a long hot summer, and spring has already sprung Everything is blooming already!
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
So beautiful! New England is still on my list of places to visit. I bet there are lots of wonderful places to hike there.
Beautiful photos. I just stopped by a local farm in Durham to pick up a bag of Macoun apples. Delicious.
Fall is so beautiful in America – you don’t get the same red and orange trees in Europe.
We spent a few autumnal weeks in Maine and Vermont last year and hit the leaves just perfectly. It was heavenly.
I was raised in Massachusetts, but have lived in Pennsylvania for over 50 years. These pictures take me back to how beautiful New England is this time of year.
Makes me want to pack up and head to Vermont. Nice write up and great pics.
Beautiful photos Karen! I grew up in Connecticut so I know how beautiful Fall is in the area. I have memories of going to get fresh apple cider at a local farm stand every fall. We do have seasons in Alabama where I live now, but Fall comes a lot later.
Jenna
Color is just beginning here, but the peppers are already out!
One of these days I will have to visit again. Thanks for reminding me of the beautiful countryside that I left so many years ago.
Such beautiful fall photos! Our fall is late this year–not that I’m complaining!
We took a Leaf Peeper road trip to New England years ago. As someone from Southern California, I was blown away by the stunning foliage we saw everywhere. I would love to make a return trip one of these days. Your photos are fabulous!
Beautiful photos! New England at its best is in the Fall.
I need to get some apples. Yours looked so good!
Happy Fall! 🍁🍂🍁
Years ago I was in New England in the fall. It was almost dangerous to drive, it was so beautiful (and you just wanted to keep looking around!) I love this, Karen. Happy week.
You mention so many of our favorite places from when we lived in Maine. It’s so long ago now — our memories make us smile. Thanks for the tour!
What a wonderful time in New England in the fall. So many pretty colors, I know you must have enjoyed your time there. Beautiful!
Wow the colours of fall!!!!! Love it
I can hear Ella singing Moonlight in Vermont.
I’ve never visited New England in the fall, but my husband and I have frequently gone to the Adirondacks during “leaf peeping” season. Beautiful. Frankly, though, my home state of Pennsylvania is pretty gorgeous, too.
Karen, since I won’t be managing to get in any “leaf peeping” or “seeing the colors,” I reallyreallyreally appreciated this post. Your photos and exceptionally appealing descriptions have me feeling as if I’ve just had a mini-vacation! Thanks, I needed that!
I just commented and didn’t put my name anywhere. Thanks again for the mini vacation! ~ Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
Such a beautiful place!!!
The fall colours and your gorgeous photography are stunning! Autumn is our favorite time of the year and you have captured every minute perfectly.
Healthy World Cuisine