New England for Autumn (Gilmore Girls Style)
Autumn is my favorite season, and when I lived in California I would long to return to the North East each September for its spectacular, colorful season. The time has arrived, and this year I am doing something about it. I am ready to live my best ‘Gilmore Gils’ life’ in New England this Fall, so let’s explore.
From late September to the end of October, New England puts on a seasonal show like nowhere else—and stunning foliage is just the beginning. Things like apple picking, cider donuts, cozy sweaters and more - sign me up! I have wonderful memories of places like Connecticut and Vermont to Maine and Massachusetts, so here are some wonderful places to get inspired for the season, which I found helpful guides from Travel+Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Town & Country, and more.
Connecticut: The best time to check out the fall foliage in most of Connecticut is the second and third week of October, though its season can extend into the first week of November. One of the best places to visit is Old Lyme, a small town located along Connecticut's coast. Though it's a trendy summer vacation destination, its larger-than-life trees make it a top spot for foliage fans.
Maine: The optimal time to visit the northernmost state in New England is the second week in October, according to MaineFoliage.com. And one of the best spots to take it all in is the town of Camden. Here, leaf peepers can head to Camden Hills State Park, home of Mount Battie. Not only is the hike up beautiful, but the summit offers an unprecedented view of the colorful treetops. Also Acadia National Park is another excellent Maine destination with glorious foliage views. Here, the fall colors generally peak between Oct. 13 and 22, but Mother Nature can be fickle, so make sure to be flexible. Come to the park for a lengthy hike or camp overnight and see just how much the leaves change day by day.
Massachusetts: Most of Massachusetts makes for excellent fall foliage viewing, but there's perhaps nowhere better than the Mohawk Trail. The 60-plus-mile road runs from the New York border to the Connecticut River. Travelers can drive, hike, or mosey their way through the route and visit more than 100 attractions along the way. Come fall, don't miss the Bridge of Flowers, an old trolley bridge in the town of Shelburne Falls, which comes to life with vibrant orange, yellow, and red maple leaves. Yet not all fall foliage escapes require getting out into nature — leaf peepers can also head to Boston for a city getaway. The city experiences its peak foliage throughout the month of October, with its best colors appearing around Halloween, according to Boston.gov. Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to where they can see the changing seasons, including Boston Common, Back Bay Fens, and tree-lined neighborhoods like the North End and Beacon Hill.
New Hampshire: Tucked away along New Hampshire's shoreline is Portsmouth, a city so charming that it could easily double as a Norman Rockwell painting. Take a stroll down Portsmouth's Market Square as the tree-lined street changes color in mid-October. That, NewEngland.com notes, is the optimal fall foliage time in the region. Also make your way to the Kancamagus Highway for a drive-thru leaf-peeping experience. The drive, which bookends the towns of Lincoln and Conway, snakes through White Mountain National Forest, stretching for more than 34 miles. Whether or not you pause along the way, you'll feel as if you're in a kaleidoscope of fall foliage. Must-see stops include the Sabbaday Falls in Conway, with sweeping forest views and a snapshot of Mount Washington.
Rhode Island: There's no wrong time to visit Newport. But perhaps the best time is those magical few weeks at the end of October when the leaves change colors and the Newport Mansions put on their spookiest Halloween shows. While visiting, drive down Ocean Road, a glorious coastal stretch that will leave you in awe. Arrive at dawn or dusk to avoid the crowds. In Newport, plan your stay at Gurney's, which sits on the end of a peninsula overlooking Newport Bay.
Vermont: The best time to visit Vermont to see the leaves change colors is the first week of October, according to NewEngland.com. And no trip would be complete without spending some time in the gorgeous mountain town of Stowe. Though the town was made famous by its world-class skiing, it's still worth a visit in the fall to see the gorgeous foliage. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, or horseback bike through the multicolored forest. Montgomery too, offers two reasons to visit in the fall: foliage and covered bridges. Make your way to the tiny town for an autumn escape to remember. Its geography called for several covered bridges, which used to number above a dozen. Now, six covered bridges remain, making excellent photography stops in the fall as each is surrounded by a muted rainbow hue of leaves floating to the ground.