How to View Fall Foliage in New England

It's been said that in New England, you don't really have to travel to view brilliant fall foliage - just stand on a street corner, and fall color will come to you. A combination of ideal climatic conditions and just the right soil for those color-producing oaks and maples have turned New England into the favorite fall foliage region in the world.

Things You'll Need

• Hiking Boots
• Maps Of The New England Area
• Picnic Basket
• Picnic Blankets
• Scrapbooks
• Wine Bottles
• Travel Services
• Cameras
• Film
• Binoculars
• Day Packs

Instructions

1. Find out the best times to visit: Peak color begins in early September in northwestern Maine, then moves south and east until it ends in late October in Connecticut and Rhode Island. October is the prime color season for the majority of the region.

2. Visit Maine to get a glimpse of New England's first hint of color, usually found in the western mountains and north of Baxter State Park in late September. Later in the fall, visit the area around Acadia National Park, where color peaks from early to mid-October; further south along the coast toward Kittery, the color will change just slightly later in the season. Central Maine usually peaks in early October.

3. Explore Vermont, considered the center of New England color. Good choices include the Green Mountains, Route 9 from Brattleboro to Bennington, and Smuggler's Notch State Park. The Northeast Kingdom area hosts an annual Foliage Festival outside of St. Johnsbury.

4. Head for the White Mountains of New Hampshire for color - if you don't mind crowds. Drive the ever-popular Kancamagus Highway from Conway to North Woodstock, as well as some of the less-traveled roads off this main artery. In southern New Hampshire, explore the area around Mount Monadnock State Park.

5. Visit western Massachusetts midweek, when the pace is slower than on weekends; views are breathtaking. The Mohawk Trail, known more prosaically as Highway 2, starts in Orange and heads west to North Adams. Stop for the view at Hairpin Curve. Before heading out, explore the Quabbin Reservoir and the area around Barre. Along the way, consider a detour to explore Shelburne Falls or Highway 116. Further west, Highways 7 and 8 provide panoramas of the Berkshires.

6. Explore Connecticut in a day on a circle route that follows the state's borders. For a stay in a charming 18th-century town, plan a base in Litchfield and explore Highways 4 and 7 in the northwest corner of the state.

7. Consider the forests of northern Rhode Island for the best autumn foliage tours, including the popular Highway 6 and the less crowded Highway 101. Check with local tourism offices for byways that are off the beaten track.

8. Keep in mind that there is some fine foliage in upstate New York, even if it may technically be part of the mid-Atlantic states. Lakes and highways riddling the Adirondack invite exploration. Travel north on Interstate 87 out of Albany, then start exploring side roads once you reach Adirondack Park.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan a day trip for almost any town - New England states are small. Even driving around individual states usually doesn't mean a lot of mileage covered, although the time can be stretched to cover many hours.

• Many areas have harvest festival and fall color events, as well as antique shows, art fairs and other attractions. Check with the chamber of commerce for particular areas and events.

• In this prime tourist season, roads are often crowded, especially on weekends. Plan to relax and enjoy the scenery, rather than worry about schedules and destinations.

• Many places are booked a year in advance, especially for the first two weekends of October. Some may also require a minimum stay. If you don't have a room for the night, try to get one by 4:00 p.m. at the latest.

• Weather is typically about 65 to 75 degrees, but can reach up to 75 to 80 degrees during the day. Temperatures drop off markedly at night, which of course sets fall color, so dress in layers.