How long does fall last in New England?

It’s no secret that New England is one of the best places in the country to see stunning fall foliage and enjoy all the tastes and scents of autumn. But how long does fall last in New England?

Now that I’ve lived in New England for five years, I’ve learned all about the best times to experience fall in different parts of New England. 

Keep reading for everything you need to know about fall in New England!

Fall in New England: Concord, MA

How long does fall last in New England?

Technically, fall begins in New England in mid-September and lasts through mid-December. But temperatures can vary a lot from state to state, and peak times for fall foliage are also different depending on how far north or south you go.

In Boston, for example, it’s not uncommon for temperatures to stay in the 70s and 80s until the middle of October. You typically won’t see peak foliage in the city until November.

By contrast, Acadia National Park in northern Maine has cooler temperatures already in September, and you’re better off visiting in mid-September through early October to catch the most vibrant fall colors.

How long is the fall season in each New England state?

In terms of calendar year, fall takes place at the same time in all six New England states, from the autumn equinox in September (around the 23rd of the month) until the winter solstice in December (also around the 23rd of the month).

But if you’re thinking about the best times for fall foliage, apple-picking, pumpkin patches, and other fall activities, that can vary a bit by state and region. 

Temperatures cool down and leaves change color faster in the northern states (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont) than in the southern states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island).

When is peak fall foliage in New England?

In Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, you can expect to find the most colorful foliage from mid to late September through mid-October. 

In Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, peak foliage usually appears in mid-October and lasts through early November.

Of course, these are just rough predictions based on average temperatures each year and my overall experience. However, it’s worth noting that if temperatures drop too quickly, this could cause trees to lose their leaves too soon and the colors won’t be quite as vibrant.

The timing of fall foliage can also vary based on elevation. In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, for example, you can expect to see colorful foliage sooner than in areas of lower elevation.

If your schedule is flexible, there are several websites with fall foliage trackers, such as this New England fall foliage map, that let you know when peak foliage is expected in a certain part of New England.

Is November too late for fall foliage?

By November, most parts of New England have already had their peak fall foliage periods, especially areas of higher elevation like the Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Acadia National Park in Maine.

However, it’s not uncommon for cities like Boston to reach peak foliage times in early to mid-November. Boston is usually one of the last places in New England to settle into winter so you can enjoy the stunning fall colors a bit longer.

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Best places to go in New England for fall foliage

There are so many stunning places to view fall foliage in New England. Below I’ve included some of the best options. 

Note that while I provide the best general timeframes to visit, I recommend checking local foliage trackers for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Best time to go: Early to mid-October

The Kancamagus Highway, also known as “The Kanc,” is a scenic byway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and it’s renowned for its stunning fall foliage. 

The highway runs for about 34.5 miles through the White Mountain National Forest, and it’s dotted with scenic overlooks and trailheads offering breathtaking views of forests, mountains, and rivers. 

Some notable spots include the Lincoln Woods Trailhead, Sabbaday Falls, the Hancock Overlook, and the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area.

🍁 Click here for the New Hampshire fall foliage tracker 🍁

📍Where to stay near the Kancamagus Highway: Home2 Suites By Hilton (North Conway)

How long is fall in New England? Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

Acadia National Park, Maine

Best time to go: Mid-October

For an epic fall sightseeing experience, visit Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in Maine. Acadia is beautiful to visit any time of year, but there’s something special about seeing it in majestic fall colors.

Drive the Park Loop Road, the main road that takes you through a good portion of the park and past key stops, including Ocean Path (the most stunning ocean panoramas), Thunder Cove, and Jordan Pond.* 

*When at Jordan Pond, stop at the Jordan Pond House for their famous popovers. The restaurant remains open through most of October.

Be sure to also hike or drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for breathtaking views of the ocean, Bar Harbor, and the forests featuring a kaleidoscope of colors.

Another unique feature of Acadia National Park are the carriage roads developed by John D. Rockefeller in the early 1900s. 

The carriage roads span 45 miles of scenic territory and are made of packed gravel that was once intended for horse-drawn carriages. Now the trails are the perfect turf for bikers and hikers to take in the crisp fall air.

🍁 Click here for the Maine fall foliage tracker 🍁

📍Where to stay near Acadia National Park: Bar Harbor Grand Hotel

Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts

Best time to go: Late September to mid-October

The Mohawk Trail, located in western Massachusetts, spans 63 miles along Route 2 from Orange to North Adams. It’s the first scenic drive to appear in New England, which first opened in 1914.

Some of the best stops along the highway include the Whitcomb Summit (the highest point on the Mohawk Trail), the French King Bridge at Millers Falls that crosses the Connecticut River, and the Hairpin Turn before North Adams. 

Two other bridges that are worth seeing are the historic Bissell Covered Bridge in Charlemont and the picturesque Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls. 

You could also take the 10-mile drive from the Mohawk Trail to the summit of Mt. Greylock, the highest point in all of Massachusetts.

If you’re interested in hiking, there are plenty of trails within Mohawk Trail State Forest, including the Mahican-Mohawk Trail to Indian Trail Lookout, which has the highest rating on AllTrails.

📍Where to stay along the Mohawk Trail: The Williams Inn (Williamstown)

Boston in the fall

Boston Common and Public Garden, Massachusetts

Best time to go: Late October to early November

Boston Common and the Public Garden in Boston are iconic urban parks that offer a beautiful setting to enjoy fall foliage within the city. 

In my experience, the fall colors appear a bit later in Boston than other parts of New England. This past year, the colors lasted well into November.

Both of these parks are filled with a variety of deciduous trees, including maples and oaks, which display brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall. 

I never get tired of walking along the leaf-covered pathways and watching the colorful tree branches sway around the Public Garden’s lagoon.

Another benefit to choosing the Boston Common and Public Garden as part of your fall foliage adventure is you can tack on a city tour of Boston at the same time. The parks are in the heart of the city, with easy access to Copley Square, Newbury Street, Beacon Hill, Chinatown, the Freedom Trail, and other key attractions.

📍Where to stay in Boston: The Lenox or The Westin Copley Place

The Berkshires, Massachusetts

Best time to go: Mid- to late October

The Mohawk Trail covers part of the Berkshires, but if you have time, it’s worth exploring the entire Berkshire region in the fall. 

Start by driving the Mohawk Trail (Route 2) from Orange to North Adams and then go south on Route 7 to Great Barrington. 

The entire drive takes about two-and-a-half hours without stopping, but you’ll definitely want to make time for several stops. 🙂

Map of westbound Route 2 to southbound Route 7 for a scenic Berkshires drive
VIEW MAP ON GOOGLE

Check out the Mohawk Trail section above for key stops along that stretch of the journey. 

Once you start driving south on Route 7, swing by Lenox, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood. While performances finish at the end of the summer, this charming town still has plenty of local shops and eateries to explore in the fall.

Stockbridge is another must-see town in southwestern Massachusetts. Stroll through the historic downtown to see the old Red Lion Inn and general store. Stockbridge is also home to the Normal Rockwell Museum that honors the iconic American painter.

End your trip with a hike to Monument Mountain in Great Barrington to take in the foliage views before enjoying the shops and restaurants downtown.

📍Where to stay in the Berkshires: Granville House (Great Barrington) or The Cornell Inn (Lenox)

Stowe, Vermont

Best time to go: Late September to mid-October

Stowe is a skier’s paradise in the winter, but this charming town is equally popular for travelers in the fall. Stowe’s location between the northern Green Mountains and Worcester mountain range makes it one of the best places to capture the state’s stunning fall foliage.

The Stowe Mountain Road that leads to Mount Mansfield*, Vermont’s highest peak, and the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Byway are two of the most popular routes to take in the changing leaf colors.

*For an unforgettable ride to the summit of Mount Mansfield, you can forgo the drive and take the Gondola SkyRide instead.

The Stowe Recreation Path is another scenic trail that winds through meadows and along the West Branch River. Here you have the option to walk or bike while enjoying the fall colors. For more advanced hiking trails, try the Sterling Pond Trail or the Pinnacle Trail.

While in town, it’s also worth walking along Stowe’s main street to browse the boutique shops and local eateries.

📍Where to stay in Stowe: Green Mountain Inn or Trapp Family Lodge

Woodstock, Vermont

Best time to go: Early to mid-October

After Stowe, Woodstock is a close second in Vermont for beautiful fall foliage. Located about 73 miles south of Stowe, Woodstock is a quintessential New England town known for its charming architecture and picturesque surroundings.

Stroll through the Village Green and along the quaint streets of downtown Woodstock before walking across one of Vermont’s most photographed covered bridges: Middle Covered Bridge, spanning 139 feet across the Ottauquechee River.

Mount Tom, located just west of Woodstock, is part of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Here you can find several hiking trails that lead to the 1,357-foot summit with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Explore the scenic countryside around Woodstock by driving Cloudland Road to see Sleepy Hollow Farm, known as the most photogenic farm in Vermont. 

Follow the Quechee Gorge Loop to visit “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon.” The Quechee Gorge is surrounded by wooded hillsides that come alive with autumn hues.

📍Where to stay in Woodstock: Woodstock Inn & Resort

Fall in New England: White Mountains of New Hampshire

What U.S. states have the longest fall season?

The length of the fall season in each U.S. state can vary from year to year and is influenced by factors such as latitude, elevation, and local climate. 

Generally, states in the northern parts of the U.S., where temperatures drop more rapidly, tend to experience a shorter fall season compared to states in the southern parts.

This Smoky Mountains fall foliage tracker provides a nice timeline of color changes from September to November across the country. (Note it still shows the 2023 season; it will be updated to 2024 later this year.)

States in the Northeast, Midwest*, and parts of the Rocky Mountains are known for having relatively long and vibrant fall seasons. 

*Quick plug for my home state! While I have a particular affinity for fall in New England, as a Michigander born and raised, I can attest that fall in Michigan is also beautiful, especially in the northern parts of the state.

Conclusion: Fall in New England

I love New England during all seasons, but there’s something special about fall here. 

Temperatures start to cool after a warm summer, the smell of apple cider donuts and woodburning fireplaces permeates the air, and the trees glow in hues of red, orange, and yellow. It’s a magical time of year.

If you’ve never experienced fall in New England, what are you waiting for? Let 2024 be your year. 🙂

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