25 Fantastic Leaf Peeping Drives in New England
New England is the earliest place in the US for leaf viewing. Checking out these great spots and drives for leaf peeping and a chance to marvel at the wonder of nature
Maine
Coastal Route 1
This is a multi day drive if you plan on doing any stops
Start in Portland and head north on “Old Route 1” for one of New England’s most scenic coastal drives. Stop along the way in Brunswick, Bath, or Rockport—each town features stunning seaside mansions, historic lighthouses, and delicious late-season lobster rolls. Need new boots or want to stock up on flannel for the season? Visit Freeport for the L.L. Bean flagship store. End your trip in the quaint town of Camden, where you can enjoy prime leaf-peeping spots like Merryspring, a 66-acre park and nature center.
Acadia National Park Loop Road
The 47,000-acre Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is a nature lover’s paradise and truly the epitome of foliage destinations. Its 27-mile Park Loop Road is filled with spots to observe and photograph the foliage.
For the full experience, begin at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Follow the one-way Park Loop Road to explore Sand Beach, Little Hunters Beach, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain. Stay in nearby towns or camp in the park. Mid-October is ideal for leaf-peeping, though the scenery is beautiful year-round.
Mount Battie Auto Road
Camden isn’t terribly far from Bar Harbor as the crow flies, but as they say in Maine: “You can’t get there from here.” Saving the extra two-hour trip north from southern New England to Acadia does mean sacrificing some of the wildness. Still, there are plenty of similar scenes here: from mountains that meet the sea to lakes lined with amazing autumn foliage, all near a fine coastal village.
While most will tell you that hiking is the most rewarding way to the top of Mount Battle, the Mount Battie Auto Road is another option. The winding road leads to a parking lot near the summit, allowing everyone a chance to enjoy the views. The road is usually closed in the winter because of snow, and you will have to pay a small fee to drive to the summit.
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
Explore western Maine in mid-October for breathtaking fall foliage around Rangeley Lake. This 35-mile route crosses the Appalachian Trail and showcases protected wilderness with vibrant autumn colors. Visitors enjoy various outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, and moose watching. The route’s highlight is the Height of Land on Route 17, offering stunning views of lakes and mountains.
Golden Road
Maine’s Golden Road stretches from Millinocket all the way to Quebec, but for the purposes of your leaf-peeping trip, you’ll only traverse the first 40 or so miles. Fuel up before taking the former logging route from Millinocket to Northeast Piscataquis at the edges of Baxter State Park, where you’ll weave through dense forests and past crystal-clear lakes. At the end of your drive, you’ll be rewarded with a view of Ripogenus Gorge, a mile-long canyon made up of 240-foot rock walls. Take time to stop T Abol Bridge, just after the Abol Bridge Campground & Store. It frames epic views of Mt. Katahdin in nearby Baxter State Park.
New Hampshire
Kancamagus Highway
This 34.5-mile scenic drive, starting in Lincoln and passing through the White Mountain National Forest, offers numerous picturesque stops and overlooks. Key stops include the C.L. Graham Overlook, Sabbaday Falls in Conway, and the Pemigewasset Overlook for sunset views. Near Lincoln, visit Otter Rocks and the Lincoln Woods Trail. Begin at the Saco Ranger Station to get a parking pass. Enjoy the varied elevations for peak autumn foliage, especially late September.
Lake Winnipesaukee Loop
This Road trip around New Hampshire’s biggest lake (we’re talking 97 miles of premium New England sights) and take in the waterfront views and bright autumn foliage. Stop for lunch and a stroll in any one of the quaint towns along the route, like Meredith
Evans Notch (Route 113)
Beginning and ending in Maine, this route along the New Hampshire border is steep, winding, and spectacular. Maple, birch, and beech trees growing close to the road create a true tunnel of foliage until you reach the views at the height of the route. Trailheads lead to spectacular waterfalls and high mountain vistas. And Basin Pond is one of the true gems in the White Mountains.
Pinkham Notch Loop
This 100 mile route invites you to marvel at stunning views of the Presidential Mountains, with plenty of excuses to stop and explore along the way. Take Route 2 west towards Jefferson, where you can finish your trip or continue on to Lancaster. Stretch your legs in Jackson, a quintessential New England town with a 1.5 mile-long walking loop, and set aside time to cross the historic Honeymoon Bridge on the Ellis River.
Currier & Ives Scenic Byway
This is a breathtaking journey along the 30-mile Currier & Ives Scenic Byway! This route takes you through the picturesque Merrimack Valley, passing through the charming towns of Henniker, Hopkinton, Warner, Webster, and Salisbury.
You can start on Route 202 in Hillsboro, traveling northeast along the Contoocook River, where you’ll enjoy dazzling foliage views reflected in the water. Next, pass through the historic village of Hopkinton, once New Hampshire’s state capital. At the junction of Route 103 and 127, head north toward Warner and Webster. These scenic backroads offer plenty of opportunities to explore romantic downtowns and scenic vistas.
Monadnock Region Loop
Beginning and ending in Keene, this loop take you through some of the best foliage in New Hampshire, and with the option to stop in historic towns to boot. Take Route 101 to Marlborough, then head south on Route 124 and stop in Monadnock State Park, which features over 4,000 miles of hiking trails. Take a moment to drink in the unforgettable view of Mount Monadnock reflected in Perkins Pond. At the end of the loop make sure to visit Main Street in Keene. Whether you choose to stroll by the shops at the beginning or end of your foliage tour, you’ll be charmed by this town that claims to have the widest Main Street in the world. Definitely drop into Colony Mill Marketplace Antique Shop.
Massachusetts
Mohawk Trail
The Mohawk Trail is a 63-mile scenic route in northwest Massachusetts, tracing a historic Native American trade path. This picturesque drive, officially designated as a scenic tourist route in 1914, winds through the Berkshire Mountains, connecting the Hudson and Connecticut River valleys. Three cool stops to check out are Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, Rocky Mountain Park in Greenfield and the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls. There are plenty of small towns where you can catch a bite or take a shopping break.
Route 6A
The beauty and charm of Cape Cod villages persevere pass the summer, making the postcard-perfect towns along route 6A a fantastic fall destination. This route not only gives you great leaf peeping but also cranberry bogs. Start just after the Sagamore Bridge and follow the road through scenic Sandwich, the Cape’s oldest town. From there, roll on to Yarmouth Port, through Dennis and finally Brewster. There, find Nickerson State Park, where the 22-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail offers no shortage of views to be seen on foot. Peak season hits late here, so it’s perfect if you find yourself looking for leaves come mid-October or even later
Summit of Mount Greylock
The trip to the top of Mount Greylock in Adams, MA is a magnificent adventure. October foliage colors are glorious. The summit is 3,491 feet and it yields views of the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Taconic Range. At the top is Bascom Lodge, offering meals and overnight accommodations. Also at the top is an elegant tower dating from 1932 honoring the state’s fallen soldiers. The access road closes annually on November 1. The map link provides directions from North Adams, MA to the north (10 miles to the summit) and from the town of Lee, MA, on Route 90 to the south (27 miles to the summit).
Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway (Route 20) Loops
Route 20 is the longest highway in the United States, and the trip through Becket, Massachusetts, brings you over its highest point east of the Mississippi. Taking a loop off the highway by the Berkshires brings you past lovely pastoral scenes and mountain views. We recommend Route 8 and the Skyline Trail for a reasonable detour off the main route. Though it runs almost parallel to the Mass. Pike., Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway is nothing like it. Rather than rattling with 18-wheelers and Peter Pan buses, this 35-mile stretch of Route 20 is decidedly peaceful. It slices through the heart of the Berkshire foothills, where you’ll discover both history and unspoiled beauty. Keep an eye out for keystone arches—these stone bridges were built in Middlefield, Becket, and Chester for railroads in the 1840s.
Connecticut River Scenic Byway in the Pioneer Valley (50 mi.)
The north-south transit of Massachusetts following the Connecticut River through the Pioneer Valley offers a rich and diverse experience for travelers. The journey from Northfield to Springfield covers 50 miles of scenic beauty, rolling hills, and picturesque farmlands. Along the way, there are numerous attractions and activities to enjoy.
Johnny Appleseed Country – North Central Mass.
Yes, Johnny Appleseed was a real person, born John Chapman in the North Central region of Massachusetts, a place that embodies Johnny’s love of nature in its scenic drives, pretty towns, small orchards and farms, hospitable wineries and breweries, forested state parks and snow-capped mountains. For indoor people, there is lots to love, like a fine art museum in Fitchburg, MA, and a great botanical garden. The region of 27 pleasant towns, farms and orchards is tucked up into the southern border of New Hampshire, along the Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2) corridor, about an hour’s drive from Boston, MA and Providence, RI. It is a fine place for a fall drive trip to admire the foliage and a great destination for families that love the outdoors.
Vermont
Route 100
The billboard-free Route 100 winds through some of Vermont’s most quintessential Route 100 passes through some of Vermont’s most scenic towns, including Wilmington, Ludlow, Killington, Warren, and Stowe. Wending its way along the eastern edge of the Green Mountains for 216 miles, this scenic two-lane byway runs from Newport, near the Canadian border, to the Massachusetts state line.
The Shires of Vermont Byway
This historic route 7A runs through the southwest corner of the state, known as the Shires of Vermont. It’s home to seventeen charming towns that line the route, including Bennington and Manchester
Smuggler’s Notch
This narrow winding road over a mountain pass northwest of Stowe provides countless recreational opportunities and stunning views.
Green Mountain Byway
Drive through the spine of the northern Green Mountains to find scenic views of forests, waterfalls, and three state parks. The route takes you past Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, giving you the chance to hike and take in the mountain backdrop. Be sure to drop by one of the many local farmers markets between Stowe and Waterbury to sample local offerings, or take a spin through the Ben & Jerry’s factory. A great stop is the Trapp Family Lodge. The von Trapp family, the inspiration behind the movie The Sound of Music toured the U.S. as a singing group in the 1940s before settling in picturesque Stowe, which reminded them of their native Austria. Today, the lodge has been updated into a 96-room resort. Stop by and have a drink at the onsite brewery.
Connecticut
Route 7
Exploring the Litchfield Hills region in Northwestern Connecticut sounds like a delightful journey! From the village greens to the rolling hills and waterfalls at Kent Falls State Park, there seems to be a mix of natural beauty and historic charm along the way. The mention of Woodbury as the “antiques capital of Connecticut” adds a unique touch to the itinerary, inviting visitors to discover treasures from the past. Ending the trip in Litchfield Hills offers a quintessential New England experience, whether wandering on foot, horseback, or soaring in a hot air balloon. The recommendation to dine at Arethusa al tavolo in Bantam promises a culinary treat amidst the scenic beauty of the region.
Route 9
The Lower Connecticut River Valley has more than enough activities to keep anyone busy in the charming region. Essex, Grisswold and Old Lyme are great stops
Last Green Valley Scenic Byway
The Last Green Valley is a National Heritage Corridor on Route 169, meandering through a total of 35 towns. You’ll see some of the most pristine nature on the East Coast in this rural landscape that has remained mostly forest and farmland. Explore wildlife preserves, hiking paths, and museums. If you’re interested in something a bit more unusual, there are several alpaca and bison farms in the area to visit. At the beginning of your trip through Norwich, take a walk along the trail to see the home where the Revolutionary War general, and town’s most famous resident, was born. You can also see other historical homes dating back to the 17th century, an old schoolhouse, and a church. Quaint, indeed.
Merritt Parkway
One of the best-loved drives in the state, the Merritt Parkway comes alive in the fall, as the trees change color. The trees and ground are covered by a patchwork quilt of orange, terracotta, golden, yellow, maroon, and brown. The route, a limited access parkway, is nestled in the heart of Fairfield County. It runs from the border with New York in Greenwich to the Housatonic River by Stratford, CT.
Rhode Island
Ocean Drive
This drive is ideally done by bike by can be done by car. Start out on the Bellevue Avenue side of the Ocean Drive Loop, an 11-mile waterfront route passing through the colorful American yellowwoods, European beeches, and stately mansions of Bellevue before opening onto Ocean Drive. Its offers dual views of the Rhode Island Sound on your left and jaw-dropping colors on your right. End at the equally scenic Newport Harbor, where you might pull up to Belle’s Café in the Shipyard for coffee and yacht views. Take the time to stop at the Cliff Walk.
Route 138 through Hope Valley and North Kingstown
Is rural farmland more your style? Route 138 takes you through the Hope Valley and North Kingstown, past the University of Rhode Island. It’s one of the most magical scenic byways in Rhode Island.
Do you have a favorite leaf peeping drive in New England? Tell us about them
