A Weekly Guide to the Best Leaf Peeping in New England
Forget Netflix. Watching peak foliage is the ultimate fall show. Don’t miss an award-worthy moment with this week-by-week planning calendar.
Photo by Adria Photography
September 29–October 5
Woodstock, Vermont
WHERE TO PEEP: Start your journey in a town so idyllic it feels straight out of a storybook, bursting with shops, Colonial homes, and, of course, some of the most colorful leaves you’ve ever seen. To get a bird’s-eye view of the area’s deep reds, oranges, and yellows, hop on the chairlift at Suicide Six Ski Area in nearby South Pomfret.
WHERE TO STAY: The quintessentially Vermont Woodstock Inn & Resort goes all in on autumn, coordinating events such as horse-drawn carriage rides and a dinner series at the Kelly Way Gardens.
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October 6–12
Camden, Maine
WHERE TO PEEP: There are plenty of great spots to check out foliage along Maine’s historical Route 1, but don’t stop until you get to the charming seaside town of Camden. From there, you can summit nearby 800-foot Mount Battie by foot or by car and treat yourself to prime views of Penobscot Bay and the Camden hills, which come alive this time of year.
WHERE TO STAY: A lobster picnic lunch and a couples’ massage to enjoy after your morning foliage hike: Is it heaven, or just the two-night fall special at the Relais & Châteaux Camden Harbour Inn?
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October 13–19
Cape Cod
WHERE TO PEEP: It’s not just sun and surf across the Sagamore: A shoulder-season sojourn to the Cape’s curved arm yields plenty of rewards. Namely, blessedly sparse crowds and stunning displays all along scenic Route 6A to Brewster’s 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park, which boasts walking and bike trails dotted with kettle ponds.
WHERE TO STAY: A spa suite at the Chatham Bars Inn keeps things toasty on cool evenings with a double-sided fireplace as well as an in-room sauna and steam shower.
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October 20–26
Mystic, Connecticut
WHERE TO PEEP: Follow the coast south to find lingering peak color across Connecticut’s shoreline towns, including at the gorgeous Bluff Point State Park and Mystic Seaport Museum’s re-created 1800s seafaring village. Take the chill off by ducking inside the museum to check out another vibrant palette: a brand-new exhibit of watercolors by the British artist J.M.W. Turner, presented in partnership with the Tate.
WHERE TO STAY: Take your morning coffee on your balcony overlooking the gardens at the luxe Spicer Mansion, built in 1853 and reopened in 2016.
Check out more New England adventures to take this fall
