Picture-Perfect: A Festive New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary
This is your ultimate New England Fall Road Trip, all about gorgeous fall foliage, crisp morning hikes, and festive celebrations! We’re calling this one ‘Picture-Perfect’ because we’re headed to one of the most picturesque Autumn destinations in the world.
Pack your bags and hit the road for the ultimate autumn adventure, where charming small towns, winding foliage-lined roads, and refreshing fall air set the perfect scene. Sip on steaming hot apple cider, wander through pumpkin-filled destinations, and soak in the fiery hues of New England’s legendary fall foliage. Whether you’re a die-hard leaf-peeper, a lover of all things cozy, or simply chasing the magic of the season, this festive road trip promises quintessential autumn charm at every turn! 🍁
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‘Picture Perfect’ Itinerary Overview
Here’s our pick for a ‘Picture-Perfect’ 10-day New England Fall Road Trip, blending stunning foliage, charming towns, historic landmarks, and cozy autumn experiences.
This carefully crafted itinerary takes you from the bustling streets of Boston to the rugged beauty of Acadia National Park, through the White Mountains' scenic byways, into the heart of Vermont’s idyllic countryside, and finally to the spooky, festive streets of Salem.
Along the way, you’ll experience breathtaking hikes, classic covered bridges, maple syrup farms, coastal charm, and the best of New England’s fall festivals—all while soaking in the vibrant colors of the season!
Day 1: Travel to Bar Harbor, ME
Day 2: Acadia National Park
Day 3: Bar Harbor, ME
Day 4: Lincoln, NH
Day 5: The White Mountains, NH
Day 6: Stowe, VT
Day 7: Woodstock, VT
Day 8: Providence, RI
Days 9-10: Salem, MA
The Details: Driving Map & Route
Hitting the road for this ‘Picture-Perfect’ 10-Day New England Fall Road Trip offers a delightful blend of breathtaking scenery, charming towns, and festive autumn activities. Here's a breakdown of your journey:
Total Miles Covered: Approximately 1,000 miles
States Visited: 5 (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts)
Estimated Pumpkins Seen: Countless! Especially once you get to Providence...
Hot Apple Ciders Enjoyed: At least 10—we recommend one per day.
Scenic Trails: 4 (or more!) iconic trails, including:
Acadia National Park's Beehive Loop Trail
Gorham Mountain Loop
Franconia Ridge Loop in the White Mountains
Stowe Pinnacle Trail in Vermont
Photos Taken: Somewhere between ‘a lot’ and ‘New England in peak foliage season.’
Lobster Rolls Devoured: 3? 4? More? You know what they say… when in Maine!
Best Month for a New England Fall Road Trip
Mid-October is the sweet spot for this New England fall road trip, offering a perfect blend of brilliant foliage, crisp sweater weather, and classic autumn experiences. Plus, treats like hot apple cider and cider donuts are best served with October’s cooler temperatures!
For this itinerary, we recommend traveling during the second week of October, when the region is bursting with color and fall festivities are in full swing. From savoring buttery hot lobster rolls in Maine to driving through golden canopies in New Hampshire and getting lost in charming corn mazes or spooky Haunted Happenings in Vermont and Massachusetts, this is the time to experience New England at its best.
While peak foliage can vary from year to year, mid-October typically delivers dazzling reds, fiery oranges, and glowing yellows, making it the ultimate time to hit the road and soak in the season’s magic.
Day 1: Travel to Bar Harbor, ME
If you’re flying, it’s generally easiest to fly into Boston Logan International Airport and rent a car to drive to Maine.
If you're driving to New England, start at the closest destination on this road trip itinerary, then follow the loop through the scenic stops before making your way back home.
It’s about 5 hours from Boston to Bar Harbor. You’ll follow the coast on I-95/295 through Portland and Augusta, then take US-1A to Bar Harbor once you get to Bangor.
We include a day of exploring Boston in our 10-Day NE Summer Road Trip but suggest skipping it for this road trip to give you more time in nature than the city. However, all road trips at Road Trip Locals are ‘Pick Your Own Adventure,’ so depending on your perfect NE fall trip, consider one or more of the following Boston activities once you arrive.
Grab a coffee at Thinking Cup and stroll through the Boston Commons.
Walk The Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route connecting 16 historic sites in Boston. (Begin at the Boston Common Visitor Center and end at the USS Constitution in Charlestown.)
Along the way, shop and dine at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, also called Quincy Market.
Spend an afternoon at the Sam Adam’s Brewery.
On your way from Boston to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, you’ll pass through Portland, Maine. Portland’s a beautiful waterfront city with many great things to do, so if you’d like, make a pit stop here as well.
Day 2: Acadia National Park
It’s time to explore New England’s only national park, Acadia National Park. Fall is one of the best times of the year to visit Acadia because the weather is just right, and gorgeous fall foliage adds to the scenic waterfront vistas.
Here’s our recommendation for how to spend a day in Acadia National Park in the fall. Note: For this day, be sure to pack a lunch or make a reservation for / plan to carry out from Jordan Pond House.
Hike Gorham Mountain Loop just before sunrise
From early October through March, you have the opportunity to catch the first sunrise in the United States from Acadia National Park as the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean. It’s beautiful and worth the early wake-up call!
Our favorite sunrise spot in Acadia can be found just 20 minutes along the Gorham Mountain Loop. (Start your trek about 30 minutes before the estimated sunrise for the day you’re visiting.)
In the fall, the Gorham Mountain Loop is an extra special place to watch the sunrise and enjoy the foliage along the trees below.
Sunrise, Gorham Mountain Loop, Acadia National Park
Follow the Gorham Mountain Loop to the Beehive Trail
The Beehive Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Acadia, which is famous for its ladder trails.
This short but intense hike features iron rungs, narrow ledges, and steep rock scrambles, making it perfect for adventurous hikers looking for a challenge. As you ascend, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Sand Beach, the sparkling Atlantic Ocean, and Acadia’s fiery fall foliage, which peaks in mid-October.
Cooler temperatures make the climb more comfortable, but be cautious if the trail is wet, as the iron rungs and granite ledges can become slippery. Arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds and experience the golden morning light illuminating the autumn landscape—it’s a true New England fall bucket-list hike!
Click here to keep reading about hiking and ladder trails in Acadia National Park, including 10 amazing trails to consider on your road trip.
The Beehive Loop, Acadia National Park
Pick Your Own Acadia Adventure
Continue driving Acadia’s Park Loop to Jordan Pond or the Bubbles parking lots for a classic Acadia hike on the Bubbles Trailhead.
Or, drive further to the Beech Cliffs Trailhead for a second, quieter ladder hike. Both hikes offer beautiful foliage views during the fall months.
If you choose the Bubbles Trailhead, park at the start of the Bubbles Trailhead and hike to both South Bubble and North Bubble Summits. (If there’s no parking at the start of the Bubbles Trailhead, you can park at Jordan Pond and walk the Jordan Pond Loop to the Bubbles.)
Although Bubble Rock, on South Bubble Summit, is one of the biggest attractions on the Bubbles, we recommend hiking to both summits as you’ll find a gorgeous overlook of Eagle Lake at North Bubble.
Dog-Friendly? Jordan Pond, The Bubbles, and Eagle Lake are dog-friendly. Beech Cliffs Trail (along with all ladder hikes in Acadia) is not dog-friendly. And just a heads-up that dogs are not allowed to swim in Jordan Pond as it’s a public water source.
Beech Cliff Trail, Acadia National Park
Dinner at The Travelin’ Lobster
After an incredible day in Acadia National Park, head to the Travelin’ Lobster for dinner. Try a hot lobster roll and a bowl of clam chowder.
The Travelin’ Lobster generally closes each year the second or third week of October. Facebook is the best place to get updates. If they’re not open when you’re in town, also consider C-Rays, Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, or Bar Harbor Lobster Company. There are also many places to eat in downtown Bar Harbor and more still in the nearby Ellsworth. (Consider Provender in Ellsworth!)
RTL Tip: We spent three weeks in Maine during our 2022 Travel Season with two main goals… (1) explore Acadia National Park and (2) eat as many lobster rolls as possible! Click here for a full recap of the spots we tried, or take our word for it and visit our favorite: The Travelin’ Lobster.
More Acadia National Park: If you’d prefer a different recommendation for how to spend a day in Acadia, consider one of these five itineraries. All are great ways to spend one day—or five different days—in Acadia National Park.
Day 3: Bar Harbor, ME
Bar Harbor in the fall is a picturesque coastal town that serves as the gateway to Acadia National Park. With crisp air, stunning foliage, and fewer crowds than summer, it’s the perfect place to enjoy scenic hikes, fresh seafood, and classic New England charm.
Eat, shop, and stroll downtown Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park weaves in and out of Bar Harbor, Maine. There’s so much to do and see in downtown Bar Harbor, so eat, shop, and even stroll across the Mount Desert Narrows to Bar Island if you’re visiting around low tide.
Here are a few things to consider in and near Bar Harbor:
Have breakfast or brunch at Cafe This Way. (The outdoor patio is dog-friendly.)
Shop along Main Street. (Many stores along Main Street are dog-friendly, just ask!)
Walk across the Bar Island Land Bridge during low tide to visit Bar Island. (Bar Island is part of Acadia National Park and is dog-friendly.)
Spend a few hours at Fogtown Brewery.
Grab a drink on the lawn of Ivy Manor Inn. (The lawn is dog-friendly.)
Eat (more) lobster at Bar Harbor Lobster Co. (The outdoor patio is dog-friendly.)
View of Bar Harbor from Bar Island
Go big on adventure climbing the Precipice Trail
This one’s for those who don’t mind heights and are up for another adventure!
The Precipice Trail was Jon and my favorite trail in Acadia National Park and one we highly recommend while you’re in town. You feel like a kid climbing a mountain using iron rungs and ladders while taking in gorgeous views of Mount Desert Narrows.
This is the most fun hike in Acadia National Park, but heads up: it’s also the scariest as you’re walking along sections with steep cliffs and no railings.
Similar to the Beehive Trail, this is a ladder trail and one of the most popular ones in the park. Rather than arriving early, we actually recommend you hike Precipice in the early afternoon.
Most people hike Precipice first thing in the morning, so making your way here in the afternoon likely means better parking and fewer people on the rungs and ladders, which is great for going at your own pace.
Dog-friendly? No. The ladder trails in Acadia National Park are not dog-friendly.
Walk the Fall Foliage Fairyland of Jesup Path Trailhead
This is possibly the best and most surprising fall hike in Acadia National Park! Located near the Wild Gardens of Acadia, Jesup Path is truly stunning as you follow a boardwalk lined with fall colors.
Bonus: It’s flat, so you can enjoy a nice leisurely stroll through this foliage fairyland!
We recommend walking this trail during golden hour, the hour before sunset.
Dog-Friendly? Yes.
Jesup Path, Wild Gardens of Acadia
Day 4: Lincoln, NH
You’ll drive about 5 hours from Bar Harbor to Lincoln, New Hampshire, for the next stop along your 10-Day New England Fall Road Trip.
The Kancamagus Highway
Grab a coffee and breakfast at Dunkin Donuts on your way out of town (do as the locals do!), then take the route to Lincoln that runs through Conway, NH. This way, you can drive The Kancamagus Highway on your way.
The Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) in New Hampshire is one of the most scenic fall drives in New England, stretching 34 miles through the White Mountain National Forest between Lincoln and Conway.
In October, this winding mountain road is bursting with fall colors, offering breathtaking views of rolling hills, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls. Popular stops along the route include Albany Covered Bridge, Lower Falls, Sabbaday Falls, Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, Kancamagus Pass Overlook, and the Pemigewasset Overlook, each providing stunning photo opportunities. (This area is so scenic, we recommend it twice, so pick a few stops that interest you today and more tomorrow!)
With no gas stations or businesses along the highway, it’s best to fuel up before heading out and take your time enjoying the scenic pull-offs. Consider a stop at Cheese Louise in Conway for delicious grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.
Artists Bluff Trail
If you make it to Lincoln before sunset, check out Artists Bluff. This short trail is one of the most popular hikes in New Hampshire, particularly in the fall.
And while it is a gorgeous trail, the best thing about this hike is its length and effort-to-view ratio. The Artists Bluff Trail is quick, relatively easy, and packs a BIG view during the fall when the leaves are changing color.
Dog-Friendly? Yes! Just know there are steep drops at the overlook.
Dinner at One Love Brewing or the Covered Bridge Farm Table
For dinner, consider One Love Brewing in Lincoln or drive a little bit further to the Covered Bridge Farm Table in Campton. (Opt for the cider donut ice cream sandwich at the Covered Bridge if it's on the menu during your visit.)
Day 5: The White Mountains, NH
There are tons of amazing things to do in New Hampshire in the fall.
You can drive, hike, or ride the cog railway to Mount Washington.
You can challenge yourself with an all-day hike along the Franconia Ridge in the White Mountains.
You can leisurely drive the Kancamagus Highway, one of the most scenic fall drives in the world, stopping at all of the overlooks and hikes along the way.
Or you can take the road-less-traveled and head towards the Currier & Ives Scenic Byway between Henniker and Salisbury instead (and then stop at Carter Hill Orchard on your way back for delicious cider).
Any of these are great ways to spend a fall day in New England, but if you’re up for a mini road trip, we recommend combining a few of these activities so you can explore various areas throughout New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Drive from Lincoln along the Kancamagus Highway to Conway… then drive through Crawford Notch State Park up to the Mount Washington Auto Road… then drive back to Lincoln through Franconia Notch State Park. Stretch your legs and take in the views with various hikes, overlooks, and attractions along the way.
Mini fall road trip in New Hampshire
More fall foliage along the Kancamagus Highway
As popular and photogenic as it is, the Kancamagus Highway gets busy during peak foliage season, so be prepared to head out early, especially if you want to stop at the overlooks or add any hikes to your road trip. (If your trip works out to drive the Kancamagus Highway early morning on a weekday, that’s generally best.)
Dog-Friendly? Yes.
Kancamagus Highway a few weeks before peak season
Crawford Notch State Park
Once in Conway, make your way toward the Mount Washington Auto Road, driving through Crawford Notch State Park. (You can use the point ‘Crawford Notch Scenic Parking Area’ as a focal point.)
This drive through the state park is absolutely gorgeous, especially in the fall. This is also a great drive if you’re not able to be in New Hampshire during peak foliage. During our trip in 2022, we were a couple of weeks early. But even when the trees along the Kancamagus Highway weren’t fully changing colors, the trees in the Crawford area were.
Consider the Mount Willard Trail or Arethusa Falls if you’re looking for a hike on the way.
Mount Washington Auto Road
In the heart of New Hampshire's White Mountains, Mount Washington is one of the tallest peaks in the U.S. Drive the Auto Road, take the Cog Railway to the top of the breathtaking summit, or challenge yourself to hike Mount Washington following the Mount Washington Loop via Tuckerman Ravine.
There is an admission fee to drive Mount Washington Auto Road (we paid $65 for two of us), but it’s a great way to see the area, and the 360-degree views at the summit are spectacular!
We recommend hopping out of your car at the summit and following one or two trails a few minutes down the mountain for even more beautiful views.
Mount Washington Summit
Franconia Notch State Park
Finish your road trip with a drive through Franconia North State Park, home to some of the best and most beautiful hikes in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
There are tons of great hiking trails to explore, like the Flume Gorge Trail, which takes you through a narrow chasm with cascading waterfalls, and the Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail, an epic all-day hike that boasts some of the most beautiful views in the state.
Franconia Notch State Park is also home to the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, offering more panoramic views from its summit.
Day 6: Stowe, VT
The next stop along your NE Fall Road Trip takes you to Stowe, Vermont, about a two-hour drive from Lincoln, NH.
If open during your trip, we recommend adding about 15 minutes to your drive to make a pit stop at the Great Vermont Corn Maze, the largest corn maze in New England.
The Great Vermont Corn Maze
The Great Vermont Corn Maze is a fun way to begin your morning and something we consider the epitome of a fall activity! I mean… we can’t share a New England Fall Road Trip without including three things: fall foliage, hot apple cider, and corn mazes, right!?
Okay, and maybe pumpkins, too… which is why you’ll be getting your fill of pumpkins toward the end of your road trip. 🎃
The Great Vermont Corn Maze is located in Danville, Vermont, and is known as one of the largest and most intricate corn mazes in the States. It spans over 24 acres and boasts a new theme every year. When we visited in 2022, we navigated the Octopus. See past maze designs here; it’s incredible!!
The maze is open to enter from 9am to 12 noon (an hour later on weekends), so you’ll want to leave Lincoln early to drive about an hour to the Great Vermont Corn Maze.
Note: The Great Vermont Corn Maze opens on August 1st when the corn conditions are at their best and most challenging. The maze generally stays open until the middle of October. Check here for dates of the year you’re visiting. And be sure to grab tickets ahead of time!
Foodie Road Trip
For your afternoon adventure in Stowe, consider a fall-themed foodie road trip.
Drive about an hour and ten minutes from the Great Vermont Corn Maze to Stowe. There, we recommend starting with lunch and hot apple cider at Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Be sure to grab a bag of cider donuts to go!
Next, pick up a bottle of maple syrup from Stowe Maple Products before enjoying a flight from Stowe Cider or the Alchemist Brewery.
Head to the Cabot Farmers Store for some of Vermont’s most delicious cheddar cheese before finishing your day at Ben & Jerry’s for a factory tour and trip through the Flavor Graveyard.
Here’s everything you need to know about creating your own foodie road trip in Stowe, Vermont.
If you’re doing this Foodie Road Trip on a different day, or the Great Vermont Corn Maze is not open during your trip, consider starting with the Mount Hunger Trail instead. (Because… is there a better-named hike to kick off a foodie tour!?)
Day 7: Woodstock, VT
New England is a gorgeous area with close proximity to many incredible things to do and see. This means you’ll be able to explore a lot during your NE Fall Road Trip, but it also means you probably can’t do and see everything on your bucket list in just one trip.
From Stowe, there are multiple great places to check out next.
You may want to hop across Lake Champlain to hike through the Adirondack Mountains and dine on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid. We highly recommend this for our New England Summer Road Trip Itinerary and have no doubt that fall in the Adirondacks is stunning, too!
Or maybe you want to stay in Vermont, making your way to Burlington next. You could take a mini road trip from downtown Burlington to Mt. Philo State Park to Stine Orchard and, finally, the Colchester Causeway. Read more about planning a visit to Burlington here.
Or perhaps you’re most interested in touring the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States courtesy of B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill near Mystic, CT, so you head there next.
All of these are gorgeous places to explore during the fall months! You may even want to spend another day in Stowe, as it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the US in the fall.
However, for this ‘Picture Perfect’ NE Fall Road Trip, we recommend heading to another one of New England's most iconic destinations, Woodstock, VT.
Plan your day in Woodstock with this post here.
Day 8: Providence, RI
From Woodstock, drive about 3 hours to Providence, Rhode Island.
If you’re like me and want to stop at every cider mill you can, consider adding an hour to your drive and taking the longer route through Hartford, CT, to stop at B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill for hot apple cider and donuts on your way. Your recommended Providence activity doesn’t begin until the sun goes down, so you have plenty of time to explore.
Once you get to Providence, eat, shop, and explore downtown, or stroll through Roger Williams Park.
The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Once dark, head to Providence Zoo for a Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular! (Note: Be sure to purchase tickets in advance for the night you want to visit.)
Held annually during the fall seasons, this Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is where you’ll get your pumpkin fill (and then some). You’ll enter an enchanted pumpkin forest with thousands of carved and lit pumpkins around every bend. It’s the epitome of spooky season magic… without the spooky! Learn more here.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Roger Williams Zoo
Days 9-10: Salem, MA
The final stop along your NE Fall Road Trip takes you about 1.5 hours to the mecca of all things Halloween. You’re going to Salem!
On the way, consider stopping in Boston and exploring one or more of the suggestions above. (You’ll find those suggestions under Day 1.)
Salem’s Haunted Happenings
Once you arrive in Salem, buckle up for a day of fun at Salem’s Haunted Happenings.
As mentioned, our research for this New England Fall Road Trip took place during our 2022 Travel Season… when the very end of our trip took us to Salem on Halloween night. We’re not people who typically dress up for Halloween or make a point to celebrate in a big way, but I’d go back to Salem on Halloween every year if I could.
It’s the most incredible, magical, and immersive way to celebrate the holiday!
We highly recommend spending the final day or two of your trip enjoying all of the events and activities Salem’s Haunted Happenings has to offer. You don’t have to be here on Halloween to enjoy the festivities. Salem's Haunted Happenings is an annual celebration that takes place throughout the entire month of October, featuring a variety of events such as parades, street fairs, costume balls, ghost tours, and haunted houses. The festivities kick off with the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, traditionally held on the first Thursday of October; for 2025, it is scheduled for October 2nd. The month-long event culminates on Halloween night, October 31st, with special activities and celebrations.
Here are some of the best things to do during Salem’s Haunted Happenings:
Take walking tours to the Hocus Pocus and Witch Houses.
Tour the Witch Museum.
Stop at the food trucks in the marketplace and pick up one more hot apple cider and a few cider donuts.
Attend the Salem Haunted Magic Show.
And, if you’re visiting on Halloween, make sure to stay for the Halloween Night Concert.
Learn more about Salem’s Haunted Happenings and check out the events on the day you’re in town here.
And read about our experience in Salem on Halloween here!
FAQs: New England Fall Road Trip
Q: What are the most scenic fall drives in New England?
Some of the most scenic fall drives in New England include the Kancamagus Highway (NH), Acadia Park Loop Road (ME), Green Mountain Byway and Smugglers’ Notch (VT), State Route 169 (CT), and the Mohawk Trail (MA). These routes offer breathtaking foliage, winding mountain roads, and postcard-perfect views. This Picture-Perfect New England Fall Road Trip focuses primarily on two of these drives—the Kancamagus Highway and Acadia Park Loop Road—allowing plenty of time for other autumn adventures like exploring corn mazes, sipping hot apple cider, and visiting charming small towns.
Q: Is September a good month to visit New England for a fall road trip?
September is a good time to visit New England, especially if you want to avoid peak-season crowds. However, early September still feels like late summer in many areas, and foliage changes typically begin in northern Maine and higher elevations in Vermont and New Hampshire around mid-to-late September. If you’re visiting in September, aim for the last two weeks to catch the first bursts of color in northern New England while still enjoying mild weather and fewer tourists.
Q: Is November too late for a New England fall road trip?
Early November can still be a beautiful time to visit, but foliage peak season is mostly over, especially in northern areas like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. However, southern New England (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut) can still have lingering fall colors in early November, and it’s a great time for a quieter, cozier trip with fewer crowds. Expect cooler temperatures, but you can still enjoy scenic drives, historic towns, and seasonal treats without the peak-season rush.
Q: What is the best time to take a New England fall road trip?
The best time for a New England fall road trip is generally from early through mid-October, depending on where you’re going. Northern areas like Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire tend to peak earlier (late September to early October), while Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut peak in mid-to-late October. If you want the best chance at peak foliage, plan for the first two weeks of October.
Q: How long should a New England fall road trip be?
A week to 10 days is ideal for a fall road trip through New England. This allows enough time to cover multiple states, drive some of the most scenic routes, and experience fall festivals, charming small towns, and outdoor adventures. If you have less time (3–5 days), focus on one or two states—Maine and New Hampshire or Vermont and Massachusetts—to get the best experience without too much driving.
Q: What are the best small towns to visit on a New England fall road trip?
New England is full of quaint, charming towns that come alive in the fall. Some of the best include:
Stowe, VT – A classic fall destination with covered bridges, scenic drives, and cider mills.
Woodstock, VT – Picture-perfect with historic inns, a charming downtown, and stunning foliage.
Bar Harbor, ME – A coastal town with stunning fall colors near Acadia National Park.
Lincoln, NH – A great base for exploring the White Mountains and the Kancamagus Highway.
Salem, MA – Famous for its Haunted Happenings in October, Salem blends history, spooky fun, and coastal New England charm.
Q: What should I pack for a fall road trip in New England?
Fall weather in New England can be unpredictable, with warm days and chilly nights. Pack layers—a light jacket, cozy sweaters, and a rain jacket for unexpected showers. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for exploring towns and trails, and a hat and gloves can be useful in the mountains. Don’t forget a camera for the stunning foliage and an extra phone charger for long drives!
Q: What are some must-try foods on a New England fall road trip?
Fall is one of the best times to indulge in New England’s seasonal treats! Be sure to try:
Hot apple cider & cider donuts – Found at orchards, cider mills, and farm stands.
Lobster rolls – Best enjoyed along Maine’s coast. Try them hot with butter or cold with mayo.
Maple syrup everything – From pancakes to candy, Vermont is the place to indulge.
Pumpkin-flavored treats – Lattes, pies, and even pumpkin ice cream!
New England clam chowder – A warm, comforting meal after a chilly day outdoors.
Q: Are there any fall festivals to check out on a New England road trip?
Yes! Fall is festival season in New England, and there are plenty of events to experience. Some favorites include:
The Fryeburg Fair (ME) – A classic country fair with farm animals, food, and rides.
Salem’s Haunted Happenings (MA) – A month-long Halloween festival with parades, ghost tours, and spooky fun.
The Great Vermont Corn Maze (VT) – One of the largest and most challenging corn mazes in New England.
Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta (ME) — Held annually in October, a highlight of the event is the Pumpkin Regatta, where participants race hollowed-out giant pumpkins in the harbor.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular (RI) — Hosted at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, this event features thousands of artistically carved pumpkins illuminated along a scenic trail.
Happy fall road-tripping!
That’s a wrap on our New England fall road trip. From corn mazes to scenic drives, you’ve checked off a lot of fall must-dos in one colorful trip. Enjoy!!!
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