Top 10 Things to Do in New England in Fall

Name a better place than New England to experience the Fall season? ……..I’ll wait….

You can’t. I can firmly attest to this as I have traveled all over the world during the Autumn months and there is a reason I keep coming back to the New England Region. Autumn brings on an awakening of crisp evenings with hot toddies, and cold mornings spent in flannels devouring apple cider donuts. Anywhere you look there is a scenic vista, as if you were thrown into a color-scape of vibrant warm hues. And in this post I’m going to tell you the top 10 things to do in New England in the Fall.

1. Go Sailing

While you can hop on board a sunset cruise anywhere along the New England Coast I highly recommend taking a longer cruise with J&E Riggin. Captain Annie and Captain Jon have owned the J&E Riggin for over 20 years and they know all the best places to go throughout the Penobscot Bay, and to witness Maine’s fall foliage from the water is truly special! For more info you can read this post: Sailing Maine on a classic Windjammer.

2. Visit an Apple Orchard

As soon as the apple orchards start to bloom you know New England has officially kicked off fall. It makes for a great family day (or Instagram photo opp) to head to the orchards for the afternoon to pick apples, eat donuts, and maybe try some refreshing ciders. Here are a few of our best: Allyson’s Orchard in NH, Nashoba Valley Winery in MA, and Poverty Lane Orchards in NH.

3. Eat Apple Cider Donuts

There are a few things I can’t deny while exploring New England every fall; and it’s the ever so lovely, every so tasty, and ever so satisfying Apple Cider Donuts. I have had my share but my favorites are the ones served at Dorset Rising (p.s. they also have amazing coffee)!

4. Drive Vermont’s Route 100

This spectacular drive goes straight up through the middle of the state and produces scene after scene of fall foliage. These picturesque vistas are enough to inspire anyone to write lovel etters to this American countryside. To see some of the views I’m describing head over to A Drive Through Vermont.

5. Soar Over Vermont’s Fall Foliage in a Hot Air Balloon

Not for the faint of heart, yet one of my favorite New England recommendations is to enjoy the fall foliage from above. In Vermont you can take a hot air balloon ride to see all the spectacular colors all while glimpsing sights of Lake Champlain. I used Above Reality Hot Air Balloon Rides and you can read the post and watch the video at Drifting Over Vermont Fall Foliage.

6. Hike Acadia National Park

I have a sweet spot for our National Parks, each one vibrantly full of life and unsurpassed beauty, and Acadia does not disappoint. This section on New England is one of the first to peak it fall foliage hues and the best time to plan a trip is the first week of October. There are so many trails to hike (and bike) throughout this fabulous park. And who wouldn’t to start their day walking through leaves the color of the rainbow?

7. Take a Helicopter Ride over Watch Hill Rhode Island

Not too far from my absolute favorite coastal town (Stonington Borough) is Watch Hill Rhode Island. And you can charter a helicopter ride over it and see fall in action alongside the beautiful coastline and see sights like T. Swift’s humble abode, along with the ever popular Ocean House Rhode Island! We used Heliblock Tours.

8. Drive the Kancamagus Highway

This might be the most magical drive in New England during the Autumn Months…This drive cuts straight through the middle of the White Mountains and includes look out points, lakes & ponds, trails, and covered bridges. If you time it right {1st-2nd week of October} than you will see what all the fuss is about. You might even get lucky enough to see a moose!!! I highly recommend getting on the road as early as possible before the other tourists flood through.

9. Taste Cider at the Cideries

New England boasts quite the brewery and cidery scene and it would be a shame to visit New England and not enjoy an all American Hard Cider. Some of the best ones are: Citizen Cider in Burlington, Stowe Ciders in Vermont, and Downeast Cider in Massachusetts.

10. Go on a Covered Bridge Hunt

Seeing a covered bridge surrounded by the popping calls of a New England fall is like stumbling inside a fairy tale. Bonus points if it is in the morning and a slight mist is covering the grounds mysteriously showing its colors through the dense fog. Vermont alone has 106 covered bridges! Quite a few of these are off of Vermont’s route 100 as well! Here is a list of the Covered Bridges in Vermont.