Planning your dream trip to New England for fall foliage season and not sure when to arrive? Well, I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve been exploring New England for over 20 years now, and have taken countless trips and getaways in the fall season – everywhere from the iconic White Mountains in New Hampshire, to Salem, MA, The Berkshires, and lesser-known gems in Connecticut and Maine. I also live part time in Massachusetts.
After years of experience with fall foliage timing and the best displays of fall color, I’m so excited to share all my knowledge and expertise with you so you can plan the perfect trip with the best chance at seeing peak color.
Ready to start? Let’s get into it!
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The Best Time To See Fall Colors In New England
In a broad sense, my pick for the optimal time for the BEST chance at seeing fall color is the first two weeks of October. This is based on years of experience traveling around New England in the fall season, and factoring in the best places for fall foliage.
However, New England’s foliage starts to put on its show in late September, and extends into late October or early November. It really just depends on what area of the region you’re visiting.
But the reason I most-often recommend the first two weeks of October is because this is when the best destinations for fall foliage peak. For example, the first week of October is usually when the White Mountains begin to peak, but you can also catch the end of peak in northern Vermont.
During the second week of October, you can go a little further south to places like Stowe, VT for peak, catch the early peak foliage in the lakes region of NH, and also catch early foliage in Woodstock, VT. The Berkshires also tend to start peaking around the second week of October (but may not be fully at peak until maybe the third week).
All that to say, there’s so much opportunity to catch foliage around this time at some of the best locations. Of course, there are amazing places to see starting in mid to late October, but usually folks want to see the best of the best.
Important Things To Know About Fall Foliage Timing
There are some things you have to know about this region’s foliage timeline. I’ll break it down for you:
But first: the most important thing, which is …
Fall foliage in New England can and does change from year to year in terms of timing, progression, and color saturation. As with anything involving Mother Nature, you just have to expect fluctuations, and go into your trip with the expectation that foliage may not behave like it should. In all my years of traveling during foliage season, most of the time, foliage tends to arrive pretty close to that year’s predictions, and historical timelines. However, it’s never guaranteed, and I’ve also experiences disappointing years where timing was way off, and colors were just not very bright.
Here are some more good things to know:
→ Weather patterns and temperatures as late as early to mid September impact that year’s foliage, so even if forecasts and reports are showing an “on time” season for foliage, things can shift last-minute.
→ That said, it’s not usually more than a week. It’s rare that foliage progression is more than a week off. It can happen, but it’s the exception, not the rule.
→ Foliage peaks in the northern regions first, and then trickles down from there. That means places like the White Mountains in New Hampshire will peak before places in Massachusetts. But don’t worry – I’ll break down when different popular regions peak down below for you 😉
→ Much like timing, there are years when foliage color saturation is super bright, and some years that it’s more dull (think in terms of rust tones). I always think it’s beautiful no matter what it does, but this is something to keep in mind.
→ Since New England is a large region comprised of 6 states, foliage can be on-time in one region, and early/late in another.
→ Foliage usually sticks around for about a week on the trees once the leaves peak. However, this also can change, and depends of a few factors like weather, the health of the trees/leaves, etc. So usually, once a region peaks, you have some time to see it. And during good years, it can stick around for a bit longer.
A note about how global warming has impacted foliage the last few years: New England has definitely experienced the affects of global warming, and in the last few years, foliage seems to be slightly behind by a few days, or sometimes, up to a week. The last two years when I’ve headed up to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, for example, I’ve hit peak foliage the first week of October there, even though I expected to miss it since it’s historically the last week of September. So, lately, I’ve been planning my own fall foliage trips to hit each destination a few days after peak, just to allow myself some wiggle room. However, only time will tell if this is the new normal for New England. Two or three years is not enough data to go on, as I know these years in particular had some severe weather patterns that affected foliage. All the below historical timeframes are what myself, and other foliage experts, are still recommending.
→ Lastly, one area may not peak all at the same time. For example, sometimes the eastern and western sides of the White Mountains can peak at difference times, being 4-5 days behind or ahead of the other. So, if you arrive somewhere and you’re not seeing a ton of peak foliage, take a drive!
Awesome Fall Foliage Resources That I Rely On Each Year
While I have a lot of experience in terms of when fall foliage peaks, I’m by no means an expert when it comes to forecasting or predicting. For that, I turn to some resources online that I’ve always found very helpful.
They are:
→ Jeff Foliage: He does a great job with early season predictions based on his knowledge of how weather affects foliage, and it’s always interesting to see what he’s thinking! He also does great foliage reports during the season, and sharing when to find color, and where.
→ Yankee Magazine: They have an entire section of their website dedicated to fall foliage, including an interactive map that shows typical peak times throughout the region, and foliage recaps/reports in real time. Starting in late August (usually around the 20th or so), they partner with Jim Salge, a former meteorologist, and current photographer and naturalist, to get incredible data and information about how the foliage season is shaping up in New England. Jim takes into consideration rain, drought, temperatures, bugs, fungi – you name it – to create an awesome early report on that season’s foliage forecast.
September Vs. October In New England For Foliage
One of the most popular questions I get asked is if you should visit New England in September or October for foliage, and the answer is very simple … October.
Arriving in New England any time before late September with hopes of seeing a lot of fall color will leave you disappointed because you won’t find it.
October is really when the region begins to put on its show. So, always plan your foliage trip no earlier than the last week of September. But really, early October is generally better to see more places, which is especially helpful if you’re planning a longer trip.
Where To Go In New England In Late September For Foliage
If your schedule brings you here the last week of September, here’s where to go for your best shot at seeing fall color: Northern Vermont.
While the Great North Woods region of New Hampshire will also begin to change around this time, it’s SO far north that most visitors won’t want to venture that far. However, if you’re up for it, it’s beautiful up that way, and then you can always stick around another week to catch peak in the White Mountains.
Northern Vermont isn’t too far from popular places like Stowe and Burlington, so you’ll have options to visit some of these places, too (although, fall color will be a bit scarce this time of the year).
In northern Vermont, I recommend leaf-peeping around East Burke, Jay Peak Resort, and Montgomery.
Where To Go The First Week Of October For Foliage
This is when the show really begins, with more regions beginning to develop peak colors. Of course, it could arrive a bit earlier or later, depending on the year, but during the first week of October, most experts agree you should plan to head to the White Mountains in New Hampshire.
This area of New England is one of the most iconic foliage destinations, and definitely lives up to the hype. Yep, it’s definitely crowded, but man, I’ve always found it to be worth the effort.
During this week, you’re also likely to still see color in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, especially if it arrived a bit late that particular year. Foliage typically lasts on the trees for about a week once they peak, so you usually still have opportunity to catch color up this way.
You’ll also start to see early peak colors in the central regions of Vermont, in places like Stowe, Burlington, etc., which are all listed in the next section.
Where To Go The Second Week Of October
During this week, foliage starts to peak a little further south, specifically around central Vermont and New Hampshire, with some places in southern Vermont even starting to show some bright color (depending on the year). This is a great week to head to Stowe and Woodstock in VT, and the lakes region of NH.
Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Squam in NH showcase beautiful fall color around this time, which usually sticks around through the the third week of October. Also, Indigenous People’s weekend in October often coincides with peak foliage around Stowe and Woodstock in VT (with Woodstock peaking a few days after Stowe, since it’s a little further south.
This is also a great week to see Burlington, the Mad River Glen, Killington, the Appalachian Gap, and Shelburne in VT. Then, you can also catch early color in The Berkshires in Massachusetts.
Next, Acadia National Park, and western Maine also usually see peak color this week. Places like Rangeley and Grafton Notch are especially beautiful.
Lastly, if color is a little late, you can probably still catch some good color up in the White Mountains this week. This will be dependent on the year.
For early fall colors during this week, check out the next section below, as those destination will be showing a bit a color the second week of October.
Best Places For Fall Color The Third Week Of October
Going into this week in October, I’d recommend heading to The Berkshires in Massachusetts, southern Vermont (Manchester & Bennington are great for foliage), Camden, Maine, and the Litchfield Hills in the northwest corner of Connecticut.
The Berkshires tend to be a little finicky when it comes to their peak time. Some years, I’ve noticed it wants to come the second week of October because of its higher elevation, but most years, I’ve found it to be at peak right after Stowe – so the third week has been my recent recommended time as of late.
Other cool areas to check out this time of the year are Deerfield and Amherst in Massachusetts, including the Quabbin Reservoir, and the Monadnock region in New Hampshire.
You’re also likely to catch some color lingering color in the Lakes regions of NH, as well as central Vermont (like Woodstock). You can usually catch early color on the southern coast of Maine (Kennebunkport is especially pretty in the fall season), Boston, and Salem.
Where To See Fall Foliage At The End Of October
The last week of October brings the end of foliage season in the popular places in Vermont and New Hampshire, but there’s still some wonderful colors to be found! This is the week to head to the coast, specifically areas in Massachusetts like Boston, Plymouth, Salem, Newburyport, Manchester-By-The-Sea, and Ipswich, all of which show great foliage colors.
Places along the very southern coast of Maine like Kennebunkport are usually at peak this week as well, in addition to places like Portsmouth, NH.
Lastly, the Connecticut coastline is wonderful this week in terms of foliage, and I recommend checking out Mystic, Essex, New Haven, and the whole Connecticut River Valley region.
What About Fall Foliage In November?
Much like the last week of October, early November usually means it’s the end of foliage season in many places. Some years, the places listed above are still showcasing some fall color around this time – especially Boston and Plymouth. It really depends on if foliage was early, on-time, or late. But there’s usually some color lingering in the places mentioned above during the first week of November.
The southwest corner of Connecticut is historically one of the last areas in New England to showcase its fall foliage color, sometimes extending to the second week of November.
But generally speaking, foliage season is usually over once the first two weeks of November come around. And foliage season is definitely over for places in Vermont and New Hampshire once the end of October hits.
I have a few guides on November in New England, if you want to check those out:
- New England In November
- Thanksgiving Getaways Ideas In New England
- Maine In November
- Vermont In November
How To Time A New England Fall Foliage Road Trip With Peak Color
If you’re planning a longer road trip the spans across different areas of New England – I’m so excited for you! It’s truly such a magical road trip to take at least once in your life. However, I know it can be tricky to time it so that you hit peak foliage everywhere you go.
The short answer to this is … you probably can’t see peak foliage in every destination on your itinerary. This will entirely come down to where you want to go, and you’ll probably be a little too early in some places, and maybe hit the end of peak in others. In my own fall foliage road trip itineraries, I most-often recommend going to New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts, and it’s easy to time your trip right to see peak in those regions during one trip (as long as you have a week or longer). That said, if you start and end your trip in Boston (which I always recommend), foliage there in the city won’t peak until late October. So, you have to pick and choose.
However, the general rule of thumb is, start in the north, and work your way down.
Looking for recommendations on exact dates, and a completely done-for-you fall foliage road trip itinerary? I have two amazing options for you:
🍁 My Epic 2-Week (12 Day) Fall Road Trip Itinerary
🍁 My 1-Week Foliage Highlights Road Trip Itinerary
Places To Skip In New England When Looking For Foliage
I want to emphasize that these places are amazing destinations in New England, but if you’re looking to see the most impressive foliage, they may be a let down for you.
During the fall season, some popular coastal destinations are lacking a bit in terms of foliage, which are Cape Cod & the islands (Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard) – and I’d even throw in Newport, RI into that category. And this is from someone who lives on the Cape part time! These are amazing destinations to visit in the fall season to experience fewer crowds and a more relaxed vibe, however, you won’t find an abundance of foliage along the coastline here.
So, I absolutely recommend visiting these areas in the fall if you want to visit outside of the peak summer season. However, just know that you won’t see a ton of fall color here, compared to other places in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. That said, there will still be some fall foliage, if you know where to look!
If foliage isn’t a priority for you when visit the Cape in the fall season, I have a detailed guide on the best things to do on Cape Cod in the fall, to give you lots of ideas 😉
New England Fall Foliage: Answering Your Questions
Is It Better To Be Too Early Or Too Late For Foliage?
This all comes down to personal preference. I prefer to go a little on the later side, myself. However, the best way to describe either scenario is that you’ll either see more green (leaves that haven’t turned yet), or more brown – often referred to as sticks (the empty branches of trees).
Where Should I Go If I Only Have A Few Days?
I would pick a region you really want to see, and stay there for a few days. I usually recommend Vermont in this case. Vermont is probably my favorite state in the fall season – there’s just something about the charming small towns, rural scenery, and epic foliage there that allow you a quintessential fall experience. Just be sure to do your best to time it right with peak!
Is New England In Foliage Season Crowded?
Yes, and this is something you’ll want to be prepared for. The most popular places with the biggest crowds are Stowe and Woodstock in Vermont, the White Mountains in New Hampshire, The Berkshires in Massachusetts, Boston, and Salem.
Best Places To Enjoy Foliage Without The Crowds
Most foliage destinations in New England will draw some kind of crowd. However, visiting on weekday does help a lot with this. Also, destinations like the Litchfield Hills region in Connecticut, western Maine, and North Shore in Massachusetts (with the exception of Salem) typically see fewer crowds.
More of my fall posts you may enjoy:
- My 10-Day Fall Foliage Road Trip Itinerary
- Detailed Guide To Fall Foliage Timing In Vermont
- Vermont Or New Hampshire In The Fall Season?
- Fall In New Hampshire: The Best Things To Do & Incredible Foliage Spots
That’s A Wrap On The Best Time To See Fall Foliage In New England
And there you have it! All my tips and suggestions on the best time to see fall foliage in New England. Hopefully, this makes planning your trip a bit easier now that you understand how fall color progresses, and which regions peak during what weeks of the season. Whether you’re excited to visit at the very start of foliage season at the end of September, or you’re planning an epic road trip the first two weeks of October, you’re sure to see some of the region’s most impressive displays of fall color.
