Fall in Connecticut is truly underrated! While I whole-heartedly recommend seeing places like Vermont and New Hampshire in the fall season, there’s something very special about all the quaint towns surrounded by bright fall color in Connecticut. With every fall trip I take throughout the state, the more I fall in love with it during this magical time of the year.
This post is all about how to plan the best fall trip to Connecticut, including my favorite places and towns to see foliage, really fun fall activities, cool hikes to check out, tops places to stay, and so much more.
And with that, let’s get started, shall we?
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When To See Fall Foliage In Connecticut
In the most general sense, October is the best time to visit for fall foliage in Connecticut, and it tends to peak later than top places in Vermont, New Hampshire, and The Berkshires in Massachusetts, making it a great place to end a fall foliage road trip through New England. But let’s break that down even more.
Peak foliage hits the state at different times throughout the month, depending on where you are. The northern corners of Connecticut will usually begin to peak first, and then it trickles down from there.
In general, here’s when to expect peak color in each region:
→ Northeast and northwest corners: Second week of October
*I’ve seen a lot of information online that says these areas peak earlier in the first week of October, but that hasn’t been my experience in recent years. I’ve always found these areas to peak right after The Berkshires, which is just north of them, so I think second week of October is a good time to visit. I’ve even visited these regions the third week of October and hit peak foliage here, so it depends on the year.
→ Eastern and western mid-state areas: Mid-October
→ Coastal areas and lower Connecticut River Valley: Late-October
→ Southwest corner: First week of November
🍁🍂 As with fall foliage anywhere in New England, it’s very important to know that it can and does vary from year to year. These are general timeframes based on my experience and historical data, but weather patterns in the spring, summer, and even early fall season can impact when fall foliage will peak, and push it to peak earlier or later than these general times frames. It’s good to go into any fall foliage trip with this in mind, and understand that even if you arrive just before or just after peak foliage, it’s still a special experience 😊
Where Is The Best Fall Foliage In Connecticut?
In my experience, I’ve seen the best fall foliage in the northwest region of Connecticut, which is often referred to the Litchfield Hills. While the Litchfield Hills doesn’t encompass the entire northwest corner, it does account for a large chunk of it, and this is where you’ll find a lot of quaint towns, bright fall foliage, amazing hikes, and fall farm stands.
This region is also just about an hour south of the iconic Berkshires area of Massachusetts, and some of the scenery is very similar. You’ll enjoy mountain views, rolling hills, rural scenery back-dropped by amazing fall color, and scenic drives up in this area. Basically, exactly what you’re hoping for during a fall trip, right? 😉
However, that’s not the only place to see incredible fall color. I also really love the Connecticut River Valley, areas in the central region of the state, and even some towns along the coast for fall foliage.
Best Fall Foliage Towns To Visit In Connecticut
Litchfield
Nestled into the eastern part of the Litchfield Hills region, Litchfield itself is one of the more picturesque towns to explore in Connecticut – and it also just so happens to have lots of stunning fall foliage in October.
Litchfield makes it pretty easy to experience fall color with places like the White Memorial Conservation Center, Mount Tom State Park, Topsmead State Park, and scenic drives around the backroads, as well as along Route 118.
Mount Tom State Park is widely-regarded as having some of the best foliage views in the state, and that’s largely due to the Tower Trail, which rewards you with panoramic views at the end that are well-worth the climb up.
Litchfield is also only a short 10-minute drive away from Hogan’s Cider Mill in Burlington, which I’ll talk more about later in the post (but spoiler alert, it’s one of my favorite places to visit in the fall season!).
Psst! I have a detailed guide on the best things to do in Litchfield, CT, if you need more suggestions 😉
New Milford
New Milford is another incredibly charming town that borders the southern region of the Litchfield Hills, and is most-known for having an idyllic downtown area with wonderful shops, a beautiful town green, and a gazebo that’s perfectly decorated in the fall with pumpkins and mums.
And while the downtown area is one of the top things to see in New Milford, fall foliage can be seen from different areas around town, including the beautiful Lover’s Leap State Park, Lyn Deming Park, and Harrybrooke State Park. All these beautiful spaces offer fantastic fall color, making them especially perfect for a fall visit.
Also in New Milford, you’ll want to head to Harris Hill Pumpkin Farm, which is backdropped by rolling mountains, and offers a quintessential pumpkin-picking experience. Afterward, you can head to Park Lane Cider Mill for cider and doughnuts, and end your fall day by walking the Scarrybrooke Park Haunted Trail (located at Harrybrooke park, of course!).
Psst! I have a detailed guide on the best things to do in New Milford, CT, if you’re lookin’ for more ideas 😉
Kent
Loaded with stunning rural scenery and home to a quaint downtown area, Kent is one of my favorite places to see foliage in Connecticut. Not only are there lovely parks and scenic drives you can take to see bright fall color, but it also offers amazing foliage views right from the downtown area.
However, I definitely recommend exploring all areas of Kent, including Kent Falls State Park, which is home to the tallest waterfall in the state, Macedonia State Park, and the Kent Falls Land Trust – you’ll see lots of foliage at all these locations.
Downtown Kent is home to some really great little shops, cafés, restaurants, and scenery that feels straight out of a cozy fall movie.
Psst! I have a detailed guide on the best things to do in Kent, CT with lots more info 😉
New Haven
New Haven is a very underrated destination in Connecticut for fall foliage – just because it’s a city doesn’t mean it’s lacking in fall color! While you’ll find tree-lined streets in New Haven that showcase beautiful colors in October, the best places to see foliage are in the city’s beautiful parks.
My favorite spot in New Haven during foliage season is East Rock Park, where you can hike or drive up to the top, and enjoy foliage views of the surrounding areas from above. At the top of this park, you can also see the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, which is a 112-foot tall tower with stunning architectural elements – the tower can actually be seen from most points in New Haven.
For more fall foliage, you can also visit West Rock Ridge State Park, and drive to the South Ridge Overlook for more incredible views from above, which are especially beautiful in the fall season.
Lastly, I also love to recommend Edgerton Park in New Haven, which feels a little bit like you’ve been transported to the English countryside, but also has lovely fall foliage in October.
Essex
Essex is such a charming town in the Connecticut River Valley region, and one of my favorite places to explore during foliage season. Essex is home to a great downtown area with tree-lined streets, and wonderful shops and dining options.
However, the biggest reason to visit in the fall season is the Essex Steam Train & River Boat tours, which run through the end of October. This unique experience starts with you hopping aboard a vintage train car before setting off to enjoy fall foliage views through the River Valley region. The tour then ends on a riverboat to enjoy the fall color from a different perspective as you cruise down the river. This is one of the easiest and most exciting ways to see fall color in Connecticut!
Psst! I have a detailed guide on the best things to do in Essex, CT with more ideas 😉
Simsbury
Heading back up to northern Connecticut, Simsbury is another fantastic option if you’re looking to do some leaf-peeping, and offers a wonderful mix of parks, rural scenery, and farm stands to enjoy.
In Simsbury, you can see some pretty awesome fall color by visiting Talcott Mountain State Park, which is home to the Heublein Tower. Hiking up to the tower is a great fall experience, and once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with incredible views that are magical in the fall season. On a clear day, you can see New Hampshire, The Berkshires, and Long Island Sound.
Simsbury also has a scenic fall foliage drive you can follow, which I did during a recent visit, and really enjoyed it! Additionally, the Canal Heritage Trail runs through town, and offers some really pretty fall color, and you can also visit the Pickin Patch farm stand, Flamig Farm, and stroll through Stratton Brook State Park.
Psst! I have a detailed guide on the best things to do in Simsbury, CT, if you’d like more info 😉
Mystic
While the coast isn’t known for its fall foliage, Mystic is a fantastic exception! Having been to Mystic a few times in October, I’ve always found the foliage views to be impressive and beautiful. While not as impactful as places in the countryside, you’ll still find a lot of fall color along the river, in Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, and in both downtown areas of Mystic and Stonington.
The Mystic area is also home to B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill and Cloak & Wand Potion Bar, which I’ll talk more about later in the post. But you can also get up close and personal with the foliage at the Tree Trails Adventure Park, which offers fall ziplining and adventure tours on weekends in October.
Lastly, Mystic is also only 25 minutes from the awesome Holmberg Orchards, and fun fact: the Hallmark movie Holiday Fix-Up actually filmed scenes here! They have beautiful orchards for apple picking, as well as their own wines and ciders to sample, and are famous for their apple crisp.
Psst! I have a detailed guide on the top things to do while visiting Mystic, CT, which is loaded with suggestions 😉
Fun Things To Do In Connecticut In The Fall
Take A Scenic Foliage Drive
One of the best way to experience fall foliage in Connecticut is to just hit the road and enjoy the ride. There are so many wonderful routes to explore this time of the year that not only offer lots of foliage color, but great stops to make along the way.
One of my favorites in the northern region of the state is Route 8 from Litchfield to Torrington, which can also continue up to Tyringham in The Berkshires. The drive through Tyringham is also stunning, and worth the excursion!
I’ve also found lots of fall color on I-95 between Guilford and Mystic. Even though it’s an interstate, the fall color on the drive has always been on point.
All the drives between the towns in the Litchfield Hills, including Litchfield itself, New Milford, Washington Depot, and New Milford are also all beautiful, and of course, bring you to all kinds of great places and fall fun.
Lastly, while I haven’t done this entire drive, I’ve heard this loop around the Connecticut River Valley is fantastic in the fall season for foliage color. I’ve done parts of it while exploring the area, and definitely saw great foliage, so I’m sure the entire route is well worth driving. It starts and ends in Middletown, and takes you nearby the cute town of Chester (well worth stopping here to explore!), Essex, and by Gillette Castle.
Explore One Of The Incredible Parks, Towers & Forests For Colorful Foliage
While I’ve already mentioned some pretty amazing state parks for leaf-peeping, there are so many more parks to explore with tower hikes, hikes to scenic overlooks, and gorgeous trails to explore this time of the year.
Here are some that are especially beautiful and worthy in the fall season for foliage:
→ Cobble Mountain Hike in Kent
→ Turkey Vulture Ledge Trail in the American Legion Forest (short trail with great payoff!)
→ Mohawk State Forest in Cornwall
→ Dennis Hill State Park in Norfolk (great stone pavilion at the summit with views from above)
→ Jesse Gerard Trail in the Peoples State Forest
→ The tower at Shenipsit State Forest
→ Camp Columbia Tower in Morris (short walk to the tower that has great views in the fall)
Head To The Oldest Steam-Powered Cider Mill In The U.S.
I mentioned B.F. Clyde’s earlier as one of the top fall experiences in Mystic, and it deserves its own place on this list. As the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the entire country, it’s such a cool experience to have when visiting Connecticut. Only open seasonally in the fall, they press their own regular and hard cider, and also serve up their iconic cider doughnuts.
During your visit, you’re also able to enjoy demonstrations of the cider press at work, which is something you don’t want to miss.
Good To Know: B.F. Clyde’s is one of the most popular places to visit in the fall season in the entire state, and it gets very busy on weekends. If visiting on a weekend, I recommend trying to plan your arrival right when they open, as parking can be tricky later in the day.
Visit The Charming Farm Stands
One of my favorite things about Connecticut this time of the year is all the incredible fall farm stands for grabbing fresh apples, pumpkins, seasonal produce, seasonal flowers, cider, and baked goods.
Here are a few of my favorites to check out during your fall visit:
→ Strawberry Hollow Farm in Guilford (small, but so darling with great pumpkins and mums)
→ Old Cider Mill in Glastonbury
→ Angevine Farm in Warren
→ Hollandia Nurseries in Bethel
→ Kent Greenhouse & Gardens in Kent
Visit Cloak & Wand’s Potion Bar
While open year-round, Cloak & Wand is such a cool spot to visit when in the area in the fall season, as the vibes are definitely on point for this time of the year. Located in Olde Mistik Village in Mystic, this little shop has a very cool Harry Potter Theme, and inside, you can order all kinds of fun drinks at their Potion Bar.
Serving both hot and cold beverages, which use a base of either Italian soda or hot chocolate, you can select from one of their own creations, or mix up your own “potion” drink for the ultimate experience.
Good To Know: While in Olde Mistik Village, plan extra time to walk around to all the unique shops, and an especially fun place to check out in the fall is Alice’s Haunted Little Bookshop.
Get Cider & Donuts At Hogan’s Cider Mill
It’s not fall until you pick up cider and doughnuts! Earlier in the post, I mentioned Hogan’s Cider Mill near Litchfield, and this is one of the most fun places to visit for a cider drink and freshly-made doughnuts.
Hogan’s has gotten more Instagram-famous over the years, and for good reason. They serve up over-the-top cider drinks, often topped with a whole doughnut and whipped cream. They have versions with and without alcohol, a cider tasting room, their fresh doughnuts you can buy individually, and mini golf on site.
They also have nice grounds with picnic tables spread out so you can enjoy your drinks and doughnuts while admiring the farm’s scenery. And in the fall season, they have a great set-up at their front entrance featuring a vintage truck filled with pumpkins, which is the perfect photo opp.
Good To Know: Hogan’s is another place that gets very busy on the weekends, so I also recommend you get there right when they open to avoid parking challenges.
Explore Charming Guilford For Fall Fun
Guilford is such a great town to visit year-round, but especially in the fall season. It’s got a lot of Stars Hollow vibes, and the cute little downtown area is centered around a beautiful green space. You’ll find tree-lined streets, great shops and dining, and historic houses to check out in this area.
Outside of downtown, you’ll find Strawberry Hollow Farm Stand, which I mentioned earlier, and is one of the most charming stands to visit. There’s also Bishop’s Orchards, which has two locations, one of which is their expansive orchards and outdoor space, and the other is an awesome farmer’s market with an ice cream bar and market inside.
The Bishop’s Orchards outdoor space has great apple picking, food trucks on select days, a children’s play area, food stands with donuts and such, and a corn maze. It’s the perfect place for an afternoon of fall fun for both kids and adults.
A short drive from the Bishop’s outdoor farm area is their awesome market, which also has a great ice cream window that offers fall-themed treats. I got the very cute witch ice cream sundae during my last visit, which was so yummy (and hard to eat because of how adorable it was). Inside, they also sell their cider and doughnuts, and all kinds of awesome things in their market.
Stroll Through Historic Old Wethersfield For Fall Vibes
Old Wethersfield is such a beautiful destination in Connecticut year-round, but I especially love it here in the fall. Old Wethersfield is the oldest historic district in the state, and while small, offers the perfect afternoon of fall vibes.
Along Main Street in town, you’ll want to head to Heirloom Market, which is perfectly decorated in the fall season with loads of pumpkins, and inside, you’ll find a bakery, café, and market, all rolled into one awesome spot.
Spend some time walking around the tree-lined streets and admiring the beautiful historic houses. There’s also the Webb Deane Stevens Museum, where you can tour the inside of some of the historic buildings in town. I also love to admire colorful foliage from Cove Park, which is walkable from Main Street, and you’ll often find the beautiful cove back-dropped by bright fall color.
Lastly, along Main Street, you’ll also find Main Street Creamery for an apple cider donut sundae, and the Country Store, which is an awesome little general store for all the cozy vibes.
Plan The Perfect Day Of Apple Picking At An Orchard
In addition to Bishop’s Orchards and Holmberg Orchards, there are so many great places for apple picking in Connecticut, so you’ll want to add some of these to your fall itinerary.
One in particular that’s especially cool to check out is Hidden Gem Orchards in Southbury, and they grow a unique apple variety called Esopus Spitzenburg. This particular apple is said to have been Thomas Jefferson’s favorite, and he grew them on his Monticello estate. In fact, there are still Spitzenburg apple trees on the grounds at Monticello today.
Here are some more orchards to check out that offer pick-your-own apples, in addition to the places already mentioned:
→ Lyman Orchards in Middletown
→ Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard in Shelton
→ Blue Hills Orchard in Wallingford
→ Roger’s in Southington
→ Lost Acres Orchard in North Granby
Find Your Way Out Of A Corn Maze
Corn mazes in New England are a time-honored fall tradition, and there are some really fun ones to check out throughout Connecticut! Many of them are offered at some of the best orchards and fall farm stands, so you’ll see some familiar names pop up again, making them a win-win for you 😉
Here are the best corn mazes in CT to check out in the fall season:
→ Lyman Orchards Corn Maze in Middletown
→ Scott’s Yankee Farmer in East Lyme along the coast
→ Preston Farms Corn Maze in Preston
→ Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm in Moosup
→ Bunnell Farm in Litchfield
→ Holmberg Orchards in Gales Ferry
Feel All The Goosebumps At A Haunted House
Once the sun begins to set, one of the most fun things to do throughout the state in the fall season is find a haunted attraction, and there are some great haunted houses to check out in Connecticut!
Here are some to have on your radar:
→ Haunting at the Ridge at Powder Ridge Park in Middlefield (you’ll take a chairlift up the mountain in the dark, which is a unique experience!).
→ Phantom Fall Fest in Bristol: The amusement park turns into a haunted attraction after 6pm!
→ Trail of Terror in Wallingford
→ The Forsaken Lands Outdoor Haunted Attraction in Goshen
→ Haunt on Eden in Plantsville
→ Legends of Fear in Shelton
Go On A Spooky Ghost Tour In Mystic
If haunted houses and things jumping out at you are just not your thing, there’s still some great opportunities for some gentle scares during your fall trip! The best spot in Connecticut for ghost tours is Mystic, which is just another great reason to add this town to your fall itinerary.
In addition to visiting Cloak & Wand and B.F. Clyde’s, you can end your day in Mystic with a few goosebumps while you learn about the haunted history and town ghost lore.
The two best ghost tours to check out in Mystic are the Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour and the Mystic Moonlight Graveyard Ghost Tour. Both of these tours take place at either twilight or at night, and offer intriguing insight and stories about the haunted happenings throughout the town.
🍁🍂 Click the links below to check out rates & availability for these ghost tours in Mystic:
→ Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour
→ Mystic Moonlight Graveyard Ghost Tour
Attend A Fall Festival
Lastly on my list, you’ll want to check out a fall festival or two during your visit, which is just icing on the cake to an already great fall afternoon. Throughout the state, there are some fantastic fall festivals to check out, and here are some of the best to have on your radar:
→ Southington Apple Harvest Festival: the biggest fall festival in Connecticut!
→ Washington Harvest Festival
→ Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival
→ Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival
→ Hebron Harvest Fair
Cozy Places To Stay In Connecticut In The Fall
Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington: Located in the Litchfield Hills, the quaint but lovely town of Washington is home to this splurge-worthy inn loaded with amenities. This is probably the most luxurious places to stay in Connecticut, but it’ll be hard to find a less charming and pampering place to call home while on your fall getaway. This is also a bucket list hotel for Gilmore Girls fans, as the creator of the show stayed here while developing the series, and it’s rumored that the Dragonfly Inn from the show was based on the Mayflower 😉
🍁🍂 Click here to check rates & availability at the Mayflower Inn & Spa
Litchfield Inn: Right in Litchfield, this inn is where I most often stay when visiting the region. Cozy rooms, delicious cookies upon arrival, and close to a lot of attractions make this one my most-recommended hotels in northwest Connecticut.
🍁🍂 Click here to check rates & availability for the Litchfield Inn
Simsbury 1820 House: In beautiful Simsbury, this inn is a wonderful gateway to all the fall activities in northern Connecticut. Cozy rooms and a great location that’s walkable to downtown and the bike path are some of the amenities you’ll enjoy during your stay.
🍁🍂 Click here to check rates & availability for the Simsbury 1820 House
The Griswold Inn: Located in Essex, the Griswold Inn is the perfect place to stay when exploring the Connecticut River Valley in the fall. This cozy and historic inn is right on Main Street and walkable to shops and restaurants, and also has a fantastic on-site tavern.
🍁🍂 Click here to check rates & availability for the Griswold Inn
Whalers Inn: Located in Mystic, this is my favorite place to stay when in town. Located right in the heart of Mystic’s downtown area by the river, you can walk to lots of shops and restaurants from the inn. Rooms range from updated and modern (but still very cozy!) to traditional New England. They also have a fantastic restaurant on-site!
🍁🍂 Click here to check rates & availability for the Whalers Inn
Fall In Connecticut FAQ’s
Is Connecticut Worth Visiting In The Fall?
Absolutely! Because Connecticut is so far west in the New England region, I don’t always recommend you head out this way on a road trip or getaway throughout the region because it may not be worth it, depending on your plans. However, for fall foliage season, especially because of its proximity to The Berkshires, it’s absolutely worth visiting in the fall.
How Does Fall Foliage In Connecticut Compare To Vermont & New Hampshire?
If you’re looking for the very best places in New England for fall foliage, I still recommend Vermont and New Hampshire. In all my years of travel, fall foliage in these places is still the most impressive and impactful to me, and you get so much bang for your buck.
However, Connecticut’s fall foliage is equally as beautiful, but just on a smaller scale. You won’t find the epic hikes and mountain views like you will in VT and NH, as the mountains are just not as tall in CT. There are also fewer hotel options in CT than there are in VT and NH.
Connecticut is a wonderful addition to a fall foliage road trip through New England, and I’ve even included it in my own itinerary that I suggest here on this website. I also think that Connecticut experiences fewer crowds during the fall season, which makes it a nice alternative if you want to see foliage, but are looking to avoid the biggest crowds.
What Is Fall Weather Like In Connecticut?
Like most of New England, weather in Connecticut this time of the year can vary. I’ve experienced warm and sunny weather reaching to nearly 60°F in October in this state, and I’ve also experienced colder weather reaching down to about 35°F in late October.
In general, I typically tell folks to expect average fall weather, which will require sweaters and maybe a jacket during the day, but pack in layers in case the weather decides to be colder or warmer than usual.
Overall, the best thing I can recommend is that you check the forecast a few days prior to leaving to get a better idea of what the temperatures are planned to be, and then pack accordingly. That’s how I always do it when preparing for a fall trip 😊
How Many Days Should You Spend In CT In The Fall?
The great thing about Connecticut is that you can easily spend a day here in the fall, a weekend getaway, or a week-long adventure, and you’ll have plenty to do and see. It really just depends on your plans.
If you’re seeing Connecticut as part of a fall foliage road trip, I recommend 1-2 nights in the northwest region (Litchfield Hills) because it’s a compact area that offers a lot to see within a short driving distance.
If you’re planning to visit Connecticut for a fall weekend getaway, I suggest making it a long weekend (3 days), and spending two days in the Litchfield Hills, and taking one day to road trip down to either the coast or the Connecticut River Valley. For reference, Litchfield is just over 1.5 hours to Mystic, which is perfect for a day trip!
If you’re planning a week-long adventure that focuses on Connecticut, you’ll want to consider peak foliage times. If you start in the northwest corner during peak foliage, and want to head further south a few days later, you may be a bit too early for peak foliage along the coast. However, you could still easily plan a week just in the Litchfield Hills and central parts of the state, especially if you want to tackle a lot of hiking and state parks.
More fall posts you may enjoy:
- My Amazing New England Fall Foliage Road Trip Itinerary
- Ultimate Guide To Fall In New England
- Fall In Massachusetts Guide
- Best Time To See Fall Foliage In Vermont
That’s A Wrap On The Best Things To Do In Connecticut In The Fall
And there you have it! All my suggestions and tips on exploring Connecticut in the fall season. I hope you’ve enjoy this post, and feel ready to plan your own getaway in the fall season to this beautiful state. Between the quaint towns, scenic foliage drives, perfect fall farm stands, cozy inns, and stunning foliage color to be seen, Connecticut is such a gem to visit in the fall season. Happy planning!
