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12 unexpected New England towns to visit this fall
Plan a fall trip to one of these off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Towns like Stowe, Vermont, and North Conway, N.H., receive (well-deserved) accolades each fall season for their incredible fall foliage and many fall activities. But there are plenty of other towns across the region brimming with color and fun.
Ahead, local travel experts recommend some more unexpected New England towns great for exploring this fall.
Massachusetts
Plan a fall day in Provincetown, located on the tip of the Cape Cod peninsula, said Bill DeSousa-Mauk, publicist for the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. While in Provincetown, DeSousa-Mauk recommends checking out the tallest all-granite monument in the U.S., the Pilgrim Monument, where the Mayflower Pilgrims first landed in the New World in 1620. Visitors can also explore the outdoors with a “unique and unforgettable” dune tour with Arts Dune Tours (the sunset tour is a personal favorite his) and whale watching with Dolphin Fleet. Those who enjoy a day at the museum can spend hours viewing local art at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum.
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North Andover, located north of Boston, has plenty of seasonal activities, said Nancy Gardella, executive director of the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visitors can fill their day with fall activities for the whole family at Smolak Farms, such as snapping pictures in the pumpkin patch, sampling cider doughnuts, and hopping on a hayride. Meanwhile, wine lovers can head to Marble Ridge Winery, a family-owned business that produces five types of wine and hosts tastings, tours, and events throughout the month. Finally, the fall colors at Stevens Coolidge House and Gardens make it a “perfect place to stroll,” according to Gardella.
New Hampshire
Lancaster, located in New Hampshire’s Great North Woods region, provides easy access to the White Mountains region with fewer crowds, according to Kris Neilsen, communications manager with the division of travel and tourism department in New Hampshire. Weeks State Park is an excellent place for viewing fall foliage, Neilsen said, and visitors can drive the auto road to the summit of Mount Prospect and enjoy 360-degree views of the Presidential Range, the Kilkenny Range, and Percy Peaks. Other places worth visiting include the Polish Princess Bakery, The Granite Grind, and Copper Pig Brewery. And for a selfie before a historic bridge check out Mt. Orne and Mechanic Street, she said.
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For a “quintessential country vibe,” head to Sandwich, Neilsen said, where folks can take photos of the “incredible” mountain backdrops. Visitors can check out locally-made ice cream at Sandwich Creamery. Another must-see: the Durgin Covered Bridge. Stroll the village, full of white clapboard buildings, which is “everything you imagine a small country town would be,” Neilsen said. And don’t forget a trip to The Sandwich Fair, a tradition since 1910.
Maine
Damariscotta is home to two unique fall festivals and is described as what “may just be the perfect fall getaway” by Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Tourism. The Pemaquid Oyster Festival brings live music, food, and an oyster-shucking competition. The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta features all things pumpkin, its highlight races in boats carved out of the giant gourds. Damariscotta is also an oyster-lovers paradise and Midcoast Kayak offers a variety of tours or folks can cruise with Damariscotta River Cruises. Back on land, visitors can explore the trails of the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust and Frances Perkins National Monument.
Bethel is a “classic New England village” located in the Lakes and Mountains region and well worth a fall trip, according to Ouellette. Golfers can tee off at the Sunday River Golf Club or the Bethel Inn Resort golf course. Visitors can rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard from Bethel Outdoor Adventure and witness stunning fall foliage from the Androscoggin River. Or folks can learn more about the history of Maine at the Bethel Historical Society and Maine Mineral and Gem Museum.
Vermont
Manchester, set between the Taconic and Green Mountain ranges, is an excellent place for viewing fall foliage, according to Joshua Halman, forest health program manager for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. The destination was named one of the best small towns for a fall getaway by Travel + Leisure. Visitors can enjoy Vermont’s iconic foliage while hiking or driving to see the covered bridges, farms, and scenery and choose from plenty of restaurants, shops, and fall fairs and festivals.
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Over in the northern corner of the state in Greensboro, the Highland Center for the Arts, which features a 250-seat state-of-the-art theater, has programming year-round. Visitors can hike the trails at the Barr Hill Nature Preserve, one of the highest points in Greensboro, and head to Jasper Hill Farm for fall activities and a sampling of award-winning cheeses.
Rhode Island
In Lincoln visitors can check out the Hearthside House, a historic museum adjacent to one of the filming locations for “Hocus Pocus 2,” said Robin Erickson, senior director of advertising and public relations for Rhode Island Commerce. Travelers can also enjoy the “stunning” Lincoln Woods State Park and also Blackstone River State Park, which offers riverfront bike paths and historic walking tours. The colorful, canopied path of the Blackstone River Bikeway is a great place to take in the fall colors, she said.
Travelers can also spend time at Buck Hill Management Area in Burrillville and soak in the fall colors among the 2,049 acres of forest, wildlife, wetlands, and marsh, according to Erickson. The town, billed as “comfortably tucked away in Northwest Rhode Island,” has biking, hiking, farms, and nine villages for visitors to explore.
Connecticut
The town of Litchfield is “rich with charm and natural beauty” according to Rachel Lenda, Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism. Visitors can take in the fall foliage on horseback at Lee’s Riding Stable. For a fun day on the farm, folks can visit the family-owned and operated Bunnell Farm and purchase pumpkins, explore the corn maze, and purchase a turkey in time for Thanksgiving. When hunger strikes, visitors can grab a bite at the popular West Street Grill or a seasonal fall coffee at Toast & Co.
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Travelers can also visit the seaside village of Stonington, which is full of endless fall experiences, according to Lenda. Visitors can spend time atop a historic 170-year-old lighthouse and museum, pick apples and pumpkins at the family-owned and operated Whittle’s Willow Spring Farm, order fresh oysters at Water Street Café, a local institution featured in the New York Times, or grab a bite at Noah’s Restaurant, a town favorite with an emphasis on using local ingredients.
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