Finding New England Fall Foliage

Are you one of those “leaf freaks”— those devoted admirers of autumn and its vivid hues of gold, orange, red, bronze, and purple? Are you ready to make the pilgrimage into the countryside and see the lovely palette nature has to offer?

When planning your fall foliage tour, the first thing to do find out when and where the colors are changing. This map gives The Weather Channel's best guesses, but generally the leaves begin changing color in mid-September in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and gradually move southward through the warmer climates through the end of October. Color usually peaks around Columbus weekend, depending on the temperature and rainfall.

Here are some areas you might want to explore in New England this fall:

• Take in the clean, crisp air and be inspired as Thoreau was at Walden Pond. Nature lovers and history buffs alike can find plenty of activities nearby while admiring the view.
• Speaking of authors, Stephen King fans can visit “mecca” while admiring the lovely shades of fall in Bangor, Maine. The state has a helpful website to help plan your foliage adventures.
• “Magical” and “wonderful” were among the adjectives reviewers on Trip Advisor used to describe Quincy Bog Natural Area in Rumney, New Hampshire. Home to many varieties of plants, this area is also a favorite with birdwatchers. The nearby Polar Caves are a popular destination as well.
• A car isn’t the only way to enjoy great color. Why not see nature's annual display from a steam train or a riverboat?

No matter your individual tastes, there is a foliage route for you!