Discover the autumn colours of New England

Whether you’re exploring the most northeastern states of the USA, or staying closer to Boston, a tour of New England in autumn is a trip to remember, unearthing history and culture and marvelling at the fiery colours of the landscape. Pack your camera and prepare to discover why leaf peeping is so tempting.

When does autumn start in New England?

Autumn in New England typically begins in late September and continues through until November. Northern areas tend to see the colour change earlier than the southern parts of New England, as well as anywhere at a higher elevation, so if you head to Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine in mid-September, you’ll start to see the blaze of crimson and gold sweeping across the hillsides, peaking around the end of the month or early October.

Massachusetts and Connecticut tend to reach their peak later in around mid-October, and while you’ll see the vibrant shades continue into early November here, the best of the fall colours will be over by this point.

The weather conditions will also have an impact, both on when the first leaves start to change colour but also the best time to see the leaves, with conditions becoming wetter and darker as the year goes on, so you may enjoy better views earlier in the autumn. However warmer autumns tend to keep leaves greener for longer, so as the climate warms, the colours are sometimes starting to appear later in the year.

Areas will usually produce foliage reports and maps, so it’s worth keeping an eye on these to see the conditions each year and be prepared to travel a little to find the best leaf peeping. It’s also worth remembering that the second Monday in October marks the Columbus Day holiday, so it’s often significantly busier as locals make the most of the long weekend to enjoy the leaves too.

Maples, dogwoods and American oaks are particularly good at producing spectacular autumn colours

Why are New England’s autumn colours so vivid?

While autumn sees the leaves of deciduous trees change in many countries, New England’s brilliant autumn foliage is especially colourful thanks to both the types of trees found here and the climate.

Bright, dry, sunny days combined with cool nights tend to bring out the best autumn colours – the anthocyanins which cause intense red shades are higher in leaves which have been exposed to sun, temperatures which are low but not freezing, and lower rainfall, resulting in more sugars in the leaves to be converted into pigments.

New England’s native trees, including maples, dogwoods and American oaks are also particularly good at producing these spectacular colours compared to trees in Britain, which have evolved differently for the climate.

Where is the New England region?

New England is the region in the north-eastern corner of the United States and is made up of six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Boston is New England’s largest city, with more than half the New England population living in the Greater Boston area.

This part of the US is where some of the first English colonists landed, with the Mayflower arriving in what’s now Massachusetts in 1620 – explorer John Smith had already named it ‘New England’ in 1616 and the label appeared on official documents from 1620 and has stuck to this day.

Getting to New England from the UK

The easiest way to get to New England from the UK is to fly into Boston, with regular direct flights to the international airport from London and Edinburgh, taking around 7 hours and 30 minutes.

There are various smaller airports close to some of the area’s bigger cities, including at Portsmouth and Manchester in New Hampshire, as well as at Portland, Maine. These don’t have direct flight links the UK but there are connecting domestic flights to other US destinations, including New York.

Stowe, Vermont

Best places to go to see autumn colour in New England

While you’ll be able to enjoy the spectacular fall colour across New England, some areas are particularly picturesque – these are some favourite places for the best New England autumn colours.

Boston

You needn’t head to the unspoiled wilds for a taste of New England’s autumn colours. With the Atlantic Ocean lapping at the city’s shore and 2,100 acres of parks inland, it’s little wonder Boston is known as America’s walking city – so when better to head out on foot than during the autumn months.

Wander through the Public Garden for a wonderful display of colour. As the foliage peaks, you’ll spy golden Japanese larch alongside willows and horse chestnuts. Or head out to the river paths of The Esplanade which runs along the Charle River. You can hire a bike to explore, with a chance to see city skyscape transformed with the warm seasonal colours.

Boston, Massachusetts

Green Mountains, Vermont

As September turns into October, the Green Mountains stop living up to their name and become a blaze of vivid gold, orange and red. Head to Green Mountains National Forest, which covers nearly 400,000 acres of rugged mountains, hidden valleys and thick woodlands across Vermont’s south-west and centre to explore.

It’s a spectacular introduction to the fall foliage, with some great hiking routes if you want to get up close to the trees. Or travel along the scenic Green Mountain Byway, which passes some of the area’s loveliest mountain towns including Killington and Stowe. Take the gondola to picturesque Stowe, with its striking white Community Church surrounded by flaming orange leaves, one of the most photographed churches in Vermont for good reason.

Woodstock, Vermont

Another of the highlights of a visit to the Green Mountains, Woodstock is the very picture of a storybook New England village with its oval town green and preserved mansions – the area has been popular with the well-to-do since the 1700s.

As autumn arrives, the village transforms in a sea of golden shades, perfect for strolling around past the colonial buildings and along the Ottauquechee River. Repeatedly named the prettiest small town in America, the combination of history and scenery is hard to beat.

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

The largest lake in New Hampshire - and the third-largest in New England - Lake Winnipesaukee is beautiful at any time of year, a serene stretch of blue dotted with hundreds of small islands. But as autumn begins, it becomes even more spectacular than usual as the forests lining the bays transform from green to an eruption of fall colours.

The best way to appreciate it is from the water itself; board the historic Mount Washington steamer for a scenic cruise. The lake’s name itself means ‘The Smile of the Great Spirit’ and comes from a Native American legend of two lovers from enemy tribes, whose canoe was bathed in sunshine as they paddled away together.

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire

The White Mountains, New Hampshire

As the name suggests, the White Mountains on the New Hampshire and Maine state border are harsher than their green siblings further south – but they’re no less dramatic in the autumn. Here, the protected forests of oak, pine, ash and maple is set alongside mountain lakes and amid rugged granite cliffs, so as you gaze up the slopes (or down from a mountain peak), you’ll see a sea of vibrant leaves stretching out to the distance.

The 34-mile Kancamagus Scenic Byway travels through the White Mountains National Forest and is one of the best places to see the New England fall colours, surrounded by rolling hills. Save time for the short hike to the waterfalls at Diana’s Baths too. Or ride the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway for far-reaching views, travelling up to 4,800ft to look out across four US states and over to Quebec in Canada.

Kennebunkport, Maine

The most northern state in New England, Maine’s rugged coastline is home to a string of attractive towns and old fishing villages, all of which shine even more among the colourful leaves this season. Follow the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway and the Coastal Byway to wind through the old towns, including Salem (infamous for its 17th century witch trials) and pretty Kennebunkport.

Known for its long shipbuilding heritage, Kennebunkport is home to some grand mansions built by sea captains in the 19th century, while you can still spot ships and schooners bobbing in the harbour. The town was also the summer home of President George HW Bush who hosted world leaders in this picturesque corner of Maine.

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, Maine

Only a couple of hours from the Canadian border, Acadia National Park is home to the tallest mountains on the eastern seaboard, a rocky, rugged, dramatic landscape with forest and wetlands to explore. The historic carriage roads are the perfect way to get around, either on foot or by bike, along with 158 miles of hiking trails, including the comparatively easy Jesup Trail among the white birch trees. The park’s highest peak, Cadillac Mountain, is also the first spot on the eastern seaboard to see the sun; limited numbers can drive up to the 1,530ft summit to see the sunrise.

Bar Harbor, known as the gateway to Acadia National Park, is well worth a visit in its own right too. As well as whale-watching tours off the coast, tuck in to some lobster and wander the attractive streets with their traditional New England-style buildings.

Discover the autumn colours of New England on one of our escorted tours, including a tour of Boston and New England in the Fall and the Delights of New England and Canada With Niagara Falls