Imagine all the things that remind you of autumn—bonfires with s’mores, pumpkin everything, apple orchards, and eating warm apple cider donuts. Going on a 10 day New England fall foliage road trip was a dream of mine for years.
I kept seeing stunning photos of foliage dusting mountainsides making it look like Fruity Pebbles with vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. I just fell in love because it looked like Europe in the United States.
Planning a trip to New England in the fall requires a rental car, booking where to stay, knowing what to do, finding the best places for New England fall foliage, and how much it will cost. This itinerary has apple and pumpkin picking, tasty adventures, and plenty of incredible New England fall season photo opportunities.
I did this trip myself and put as much information as possible so you can plan your fall travel easily and efficiently too.
Best Time For New England Fall Foliage
When is the best time to see leaves in New England? The best time for New England fall foliage is usually the end of September and early October.
You can check out this updated New England Fall Foliage Map 2024. The temperatures in New England fall at an average of 55°F (13°C) during the day and 35°F (2°C) at night.
What To Pack To New England
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New England Fall Foliage Road Trip Packing List
- Warm Jacket
- Turtleneck sweaters
- Fall dresses
- Fall boots
- Warm Socks
- Warm Tights
- Skinny Jeans
Book A Flight To Boston
The easiest way to the East Coast from Texas is to fly through Dallas Fort Worth Airport. You should book a round trip flight to your closest major airport and then fly to Boston.
New England Fall Foliage Tours
If you’re looking for New England fall foliage tours, here are a few I recommend. The foliage in New England is some of the best in the country and there’s a reason why so many people flock to see it.
You feel like you’re in a magical fairytale land. These honestly make the best fall getaways in New England!
New England Fall Foliage Trip Map
Below you’ll find the exact itinerary I used. This 10-day New England road trip itinerary factors in the days used to travel, the driving in between, and stops to eat.
Day One | Arrive in Boston
Depending on where you are, you could make a Boston day trip. We arrived late afternoon and decided to enjoy Boston’s culinary scene. My New England fall trip itinerary had to include some Massachusetts delights!
Eat at Hei La Moon
I lived in Asia for almost a decade and I.LOVE.DIMSUM. You have no idea how happy that makes me.
The New England States features some of the oldest Chinatowns in the country. OF COURSE, the first stop was to eat all the dumplings.
Hei La Moon is in the heart of downtown Boston near the orange and red subway stations.
Visit the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery
While in Boston, sample tasty beer at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery. If you want to experience Boston’s beer culture and not worry about drinking and driving, I recommend booking a Boston Brewery Tour here.
They’ll take you to microbreweries, distilleries, and cider houses. You can enjoy up to 12 tastings and learn the history of each.
Stay in Boston For The Night
After all this tasty food and beer, it’s time to retire for the night. Stay the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel which offers free breakfast and is conveniently located 20 minutes from Boston Logan International Airport.
Day Two | Drive to New Hampshire
The best places to see New England foliage are Vermont and New Hampshire. The first destination was Sandwich, New Hampshire. It’s a super cute small town that gives quintessential Gilmore Girls vibes.
Eat Lunch At Foothills Cafe & Curio
The fall in New England always brings tasty seasonal foods. I always recommend to eat and shop locally and this adorable cafe has the mom and pop feel.
Their menu changes daily so you never know what you’re going to get. You can check out Foothills’ Cafe & Curio menu here.
Explore the town of Sandwich
Trips to New England in the fall should always include exploring super cute towns. In Sandwich, there are houses dating back to the Victorian Era.
If you’re like me and adore literature from that period, it’s such a treat. There’s also an adorable tiny church surrounded by gorgeous foliage.
Conway Scenic Train
Every New England fall foliage road trip should include a train ride on the Conway Scenic Train. I recommend doing the longer route on the Bartlett-Sawyer excursion train.
If you’re pressed for time, book first-class tickets on the shorter Conway Valley Train Mountain Car. This route takes you on an old-fashioned locomotive train.
The train will depart from an 1874 Victorian-Era station from North Conway Village. The excursion is 55 minutes and 11 miles roundtrip.
Muddy Moose Restaurant and Pub
The Muddy Mosse Restaurant is a great place that reminds me of the countryside pubs you find in Texas. It’s built like a log cabin and features interesting decor like mounted animal heads, chandeliers made of antlers, and a full bar.
Stay At The Colonial Motel
The Colonial Motel in Conway has a retro-style feel. It has incredible mountain views to wake up surrounded by peak foliage.
Day Three | Kancamagus Highway
On the third day, give yourself extra time to explore the scenic Kancamagus Scenic Byway. It is now designated as an American Scenic Byway for its rich history, aesthetic beauty, and culture.
This route takes you through the White Mountain National Forest with the incredible fall colors of the White Mountains. You can visit the Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls, and Rocky Gorge.
The elevation is just under 3,000 feet at its highest point at Kancamagus Pass on the flank of Mt. Kancamagus near Lincoln, New Hampshire. This highway draws thousands of leaf peepers every year.
I recommend using the Kancamagus driving audio tour to get the most out of your scenic drive there.
Eat Breakfast at Peach’s Restaurant
When you travel, make sure you always support local businesses! Peach’s Restaurant is a local mom-and-pop joint where breakfast is like something special you’d make on Saturday morning. I ordered the eggs benedict and it was EGG-cellent!
Explore Conway
New England is full of small towns and Conway is a popular destination. There are shops lining the main street that sell local goods.
I bought a delicious dessert Port at The Penguin Gallery. It was by a New Hampshire brand called ZorVino made with a delicious strawberry and chocolate flavor
Go shopping at Zeb’s General Store. It’s been there awhile and everything sold is local and organic.
Kancamagus Highway
Every New England fall foliage road trip needs to go the scenic route. The Kancamagus Highway is a scenic 34.5-mile drive along New Hampshires Route 112.
The Kancamagus Highway is known as the best peak fall foliage drive. Allow about three hours to explore.
Albany Covered Bridge
This Albany Covered Bridge was first constructed in 1858. Repairs and restorations have kept it in the condition you see today.
It is a one-lane bridge people drive over so watch for pedestrians and traffic. I liked this scenic walk on my New England fall foliage road trip.
Covered Bridges are very common in New England.
Lower Falls
Lower Falls is a gorgeous spot and location for photos. When the river water is low you can walk across and take photos.
While there, I took a few moments to breathe the clean and fresh air as I listened to the sounds of the river and birds calling. I’ve mentioned this in other blog posts, but I will NEVER take for granted clean air again because I didn’t get enough of it in Korea.
Rocky Gorge Scenic Area
This is anothre popular spot to stop along the Scenic Highway. This beautiful scenic area is accessed via a paved walkway from a large parking area where rest rooms are available.
Make Random Stops
Travel to New England in the fall has many surprises, especially on the Kancamagus Scenic Highway. While driving, we found a home that holds the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest post office in America. It’s fascinating to see how early American settlers lived.
Eat Dinner at Black Mountain Burger Company
Black Mountain Burger Company serves delicious hand-crafted burgers and is one of the best spots to eat. They are busy during summer and especially during leaf-peeping fall foliage trips. Call ahead to reserve a table.
Stay at Inn 32
Inn 32 is a motel located in Woodstock, New Hampshire. It offers an outdoor pool, BBQ area, picnic area, and free wifi. It’s a basic motel where the key is kept outside on the porch in a mailbox.
Day Four | New Hampshire & Vermont
Vermont and New Hampshire are the most beautiful places I have ever visited. They may be the smallest states, but the great thing about them is they’re a short drive apart.
Flume Gorge (New Hampshire)
The Flume Gorge is a natural gorge extending 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty. The walls of Conway granite rise to a height of 70 to 90 feet and are 12 to 20 feet apart.
The Flume Trail is currently a one-way, 2-mile loop starting at the check-in booths in front of the Flume Building. For adults, the short trail costs $18 to visit. Reservations must be made ahead of time.
Franconia Notch State Park (New Hampshire)
New Hampshire has some of the best views from the Western White Mountains. Ranging from Lincoln up through Franconia Notch and Littleton, route 93 breaks off into several small loops such as The Notch, and the 100 mile.
Dog Mountain (Vermont)
Dog Mountain in Vermont is set on a private 150-acre mountaintop in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The grounds are always open to people and their dogs.
After a fall that left owner Stephen Huneck in a coma for two months, he awoke and had the overwhelming urge to make wood carvings of his dog, Sally. In his near-death experience, Stephen was inspired to make Dog Chapel.
Burtt’s Apple Orchard
After some time at Dog Mountain, head to Burtt’s Apple Orchard in Vermont. This is a perfect place to spend sunset.
Pick apples for $1.35 a pound from August to Halloween. They sell fresh apples, cider donuts, apple cider slushies, and apple cider vinegar daily.
The farm has 38 varieties of apples including my personal favorite, the Fuji Apple!
Explore St. Johnsbury
St. Johnsbury is one of those quaint towns with lots of churches around. Locals will be curious about you since a lot of tourism doesn’t come through.
Stay At The Fairbanks Inn
I enjoyed my stay at Fairbanks Inn in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. When I booked my fall foliage trip, it was difficult to find reasonably priced hotels near Stowe. (Which happens to be the cutest small town in America.)
Day Five | Vermont
This New England fall road trip should include a day dedicated to eating delicious and fresh food in Vermont. This state is famous for being the largest producer of maple syrup in the world.
Bragg Farm Sugarhouse & Gift Shop
Bragg Farm Sugarhouse has the oldest Sugar Maple on the farm. It is nearly 300 years old and one of their most productive trees.
Did you know it takes 40 gallons of maple sap to produce one gallon of syrup? One tablespoon of syrup is 50 calories.
They offer maple tours and freshly baked pastries. It was my favorite place to buy American-made maple syrup.
Cabot Creamery
This is one of the best tourist traps I experienced during this New England fall foliage road trip. Honestly, I’m not mad about it.
While visiting the Bragg Farm Sugarhouse, the kind staff there sent us to get Vermont cheese. Not gonna lie, it broke my little Midwestern heart to learn Vermont cheese has won more awards than Wisconsin cheese.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
A 30-minute drive away is one of Stowe’s most talked about places—Cold Hollow Cider Mill. This establishment offers Vermont favorites like apples and cider, a bakery, gift packs, hard cider, maple syrup, jams, and cheese.
Gold Brook Covered Bridge
Stowe Hollow Bridge was built in 1844 and is just over 50 feet long. It is also known as Emily’s Bridge.
According to local legend, Emily planned to elope with her lover at the Gold Brook Covered Bridge. Unfortunately, Emily’s lover never showed.
Filled with despair and a broken heart, Emily hung herself. According to eyewitness accounts, Emily is a vengeful ghost who takes out her fury by scratching cars and pedestrians.
Piecasso
When looking up Google reviews, I stumbled upon Piecasso. They use local ingredients in all their pizzas.
You can build your pizza how you like it in a cool arcade setting. Vermont is for foodies. I ate so well at every place we went to!
Explore Stowe, Vermont
This is the creme de la creme and the highlight of the trip. Stowe, Vermont is the cutest picturesque small town in America.
Stowe is a good idea and a great way to explore is on foot.
I’m sad we had to stay at a hotel in Morristown because nothing was available in Stowe. However, if I did this trip again, I would book a stay at the Green Mountain Inn.
Each room is decorated in Vermont hand-crafted furnishings and their restaurant. The Whip Bar & Grill features local farm produce and New England microbrews on tap in a casual atmosphere.
Day 6 | Vermont
Legit this is the perfect itinerary, and I could not as for a better way to explore New England’s picturesque fall foliage. The best way to avoid the crowds is by getting an early start.
Smuggler’s Notch
The famous Smuggler’s Notch is a narrow pass through the green mountains. This pass has a rich history because in 1807, President Thomas Jefferson passed a trade embargo between the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.
It was hard for Vermonters as Montreal is a close neighbor. Locals continued illegal trade with Canada, smuggling cattle and other goods through the Notch.
Later, fugitive slaves would use this pass as an escape route into Canada. It was a popular place to smuggle alcohol during the 1920s Prohibition.
Stowe Ski Lift
I recommend going on the Stow Ski Lift to see all the beautiful autumn foliage on the mountains. It makes you feel like you’re in a dream to be above so much of nature’s beauty!
Percy Farm Corn Maze
The Percy Farm Corn Maze is great fun for family and friends. It takes 30-40 minutes to complete and opens at 11 am.
Adult admission is $8.00. The maze is dog-friendly as long as they are leashed.
P.S. When we visited, it closed due to heavy rain.
Tangerine & Olive Gift Shop
The Tangerine & Olive Gift Shop has a famous parking lot where you can take a picture of the Stowe Church. They focus on selling local handmade goods.
Eat At The Bench
This is one of the most popular restaurants in Stowe because the food is fantastic. I highly recommend getting anything mac-n-cheese because it is that good!
Von Trapp Brewery and Bierhall
The Von Trapp Brewery puts a little bit of Austria in Vermont. In the early 1940s, the Von Trapp family toured the United States as the Trapp Family Singers before settling in Stowe, Vermont.
They built an enchanted farm with sweeping mountain vistas reminiscent of their beloved Austria. A good reason to visit the Bierhall is for excellent autumn walks. You can even stay at the Von Trapp Inn.
Eat Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Did you know the birthplace of Ben & Jerry’s is in Vermont? Not only do we stan the company owners for their progressive thinking and support of our LGBTQ+ and Black Lives Matter Protests, but we also are fans of their ice cream.
Feeling sad? Eat their ice cream. I promise you will feel 10x better.
Stay At White River Inn & Suites
After a long day of exploring, end your night at the White River Inn and Suites. They are located off Interstates 89 and 91.
This Vermont hotel features an indoor pool. Rooms have a refrigerator, microwave, and cable TV.
Day 7 | Drive to Massachusetts
Elm Grove Farm
The Elm Grove Farm is an Instagram favorite and super photo worthy place. The farm specializes in maple syrup.
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Historical Park
I’m a sucker for beautiful Victorian homes. I adore the literature, architecture, and lifestyle. So OF COURSE this had to be on the New England fall foliage itinerary.
Did you know the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Historical Park even has its own special quarter? Fun fact, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion was originally constructed as a brick house in the Federal style by Charles Marsh in 1805.
In 1869, it was remodeled in the fashionable French Second Empire Style. Fifteen years later, Billings enlarged and remodeled the house in the Queen Anne Style.
Lincoln Home
I wish we would have stopped at the Lincoln Home (or even Acadia National Park) on our New England fall foliage road trip. I was insanely disappointed when we went to Conner’s Farm and nothing was open.
Illinois is my home state, also known as ‘The Land of Lincoln.’ I went to Illinois State University, and Abe was the lawyer who established the papers.
Connors Farm
Connors Farm features everything from apple, peach, and pumpkin picking. They even have a barnyard corn maze available to those who dare.
What they’re most famous for is their Hysteria Haunted Farm. It was voted the top scream park in America in 2014 and 2015. This 30 minute walking trail takes you on a trek through a horror-filled forest, along the banks of a real swamp, and around a REAL (historic to the farm) 17th Century Burial Ground.
The sights, sounds, and smells you will experience at HYSTERIA’s Haunted Farm are unlike ANYTHING you have encountered at traditional indoor haunted houses.
Rockport Inn & Suites
Our New England fall foliage road trip then took us to the charming town of Rockport. The Rockport Inn & Suites are about a 35-minute drive from Salem. In October, prices are ridiculously high for accommodation around Salem, Massachusetts. I loved the Rockport Inn & Suites for it being so cozy.
Rockport is a charming seaside town with beautiful beaches. It is budget-friendly so don’t miss the opportunity to explore the cute bayside town.
You’ll find picturesque places as well as delicious seafood. It’s the right place to eat some hearty Clam Chowder.
P.S. Sorry cute guy at the Roy Moore Lobster place. If you ever read this, my dog was having a crisis and I wasn’t paying attention to anyone.
Day 8 | Salem
Our New England fall foliage road trip would end in Salem. If you were born in the ’90s, I’m gonna assume you’re a Hocus Pocus fan.
It’s such a great movie to watch under a cozy blanket, with popcorn and pizza, especially throughout the spooky season. If you haven’t seen Hocus Pocus, then I highly recommend it.
Disney filmed the original in the town of Salem. The sequel was filmed in Rhode Island.
Salem Pioneer Village
The Salem Pioneer Village should be familiar as it was also a filming location of Hocus Pocus. In the movie, doomed hero Thackery Binks lived in the village before the Sanderson Sisters cursed him to an immortal eternity as a black cat.
The village was built in 1930 to mark the tercentennial of Massachusetts. Pioneer Village is America’s first living history museum.
It sits on three acres of land and contains various examples of colonial architecture: dugouts, wigwams, thatched roof cottages, and the Governor’s Faire House. Admission to the Salem Pioneer Village is $5.00.
4 Ocean Avenue
Let’s be real, a New England trip in the fall isn’t complete without some 90s nostalgia. This home is better known as Max and Dani’s house from Hocus Pocus.
The house is now privately owned, but the new house owners don’t seem to mind the gaggle of strangers constantly visiting to take photos. Just remember to be respectful and quiet as this is a private residence.
For the photo, I used my 24-70mm lens while standing in the street to make the house look closer and bigger. Check out my blog post for a complete list of Hocus Pocus Filming Locations.
Ye Olde Pepper Companie
Right down from the House of Seven Gables is one of America’s oldest candy shops. I recommend stopping in and trying their assortment of delicious chocolates.
The shop itself is super cute and smells like heaven. If you like handmade sweets, you’ll love the Ye Olde Pepper Companie!
The House of Seven Gables
The House of Seven Gables in Salem is an amazing American historical literary site. In 1668, a merchant ship-owner named John Turner built a house in Salem Harbor.
Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2007, this house serves as the setting of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name. The House of Seven Gables is about a New England family and their ancestral home.
In the book, Hawthorne explores themes of guilt, retribution, and atonement, and colors the tale with suggestions of the supernatural and witchcraft. The coolest part of the tour is the guide will tell you which scene happened in which room. It’s a really cool experience!
Longboards Restaurant & Bar
Recommended by locals, you’ll find the most delicious lobster roll in town. The shop is run by local brothers Jim and Matthew Mattera.
Although the inspiration came from the West coast, they’re also famous for their flatbreads. Check out the Longboards Restaurant & Bar menu here.
Check Out The Cool Shops in Salem
Since Salem is most popular during the spooky season, many stores are pop-ups and only stay for the fall. I recommend shopping in them though because you can find unique and amazing pieces for your Halloween costume.
Many tourists purchase witchy capes or hats to walk around Sale. I recommend shopping at Modern Millie (which also caters to plus-size patrons) and Emporium 32.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Located just off Charter Street, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial is dedicated to the twenty victims of the Salem Witch Trials in 1620. Four-foot high granite walls surround three sides, with granite benches representing each victim cantilevered inward from the wall.
Etched on each bench is a name, means of execution, and execution date. A total of fourteen women and five men were condemed as witched and executed.
Day 9 | Salem
Ropes Mansion and Garden
Does the Ropes Mansion and Garden also look familiar? This is where Allison’s house is and the scene for her Halloween party that Max and Dani crash.
This is a Georgian Colonial mansion located at 318 Essex Street, located in the McIntire Historic District in Salem, Massachusetts.
The Witch House at Salem
The Witch House at Salem is another famous location in Massachusetts. In 1675, douche rocket extraordinaire, Jonathan Corwin was heir to one of the largest Puritan fortunes in New England.
He purchased the property as his family home. Seventeen years later, he and his family would participate in the greatest witch hunt known in American history.
May you rest in hell, Jon… And I mean this with the utmost disrespect.
The Witch Dungeon Museum
I took my mom to the Witch Dungeon Museum so that she could better understand the history of the Salem Witch Trials. She was born and raised in Mexico so she isn’t familiar with American history and this was a great opportunity for her to be hands-on.
Here at the museum, you can see a live reenactment of the trials by actors. They’ll also take you down into a replica dungeon of where condemned witches stayed.
Eat Lunch at Rockafellas
Rockafellas has outdoor seating which is perfect for warmer days. They also have really cool Halloween decor inside. They serve a variety of New England specialty dishes including clam chowda!
Old Town Hall
Old Town Hall is another Hocus Pocus filming location. This is the town hall where Max and Dani’s parents go for the Halloween Bash.
At the party, Winifred Sanderson puts a spell on the townspeople to make them dance until they die. Did you know during October, in the month of Halloween, there’s special events in Salem?
Salem Witch Museum
According to Tripadvisor, the Salem Witch Museum has lower reviews than the Witch Dungeon Museum. Both of them are interesting, but I would choose one and stick with it.
Salem Common
The Salem Common was used to film an after-school scene between Max and his crush, Allison. In the scene, she rejects Max’s offer to go out and returns the piece of paper with his phone number on it.
Right across the street, the building is now condominiums. However, it was used as the backdrop of John Bailey High School in the film.
Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream
Captain Dusty’s has delicious homemade ice cream you HAVE to try! It’s got that homey feel and it’s nice to eat on a warm autumn day.
Day 10 | Salem
When in Salem, you absolutely cannot miss all the amazing Halloween decorations. Some of the best Halloween decorations I’ve seen in a while are here in Salem. I would leave this day to do any extra shopping and take photos with the decorations.
Old Burial Hill
This is the last Hocus Pocus filming location where Max gets picked on by his classmates. None of the original graves are there and are mostly Hollywood-generated. The gates also don’t exist, but it’s a pretty cool spot!
Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
I’m always sad when a trip ends, but one of the best things about driving back to Massachusetts was the Essex Coastal Highway. We even stopped at a coastal town to take amazing photos.
Eat Lunch in Little Italy in Boston
If you’re looking to die and go to nona’s kitchen, Little Italy in Boston is the best place to do it. Not as good as Chicago’s Little Italy, of course, but a close second. I honestly think this was the tastiest place to end our New England fall foliage road trip!
I hope you enjoyed this New England fall foliage guide. Extensive research went into this blog post. Also, I’m very proud of planning my very first group trip super well.
I managed a trip with four people, booked the hotels, found places to eat, and planned a road trip that was efficient. This was one of the most exciting trips of my life and I can’t wait to another New England fall foliage road trip!
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