The art of leaf peeping has become quite a popular fall activity in Massachusetts. Whenever I pass by tour buses of enthusiastic foliage seekers headed up to the mountains with cameras ready to shoot perfect autumn pics, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to live in such a beautiful part of the country. Luckily, when you live in the Bay State, you don’t have to travel far to experience some amazing color changes this season. And if you are looking for a quiet, unexpected spot away from all of the tourists, I know just the place.
Mount Auburn Cemetery on the Cambridge/Watertown border is a beautiful spot to take in view some magnificent fall foliage. Although the cemetery is only a short distance from downtown Boston, a trip here will make you feel like you are many miles away.
The cemetery is located on 174 acres of land and is filled with over 5,000 trees. Dedicated in 1831, it was the country’s first landscaped cemetery and is now a National Historic Landmark.
As this spot is a resting place, it is a quiet and peaceful place to spend an afternoon.
The foliage here started to change during mid-September, so now is the time to pay a visit if you want to see some really spectacular colors.
There are almost 700 different types of trees located throughout the grounds of the cemetery. As you walk along the beautiful paths, note the markers that tell you their species. A local tree identification guide is a great resource to take with you on your leaf-peeping adventure.
Japanese Maple, Virginia Sweetspires, Scarlet Oak, Sugar Maple, and Witchhazel are just a few of the many trees that have the cemetery bursting with vibrant colors.
If time allows, I suggest taking a tour of the cemetery. Not only will you have a chance to learn more about the trees and gardens, but you will also find out about some notable citizens who were buried here.
And if you are up for a bit of a climb, head over to the cemetery’s Washington Tower.
From the top of this 62-foot-tall historic structure, you can see the best view of Mount Auburn Cemetery’s magnificent foliage as well as scenic views of both Cambridge and Boston.
Have you visited the Mount Auburn Cemetery? Please tell us all about it. More information can be found on the Mount Auburn Cemetery website and the Mount Auburn Cemetery Facebook page. If you are looking for more colorful places to visit this autumn, head out to the towns of Ipswich and Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
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