This Road Trip Takes You to the Best Fall Foliage in New England

Our New England fall foliage road trip begins in Old New England—specifically, Historic Deerfield. It's one of the oldest and best-preserved villages in the country and offers visitors an unforgettable glimpse of the countryside. In my opinion, it's the perfect starting point of the trip. The village is open Wednesdays through Sundays (and Mondays on holiday weekends) between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Guests are invited to join a guided tour or go at their own pace. If you have time for just one exhibit, the Flynt Center of Early New England Life is included with the price of admission and gives you a wonderful overview of this fascinating time period.

Just north of Vermont Route 9, Hogback Mountain is a year-round destination for snowshoeing, hiking, and simply admiring the stunning view. In fact, on a clear day, it's possible to see Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts all at once—an epic 100-mile view. The Hogback Mountain Conservation Area is home to the headwaters of the Green River, and it's a vital habitat for native flora and fauna. You can get to the top of the mountain via a relatively easy 3.5-mile loop that takes most about an hour and a half to complete.

There's no need to rush through this fall foliage road trip, so I've scouted out a convenient place to stay that's just a quick drive from our next stop: Quechee. This pet-friendly, four-bedroom home in West Hartford VT can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests. It's serene, beautifully decorated, and the perfect place to soak in Vermont's vibrant countryside this time of year. You'll also find yourself near the charming Woodstock village, one of my favorite New England destinations. Venture out for a fancy, unforgettable meal at Simon Pearce, or, if you're feeling more of a pizza-and-a-beer-by-the-river kind of night, I'd personally recommend Ramunto's Brick & Brew. It's about 30 minutes from your Airbnb, but the beautiful drive there will be worth it.

This next stop comes with a bit of a disclaimer: Quechee State Park is an extremely popular place to see fall foliage in Vermont. The park sees hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, and fall is the most popular time to visit. So, if your schedule allows flexibility, I'd recommend visiting early in the day, ideally on a weekday rather than over the weekend. The star of the show is the gorge itself, which is the deepest of its kind in the state, having formed nearly 13,000 years ago by glacial activity. The Quechee Gorge Trail is a 1.3-mile hike showcasing the park's stunning fall foliage.

Need a pick-me-up after your hike? Head to Muriel's Donuts for some mouthwatering, old-fashioned cake donuts. This beloved local bakery has been in business since 1967!

This is undoubtedly one of the very best places to enjoy fall foliage in New Hampshire, if not all of New England! A convenient pull-off located on the way to our next destination, Sugar Hill Overlook, will take your breath away. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to a panoramic view of Mt. Tremont, Owl Cliff, Bear Mountain, and Sugar Hill.

Located in North Conway, New Hampshire, Cranmore Mountain Resort is synonymous with outdoor adventure. Its top seasons are summer and winter; however, a visit during the fall can be just as exciting. Now that we've tackled a few hikes, it's time to sit back and enjoy an exhilarating ride on the mountain coaster or a chair lift through beautiful autumn colors. Guests should note that the fall season is between September 6th and October 19th, and a $39 admission ticket grants you two hours of fun at the adventure park. Learn more by visiting Cranmore Mountain Resort online!

Our final stop is a hidden gem of a nature preserve with nearly seven miles of hiking trails to explore. There are a series of loops to choose from at Bald Pate Mountain Preserve, each with varying levels of difficulty. I recommend the blue-blazed Bob Chase Trail for a relatively quick and easy loop hike. It clocks in at just under a mile, and you'll gain just 300 feet in elevation, while still enjoying a handful of stunning overlooks. Ready to refuel? Head to the nearby Fluvial Brewing for local brews and casual bites. Another hour in the car will get you to Portland, Maine, where you can enjoy an impressive array of restaurants, including Wayside Tavern, Central Provisions, or Fore Street Restaurant.

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Photo credits: Iriana Shiyan/stock.adobe.com, Jeffrey Vlaun/Wirestock/stock.adobe.com, ScenesofVermont360/stock.adobe.com, Quechee Lakes By Portoro/Airbnb, Craig Zerbe/stock.adobe.com, Jeremy Thompson via Flickr, Bob Gauvin/AllTrails