There are plenty of places in New England where you can see spectacular fall foliage. But the best autumn destinations aren’t necessarily the places with the most colorful mountains.
They’re the towns where beautiful scenery and a great getaway come together—where you can spend the morning driving through brilliant forests, the afternoon exploring a historic downtown, and the evening enjoying a good meal at a local restaurant.
From classic Vermont villages to mountain towns in New Hampshire and coastal communities that take on a completely different character in autumn, these are some of the best towns in New England for a fall foliage getaway.
Stowe, Vermont
Few New England towns are as synonymous with fall as Stowe.
The mountains surrounding Stowe provide an exceptional backdrop for foliage, particularly along the roads climbing toward Smugglers’ Notch and Mount Mansfield. Route 108 through Smugglers’ Notch is one of the region’s classic autumn drives, with colorful hardwood forests squeezed between dramatic cliffs.
But Stowe is more than a scenic drive. The town has an appealing village center, numerous restaurants and breweries, galleries, shops and plenty of places to stay.
For a quintessential Vermont fall weekend—with mountain scenery, covered bridges, hiking and a charming town—Stowe is difficult to beat.
Woodstock, Vermont
If you’re looking for the quintessential New England village in autumn, Woodstock may be the answer.
The town’s historic architecture, covered bridges, village green and surrounding countryside seem almost designed for fall photography. The scenery extends well beyond the village, with rolling hills and back roads covered in brilliant hardwoods.
Nearby Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park offers miles of carriage roads and trails through forests and historic landscapes, while the village itself is packed with shops, restaurants and galleries.
Woodstock is particularly appealing for travelers who want their foliage trip to include as much small-town atmosphere as scenery.
North Conway, New Hampshire
North Conway is one of the best bases in New England for a foliage trip because of its location in the heart of the White Mountains.
The surrounding region offers an enormous number of possibilities. Take the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountain National Forest, explore the roads around Mount Washington, hike one of the area’s many trails or simply drive through the valleys and watch the landscape change from green to yellow, orange and red.
North Conway itself has plenty to do, with restaurants, breweries, shops and lodging options ranging from historic inns to larger resorts.
It can be busy during peak foliage, but that popularity is understandable: there are few places in New England where so many spectacular autumn landscapes are accessible from one town.
Franconia, New Hampshire
For mountain scenery without quite as much of the commercial atmosphere found in North Conway, consider Franconia.
The town sits near some of the most dramatic landscapes in the White Mountains, including Franconia Notch and the peaks of the Presidential and Franconia ranges.
Franconia Notch State Park is particularly spectacular in autumn. Visitors can explore trails, scenic overlooks and attractions including Echo Lake and the Flume Gorge while surrounded by mountains covered in fall color.
The nearby towns of Franconia and Bethlehem also provide plenty of places to eat, drink and stay, making this a great choice for a quieter White Mountains foliage weekend.
Bethel, Maine
Maine’s western mountains are among the best places in New England to experience fall, and Bethel makes an excellent base.
The town’s historic village center has a distinctly Maine character, while the surrounding countryside offers mountain views, lakes and seemingly endless back roads through colorful forests.
Bethel is also close to Sunday River and Grafton Notch State Park. A drive through Grafton Notch in October can provide some of the most dramatic foliage scenery in western Maine, particularly when the surrounding mountains are reflected in the area’s ponds and lakes.
For travelers who want spectacular foliage without the crowds of some of Vermont’s better-known destinations, Bethel is an excellent choice.
Camden, Maine
Fall foliage isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Camden. The Maine coast tends to get most of the attention.
But that’s exactly what makes Camden such an interesting autumn destination.
From the summit of Mount Battie, colorful forests stretch inland toward the mountains while Penobscot Bay spreads out below. The combination of fall foliage, mountains and ocean is difficult to find anywhere else in New England.
Camden’s harbor, historic downtown, restaurants and galleries also make it an enjoyable place to spend a fall weekend even when you’re not chasing foliage.
For something different from the traditional mountain foliage getaway, Camden is hard to beat.
Manchester, Vermont
Manchester combines classic Vermont scenery with a more substantial downtown and plenty of options for a weekend getaway.
The Green Mountains surround the town, and autumn drives through the surrounding countryside reveal spectacular foliage. Hikers can explore nearby trails, while shoppers will find everything from independent stores to the area’s famous outlets.
Manchester is also close to several scenic drives, including routes through the Green Mountain National Forest.
It’s a particularly good choice for travelers who want fall scenery without giving up restaurants, shopping and other amenities.
Lenox, Massachusetts
The Berkshires are one of the best foliage destinations in Massachusetts, and Lenox is an ideal base for exploring them.
The town has a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere, with historic homes, restaurants, galleries and cultural attractions. Nearby October Mountain State Forest, Monument Mountain and the winding roads through the Berkshire Hills provide plenty of opportunities to get into the foliage.
Lenox is also close to Tanglewood and several historic estates, making it a particularly good destination for travelers interested in combining autumn scenery with culture and history.
The surrounding hills aren’t as high or dramatic as the White Mountains, but the landscape has a quieter, more pastoral character that makes the Berkshires especially beautiful in fall.
North Adams, Massachusetts
At the opposite end of the Berkshires, North Adams offers a completely different kind of fall getaway.
The town sits beneath Mount Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts, and is surrounded by some of the state’s best autumn scenery. Route 2 through the Mohawk Trail region is one of the classic foliage drives in Massachusetts, while Mount Greylock provides expansive views over a sea of autumn color.
North Adams also has a thriving arts scene, anchored by MASS MoCA, along with restaurants, breweries and other attractions.
It’s a great choice for travelers who want their foliage weekend to include mountains and culture rather than just scenic drives.
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Great Barrington is another excellent Berkshire destination, particularly for visitors who want a lively downtown to complement their foliage sightseeing.
The town is surrounded by rolling hills and forests, and numerous scenic roads lead into the surrounding countryside. Nearby Monument Mountain offers a relatively short hike with excellent views, while the Appalachian Trail passes through the region.
Downtown Great Barrington has a strong selection of restaurants, cafes, shops and galleries, making it easy to build an entire weekend around the town rather than simply using it as a place to sleep.
Woodstock, Connecticut
New England foliage isn’t limited to the mountains of northern Vermont and New Hampshire.
Woodstock, in northeastern Connecticut, offers a very different version of autumn, with rolling farmland, historic homes, stone walls and hardwood forests creating a classic rural New England landscape.
The town is especially appealing for a slower-paced foliage trip. Instead of dramatic mountain vistas, you’ll find winding country roads, old farms and quiet villages that reward exploration.
It’s a good destination for travelers who want to experience the traditional rural character of New England in autumn.
St. Johnsbury, Vermont
St. Johnsbury doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as Stowe or Woodstock, but that can be part of its appeal.
Located in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, the town is surrounded by some of the state’s most beautiful and least developed landscapes. The nearby hills and forests become spectacular in autumn, while Lake Willoughby and the surrounding mountains are within easy reach.
St. Johnsbury also has a historic downtown and cultural attractions, including the renowned Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium.
For travelers who want to explore a less-touristed corner of Vermont, St. Johnsbury is worth considering.
Gorham, New Hampshire
Gorham is another excellent choice for travelers who want to put the White Mountains at the center of their foliage trip.
The town is surrounded by some of northern New Hampshire’s most impressive peaks, and several major scenic roads—including the Mount Washington Auto Road and the Pinkham Notch area—are nearby.
Route 16 through the Androscoggin Valley is particularly beautiful in fall, with views toward the Presidential Range and extensive hardwood forests.
Gorham also provides easy access to hiking trails, waterfalls and other outdoor attractions, making it a particularly good choice for an active foliage getaway.