by Betty Carew

Created on: January 03, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

When the crisp autumn air hits thousands of leaf peepers hit New England. October seems to be the perfect month to do some leaf peeping through New England's small towns especially the back roads and out of the way places. At this time of year New England is dressed in her finest with vibrant colors everywhere you look. Here are some favorite routes that will give you the ultimate in leaf peeping.

Start your excursion heading north from Stamford here you will certainly see lots of foliage but there is an additional benefit as you pass by the sugar houses and general stores. Don't past these by if you can help it. If you do you'll be missing out on some of the experience of this wonderful trip. Walk the main streets of Wilmington and stay for a snack before you continue your journey.

Drive north to Granville where Moss Glen Falls is waiting for you dressed in total beauty. Moss Glen falls is the easiest one to reach and there is a boardwalk access so take your camera and capture the wonderful sites that lay before you. Continue north where you'll come upon galleries, inns and all the foliage you can handle. There is an added feature on this drive as you will find a covered bridge a little way up from the intersection of Routes 17 and 100. You can end this trip in Waterbury Center which holds the Cold Hollow Cider Mill.

Another wonderful option for leaf peepers in New England is starting your trip in Southern Vermont and take Route 7A going to the Equinox Skyline Drive just south of Manchester, go onto Route 67 and visit Old Bennington here besides the beautiful foliage you will find Robert Frost grave in the Bennington Cemetery which will be a point of interest. Bennington also has a drive in Movie Theater which you may enjoy on your trip. You get all of this and all the foliage you can handle. Another alternative is to take Route 9 and if you head west you will find scenery which will take your breath away at Willington and on into Brattleboro. If you go as far as northern Vermont Smugglers State Park awaits you.

Another route that is a leaf peepers dream is Route 12A which runs along the Connecticut River. Now here is beauty at its finest with its old barns and the longest two span covered bridge in the US. This is a must see. Leave Route 12A and take Route 11 heading east to the Sunapee Lake there is breathtaking scenery here in abundance. You can also take a trip to the top of Mount Kearsarge which is located in Rollins State Park in Warner. From this glorious

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