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 site you can see Boston, the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Atlantic.
New Hampshire offers the Kancamagus Scenic Highway this is a route that leads you up a mountainous road nearly 3000 feet. The rewards of this trip are well worth it with the beauty that it offers. This place is a photographers dream with its panoramic valleys, covered bridges and lovely waterfalls. On your travels here don't miss out on stopping at the Rocky Gorge and walk across the footbridge to Falls Pond you won't be sorry you did.
Maine offers the Acadia National Park Loop Road and this perfect spot has something for everyone that has an interest in the great outdoors as leaf peepers. This place holds forest, mountains and ocean, what more could you want in one place. You can start at Hulls Cove Visitors Center but make plans to stop at Sand beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs if you want to see scenery like never before. Take your camera so you can take some of this scenery back with you. The vibrancy of the leaves as they are changing is a sight to behold. In the center of all this beauty lays Sieur de Monts Spring which holds the Abbe Museum plus the Wild Gardens of Acadia.
A must see this time of year is Blackstone River Valley, Rhode Island. Here there is beauty beyond compare if you take the Glocester Loop. It is more than you could have ever imagined with its apple orchards and farms. It is covered with historic homes and mills. Take a walk back in time as you go to The Great Road Historic District it's a trip that will stay with you for a lifetime and holds all the beautiful foliage you can handle.
No matter where you go this time of year in New England you will find the beauty incomparable. The changing of the leaves and the quaintness of New England go hand in hand to give you the most breathtaking excursion that you will ever find no matter where you seek it. For any leaf peeper it is the ultimate in what your heart desires. If you take some of these trips do remember to take some friends with you and also a GPS or at least a map so you can find your way at all times. You will be on the trip of a lifetime and one that won't be forgotten in the future.