Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year in the northeast, with brilliant reds, oranges and yellows popping up all over. The changing leaves also bring a little something extra with them: crisp air, perfect for hiking and exploring. There are plenty of natural areas that offer prime leaf-peeping opportunities – you just need to know where to find them. Getting the perfect photo of a twisted red maple or yellow birch isn’t hard if you know where to go. Whether you prefer the company of others or like to explore on your own, there’s an ideal fall foliage destination for everyone. By reading this article you’ll discover some of the best places to enjoy the fall leaves changing color from our area and how to get the most out of this beautiful time of year.
Benton Trail & Tanglewood
The Benton Trail at Tanglewood is one of the most popular fall foliage spots in the Berkshires because you can enjoy a beautiful walk through the trees while also experiencing some of the area’s most famous classical music. Over the course of two weekends in mid-October, the Tanglewood Music Festival fills the woods with music as musicians walk from stage to stage. There are numerous walking trails to explore, each with a different view. If you want to see the leaves at their peak, plan your visit for the weekend closest to the autumnal equinox. Tanglewood is located near the town of Lenox, Massachusetts. Getting there is easy: Take Route 7 to exit 19, then follow Route 102 to the Tanglewood entrance. The parking lot is a five-minute walk from the main entrance.
Blue Hills Reservation
Blue Hills Reservation is a great choice for fall leaf-peeping because it’s easily accessible and home to a wide variety of trails. The trails around the visitor center and through Benton Pond are easy, while the more challenging trails, like the Blue and Red trails, are stroller and wheelchair accessible. The Blue Hills are also home to the oldest remaining weather observatory in the country, the Mount Blue Observatory. Opened in 1895, the observatory is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from mid-September through mid-October on weekends and is worth a visit for the view alone. Blue Hills Reservation is located about 40 minutes south of Boston in Canton, Massachusetts. From Boston, take I-93 south to Route 95 south, then take exit 19 toward Route 138. Turn right onto Mount Street, then left onto Blue Hills Drive.
Boston Common and Public Gardens
Boston Common is one of the most popular fall foliage spots in Boston, and for good reason. The park has fantastic views of the surrounding landscape, and the trees are highlighted by the famous Emerald Necklace, a series of parks that connects Boston Common to the Charles River. The leaves at Boston Common are peaking in early October and should be at their best during the Boston Arts and Flowers Festival, a two-week-long celebration of art, flowers, and food. The festival takes place every year on the first full weekend in October. If you can’t make it in time for the festival, don’t stress: There’s always something beautiful to see at Boston Common.
Boston Common is located in Boston, Massachusetts. From the south, take Storrow Drive to Park Street, then left onto Charles Street. From the north, take Storrow Drive to Charles Street. For a better view of the park, take the Charles Street Gate or the Beacon Street Gate.
Breaks Sanctuary and Forest Hill Park
If you’re looking for a place that’s quiet and serene, Breaks Sanctuary is the perfect place to enjoy the fall foliage. The sanctuary is home to a variety of trails, each with its own unique view of nature. You’ll find everything from red maples to white birches and hemlocks, and the trails range in difficulty, so you can enjoy the walk no matter your skill level. During the peak of fall foliage, Breaks is open on weekends and on select weekdays. The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the first two weeks of October, when the trees are at their brightest. Breaks Sanctuary is located in Framingham, Massachusetts. From Boston, take Route 90 west to Route 9 west, then exit at South Acton Road. From the west, take Route 90 east to exit 16 for South State Street.
Echo Summit and Merrick Trail
Echo Summit is a great place to enjoy the fall foliage because it’s not too crowded, and you can easily explore the trails on your own. The trails are relatively easy and are wide enough to accommodate a stroller or wheelchair. The best time to visit Echo Summit is during the first two weeks in October, when the trees are at their most colorful. The summit offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape, so you can easily spot the best places to take photos.
These are the best places in America to enjoy the changing color of the leaves this Fall.
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Franklin Park and the Emerald Necklace
The Emerald Necklace, a series of parks that connects Boston Common to the Charles River, offers plenty of great places to enjoy the fall foliage. You’ll find many of the parks along the Emerald Necklace close to capacity during the first two weeks of October, when the trees are at their peak. Franklin Park is home to a wide variety of trails, including the Heron Pond Trail and Wildwood Trail, which is perfect for children. There are also several big ponds and lakes in Franklin Park where you can canoe or take a boat ride. The best way to get to Franklin Park is to take Storrow Drive to Charles Street and go either left or right at the fork in the road.
Hammons Hill Preserve and Owl’s Head Trail
Hammons Hill Preserve and Owl’s Head Trail are good choices for fall leaf-peeping, especially if you’re looking for a secluded spot that is less crowded than other nearby destinations. The trails are easy but beautiful, and you’ll find plenty of wildlife along the way. Hammons Hill Preserve is one of the best places in New England to see the fall foliage. The trees change color in early October, and the preserve offers a great view of the landscape.
Hiking on the New England Trail
The New England Trail is a 433-mile hiking trail that runs from Connecticut to Vermont and is one of the best places to enjoy the fall foliage in our area. The best time to visit the trail is from the first two weeks in October, when the trees are at their peak. There are many places to access the trail, but we recommend starting at the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, which offers a trailhead only a short drive from New York City. To get there, take Interstate 87 to Interstate 87. At Exit 7A, take Interstate 87 North to Exit 8. Hiking on the New England Trail is a great way to enjoy the fall foliage.
Huntsman Springs Trails
Located in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Huntsman Springs is a great place to enjoy the fall foliage. There are two trails to choose from, the shorter Ham Rock Trail and the steeper but longer Fiske Trail. While autumn is the best time to visit, you should go as early in the day as possible because the trails are less crowded then. Huntsman Springs is a great place to enjoy the fall foliage.
