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The New England region is mostly known for rolling mountains, dark red barns and white church steeples that dot the landscape. While many would argue that there are only four seasons throughout the year, there is a special fifth season know as “leaf peeper season”. The golden copper, bright orange and fiery red hues within the hardwood trees of New England drive thousands of leaf peepers into the scenic mountains every year. The peak timing for the brightest colors can be very unpredictable but your best odds are during the end of September to mid-late October.

Flickr.com (Photo taken by yusuikao)

New York

The scenic Adirondack Region of northern New York has a wide range of activities for viewing the autumn colors. Pristine lakes are scattered throughout the region make this mountain range the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing picnic and to paddle out on the waters with a kayak. Looking for something a bit more luxurious like an old Victorian castle located about 90 minutes north of New York City? The Mohonk Mountain House offers about award-winning gardens, exciting horseback riding, 85 miles of unspoiled hiking trails, heart-pumping rock climbing and relaxing spa services. The deep-blue Lake Mohonk with the surrounding russet, golden, red and orange leaves make this a great romantic retreat.

Vermont

Want to fly above the golden yellow and red treeline while cruising near 30-45mph on a zip-line? Then you might want to think about planning a trip to Bromley Sun Mountain Adventure Park. You will be securely locked into a harness allowing you to enjoy the changing of seasons with a decent dosage of adrenaline. If this doesn’t seem up your alley, many of the resorts such as Mount Snow in southern Vermont or Smugglers’ Notch in northern Vermont offer the ability to hike their mountains to better view the fall foliage.

New Hampshire

The famed winding Kancamagus Highway nestled in the White Mountains between the towns of Conway and Lincoln should be on the checklist of all leaf peepers. There are numerous spots along the roadway to snap a few pictures as well as scenic waterfalls at Rocky Gorge, Lower Falls and Sabbaday Falls. After completing the 34 mile road trip from Conway to Lincoln, you can drive a bit further north to reach Mount Washington. The tallest peak on the Eastern coast offers some magnificent views of the White Mountains. In our Travel Guide to Mount Washington post we noted that September and October is the best time to hike or drive to the summit allowing you to view the autumn leaves in every direction.

Connecticut

Blueberries, strawberries, pears and peaches are out of season when the leaves begin taking on a burnt orange color but all is not lost. The changing of seasons means that apples and pumpkins are in harvest and ready to be handpicked at Lyman Orchards. Once you are done hand picking apples and pumpkins to make a few home-made pies, it’s time to hop back in the car and head towards northeastern Connecticut. The 30 miles of Route 169 between the quaint towns of Woodstock and Libson are populated with rolling farmlands and old stone walls in the foreground of bright red and dark yellow hardwood trees.

Massachusetts

Mount Greylock State Park is highest point in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet, making it the tallest peak in Massachusetts. The winding road cuts through the state park as it reaches the summit. This route was Massachusetts first official scenic route so you will be in for some amazing opportunities to view the colorful autumn leaves in the Berkshires.

Maine

The rich autumn shades viewed by thousands of leaf peepers each year as they make an annual pilgrimage to Acadia National Park. The views of the rocky coastline as well as the majestic deciduous forests should be must visit for all leaf peepers. The 45 mile rustic Carriage Road that winds through Acadia National Park offer hundreds of scenic viewing locations as you make your way through the park on bicycle. There are also picnic tables scattered throughout the park making it the perfect place for an afternoon lunch.