Our first travel choices for a great New England fall season

by Eric H.

Autumn might just be the best time to visit New England.

The increasingly hot, humid summer weather takes a back seat to day time temperatures in the 50s, 60s and 70s and nighttimes have that special chill in the air. The good weather provides the perfect climate for watching the leaves transform into brilliant colors, having some apple cider or ice cream at a local farm stand, going to state fairs, and taking long aimless, country drives where you can make your own special discoveries.

In the northern sector of New England, my favorite fall foliage destinations include White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire where the Kancamagus Scenic Byway (Route 112) showcases some of the region's most brilliant fall foliage; and Stowe, VT, a classic New England mountain town with wonderful foliage, area country stores and a bike path that provides the perfect route to see all the colorsand magnificent rural scenery. Keene, NH, and the Monadnock Region are also wonderful destinations, the former being a college town with a Currier and Ives look and the latter providing some of New Hampshire's best and most unspoiled scenery. A hike up Mt. Monadnock or Miller State Park's Pack Monadnock provides some breathtaking views, enhanced by the foliage season.

In the southern sector, the quiet northeastern section of Connecticut has old-fashioned little towns that seem stuck in time with classic New England village greens that lead to winding roads with perfect views of fall foliage. Woodstock and Pomfret might just be the best examples of this beautiful area. Route 169 from Woodstock to Canterbury offers nearly 200 pre-1855 homes along with farms, historic churches and classic Connecticut village green centers, making it one of the most beautiful country drives in New England. It's also a great place to go apple picking with several farms providing this great autumn pastime.

We also like where Wrentham, MA and Cumberland, RI meet -- it is a relaxing autumn oasis from the hustle and bustle of Boston, MA and Providence, RI. In this area, you'll find The Big Apple Farm with farm fresh produce, apple picking, an ice cream stand, bakery, horse-drawn carriage rides of the rural countryside and view of its apple production plant. Adams Farm in neighboring Cumberland provides a more laid-back setting with farm animals, a maze for the kids to navigate, apple picking, excellent produce and plants, and some of the most pleasing countryside you'll ever see in southern New England.

Lastly, don't forget about the Eastern States Exposition ("The Big E in West Springfield, MA), a beloved and joyful fair with parades, musical entertainment, animal displays and competitions, amusement rides and games and perhaps the best variety of junk food on earth. The Big E also houses Storrowtown Village, an authentic recreation of a 19th century New England village of seven historical buildings assembled around a village green. The Avenue of States showcases replicas of each New England state capitol buildings, but this time politics takes a back seat to regional foods, travel information, arts and crafts and various New England traditions.

The 2007 Big E will take place Sept. 14-30, and features country stars Trace Adkins and Montgomery Gentry and more than 100 events! It's the perfect fall destination (technically after Sept. 21) and is close to the scenic Berkshire Mountains. You won't see a lot of fall foliage at this point, but the Big E proves that there are other avenues to get a taste of the New England fall season at this traditional event.

Another wonderful fair is the Topsfield Fair on the North Shore in Topsfield, MA. It's not quite as large as the Big E, but seems to have all the traditional agricultural, culinary and amusement "bells and whistles," that everyone loves about fairs. Its also close to wonderful coastal communities like Salem, Rockport, and Gloucester, Newburyport and Ipswich, so the chance to have a diverse travel day provides great options. This year's Topsfield Fair takes place from Sept 28th to Oct 8th, 2007 and features country star Joe Nichols performing on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m.

There's plenty more to recommend in New England during the fall season. Take a peak at our detailed feature article on fall in New England.