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 New England Deals and Features
Fall Foliage: Beyond New England
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 Poll: What's Best About Fall Travel?
When the mercury drops and the air is crisp, say hello to sweaters, pumpkin pie -- and of course, foliage. There's still plenty of time to plan a leaf-peeping trip or, if you prefer, read along and find out when the brilliant autumn colors will come to your area.
 Our timeline is a general outline of when peak foliage is likely to arrive at your destination. There are many factors that can impact the leaves, such as a sudden drop in temperature or a violent storm that blows the leaves off the trees before they have a chance to fall. Our calendar is based on past leaf-peeping seasons, but you'll want to check with the area's tourism bureau (we've included several useful links at the end of this article) for the most up-to-date foliage reports.
We've also included a great drive for every part of the foliage season in the Northeast, from the most northern parts of Maine to southern Pennsylvania. Driving is the most popular way to view fall foliage, so keep in mind that you may hit traffic along some routes. When you decide to do some leaf-peeping on your own, be sure to check out our guides to traveling by car, choosing a B&B and planning a fantastic road trip.
 Last Week of September
Follow the Foliage: Northern parts of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
Great Drive: Acadia Harbor and Heights
 The tour starts in Bangor and takes you through Ellsworth to picturesque Mount Desert Island. From there you'll head to beautiful Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, where from the summit on Cadillac Mountain you can be the first to see the sunrise in the Northeast. The lighthouse in Bass Harbor is another highlight of the trip, as are the fishing villages of Deer Isle and Stonington.
Related Trip Report: My Trip to Acadia National Park
First Week in October
Follow the Foliage: Northern New York, northeastern and central Maine, central and southern Vermont and New Hampshire, northern Pennsylvania and western Massachusetts.
Great Drive: SoVT (Southern Vermont) Loop
Follow Route 7A from Manchester Center, south to South Shaftsbury, where you'll find the Robert Frost Stone House Museum. From South Shaftsbury take Route 67 to Route 67A in Old Bennington. Continue to Pownal Center via Bennington and South Stream Road (Morgan Street). The drive continues to Williamstown, Massachusetts and then on to Searsburg, Vermont. From Searsburg, take Route 9 east for a short distance; then, via Somerset Road, an unpaved road, you can take a side trip to scenic Somerset Reservoir. Retrace your steps to Route 9 and travel west to Bennington. Take Route 7 north from Bennington to Manchester Depot. The drive is 104 miles.
Related Trip Report: Beautiful Vermont
Mid October
Follow the Foliage: Southern and central coast of Maine, central and eastern Massachusetts, northwestern Connecticut, Catskill Region of New York, central Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey and southern Rhode Island.
Great Drive: Catskill Mountain Region
 Between Catskill and Windham on Route 23 is Lookout Point, with its five-state view -- a marvel of natural beauty. Route 23A, as it winds and climbs through the Catskill Forest Preserve and past Katterskill Falls, affords a breathtaking connection to the season's colors. Route 28 from Kingston to Oneonta traverses some of the most stunning vistas in the region, with plentiful attractions, restaurants, shops and accommodations along the way.
Related Story: Family Fun in the Catskill Mountains
Late October
Follow the Foliage: Southern Connecticut, southern Pennsylvania and southern and central New Jersey.
Great Drive: Amish and Dutch Country
 Driving along Route 772 takes visitors through the heart of Pennsylvania's Amish and Dutch country, with its scenic farms and unique culture. The route passes through the village of Intercourse, home to charming shops and art galleries, and the town of Gap. Along the way, you'll see Amish buggies passing along roads fringed with vibrant autumn foliage.
Related Trip Report: Our American His-toury Tour (Pennsylvania)
Tourist Boards and Foliage Reports by State
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
Related Links
Weekend Getaways
Bed and Breakfast Center
Traveling the Northeast Corridor
Write About Your Autumn Getaway
Get the Independent Traveler Newsletter!
--written by Genevieve S. Brown
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Last Updated: 08/11/09
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