The Best Foliage in New England

Attention, leaf-peepers: If you want to see the best foliage, does anywhere else even really come close to New England? The answer, my friends, is No. I suggest a four-state tour, starting off in Massachusetts, working your way through New Hampshire and Maine, then ending in Vermont.

There's a lot to digest there, so I'm going to focus on just New Hampshire and Vermont for the moment. We have driven to so many places to see seasonal foliage, but my favorite place to go is Lincoln, New Hampshire, right near my house at Loon Mountain. If you drive up Route 93, you can just stop and see the beautiful trees turning different colors, stunning reds, oranges, and yellows to complement the greens and browns. We usually do this trip and pull over at rest stops to observe the beauty of nature.

Wine, Cheese, and Leaves

Another place we love is the Sugar Hill area, which is near the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. There are gorgeous views from that location, and seeing the Franconia notch is absolutely superb. The White Mountain National Forest can also be seen in Jefferson. This is a small town and one that's off the beaten path, but it is gorgeous to see. On one trip, we packed up some wine and cheese and enjoyed the views, followed by a wonderful dinner in town. Bretton Woods is yet another place I would highly recommend, which is where the famous Mount Washington Resort is. If you have a chance, I recommend staying here; if not, just take in the views. They are absolutely stunning.

In Vermont, there are so many wonderful areas to see foliage. Mid-September to October is the best time to see the sights. One of my favorite rides is Brattleboro to Whitingham through the Mount Snow loop. This loop is about 100 miles, but you can stop along the way, take photos, and eat delicious food. If you do this route, be sure to stop at Adams Family Farm in Wilmington, Vermont, where you can get delicious fresh produce. Also, this route offers a way to see Mount Snow, the amazing ski resort. During the fall months, you can take the chairlift up or even climb it, which is what I did a few years back. This is a vigorous hike but one you will never forget.

When you climb Stowe, make sure you bring hiking shoes and hiking poles. There is also a restaurant at the top with refreshing drinks and gourmet food.

Wherever your journeys take you, Vermont and New Hampshire have amazing — and world-famous — sights and foliage. I truly believe they are some of the best in the world.