The entire region of New England is lovely and rich in history, but it also offers a wide variety of experiences in a very small area of the United States. Since you can actually fit a lot into a single trip, it’s a useful and rewarding destination. We are offering some advice on creating a comprehensive New England fall schedule if you want to organize your own vacation.

We have included my own recommendations for places to visit, dine, and stay below because we understand how difficult it may be to reduce your list to a small number of options. All you need to do is reserve your lodging, rental car, and plane ticket, and then go discover everything that New England has to offer in the fall.

You’ll probably agree that it’s not the best idea to arrange a trip to New England during the cold season unless you enjoy enduring the harsh winter weather. Because of the unpredictable weather, spring can also be unpredictable, and summer is the busiest time of year, so transport and lodging costs will be high. This leaves October, which is, in my opinion, the best season to travel to New England.

In and of itself, a fall vacation is a romantic event, but nothing compares to losing oneself in the allure of an East Coast fall. This region of the country is known for its charming small villages, chilly yet comfortable temperatures, and breathtaking fall foliage. Additionally, fall offers cheaper ticket and accommodation rates after the busy summer months.

Below are some tips to help you visit New England in the fall.

1. Book early

As is the case with most travel, it’s best to plan your trip as far in advance as possible. Choose your ideal travel dates and then check some alternatives to see if there are any noteworthy price differences. You can check the Hopper app to confirm the best time to book flights, but as far as hotels go, book as early as you can (things tend to fill up quickly!).

2. Include a mix of hot spots and lesser-known small towns

The exact cities my mom and I visited are listed below, and I’m so glad we hit some lesser-known towns mixed with more “touristy” locations. This is a good game plan that ensures your trip is well-rounded with popular destinations as well as more unique spots with a local feel. I’ll be carrying this strategy through all my future travels!

3. Account for 1-3 nights at each spot

Figuring out how much time to spend in a particular city is perhaps the hardest part of trip planning. You want to allow yourself enough time to enjoy each place, but you also don’t want to feel bored or like you could have checked out earlier. In my experience, a good strategy is to map out your exact activities, including any meal reservations, sightseeing excursions, or shopping you want to do. By starting with the specifics, you should easily be able to tell whether you need one, two, or three nights in each city.

4. Fly into one airport and out of another

Because my mom and I made a road trip out of our visit, we thought the most logical way to go about it was to fly into our starting city and out of our final stop. Keep in mind that if you’re following this method, you’ll likely have to spend a bit more on a rental car (most rental car companies charge extra for using different pickup and dropoff locations). With that said, this strategy was much appreciated at the end of our trip, when we were both tired and ready to get home. Having to drive back to where we started from would have been somewhat of a pain.

5. Make reservations at a variety of restaurants

No New England trip would be complete without ample seafood, but you can only eat so many lobster rolls before feeling burnt out. To avoid maxing out on your palette for fish, make sure you book reservations at a variety of restaurants that offer different cuisines. We learned that while the East Coast might make an insanely good bowl of clam chowder, they also have great Italian, Mexican, and American food. Variety is key!

The Perfect New England Fall Locations

Uncertain of where to go? We’ve included our detailed itinerary below to help you organize the details of your fall trip to New England. Once you’re on the East Coast, it’s easy to get to all of these places (the longest car ride we did was only three and a half hours!). For comparison, we took flights from Portland, Maine, to Providence, Rhode Island.

1. Saratoga Springs, New York 

Vibes: Somewhat upscale, yet relaxed.

Do: Your first stop after leaving Albany, Saratoga Springs is as pretty as a fall postcard, offering great food and a plethora of outdoor activities in the nearby hills and mountains. I grew up here, and it’s a beautiful little city with lots of history, art and culture. In the fall, the area is decorated with gorgeous colors. Take a stroll on Broadway, or through Congress Park, and grab a bite at one of the city’s amazing eateries – try sushi from Morrissey’s Lounge & Bistro, tapas from Boca Bistro, or pizza and salad from 9 Miles East Farm – before hitting the road to Vermont. 

Read Also: Top 10 Fall Destinations in the US for Leaf Peeping

The drive: 31 miles (37 minutes) from Albany International Airport to Saratoga Springs, NY; 45 miles (1 hour 15 minutes) from Saratoga Springs to Manchester, Vermont. You’ll get an uplifting taste of Northeast scenery on the stage from Saratoga to Manchester, with endless hills, multicolored forests and quaint towns.

2. Manchester, Vermont

Vibes: Storybook fall views and farms.

Do: Arriving in Manchester, you’ll find that the mood is much the same as in Saratoga, so eat, drink, walk and be merry! Stroll the fairly easy path from the Red Gate Trail trailhead to Equinox Pond for autumnal views.

Eat: Make a reservation at the chef’s table at the Restaurant at Hill Farm, just outside town, and arrive hungry – you will not be disappointed. In town, sandwiches from Zoey’s Deli & Bakery are perfect for a picnic, and The Copper Grouse is a go-to for cocktails and elevated pub food.

Stay: Break for a night at Hill Farm Inn, just outside central Manchester, with its sprawling porch, onsite alpacas, foliage-filled views of the Equinox Valley and Green Mountains, and pet-friendly cottages for guests. Common areas include a cozy breakfast dining room (the scones are ridiculously good), a farmhouse-style porch for happy hour drinks, and a large, enticing hang-out area with a fireplace and tiny bar. 

The drive: 111 miles (2 hours 30 minutes) from Manchester, Vermont, to Stowe, Vermont. If the first leg was a taste of fall splendor, consider the drive to Stowe along Vermont’s scenic Route 100 to be the main course. Take in views of farmland, mountains, friendly general stores, roadside waterfalls and a rustic patchwork of foliage hues.

Notable stops along the way include tumbling Moss Glen Falls and the small riverside town of Warren, with its own collection of idyllic falls, accessed just before you get to town. Drive along the short Main Street to see the covered bridge before grabbing a delicious sandwich and some maple syrup to bring home from the Warren Store.

3. Stowe, Vermont

Vibes: Warm and snuggly, straight out of a Hallmark movie. 

Do: Drive the 15-mile Smuggler’s Notch Road (Vermont Route 108). This world-famous mountain pass draws eager visitors, who meander wide-eyed through a landscape of foliage and giant boulders. Waterfalls, abundant hiking trails, and downright stunning scenery are guaranteed. For an easy walk and views of a perfect trifecta of road, mountains and leaf color, park up and follow the start of the Barnes Camp Trail. Alternative routes include the 3-mile Sterling Pond Trail and the Gondola Skyride (open until October 20th) up to the tippy top of Mount Mansfield for a bird’s eye perspective over a sea of woodland. 

Eat: Dine downtown in a historic home at The Butler’s Pantry. They serve a fantastic breakfast, with quality dinner fare off a seasonally-inspired menu. Grab an aprés-adventure drink like a local at The Matterhorn – it’s always a happening spot to be.

Stay: Stop for one or two nights at The Field Guide Lodge, with modern amenities and a boutique feel, set in a great location between the heart of downtown and the start of The Notch drive. 

The drive: 74 miles (1 hour 35 minutes) from Stowe, Vermont to Littleton, New Hampshire, via Cabot, Vermont. This portion of the route isn’t a long stretch, but the scenery packs a punch, and the day involves cheese. About halfway, take a detour to stretch your legs on the quick but steep Nichols Ledge Trail, where the fall panorama will leave you more breathless than the uphill trek.

A bonus reward comes in the form of cheese as you pass through the tiny town of Cabot, famed for its tasty cheddar. Pop into the Cabot Village Store to pick up some cheese and other snacks for a picnic lunch at nearby Molly’s Falls Pond State Park. Afterward, you can cross the border into New Hampshire and then head to Littleton via Route 2 and Highway 93, or add about 10 minutes for the more scenic route along backroads through pretty Peacham.

4. Littleton, New Hampshire

Vibes: Quaint and big on hearty breakfasts and brunches.

Do: Walk the riverside trail in downtown Littleton, wave to the statue of Pollyanna – the beloved children’s character created by local author Eleanor H Porter – and peruse the local farmer’s market if you’re here on a Sunday. Littleton is a convenient base for exploring New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest, with a sweep of hiking trails around landmark Mount Washington. You’re also very close to Franconia Notch State Park, where you can marvel at the colorful leaves along the Flume Gorge trail. It’s worth getting up early for sunrise at Artist’s Bluff; reached via a 1.5-mile-long loop trail with sweeping views that truly shine at first light. 

Eat: Grab wood-cooked bites and some fresh brews at Schilling Beer Co. After a good night’s sleep, enjoy a satisfying breakfast – this town’s favorite meal – at The Coffee Pot Restaurant or pick up some pastries at Crumb Bum Bakery.  

Stay: Stay one or two nights at the historic Thayers Inn, within walking distance of everywhere in town. You can say you slept in the same hotel as a slew of former US Presidents and famous actors and actresses. 

The drive: 173 miles (4 hours) from Littleton, New Hampshire, to Lake Francis State Park, New Hampshire. Be ready for an early morning and a long day, but one jam-packed with scenery and remote wandering. Get a jump on the other road-trippers and be one of the first to hit the epic Kancamagus Scenic Highway (Route 112), a 34.5-mile-long stunner of a drive, loaded with overlooks and trailheads.

You’ll venture east from Lincoln to Conway, before heading north on Route 16 towards Dixville Notch State Park. Here, the 1.5-mile round-trip Table Rock trail offers a top-notch fall vista. Less than an hour to the north, you’ll land at Lake Francis State Park near the town of Pittsburg, your home base within New Hampshire’s “Moose Alley.”

5. Moose Alley and Lake Francis State Park, New Hampshire

Vibes: Remote, remote, remote – a place to be one with nature.

Do: Look out for moose! This area (and adjacent Route 3) is known as “Moose Alley” for a reason. Loaded with wetlands, ponds, and lakes, it’s a great place to try to spot these enormous deer (though keep a safe distance). If big herbivores aren’t your thing, drift along back roads, go kayaking or canoeing, hang out by the campfire or stargaze. 

Eat: If you plan to camp, stop for provisions in nearby Colebrook. Alternatively, pop into one of the local pubs, or treat yourself to a meal at Murphy’s Steakhouse.

Stay: Stop for a night, camping at Lake Francis State Park. Or, if you prefer an actual bed, book a room or a cabin At Bear Tree, just up the road.

The drive: 64 miles (1 hour 30 minutes) from Lake Francis State Park to Grafton Notch State Park. Keep an eye out, as you might see moose on this stretch, too. Be sure to stop at Beaver Brook Falls, a roadside wonder accessible from Route 145 just north of Colebrook. You’ll be doubling back along a portion of Route 26 that you followed earlier, but it’s a good time to fit in extra hikes or scenic views that you skipped, particularly around Dixville Notch State Park.

Then, you’ll continue over the border into Maine for more foliage goodness within Grafton Notch State Park. The drive itself is positively gorgeous, with numerous places where you can pull over to take it all in or enhance the experience with a hike or a picnic. Popular natural attractions here include Moose Cave, Mother Walker Falls and the Spruce Meadow Picnic Area.

After, take a short drive down to your accommodations in Bethel, Maine. You can choose to end your road trip here, or continue on the loop back to Upstate NY.