New England in the autumn brings with it earthy aromas, morning mist, afternoon rays of sunshine, and vivid colors. New England fall foliage attracts worldwide visitors. Informally, it’s called leaf-peeping. Maine is one of my favorite spots to enjoy the fall foliage, but all of New England is spectacular.
Whether you go on your own, or with a guide, New England fall foliage tours are on every travel photographer’s bucket list. My last visit to see the fall foliage was far too long ago. Now, as spring settles into the southern hemisphere, I can dream about nature’s vivid colours on the other side of the world.
New England hills are bursting with fall colors as the season paints vibrant shades of rusts, oranges, purples, golds, and vermillions across all six New England states.
The New England states include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. They cover the northeast corner of the United States.
Photo credit: Maine Office of Tourism
Leaf peeping vs a fall foliage tour
While both terms describe the act of seeking out and photographing the colourful autumn trees, there is a slight difference.
- Leaf-peeping: is used when the search is informal.
- Fall foliage tour: a more planned out activity, sometimes even with a guide or tour group.
Come and peep with me as we search for the best leaf peeping in New England.
2024 fall leaf map for the USA
The fall leaf map is intuitive and easy to use. You will see a slider at the bottom. The slider will be set to the current week. You can slide the slider to the right to see the predicted progression of fall.
The green indicates the trees in that area of the country have not begun to change colors. The brown color means that the leaves are past their peak. The remaining colors show a colorful depiction of the progression of fall.
Leaf peeping Maine
Photo credit: Maine Office of Tourism
Photo credit: Maine Office of Tourism
Leaf peeping New Hampshire
Photo credit: New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development
Photo credit: New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development
Connecticut fall foliage
Photo credit: Connecticut Office of Tourism
Photo credit: Connecticut Office of Tourism
Leaf peeping Vermont
Photo credit: Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing
Photo credit: Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing
New England fall foliage tours
Sometimes it’s just easier to leave the planning to someone else. After all, there are lots of ways to enjoy leaf peeping. If you don’t want a bus tour, perhaps a bicycle tour, walking tour, cruise, or train might appeal. Here are our top choices:
Boston: Fall Foliage Tour: This all-day adventure takes you to the White Mountain and New Hamshire. In addition to spectacular colors, you will see two waterfalls. Tour starts and ends from your Boston Hotel. Reserve your Boston fall foliage tour
Boston Fall Foliage Guided Bicycle Tour: Out in the fresh air, riding a bicycle is such a fabulous way to see the fall colors. Ride through the historic Emerald Necklace from the boulevard on Commonwealth Avenue to the popular shores of Jamaica Pond to the winding paths of the Arnold Arboretum. The parks are gorgeous at any time of the year, but the foliage peaks in color between mid-October and early November. Reserve your bicycle tour here
Photo credit: Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
What to bring for leaf-peeping in Maine, NH, VT, RI, or CT
The trick is to be prepared. Dress comfortably in layers, so you can layer up if it’s cold or layer down when the sun comes out. Also, comfortable shoes that will stay on your feet in the car, so you can easily hop out of the car if you find the perfect spot to stop.
Most importantly, bring a camera with a fully charged battery. I am also always prepared with a spare battery.
Photo credit: Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing
Final thoughts on New England fall foliage colors
- While nature decides the ideal days, the leaf-peeping season runs from mid-September to mid-October.
- If you’re leaf-peeping Maine or any of the New England states, you might want to pick up a copy of Lonely Planet New England Fall Foliage Road Trips. It will wind you through sparking lakes and vivid hills as it takes you on a self-guided New England fall foliage tour.
- If you are touring the USA from mid-September to mid-October, try to include some leaf peeping. And if you can’t get up to New England, there are plenty of other spots in the USA to enjoy the autumn colors.
- More information is available from Discover New England.
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to work with a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
Save for later
If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.
Will you have a guide, or go on your own New England fall foliage tour?
More from the USA you might like, including our USA Adventure road trip.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Discover New England, a nonprofit cooperative destination marketing organisation that promotes New England tourism internationally in partnership with the state tourism offices of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Rose
Oh, I so wish I was at New England this fall! It is the best place of the US in autumn.
Ashely Rosa
Stunning Shot! Love Love Love
Corinne
Rhonda, Fall is my favorite time of year, and you just can’t beat the foliage of New England. I miss it, too. Don’t you just love the photo of the little girl? Stunning!
Travel Tuesday
Hoe delightful the Autumn foliage is… Lovely shots.
Thank you for taking part in the Travel Tuesday meme, I look forward to your next contribution.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
so beautiful!
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
I’ve always wanted to do a Leaf Peeping roadtrip around New England, but the school calendar makes it impossible. I have about 10 years until I’m an empty nester before I can realistically plan this dream trip. I’m down in Texas where there climate doesn’t really lend itself to a gorgeous display of fall colors.
Photo(Geo)grapher
What a beautiful Autumn photos!
Travelera
What a gorgeous scenery! Totally dreaming in it! ❤️🍁🍂🍃❤️
Great photo work!
xxx
Ruth
These photos are amazing! Couldn’t stop smiling while taking a look at them. I came back from a trip to California’s Eastern Sierra. THe objective was to see the fall colors. We did see some colors but nothing compared to what you have shown in here. Hope we can make it to the East Coast one day to see the better foliage.
Andapo
It is very beautiful, spring time in the place, so many colours, so lovely time to visit New England, USA now. Lovely photo snaps.
beatravelling
Wow! Amazing photos! Good job!
Tracy McConnachie Collins
Loved reading this and the beautiful pictures!! New England is high on my bucket list! Hopefully we will get there soon! Thanks so much!
Allison
I have never been to New England during the fall (only during summer and winter) but every picture I see makes me really want to get up there to see it for myself. I must say, however, the Chicago area also does a pretty good job at inspiring the senses during the leaf peeping season.
jill
Beautiful! You’ve outdone yourself! I don’t live in an area with beautiful fall foliage anymore so I’ve tried to do some leaf peeping in the last few years – New Hampshire, Shenandoah National Park – but I don’t think it’s in the cards this year. Makes me want to plan something now for next year!
Lyndall
You’ve captured the stunning Autumn foliage beautifully Rhonda! 🙂
Paula McInerney
We were there in stick season. Boy did we miss out on a lot.
Kathy Marris
Wow! Spectacular colours of autumn. Nothing could compare to the richness of these brilliant colours!
Upeksha
Great photos. I’ve been to Boston many times, but never in the fall. After seeing these, I must definitely go. #wkendtravelinspiration
Trekking with Becky
Fall is the most beautiful, comfortable, and exciting season. What an incredible collection! 😀
David
Seeing New England in fall seems like a uniquely American experience. I love visiting places in autumn and your photos truly show how beautiful it can be there. Thanks for hosting! #wkendtravelinspiration
Vacations with Mom
Simply breathtaking photos! Driving through New England in fall has been on my list for a while. I really need to make it happen!
Anda
I am dreaming of this colors, Rhonda. I miss New England and the beautiful display of fall foliage that I’ve got to enjoy while our son lived in Connecticut. Great pictures! I love them.
eileen g
it’s the maple trees. They seem to be unique to the Northeast US and eastern Canada and they really do make fall burst with colors, especially that red. Though the oaks and other trees play a nice supporting role, too. it’s my favorite time of year.
Taís
Stunning pictures! Autumn is so beautiful, I wish I could just go and visit this beautiful place right now!
Aggy
The pictures are absolutely stunning, oh gosh those reds and oranges are really amazing! I definitely would like to see with my own eyes. I think autumn is quite a magical season 🙂
Mary {The World Is A Book}
Just gorgeous! Love all the Fall colors here. I’ve only gone to the New England area once during Fall and it was unbelievably beautiful. Your photos are inspiring me to try and make it there again next year.
Mary Denman
Yes, fall in New England is a dream of mine…..the colors.
Lolo
Autumn is my FAVORITE season!! I love it so much and here in Germany its so amazing, that at the end of this month we’re getting married in a beautiful garden (if the weather is nice) with tress in full fall foliage! #Wkendtravelinspiration
Ahila
Beautiful fall colours. I have always loved autumn!
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
We were once lucky enough to see the fall colours with a fresh covering of snow. It was magical. Unfortunately it was in the days before I became a travel blogger and so while I took a few photos I have hardly any which did it justice.
kim Marie Ostrowski
I LOOOOOVE that first photo!! It reminds me of the view I had of my room in High School of the Palisades. All different colors etc.
And the red of that one tree a few photos down WOW!
Lorelei
Your photos are always so very beautiful. Autumn is just beginning here and now you have me craving the brightly colored leaves.
Lolo
Hey another Lorelei!!! My name is also Lorelei!! Have you ever been to the Loreley am Rhine in Germany?? I was just there this weekend! I have only ever met 1 other Lorelei!! but she spelled it ai.
Lexa Cain
I was born in Massachusetts and went to school in Conn and lived in NY, too. I adore New England! The photos are as exquisite as the area is. 😀
Cascia Talbert
Your photos are beautiful. The trees here in Chicago haven’t started changing color yet. Pretty soon they will though.
ladyfi
Wow – what amazing and absolutely stunning photos!
stephanie jefferson
Autumn is my favorite season of the year! You photos just prove why!
clairejustine
Stunning pictures, absolutely beautiful 🙂
Rachael@safari254
I love how beautiful the colours are in fall but being a lover of the sun I would much rather live in my practically season-less country 🙂
Kristy Life-n-reflection
New England does it best when it comes to Autumn! Thanks for sharing in the Colors of Autumn!!
Marie Moody
Ahhhhhhhh Autumn is my favorite part of year when it comes to color. I don’t like the rainy part of it, but the colors make up for it. You have really collected a beautiful set of of pictures here. thank you for sharing and stopping by. You’re duh best!!!
Jeanna
I bet New England is crazy colorful right now, my cuz in PA says it’s gorgeous there but not peak. I’d estimate about a week before we get peak colors here, so much depends on weather. Today it was supposed to be the start of a rainy cold end to the nice weather for awhile if not the season today and it was in the seventies so who knows.
Molly
Such beautiful colours. The reflection image at the top is really outstanding
Mollyxxx
Kristi
This is my neck of the woods! The colors are amazing, aren’t they? We love to drive the Mohawk Trail – Rte. 2 to see all the gorgeous foliage here in MA.
Charles McCool
The New England state tourism offices sure do have some amazing photos.
indah nuria savitri
such a beautiful fall foliage, Rhonda…That’s why it’s always be my favorite season. We will soon enjoy that in NYC 🙂
Quirky Homemaker
We do have the change of seasons here in OH. It’s not quite time yet. Leaves are still green, thank goodness. It won’t be long,though. Never been to New England for leaf peeping! Hope you have a great week and enjoy the beginning of Spring!
Julie From Superficial Gallery
That’s what I miss about living up North. I’m in SC now and it takes quite a bit longer for the leaves to turn, and then even longer for them to fall. Beautiful pictures!
Comedy Plus
I would love to see this in person someday. What lovely fall colors. We just don’t get that here. Too many palm trees.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
// Heidrun
I enjoyed this Post. Love the autumn colours so much.
Interesting that you travel around the World. Have you ever seen Bavaria?
L. Diane Wolfe
I’ve never been to New England but the mountains of N. Carolina look like that in the fall. Just a burst of color.
Linda Kinsman
Lovely captures! I adore the photo you got with the girl playing in the leaves. Makes me think of my own girls when they were that small.
Sarah Carletti
Beautiful New England scenes. I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite!
amy
soooo pretty – my favourite time of year!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – stunning photos and area at this time of year: one I’ve never seen … but I do love our Autumn showings … glorious colours, scrunch of dry leaves and earthy smells … we’ll be like that here soon … cheers HIlary
Rhonda Albom
Wish they were mine. They are all from the tourism boards, and used with permission.
Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES
WOW! It has happened here yet and it never has looked THAT good. I especially love the girl in the leaves.
Patrick Weseman
Very beautiful pictures. There is nothing like fall in New England.
Alissa Apel
I love red orange leaves. They are so pretty!
We have fall in Nebraska. We actually have all 4 seasons. Not as many leaves as New England though.
Teresa Kindred
Those pictures are gorgeous!
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Our colors are never that bright. The leaves start to change and then turn brown and all fall off.
Nancy
Breathtaking photos of my favorite time of year.
Nano
Beautiful collection of photos, Rhonda. Fall is such a picturesque time of the year, sadly I have never been in the States at its peak season, although I make up for it here in Japan. xoxo, nano