[outfit_details]

I can’t believe this week marks the middle of October, and with multiple seasonal events going on this weekend; I’m looking forward to piling into our cars and taking in the best of New England’s scenic fall routes, from now until early November. This weekend marks peak leaf peeping week for many of New England’s states, so I’m extra eager to make the most of the crisp autumn air and road trip up north. This time of year is my favorite, and I’m pretty sure it’s yours too, as this post was HIGHLY requested, so sit back, relax and enjoy your drive through quintessential New England. 

Before I jump into the details I wanted to take some time and share the work Matt and I put into this post. Last weekend we bundled up and spent the entire day driving around these routes, whilst jotting down notes, quintessential finds and idyllic photoshoot spots, to create this blog post for you.  We truly put our heart and soul into this one, so I hope you enjoy it.

 Overall, it was our first chilly weekend in New England, so I layered up and wore my favorite turtleneck of all time along with this cashmere poncho from J.McLauhglin. I pulled the look together with deep brown riding boots and a crisp pair of off-white jeans, to give the outfit a clean look. Once we were ready to go, we drove for a better half of five hours and made one pit stop at the town of Deerfield. In fact, the images below were taken inside the historic downtown, which is a perfect rest stop for any New England traveler looking to stretch their legs as they make the trek up north.  I often get asked by tourists just passing through New England, where they should stop if they have limited time to explore, and my response is always either Woodstock, VT or Deerfield MA. Both spots are ideal towns to get your iconic fall snapshot, so keep that in mind as you pick your leaf peeping route. Okay now, let’s jump into it. 

Maine: Our first stop is one of New England’s most beloved fall destinations, Bethel, Maine. As many New Englanders know, the leaves start changing from north to south; making Maine our first stop! Peak foliage in Maine usually occurs in early October and slowly spreads its way down to Connecticut typically on the third to fourth week of October, but this year has proven to be a late bloom as New Hampshire and Maine still seem to be in peak. So if you are planning on heading to Maine, we highly recommend the historic town of Bethel, on the intersection of Route 26 and Route 2. With its miles of scenic sights, twisting roads and historic wooden covered bridges; you’ll be sure to capture the quintessential moments of a New England fall. 

New Hampshire: Making our way south, has us at our second stop, Conway New Hampshire! Make sure to have your camera in hand for this trip because I am taking you to the infamous Kancamagus Highway, or rather Route 112. This route is known for being one of the most stunning and scenic routes to follow, and you can even reference this map if you really want to think out your trip. All and all, Route 112 is one of the easiest ways to capture New England’s fall foliage and is drone worthy, to say the least. 

Vermont: Making our way west brings us to our next stop, Manchester Vermont.  There is something so iconic, about fall in Vermont. Maybe it’s the chilly air or the warm glow coming from the quaintest New England towns, it’s just picturesque. From NH we recommend taking Route 4 and following it until you see the views of charming little New England towns from the mountainous Route 7. Twist and twine up and down the hills of Vermont via Route 7 all the way until you reach Route 7A, or better known as historic Manchester Vermont. This route will give you a really good feel for Vermont’s natural beauty, and make sure to give yourself plenty of time to stop and explore as you’ll pass so many picture worthy towns like Woodstock VT, along Route 4.

Massachusetts: Making our way south brings us to our next route, Route 116! This scenic route is off the beaten path and filled to the brim with historic towns, small town galleries, and plenty of leaf peeping. I recommend picking up Route 116 in Cheshire, MA and following it until you hit South Deerfield. Once you arrive make sure to take a short detour north to the historic town of Deerfield pictured above, it’s a personal favorite of mine. Okay, now on to our next stop, CT and on the way don’t forget to stop at Yankee Candle’s Factory store along the way! 

Connecticut: Making our way south-east, brings us to our next leaf-peeping area, the historic East side of Connecticut. Explore the colonial culture and architecture with a leisurely drive on Route 44 to Route 6. I would recommend starting in Pomfret and taking Route 44 towards Hartford until you hit, Bolton Notch State Park and heading back east on Route 6 to Brooklyn. On this route, you’ll be sure to come across several historic towns and gorgeous yellow fall leaves. 

Rhode Island: All this driving, brings us to our final stop Providence, Rhode Island! From Brooklyn, we recommend jumping back on Route 44, and heading West, all the way towards Providence. Once you arrive take your time enjoying the East Side of Providence, Brown University and the delicious Italian food this historic city has to offer.

I hope this post inspired you guys to hit the open road this weekend and enjoy the iconic fall beauty of New England. Now I’d love to hear from you guys, what’s your favorite scenic route to take? Leave a comment down below! 

Shop This Post: