Best Foliage Town in Every New England State

We used research, road trips, and a dash of personal opinion to come up with our picks,

Published on NewEngland.com
Written by Yankee Staff

Photo Courtesy of Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

from Maine to Connecticut, for the best foliage town in every New England state. Anyone who has witnessed the annual procession of fall foliage in New England never forgets it — from the early flashes of fire on northern mountainsides to the late colors that smolder in southern forests. Along the way, there are certain towns where the autumn glow seems just a little bit brighter, thanks to a convergence of visitor amenities and natural gifts. From scenic overlooks to downtown shopping, fall festivals to postcard landscapes, these six destinations represent our picks for the best foliage town in every New England state (plus a worthy runner-up, to double your road-trip options).

That said, when it comes to fall getaways, it’s hard to go wrong with almost any classic New England town — so if you have a favorite, be sure to make a case for it in the comments at the end of this post.

Best Foliage Town in Massachusetts: WILLIAMSTOWN

The ultimate college town, sheltered in the arms of Massachusetts’ highest mountain — Mount Greylock, in nearby Adams — Williamstown offers a mix of eclectic architecture and inviting quads that can’t help but inspire lofty thoughts. The drive up Mount Greylock affords dizzying views of the Berkshires and the Taconic Range, but the favorite hike for Williams College students is the two-mile pitch up to Pine Cobble, a quartzite outcropping with a panoramic view of “the Purple Valley” and church spires below.

Runner-up: Amherst. Another beauty of a college town, Amherst sits on the Norwottuck Rail Trail, which offers bikers and walkers a nine-mile canopy of color to traverse. Joggers, meanwhile, will want to mark their calendar for the scenic 5K Fall Foliage and Cider Run.