Fall in New England: Suggestions to Enhance Your Leaf-Peeping Experience

With Labor Day Weekend now behind us, the smell of pumpkin latte will soon be wafting through the crisp autumn air. On the September 3rd episode of WJAR-TV’s Studio 10 program in Providence, Rhode Island I talked about suggestions for fall getaways in New England and you can watch it here with this link to the episode: For those who got to view the episode – and those who didn’t – I thought I’d summarize some of those suggestions here. Hopefully they’ll help those of you fortunate enough to do some leaf peeping in the northeast this season to make the most of your visit!

Maine: 

The Maine seacoast is a popular summer destination, but it is also a wonderful destination during the fall, when the crowds have thinned and the bumper-to-bumper traffic along Route 1 has subsided. Many people come to southern Maine to shop till they drop at the famous Kittery Outlet stores, but I prefer to walk the windswept beaches, stroll through quaint coastal villages, and ponder my next meal. Maine does not disappoint in the culinary department. So, whether you’ve come to Maine to find the perfect bargain or to leaf-peep along the rugged seacoast, take time to recharge your batteries at one of the following gems.  

Dining:

Maine Diner – 2265 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090

A famous stop located halfway between Ogunquit and Kennebunk, the Maine Diner is known for hearty breakfasts, seafood specialties, and blueberry pie. My personal favorite is a bowl of their amazing seafood chowder, packed with scallops, shrimp, fish and lobster and with a grilled corn muffin on the side, you can’t go wrong!

The Lobster Shack – 110 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME 03907

Lobster and Maine are synonymous, and while there are countless places to sample the king of all seafood, a reliable venue is the Ogunquit’s Lobster Shack, located on scenic Perkins Cove. Start with traditional clam chowder or a bowl of lobster stew, and then enjoy the freshest lobster around, either whole steamed or in a generously stuffed lobster roll sandwich.

Fogarty’s Restaurant and Bakery – 471 Main St, South Berwick, ME 03908

Located inland just 15 to 20 minutes from the coast is one of my favorite restaurants in all of New England. Fogarty’s features an impressive and eclectic menu, but my go-to meal here is the traditional turkey dinner with tender, juicy slabs of delicious turkey accompanied by stuffing, real mashed potatoes, savory butternut squash, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Fogarty’s also has an impressive array of homemade pies made in-house, so save room for dessert!

Doughnuts and Ice Cream:

Serving up breakfast and a dizzying array of doughnuts since 1955, Congdon’s Doughnuts at 1090 Post Road, Route 1 in Wells is a great place to start your day.

For a delicious after-lobster treat, head to quaint York Village and sample some of the best homemade ice cream in New England at the Village Scoop, 286 York Street.

New Hampshire:

“Live Free or Die” is New Hampshire’s state motto, and New England’s Libertarian stronghold does seem to march to the beat of its own drum. A relatively small state, it boasts a wealth of varied scenery, from a short but impressive coastline, to rolling hills and valleys, and the majestic White Mountains, presided over by New England’s highest peak, Mt. Washington. New Hampshire is an ideal destination for experiencing breathtaking fall foliage displays and offers some other wonderful diversions for visitors.

Scenic Drives and Hiking:

Probably the single most popular destination for a fall drive is the Kancamagus Scenic Byway, Route 112 between Lincoln and North Conway, which traverses some of the highest peaks and offers numerous scenic overlooks. Equally impressive is Route 302 that goes from North Conway to the Vermont Border through dramatic Crawford Notch and offering views of Mount Washington on clear days. The only time I’ve ever spotted a wild Moose in New Hampshire was along Route 302, so be on the lookout. For some scenic and not-too-strenuous hiking, try the trail along a rushing mountain stream to Diana’s Bath or take a leisurely stroll around Echo Lake, both located near North Conway just off Route 302.

Farm Stands & Orchards

There are numerous farm stands and orchards where visitors can pick their own apples and pumpkins, but I want to share a few of my personal favorites. Applecrest Farm and Orchards at 133 Exeter Road in Hampton Falls near the Massachusetts border offers pick your own opportunities, and the beautiful farm store sells over a dozen different varieties of some of the best apples I have ever had. Moulton Farm at 18 Quarry Road in Meredith sells a variety of its own produce and has a wonderful farm store and bakery to stock up for a perfect picnic lunch under the falling leaves. Also located on the farm is Cider Bellies, a stand that offers cider doughnuts served up warm and fresh; they are absolutely worth every calorie. For a quieter, less crowded experience, venture up southern New Hampshire’s Cardigan Mountain to the Cardigan Mountain Orchards in Alexandria, offering pick your own apples, and a variety of treats served out of a rustic barn.

Pancakes

Nothing says fall to me quite like a heaping platter of pancakes accompanied by some delicious breakfast meat. In far southern New Hampshire outside of the town of Mason is Parker’s Maple Barn at 1349 Brookline Road. This establishment has been around for over 50 years, and they make their own maple syrup. Be ready to wait a while to be seated, especially on weekends, but you can pass the time in their quaint gift shop while you work up your appetite. If you’re close to Lincoln, plan breakfast at Flapjacks Pancake House at 149 Main Street and try and decide which of several varieties of their flapjacks to try. A popular place, it is worth the wait and is a great stop before you drive the Kancamagus Highway. Even farther north in the appropriately named town of Sugar Hill is Polly’s Pancake Parlor at  672 Sugar Hill Road. An institution for 75 years, Polly’s will provide a stick-to-your-ribs pancake breakfast that will fuel a full day of leaf-peeping.

Vermont:

In many ways Vermont is like a twin sibling to New Hampshire, though they are fraternal rather than identical twins. Roughly the same size as New Hampshire, Vermont is graced by the Green Mountain Range and seems somewhat more rural and pastoral than its neighbor to the east. Noted for maple syrup, cheddar cheese, and covered bridges, Vermont shines at any time of year, but especially during the fall foliage season.

Scenic Drives:

Some of the state’s most spectacular scenery can be best enjoyed from Route 7, a north-south route that starts at the border near New York and Massachusetts and continues all the way to Burlington in the northwest corner of the state. A more meandering road is Route 100, which winds its way up through central Vermont. Finally, Route 4 cuts from west to east across the state and take you through the scenic village of Woodstock and the Quechee Gorge overlook.

Shopping:

No visit to Vermont is complete without a stop at the famous Vermont Country Store with locations at 1292 Rockingham Road in  Bellows Falls or 657 Main Street (Route 100) in Weston. Candy, cured meats, a huge assortment of cheeses, clothes, games and souvenirs are just a few of the treasures to be found here.

More Pancakes:

Along Route 4 between Rutland and the Killington Ski Resort is one of my favorite culinary destinations, Maple Sugar & Vermont Spice at 2563 US-4 in Mendon. A working maple sugar house, gift shop, and restaurant, this place has some of the best pancakes I have ever had anywhere, particularly their pumpkin cakes, always served with their own real maple syrup. I’ve also sampled their homemade maple sugar candy, which caused me to re-evaluated just how wonderful that traditional gift-shop staple can be.

New York:

Not officially part of New England, when you cross into upstate New York it seems almost indistinguishable from its neighbors, Vermont and Massachusetts. The Adirondack Mountains provide a beautiful natural backdrop west of the Hudson River while metropolitan Albany and nearby Saratoga Springs provide a number of attractions, beautiful parks, and historical sites.

Farm Stores:

A must – stop about 30 minutes west of Albany is The Carrot Barn at Schoharie Valley Farms, 5605 NY- Route 30 in Schoharie. The store features a wide variety of produce and has a café that serves delicious made-to-order sandwiches and a mind-numbing variety of baked goods. If you are a fan of homemade pies, then go directly to Smith’s Orchards at 4561 Jockey Street in Ballston Spa, just south of Saratoga Springs. They serve a number of baked goods, but their fruit pies are exceptional and I have often been fortunate enough to arrive when pies that were still warm from the oven were for sale.

Pancakes:

Until I discovered this place, Maple Sugar and Vermont Spice in Vermont served what I thought were the best pumpkin pancakes I’d ever tasted. But then I stumbled upon the Ugly Rooster at 312 North 3rd Avenue in Mechanicville, just north of Albany. Their pumpkin pancakes are beyond the pale, light, fluffy, flavorful, they just shout, “Autumn!” Be sure to get them in October or November, because they are only served those two months, despite my persistent pleas to make them a regular staple on the menu. Ugly Rooster also has a second location nearby in Malta at 2476 US Route 9.

Massachusetts:

My home state is probably best known for all of the cultural and historical attractions of Boston, the expansive seashore of Cape Cod, and coastal communities like Salem, Gloucester, and Marblehead. But there is more to the state than this, and the central and western parts of the state are worth exploring, especially during fall foliage season.

Scenic Drives and Attractions:

Massachusetts’ mountain range is known as the Berkshires, and western Massachusetts looks a lot like parts of Vermont and New Hampshire to the north. The famous Mohawk Trail, Route 2 is a popular scenic drive that leads from Boston’s historic suburbs of Lexington and Concord to the New York border, crossing the Berkshires along the way. Just off Route 2 in the town of Shelburne Falls is the lovely Bridge of Flowers, a span crossing the Deerfield River which features amazing displays of seasonal flowers throughout the summer and fall.

Raspberry Picking:

Apple picking is a typical fall tradition, but at Nourse Farm, 80 Jasper Street in Westborough, MA you can pick buckets full of some of the finest raspberries you can find anywhere, and the raspberry harvest continues till the end of September. The farm also features fresh produce, food trucks, and beautiful scenery.

Homemade Ice Cream:

I once read that New Englanders consume more ice cream than residents of any other region in the U.S. and Massachusetts is home to many amazing options for homemade ice cream treats. My favorite is Erickson’s, with locations at 287 Tremont Street in Carver and 12 Great Road in Maynard. The seasonal pumpkin is amazing, but my personal favorite is the decadent Death by Chocolate flavor. Another recent discovery is Bertie’s Creative Creamery with shops at 198 East Main Street in Milford, and 305 Washington Street in Westwood.

I hope you’ll have the opportunity to sample some of these recommendations and if you have any of your own or discover some new gems I haven’t mentioned here, please let me know in the comments section for this post. Enjoy and make the most of this beautiful season!