12 unexpected New England towns to visit this fall

Towns like Stowe, Vermont, and North Conway, N.H., receive (well-deserved) accolades each fall season for their incredible fall foliage and many fall activities. But there are plenty of other towns across the region brimming with color and fun.

We’ve updated these recommendations along with some remaining suggestions from last year’s list. Ahead, local travel experts recommend some more unexpected New England towns great for exploring this fall.

Massachusetts

The last and final town at the tip of the Cape Cod peninsula is Provincetown, where publicist for the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Bill DeSousa says to go for “a lively and colorful day.” While in Provincetown, DeSousa recommends seeing the tallest all-granite monument in the U.S., the Pilgrim Monument, where the Mayflower Pilgrims first landed in the New World in 1620. Explore the outdoors with a “unique and unforgettable” dune tour with Arts Dune Tours – the sunset tour being a personal favorite for DeSousa – and whale watching with Dolphin Fleet. For art those who enjoy a day at the museum, spend hours viewing local art at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. 

If you’re north of Boston, don’t miss out on all the seasonal festivities North Andover has to offer, recommends Nancy Gardella, executive director of the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Fill your day with fall activities for the whole family at Smolak Farms. Head to the pumpkin patch and snap some pictures in front of the pumpkin tree, grab a cider doughnut, and go for a hayride. For the wine-lovers, head over to Marble Ridge Winery, a family-owned business that came to life after the founding of Marble Ridge Farm in 1680. Marble Ridge Winery produces five types of wine right there on the farm and offers tastings, tours, and events throughout the month. For “the most fabulous spot for a morning meet-up with coffee and fresh-baked treats” stop at the North Andover Historical Society. The Society also hosts events like family movie night and educational programming, including “Witch Way to Salem?” that delves into the history of the Andover Witch Hysteria of 1692 that is running through the end of October. Finish your visit by taking in the sights and colors of fall at Stevens Coolidge House and Gardens, a “perfect place to stroll” as mentioned by Gardella. 

New Hampshire

Lancaster, located in New Hampshire’s Great North Woods region, offers easy access to the White Mountains region with fewer crowds, according to Kris Neilsen, communications manager with the division of travel and tourism department in New Hampshire. A great place to view foliage is Weeks State Park, Neilsen said, where visitors can drive the auto road to the summit of Mount Prospect and enjoy 360-degree views of the Presidential Range, the Kilkenny Range, and Percy Peaks. Other places worth visiting include the Polish Princess Bakery, The Granite Grind, and Copper Pig Brewery. Don’t forget to check out historic covered bridges such as Mt. Orne and Mechanic Street, she said.

For a “quintessential country vibe,” head to Sandwich, Neilsen said, where folks will find fewer crowds and “amazing photo ops with rock walls lining the roadway and incredible mountain backdrops.” Visitors can check out locally-made ice cream at Sandwich Creamery. Another must-see: the Durgin Covered Bridge. Stroll the village, full of white clapboard buildings, which is “everything you imagine a small country town would be,” according to Neilsen. Wrap up fair season in New Hampshire with a trip to The Sandwich Fair, a Columbus Day weekend tradition since 1910.

Maine

Described as what “may just be the perfect fall getaway” by director of the Maine Office of Tourism, Carolann Ouellette, Damariscotta is home to two unique fall festivals and activities on land and water. Start off with a visit to the Pemaquid Oyster Festival for a day of live music, food, displays, and an oyster-shucking competition. Central to Maine’s oyster fishery, Damariscotta is an oyster-lovers paradise with water tours galore. Venture out on the water with Midcoast Kayak, which offers a variety of tours including a guided oyster ecology tour and wildlife tour on Muscongus Bay, the Damariscotta River, and other locations. Take in more exciting water activities with an Oyster Farm and Seal Watching Tour, or Oyster and Wine Cruise with Damariscotta River Cruises. 

Put on your hiking boots and explore the trails of the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust and Frances Perkins Homestead. Maximize your fall adventures at the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta, a “highlight that features aces between boats carved out of giant pumpkins.” 

Ouellette also recommends taking a trip to the “classic New England village” of Bethel, which is located in the Lakes and Mountains region. Here, enjoy scenic views of nature and wildlife while on a hike or biking in the region’s lake and mountain towns. Rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard from Bethel Outdoor Adventure and watch stunning fall foliage from the Androscoggin River as you pass by. Learn more about the history of Maine with visits to the Bethel Historical Society and Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. For an unforgettable time surrounded by beautiful mountains, golfers can stop by the Sunday River Golf Club or the Bethel Inn Resort golf course.

Vermont

Manchester, set between the Taconic and Green Mountain ranges, is an excellent place for viewing foliage, according to Joshua Halman, forest health program manager for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. It was named one of the best small towns for a fall getaway by Travel + Leisure. Visitors can enjoy Vermont’s iconic fall foliage while hiking or driving to see the covered bridges, farms, and “breathtaking scenery,” according to the publication. Choose from plenty of restaurants, shops, and fall fairs and festivals.

Over in the northern corner of the state in Greensboro, “you’ll sense this away-from-it-all atmosphere,” according to PlanetWare travel guides. The Highland Center for the Arts, which features a 250-seat state-of-the-art theater, has programming year-round. Hike the trails at the Barr Hill Nature Preserve, one of the highest points in Greensboro, and head to Jasper Hill Farm for fall activities and a sampling of award-winning cheeses, according to PlanetWare.

Rhode Island

In Lincoln, visitors can check out the Hearthside House, a historic museum adjacent to one of the filming locations for “Hocus Pocus 2,” suggested Robin Erickson, senior director of advertising and public relations for Rhode Island Commerce. They can also enjoy the “stunning” Lincoln Woods State Park and also Blackstone River State Park, which offers riverfront bike paths and historic walking tours. The colorful, canopied path of the Blackstone River Bikeway is a great place to take in the fall colors, she said.

Visitors can spend time at Buck Hill Management Area in Burrillville and soak in the fall colors among the 2,049 acres of forest, wildlife, wetlands, and marsh, according to Erickson. The town, billed as “comfortably tucked away in Northwest Rhode Island,” has biking, hiking, farms, and nine villages for visitors to explore. If you’re looking for some spooky fun leading up to Halloween, take a tour of the home that inspired The Conjuring Universe, located right in Burrillville.

Connecticut

As a destination known for its vibrant culinary scene and winding back roads perfect for leaf peeping, the town of Litchfield is “rich with charm and natural beauty” according to Rachel Lenda, Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism. Take in the views of changing fall foliage on horseback at Lee’s Riding Stable as you enjoy the Connecticut countryside. For a fun day on the farm, visit the fifth generation family-owned and operated Bunnell Farm where you can purchase pumpkins, take a trip through the corn maze, and purchase a turkey in time for Thanksgiving. For good eats, grab a bite at the popular West Street Grill or a seasonal fall coffee at Toast & Co.

Visit the seaside village of Stonington to “live out your cozy coastal grandmother dreams.” Not too far from the popular village of Mystic, Stonington is full of endless opportunities, according to Lenda. Spend some time atop a historic 170-year-old lighthouse and museum or pick apples and pumpkins at the family-owned and operated Whittle’s Willow Spring Farm. Enjoy fresh oysters at Water Street Café, a local institution featured in the New York Times, or grab a bite at Noah’s Restaurant, a town favorite with an emphasis on using local ingredients.