Picture-Perfect Places To See New England Fall Foliage

New England fall foliage is famous for its vibrant colors and photogenic landscapes. When the air turns cool and the leaves start to change, there’s no better place to be.

To make the most of New England leaf-peeping season, check out these Instagram-worthy spots.

Need a ride? Rent a car.

New England Fall Foliage Icons

The covered bridges of New England remain some of the most popular attractions year-round, but autumnal color takes them to the next level.

In Connecticut, the red walls of the West Cornwall Covered Bridge are complemented by the orange and yellow hues of surrounding trees. The reflections of the colors in the Housatonic River below add to the bridge’s scenic beauty.

Located on State Route 16A the Honeymoon Bridge in Jackson, N.H., is well-known for its Paddleford truss, once a popular design feature for covered bridges. During fall, the entrances are framed with gorgeous fall foliage, setting the stage for an iconic fall photograph.

The only covered bridge on a public road in Rhode Island, the Swamp Meadow Bridge in Foster, exudes charm that is only amplified when the seasons change. The 40-foot-long bridge’s lattice truss further enhances the beauty of the structure, making it a memorable site to behold.

Try a New Perspective

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Scenic drives continue to be a favored method for New England leaf peeping but is by far not the only way to see fall foliage. For a more immersive experience, climb aboard the car of a mountain coaster and take off among the trees. At the Berkshire East Mountain Resort in Charlemont, Mass., the Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster takes riders along 3,870 feet of downhill track among trees that explode with color each fall. Whether that color is a blur as you race down or you slow down enough to take it all in, it’s an experience you won’t forget.

At Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, N.Y., (not technically New England but pretty close), you’ll ride the Cliffside Coaster alongside the bobsled track where Olympic athletes competed in 1980. However, instead of snow gracing the trees and grounds, you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous fall color. Take it fast or take it slow, but just make sure you take this ride during fall.

Railbiking is another up-and-coming activity in the region, which allows people of most ages and abilities to pedal their way through the trees.

Timeless Views

New England is filled with historic churches that are even more beautiful during autumn.

In Middletown, R.I., St. Columbia’s Chapel was constructed in the 1880s using the Gothic Revival architectural style. Its stone facade and arched windows are further accented when fall dresses up the neighboring trees.

Not far from New England, in Bridgeton, N.J., Deerfield Presbyterian Church’s rustic Jersey sandstone structure, circa 1771, fits right in among the colorful foliage.

And while not the oldest church in this group (it was built just 35 years ago), the Cro s s Island Chapel in Oneida, N.Y. also makes for a great photo. Billed as the world’s smallest church – there’s less than 30 square feet inside – it sits on a platform in the middle of an algae-covered pond. Its white clapboard walls provide a stark contrast to the red, orange and yellow leaves of the surrounding trees.

Where Art and Life Converge

New England features many notable sculpture gardens, all of which provide prime opportunities for taking in fall foliage. A good starting point is DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Mass. Here you can walk among 60 sculptures strategically placed on the ground’s 30 acres that includes fields, forests, gardens, landscaped lawns and terraces along the shore of Flint Pond. When fall descends, the dazzling hues of the leaves add a colorful backdrop to the sculptures.

At the Andres Institute of Art sculpture park in Brookline, N.H., you can walk more than 10 miles of trails, taking in more than 100 sculptures representing more than 40 countries. When transformed by autumn, the surrounding area becomes a work of art, too.

From mountain coasters to quiet small-town strolls, the best leaf peeping in New England is all around. Get out there and enjoy it!

Check out more ways to view fall foliage throughout the Northeast.

What’s your favorite way to see New England fall foliage? Share it with us in the comments.