Leaf Peeping in Late October

Hi there,

My wife and I are planning a trip to New England, flying into Boston - arriving 24th October leaving 31st October. We intend to have 3/4 nights in Boston then do some %26#39;leaf peeping%26#39;. We understand that,given the time of our trip, we are likely to get the best %26#39;leaf%26#39; views in Connecticut.

We would be grateful for any advice on the likely best areas for late October. We wondered if the Litchfield Hills area might be a good bet, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Leaf Peeping in Late October

Leaf peeping is very popular in the Litchfield hills. There are some lovely inns in that area such as New Preston, CT, but they are quite pricey. The Boulders Inn is one such. The Mayflower Inn in Washington, CT is also lovely. The town green in Litchfield is also a nice scene. It is a typical New England landscape with white clapboard churches, victorian houses and quaint storefronts. It has withstood the passage of time and commericialization. Sometimes we hike to the top of Mt. Tom, friendsctstateparks.org/parks/mount_tom.htm for a view of the leafscape from the top. It is a pretty gentle hike in the woods with a viewing tower at the top.

Leaf Peeping in Late October

I think you should do the leaf peeping first and then do the Boston sightseeing.

Here in Fairfield County, which is about an hour south of Litchfield hills, the peak usually occurs a little before the dates you%26#39;re talking about, although it still should be quite beautiful by the 24th (this year, the foliage changed really late, and we still had leaves up by Halloween -- the 31st -- but this was unusual.)

Many thanks for the helpful replies.

Hi,

Maybe sandwich your trip so that a day in Boston at the start then a day at the end. Great city by the way!

Head down the Mass Turnpike towards Worcester then 395 South to Connecticut. At Putnam /Killingly take off. Follow Route 44 to Brooklyn (route 169) then southward toward Norwich. Along the old road one passes under tree covered roads, historic homesteads and prep schools and a few decent places to eat. Enter Norwich at Historic Norwich Town Green and then follow south to New London. In this area you will find the US Coast Guard Academy, Mystic Seaport and Stonington Borough. If you have some time... head on Route 1 South toward the CT River and then on interstate 95 toward New York. Then off 1st exit over the CT River Bridge and drive to Exit 3 where Essex, CT is... a wonderful little place with great colors in the autumn and places to eat, walk and enjoy.

Check early at the Weather.com website or visitconnecticut.com/current_category.28/cur鈥?/a> or my travel blog www.thenewenglandcoast.com

Best of luck!

Evan

Evan,

Thanks for the helpful suggestions and %26#39;links%26#39;. I%26#39;m sure to be posting more questions before we go, so thanks for now !

You are most welcome. Boston is easy... follow the freedom trail and it takes you to the main areas and most fun of Boston. Then for shopping head to Newbury St.