I love this part of America so much.
It’s not just the trees changing their colours at this time of year that appeals to me. I also adore the pretty white village churches and houses adorned with autumnal decorations and pumpkins, and there are stunning national parks and quaint seaside towns to explore. And of course the lighthouses!
New England comprises the six states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, all of which I have visited on different occasions.
I have highlighted a few things you may want to consider as part of a New England exploration.
Boston
Most visitors fly in and out of Boston, and a few nights here is recommended.
There is plenty for history enthusiasts with the event that forever changed the course of American history experienced through a multi-sensory experience at the Boston Tea Party Museum.
The world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat, USS Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides during the War of 1812, is usually berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard at one end of Boston's Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile iconic path passing by 16 downtown locations significant to the history of the United States.
Boston has some great shopping and for an essential lunch tip, head for Faneuil Hall Marketplace where I promise you will not be disappointed. And of course Cheers, the bar where everyone knows your name, is an essential photo stop and is open for food and drinks.
Across the Charles River, Cambridge is a small, wealthy city, best known as the home of two of the country’s most prestigious universities: Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Harvard Square is arguably its heart, a cosmopolitan enclave where high-end boutiques and student-priced bars, stand next to comic book shops and trendy eateries.
I have barely scratched the surface of all Boston offers but it’s time we ventured out of the city to start 'leaf-peeping'.
Maine
I like to head north keeping the sea on the right to enjoy some of the coastal towns en route where there will be an initial glimpse of the fall colours. If you are into your witchcraft you may wish to call into Salem and learn about the famous witch trials of the 1600s.
Following the old route 1, you will reach Maine, passing through small towns like Newburyport and perhaps stay overnight in Ogunquit, whose name in the language of the Algonquin Indians, literally and aptly translates as 'beautiful place by the sea'.
The town boasts a lovely 3.5-mile sandy beach plus an abundance of restaurants, art museums and shops.
Continuing north, Kennebunkport is another beautiful coastal village with much to offer from gorgeous beaches and scenic lighthouses to boat tours and unique shopping boutiques.
Further up the coast is one of my favourite places... The town of Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island and, as the name suggests, it sits on a beautiful harbor where you can take whale watching and wildlife tours and is the perfect place to try some Maine lobster.
Bar Harbor is also the gateway to the beautiful Acadia National Park that is galvanised by fall’s arrival. Taking a scenic 27-mile drive around the park loop road is a great way to absorb its highlights.
The views from Cadillac Mountain are amazing, where the lookout is the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard, so early risers will be the first to witness the sun rising.
New Hampshire
Leaving Maine, I would head west into the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the famous Mount Washington. I stay in North Conway and - shopping tip - New Hampshire is a tax-free state with some great factory outlets.
The Mount Washington Auto Road, located on the scenic New Hampshire Route 16 is America's first manmade attraction, providing a stunning journey to the summit of Mount Washington, where the fall foliage will be exceptional.
You can self-drive or take guided trips, passing through four distinct climate zones, enjoying incredible panoramic views as you climb.
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world and has been thrilling passengers with its dramatic ascent to the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak for more than 150 years. With an average grade of 25% (some sections approach nearly 38%), it’s also the second steepest in the world.
Vermont
For those wishing to explore more of New England, I suggest heading further west to Vermont.
Stowe is a beautiful village, where you will see plenty of typical white churches with their dominant steeples. You can head out to Mt Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, to do some leaf-peeping.
The village of Woodstock has been named the 'prettiest small town in America' and for a treat, the Woodstock Inn and Resort offers authentic Vermont style and service.
Massachusetts
The crescent-shaped peninsula of Cape Cod has a timeless appeal. Each town has a distinct personality, the biggest of which, Hyannis, is famed as the home of the Kennedy clan.
From here, I strongly recommend catching the ferry for day trips to the nearby islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, both have excellent beaches, shopping and loads of things to do.
Although often lumped together, they are surprisingly different. The larger Martha’s Vineyard has six distinct towns with striking variety. The rural parts of the island feel like Vermont, whereas the port towns are more akin to New England’s harbor communities.
The entire island of Nantucket, on the other hand, is a historic district composed of one main town, also called Nantucket, and a couple of outlying beachy villages. The cobblestone streets and most of the buildings look just as they did 150 years ago.
Along from Hyannis, you have places to visit like Dennis, Yarmouth, Brewster, Harwich and Chatham. Set on Cape Cod’s elbow, Chatham is classic New England, with a picturesque lighthouse and bandstand on the village green for concerts.
A visit to Cape Cod is not complete without checking out Provincetown (or P-Town to the locals), a fun-loving enclave on the site of the Mayflower’s landing in 1620, at the northern tip of the peninsula.
The town has long attracted painters, photographers, writers and poets and you can soak in its history and culture at the many museums, art galleries and specialty shops clustered around lively Commercial Street.
Rhode Island
My final leg would be Rhode Island, the Ocean State, the USA's smallest and one of my favourites.
Rhode Island was home to the first National Lawn Tennis Championship in 1899 and the Tennis Hall of Fame and its museum are here.
Newport is widely considered the sailing capital of the world and was host to the America's Cup for over 50 years.
The town is full of shops, bars and restaurants and is a perfect place to spend a day.
During the Gilded Age, America’s wealthiest families flocked here, making the area their summertime playground and some of their mansions have been preserved, protected and opened to the public.
A spectacular 3.5-mile Cliff Walk has been created, providing panoramic ocean views on one side and the Newport mansions on the other.
New England is great to visit at any time of the year but to make the most of the fall in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, then September and October are the best months.
To enjoy the beaches of Cape Cod, the New England Islands and Rhode Island, summer is fabulous and though they can still be visited in the fall, don't expect to see lots of fall foliage.
My perfect itinerary is a journey up the east coast of Maine, across to New Hampshire and Vermont ending with a trip to Cape Cod and Rhode Island.
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