5 Fall Foliage Drives in New England

En español | Fall is upon us, which means crisp air and the leaves performing their annual color show. And nowhere in America is this show more brilliant — and photographed — than on the back roads of historic New England. So join us on our favorite scenic drives in Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine for a full tour of fall foliage in New England.

Drive No. 1
Kent to Canaan, the Berkshires of Western Connecticut
Our first fall foliage drive begins in the town of Kent, founded in 1739 beside the Housatonic River and amid the southern Berkshire Mountains, known locally as the Litchfield Hills. Wind north on Route 7, which parallels the Housatonic. Detour to Macedonia Brook State Park for a short, easy hike. Finish in Canaan with a stroll in Falls Village, a district on the National Register of Historic Places.

Drive No. 2
Bennington to Manchester: the Green Mountains of Vermont
Bennington — a college town known for its obelisk memorializing a Revolutionary War battle and its museum with paintings by folk artist Grandma Moses — is the ideal jumping-off point for a drive through the Green Mountain National Forest. Head up Route 7A, passing New England farmsteads selling homemade maple syrup, and end in Manchester, incorporated in 1761 and now a major shopping destination.

Drive No. 3
North Conway to Mt. Washington: the White Mountains of New Hampshire
The only way to get a "This Car Climbed Mt. Washington" bumper sticker is to travel to the highest point in New England. Start in North Conway, with its classic New England inns, fine restaurants and outlet stores. Follow Route 16 to the 7.6-mile Mt. Washington Auto Road, which takes you to the 6,288-foot summit. After enjoying the panorama, return to Route 16 or pick up Routes 2 and 302 for a scenic loop drive.

Next: Back roads and rustic towns in the Berkshires and Maine. »