New England Leaf Peeping

New England is beautiful all year round, but it is especially so in Fall when the leaves turn color, and you can see palettes like you’d never imagine. It’s a great opportunity for the kids to learn about the outdoors, seasonal changes, especially if they’re from a region where this isn’t quite as striking.

WHEN:

We went the first weekend of October for Columbus Day, but the second weekend would have been the perfect time for peak conditions in Stowe, Vermont. But the good thing about New England, you can head further north and within an hour or two, there’s bound to be places that are perfect. Be sure to check out Vermont’s foliage report website for the most up-to-date information: https://www.vermont.com/foliage.cfm

STAY:

We flew into Hartford‘s Bradley International Airport and made our way to the White Mountain National Forest. Hartford was our choice due to the award flight availability through American Airlines, but also because it is far less busier than Boston. The drive up I-91 was easy and you could see the gradual changes from CT to White Mountain (NH).

The Wayside Inn is by the Franconia Notch, and the absolute perfect location to begin exploring the Kancamagus Highway (or the Kanc). The Inn itself is undergoing renovations, and the rooms weren’t exactly the finest, but you couldn’t beat the price & location, especially for the most popular weekend of the year. The restaurant at the Inn also serves up delicious food, and anyone looking for relaxation could spend days there. The kids loved the campfire and collecting leaves in different shades of turning.

After exploring New Hampshire, we spent the next few nights at an Airbnb in Waitsfield, Vermont. Waitsfield is just south of Stowe, quiet and serene. However, if you book early enough or don’t mind spending a pretty penny, and love to stay close to the action, there are several lodges in Stowe that are popular, such as the Stowe Mountain Lodge, the Stoweflake Lodge and the Trapp Family Lodge (more about this later). Next time around, I would choose an airbnb in the Mount Mansfield area, which is just north of Stowe.

TRANSPORTATION:

A rental car would be the best option as would be driving through many different towns and a few states. With Fall here being as beautiful as it is, you will find yourself stopping at various spots throughout the trip. Be sure to use good car seats as there are many narrow, winding roads you will drive on.

DO:

Leaf-peeping is all about the sights, so I will provide you a list of must-see beautiful places.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

1. The Kanc or Kancamagus is Route 112, a scenic byway that is full of stunning beauty, you will want to stop every few minutes to take it all one. Understandably, this Highway is very popular, so make sure to get started early to escape the crowds and slow traffic.
2. The Kanc takes you through White Mountain National Forest. While there are several points of interest, we found the road leading to the Wayside Inn was not busy but it was incredibly vibrant and therefore perfect for pictures.
3. Stop at Beaver’s Pond off the Kanc for postcard picture with your family.
4. Or at Rocky Day waterfalls for more pictures
5. Evan’s Notch. Basin Pond at the end of the Notch is gorgeous
6. Town of Carroll. Beautiful trees along Mt. Clinton Road
7. Garnet Hill Catalog Store in Franconia

VERMONT

Stowe

1. Ben & Jerry’s factory tour (Stowe/Waterbury). This is without a doubt, the most popular attraction in the area, so get there early before the bus groups come in! For a small price, you get to see and sample Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream on the tour of the factory. It is short enough, and was a big hit with the kids.
2. Walk through Stowe Village, checking out the various stores like Shaw’s General Store, Stowe Mercantile.
3. Walk away from downtown under the covered bridge towards the Aveda store. There you will find the quintessential view of Stowe with its church
4. Emily’s Covered Bridge with it’s colorful, haunted past
5. Smuggler’s Notch State Park and hike the Smuggler’s Notch trail or Sterling Pond Trail
6. Stowe Recreation Path for a scenic hike
7. Percy’s barn is a hit with the kids with its corn maze and animals
8. Even if you aren’t staying at the Trapp Family Lodge, drive up here for the views! It is truly wondrous! Go home and watch the Sound of Music, and tell the kids about the Von Trapp family!

Montpelier

Check out Montpelier’s Bragg Farm Sugarhouse or the Morse Family Sugarhouse for a video demo of the process by which maple sap is collected and processed to make maple syrup. The actual collection happens in the early spring. Kids loved the animals on the property and play area, as well as looking through the various types of maple syrup.

Peacham

The town of Peacham with a fantastic view of the foliage and Congregational Church offers one of the most beautiful scenes in all of Vermont. I’d say, it easily rivals that of Stowe. The nice thing about Peacham is that is still mostly unknown and not commercialized. There is one cafe near the church and not too much else in the vicinity which makes it a hidden treasure!

Be sure to check out the Vermont Country Store in either Rockingham or Weston. The housewares and syrup shelves are almost unique and would be hard to find anywhere else.

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Manchester

Drive Route 7 through the Green Mountains which leads you through Manchester, to see more classic fall views.

Hartford

Add Quechee Gorge to your list of places, especially when traveling with kids. The Gorge is best seen from a bridge and the view is simply mesmerizing! The short hike up to the bridge is easy and fun for all ages. D & S particularly enjoyed “mining” for stones at the general store, and learning about various things found in the area.

Nearby is the Vermont Toy Museum, ,which brought back oh so many memories for us adults. We also found a llama farm at Quechee Gorge Village. The children enjoyed feeding and petting the animals.

NOTES:

If we had another day or even better, two, to spare, we would have added Burlington, VT to our trip. Looks like we’re going to have to return to the area soon!

EAT:

1. Captain Jack’s Roadside Shack for lobster rolls if you drive  I-91 like we did.
2. Cold Hollow Cider Donuts for apple cider donuts. We’d never had anything like it, and our only regret is that we didn’t eat more than a few! The kids will love seeing the donuts being made, and eat their donuts while seated on the swings outside the store. The store is also well-stocked with many interesting home goods and a little cafe. Absolutely do not miss this place!
3. Polly’s Pancake Parlor close to Franconia serves up delicious, hearty breakfasts
4. Piecasso (Stowe) was a favorite among the kids. Their pizzas are huge and very satisfying. The restaurant also serves local craft beer and has an arcade where you can play while you wait for your table. As you can guess, this was a popular place but the wait was worth it.
5. Harrison’s (Stowe) for homestyle food.
6. Alchemist Brewery, Idletyme Brewery and Heady Topper (note that we didn’t go to these, but they were well-reviewed by friends)
7. Edelweiss restaurant (Stowe)
8. Penny Cluse Cafe
9. The Reservoir (Waterbury) for poutine.
10. Try the cheddar ale soup! Various locations of Cabot Creamery serve it, as do pubs and other restaurants. This is a specialty of the area like the item mentioned next.
11. Creemees. You must not leave New England without trying these. One of our favorite places was Bragg Farm Sugarhouse and the Vermont Country Store (either in Rockingham or Weston)