Fall foliage in northern New England has passed its peak, but there’s still time to catch vibrant colors north of Massachusetts.
That being said, fall colors are still at their peak in parts of southern New England, including Massachusetts, according to Yankee Magazine. Much of the Bay State is seeing colors reach their peak, with part of Western Massachusetts now past that point.
“Northern Connecticut was full of color last weekend, and it will hold this week as more of the state increases in vibrancy,” the magazine wrote. “Rhode Island and Eastern Massachusetts should also be bright, along with the Connecticut River Valley from the Long Island Sound through Massachusetts and up into southern New Hampshire and Vermont.”
Yankee provided a few recommendations for seeing vibrant colors, including the Holyoke Range south of Amherst and the Blue Hills near Boston. Elsewhere, they highlighted “the beauty of past-peak colors.”
“The bright early maples may have fallen, but the oaks and beeches have quickly emerged along the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire,“ according to Yankee. ”This has seamlessly transitioned to a gorgeous past-peak palate of yellows, rusty oranges, and deep maroons and merlots.”
Above it all, Yankee suggested that travelers head to York, Maine, located at the center of these past-peak colors.
“Start your day at the iconic Nubble Light for sunrise, which is coming up now about as late as it does at any point in the year, although daylight savings will fix that next weekend,” according to the magazine.
Take some time by the ocean before grabbing some breakfast at Stonewall Kitchen along Route 1, ahead of Mount Agamenticus, the magazine stated. Mount Agamenticus holds several options “for exploration, including a summit auto road and a wonderful network of trails,” Yankee’s forecasters wrote.
When the afternoon rolls around, return to the coast and walk across the Wiggly Bridge “to a beautiful nature walk along the tidal zone of the York River,” Yankee wrote. Venture up the river on Route 1 and check out York River Landing for dinner, “which has great food, an impressive tap list and abundant seating with river views.”
Along with York, Yankee also recommended visiting Alton, New Hampshire; Pomfret, Connecticut; and Hadley, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts residents keeping an eye on fall foliage in the Bay State can look at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation‘s fall foliage map. As of Friday, much of the state is indeed at its peak.
Fall colors at Windsor State Forest, Savoy Mountain State Forest and Natural Bridge State Forest along the northern end of Western Massachusetts are all located in the part of the state where colors are past their peak, according to DCR’s map.
