Updated. Originally published on September 4, 2015.
I learned to really appreciate New England’s fall foliage after I moved to Chicago.
Now that summer is officially over, it’s time to accept that sooner or later, the leaves will fall and the breeze will be cooler. But don’t be too sad about it. Summer is not the only fun season for travel and adventure. I think Fall is just as great of a season to do more road trips. Number one on the list: New England fall foliage drive.
The best time to visit this lovely part of the U.S. is during autumn. New England is a region consisted of six states in the northeastern part of the U.S. : Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. This article may be biased since I’m from the great small state of Connecticut, but I assure you I will only give you the facts. And lure you with some lovely photos.
To all my lovely New Englanders, let us take some time to appreciate what’s in our own backyard. I know sometimes the hardest thing to do is stay local (especially me) and enjoy the things we take for granted, like the wonders of Mother Nature. Witnessing how the leaves turn from green to gold or orange is a magical thing. Something we need to appreciate more of.
The best thing about a New England road trip is the possibility of driving through all six states in one day if you’re up for it.
So, do something adventurous this fall. Don’t stress about planning every single detail. Trust your GPS. If you want, look up a destination point in every state or the best foliage views. I love waterfalls, and so what I do is pick out a nice park with beautiful waterfalls. In Connecticut, try putting in Kent Falls State Park from where ever you are and in Massachusetts, put in Bash Bish Falls State Park. Half the fun is the journey and discovering more gems along the way.
A New England fall foliage looks something like this:
And this…
Along the way, you might find little gems like this…
Even when it’s raining, it’s still picturesque…
Don’t forget to bring your camera!
If that doesn’t want to make you visit New England, maybe the wineries will.
And bring your friends along!
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Jen is a Chicago-based traveler and creative. She is a full-time development & communications executive specializing in non-profit organizations. Originally from the East Coast, she created The Jetsetter as a place to share her travel stories and photos with friends and family. Now, it is a place for adventurers and dreamers. Its purpose is to inspire and encourage busy professionals to see the world and achieve a better work-life balance.