10 New England Cities to Enjoy This Fall (and what to do besides leaf peeping!)

Arguably, one of the best things about living in New England is fall: fall weather, fall food, and fall foliage. People travel from all over the country world to see the vibrant colors of New England landscapes. Over the years, we have enjoyed exploring many parts of each New England state, in every season. And while children might be entertained by many things during a long car ride, foliage usually isn’t one of them. 

So this week we’re sharing 10 great spots (all four hours or less from our Connecticut home and the greater New England area) that showcase the beautiful colors of fall in their scenery (and each spot has tons of public recreational spaces and walking and biking trails) as well as many family friendly attractions. 

1. Burlington, Vermont: Located in the north western part of the “Green Mountain State”, Burlington is situated right on Lake Champlain, the largest freshwater lake in the United States. Burlington is home to several colleges and universities, dozens of parks and recreational spaces, and plenty of biking and walking paths. 
   Our favorite activities for the fall: Climbing indoors at Petra Cliffs Climbing Center, creating our own teddy bear at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company,  sampling ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s, and touring the science exhibits at ECHO Leahy Center.
   Read our full City Guide here.

2. Concord, New Hampshire: The capital of New Hampshire, Concord is located on the south eastern part of the state, just an hour north of Boston and an hour west of Portsmouth and the Atlantic Ocean. Concord has beautiful parks and hiking and biking trails, and several historical sites which were home to significant figures in American history.
   Our favorite activities for the fall: Sitting inside a replica fuselage of the orbiter Discovery at the McAuliffe Shepard Discovery Center, checking out Franklin Pierce’s inauguration outfit at the Pierce Manse, sitting at the 19th century school desks at Canterbury Shaker Village in nearby Canterbury, and spying through the porthole on the door to the House of Representatives chamber at the New Hampshire State House.

3. Gloucester, Massachusetts: Located less than an hour north of Boston, “America’s oldest seaport” was once the largest fishing port in America. Gloucester, along with Essex, Rockport, and Manchester-by-the-Sea, make up the Cape Ann district directly on the Atlantic Ocean. The area bursts with tourists in the summer months, but is just as beautiful, and much quieter, during the fall season. 
   Our favorite activities for the fall: Touring Beauport and the Hammond Castle Museum (Walt Disney was a frequent guest!), making our own artwork at the Cape Ann Museum, spying whales on a Seven Sea Whale Watch tour, and exploring Maritime Gloucester. 
   Read our full City Guide here.

4. Salem, Massachusetts: Salem, located just 20 miles north of Boston, comes ALIVE during the fall months. Known for the Salem witch trials of the 17th century, Salem has several homes and performances dedicated to the witch trials and the history of the area (some are better suited to middle schoolers and older kids). The seaside town is also home to a maritime National Historic Site.
   Our favorite activities for the fall: Touring the House of Seven Gables and the Peabody Essex Museum (tons of kid friendly exhibits), and earning a junior ranger badge at the National Historic Site 
   Read our full City Guide here.

5. Springfield, Massachusetts: One of the biggest cities in Massachusetts, Springfield is (arguably) most known as the “Birthplace of Basketball”, but there are also plenty of historical sites, open spaces, and the Five College Consortium nearby (Amherst, Hampshire, UMASS Amherst, Smith, and Mount Holyoke) to explore and enjoy. Fall foliage is especially vibrant is this western part of the state.
   Our favorite activities for the fall: Shooting hoops at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, making personalized candles at the Yankee Candle Village, and exploring the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum (our very first post!), part of the Springfield Museums complex, and Eric Carle Museum.
   Read our full City Guide here.

6. The Berkshires, Massachusetts: Comprised of over two dozen towns in western Massachusetts, the Berkshires are a popular destination for performing arts venues, galleries, museums, and historic attractions. Known as the “Inland Newport” during the 20th century, there are dozens of Gilded Age estates preserved, as well as several thriving farms and recreational parks and hiking trails that offer beautiful views of fall foliage.  
   Our favorite activities for the fall: Exploring the 19th century village at Hancock Shaker Village, looking for fairies inside the Berkshire Botanical Garden, searching for hidden dogs at The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home; and riding the slides and Jiminy Peak’s Mountain Adventure Park and Aerial Adventure Park (open on weekends in the fall).     
   Read our full City Guide here.

7. Cape Cod, Massachusetts: I claim the Cape as my hometown (even though I grew up between Boston and Cape), and love visiting this 65 mile stretch of quaint, seaside towns on the Atlantic Ocean whenever I have the opportunity. The Cape swells with millions of summertime visitors, but fall is just as beautiful, with many attractions still open to visitors, especially on the weekend. 
   Our favorite activities for the fall: Earning a Junior ranger badge while exploring the beaches, trails, and lighthouses of the Cape Cod National Seashore; petting the seals, sea creatures, and other small animals at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium and the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History; checking at the antique cars and exploring Hidden Hollow at Heritage Museums and Gardens.
   Read our full City Guide here.

8. Newport, Rhode Island: One of my most favorite places ANY season, (I visit Newport several times each year) Newport, like the Cape, is much calmer in the cooler fall months, but is still wide open to visitors. Many people visit the Gilded-Age mansions like the Breakers, The Elms, and Rosecliff, but there are tons of other kid friendly places to enjoy.
   Our favorite activities for the fall: Learning all about the sport of tennis at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, making our own glass blown ornament at Thames Glass, walking through the tunnels while on a tour of Fort Adams, and checking out Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium (which recently opened- we’re hearing great reviews!)
   Read our full City Guide here and our feature of places to hike in Newport here.

9. Mystic, Connecticut: Located in the easternmost part of Connecticut on the Rhode Island border, Mystic has grown quite popular in recent years for its beautiful waterfront, vast open spaces for walking and picnicking, numerous dining options (Sift Bake Shop, S&P Oyster, and Red36 are our favorite spots), and family friendly attractions that stay open all year.
   Our favorite activities for the fall: Sipping cider (and watching it being made!) at Clyde’s Cider Mill, learning about wetlands and woodlands at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, watch a live demonstration in the village at Mystic Seaport, exploring a submarine at the nearby USS Nautilus Submarine Force Maritime Museum in Groton, and walking the garden at the Connecticut College Arboretum in nearby New London.
   Read our full City Guide here and our feature of places to hike in Mystic here.

10. New Haven, Connecticut: Known of the “Pizza Capital of America” (it may be self proclaimed, but we think New Haven “apizza” really is the best), New Haven is home to several colleges with thriving calendars of events open to the public, 
    Our favorite activities for the fall: Checking out dinosaur fossils at the newly reopened Yale Peabody Museum, riding the carousel at Lighthouse Point Park, creating a new invention in the Maker Space at the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop, climbing to the the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the top of East Rock Park, and eating apizza- Pepe’s is our top pick.   
    Read our full City Guide here and our list of places to hike in Central Connecticut here.