There’s no better way to see the fall’s famous fiery display of foliage, than with a road trip through the Northeast. So, when’s the best time to hit the road? Typically, leaves first begin to change color in the northern parts of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire around mid-to-late September. In these states the vibrancy of the leaf colors usually peak around the middle of October. In the lower northeast, foliage changes later and can last up until November.
When planning your road trip, it’s best to check foliage map reports of the states you will be driving through so you can plan accordingly. These reports will give you up to date information about color, which areas are peaking at which times, how quickly the leaves are changing and recommendations for best “leaf peeping”. These reports change slightly over the years as things such as environment and weather will affect the foliage colors as well as how fast they turn.
Here’s some great ideas for a perfect fall foliage road trip in the Northeast, from northern Maine to southern Pennsylvania. Their timelines estimate as to when peak foliage is likely to arrive at each destination, but in the end it’s up to Mother Nature.
Last Week of September
Follow the Foliage: Northern parts of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine
Great Drive: Acadia Harbors and Heights
This tour starts in Bangor and takes you through Ellsworth to picturesque Mount Desert Island. From there you’ll head to beautiful Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, where from the summit on Cadillac Mountain you can be the first to see the sunrise in the Northeast. The lighthouse in Bass Harbor is another highlight of the trip, as are the fishing villages of Deer Isle and Stonington.
First Week in October
Follow the Foliage: Northern New York, northeastern and central Maine, central and southern Vermont and New Hampshire, northern Pennsylvania and western Massachusetts.
Great Drive: SoVT (Southern Vermont) Loop
This drive begins in Manchester, Vermont, home to the Southern Vermont Art Center, and continues to South Shaftsbury, where you can explore the Robert Frost Stone House Museum. Later in the 104-mile loop you’ll pass through Old Bennington with its historic monuments, homes and churches; there’s also a lovely side trip to the Somerset Reservoir, near Searsburg.
Mid-October
Follow the Foliage: Southern and central coast of Maine, central and eastern Massachusetts, northwestern Connecticut, Catskill Region of New York, central Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey and southern Rhode Island.
Great Drive: Upper Delaware Scenic Byway
The 70-mile Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, also known as New York Route 97, wends along the Delaware River from Hancock to Port Jervis in southern New York. Spectacular river vistas are plentiful throughout the drive, but it’s worth a stop at Elks Bronx Memorial Park in Port Jervis for hiking trails and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and river valleys. Towns along the route offer a variety of art galleries, antique shops, historic museums and other attractions.
About the author
Judge denies motion to ease house arrest of Jon Jacobo
A San Francisco judge on Thursday denied a motion to loosen the home detention conditions forJon Jacobo, a once-rising star in San Francisco’s politics who was arrested on Aug. 5 for alleged sexual assault. “The motion is denied to the extent that it asks for relief from home detention and [ankle] monitoring,” said San Francisco Superior Court judge Kenneth Wine this morning. “It’s the seriousness of the charges that’s really driving my decision. There are a number of victims with very serious charges.”Jacobo, a longtime Mission District community leader, was first publicly accused of rape in 2021. This April, he resigned from his executive position at affordable-housing developer TODCO, soon after three women accused him of rape and abuse in a San Francisco Standard story. He was arrested on Aug. 5, 2024. Jacobo today showed up in the courtroom in casual clothes […]
Pam Bondi named as new AG pick after Gaetz drops out
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, said Thursday he is withdrawing his name for the role -- just a day after Gaetz spoke with Republican senators on Capitol Hill about the nomination process.Trump has named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, as his new pick for the role.Another controversial Cabinet pick, Pete Hegseth, is on the Hill on Thursday with Vice President-elect JD Vance to make his case for the secretary of the Department of Defense job.Meanwhile, Trump continues to announce his picks for top jobs inside his administration.Latest DevelopmentsNov 21, 6:56 PMTrump nominates Pam Bondi as new AG pickTrump has nominated Pam Bondi as his new pick for attorney general, after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration earlier Thursday.Bondi is the former attorney general of Florida, serving from 2011 to 2019 and marking […]
Mission Local bags two Society of Professional Journalists awards
This here publication last week took home two more awards from the Northern California branch of the Society of Professional Journalists for in-depth coverage and analysis of the sort you expect — and demand — of us. Senior editor Joe Rivano Barros and former data reporter Will Jarrett were honored in the “Explanatory Journalism” category for the mammoth effort of tracing and documenting the Russian dolls-like series of interconnected organizations funneling billionaires’ dollars into San Francisco politics. Joe Rivano Barros, who with Will Jarrett won for the Big Money SF work. Photo by Abigail Van NeelyThe series, titled “BigMoneySF,” included Rivano Barros’ profile of Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, the largest donor over the last several election cycles, and Jarrett’s interactive chart, a stunning accomplishment requiring months of work unearthing reams of financial data structured in a manner so as to render it […]
US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO (Reuters) - Alaska Airlines flight attendant Rebecca Owens works 10 hours a day but only gets paid for half that time - a legacy of a common U.S. airline policy to pay cabin crew members only when planes are in motion. Owens, and thousands of cabin crew like her, wants that to change. In August, 68% of Alaska flight attendants in a ratification vote rejected a contract that would have increased average pay by 32% over three years. It was also the first labor agreement that would have legally required airlines to start the clock for paying flight attendants when passengers are boarding, not when the flight starts to taxi down the runway. Delta Air Lines, the only major U.S. airline whose flight attendants are not in a union, instituted boarding pay for its flight […]
Easy Caramel Apple Cider Mimosas
Sweet, tart and bubbly, this recipe for Caramel Apple Cider Mimosas is a perfectly refreshing cocktail for your next fall party, Thanksgiving brunch, or holiday gathering! A traditional mimosa is only two ingredients: orange juice and champagne (or sparkling wine). But since this recipe is inspired by warm autumn flavors, apple cider replaces orange juice and we’re adding a splash of caramel flavored whiskey. If you can’t find a caramel flavored whiskey, we have some substitutions below in the ‘Tips’ section below. The Ingredients Champagne (Or other sparkling wine like cava or prosecco) Apple cider (not a apple juice) Caramel flavored whiskey Fresh apple slices (honey crisp or granny smith are both delicious!) How to Make the Mimosas These mimosas are easy to make! Simply add 2 ounces of apple cider to your champagne glass with .5 ounces (equal to […]
‘Slow Streets, Fast Friends’ mural comes to 20th St. in the Mission
Sign up below to get Mission Local’s free newsletter, a daily digest of news you won’t find elsewhere. Josue Rojas hovers in the air above the ground, gingerly balancing his stomach on a stool while holding his paintbrush in one hand, face towards the asphalt. He says it’s better than being on all fours. “It’s particularly brutal work,” says Rojas. “I’m on my knees six to eight hours a day and, now that I’m in my mid-40s, it’s not that easy to bear.” Rojas has spent the past week working between bursts of rain to create a street mural on 20th and Florida streets for the “Slow Streets, Fast Friends” project of the SF Parks Alliance nonprofit, which commissions murals on slow streets throughout the city.The mural was finished this past weekend, and now adorns the block where Atlas Cafe, the Southern […]
Related
Easy Caramel Apple Cider Mimosas
Sweet, tart and bubbly, this recipe for Caramel Apple Cider Mimosas is a perfectly refreshing cocktail for your next fall party, Thanksgiving brunch, or holiday gathering! A traditional mimosa is only two ingredients: orange juice and champagne (or sparkling wine). But since this recipe is inspired by warm autumn flavors, apple cider replaces orange juice and we’re adding a splash of caramel flavored whiskey. If you can’t find a caramel flavored whiskey, we have some substitutions below in the ‘Tips’ section below. The Ingredients Champagne (Or other sparkling wine like cava or prosecco) Apple cider (not a apple juice) Caramel flavored whiskey Fresh apple slices (honey crisp or granny smith are both delicious!) How to Make the Mimosas These mimosas are easy to make! Simply add 2 ounces of apple cider to your champagne glass with .5 ounces (equal to […]
Maple Vanilla Pumpkin Pie – Better Living
Better Living uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no cost to you. Looking for a pumpkin pie recipe with a little pizzazz this holiday season? Give this Maple Vanilla Pumpkin Pie recipe a try! This wonderful pumpkin pie has hints of maple, vanilla, and warm spices all within a rich custard-like pumpkin filling. It’s the ultimate pumpkin pie for your holiday table and we’re sure you’ll want to make this a yearly tradition This Vanilla Maple Pumpkin Pie recipe is intended for one 9-inch prepared pie crust. To save time a store-bought crust is your pie-making friend. If you would like to make your own pie crust, try this highly rated Butter Flaky Pie Crust or use your own family favorite recipe. […]
14 Ways To Stay Fit And Active Over The Holidays
Busy holiday schedules filled with shopping, planning, traveling, parties, and an endless supply of tempting baked goods can easily throw a wrench in our normal eating and workout routines. While the holidays may be the hardest time of year to maintain your fitness goals and stick with a workout plan, it’s not the best time to start making aggressive weight loss goals. But there’s no reason you can’t enjoy yourself armed with a few strategies to get you through the season to keep you healthy and fit. Holiday Fitness Tips Here are some tricks and tips that can help you stay fit, active, and healthy through the holidays! 1. Focus on Maintaining Instead of Losing Weight Reigning in our bad eating habits early can put us in a much better position to get started on those healthy New Year’s resolutions. […]
Fresh Cranberry Sauce With Orange & Cinnamon
Better Living uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no cost to you. Once you try this homemade, fresh cranberry sauce with orange & cinnamon, you’ll be upset that you’ve gone so many Thanksgivings without it. Ordinary store-bought cans of “cranberry sauce” simply pale in comparison. The tartness of the berries is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the sugar and elevated with a hint of orange and cinnamon. It’s not too sweet though. If you like the texture and bite of whole berries in your sauce, take it off the heat as soon as all the berries have popped. For a smoother cranberry sauce, continue cooking it a bit longer than suggested. This is sure to be a Thanksgiving table staple for […]
Visit Chestnut Hill, PA For Holidays on the Hill
On any typical day, with its historic cobblestone streets, elegant mansions, Victorian townhomes, and a quaint walkable shopping row, Chestnut Hill, PA is pretty charming. But what most people don’t know is that nine miles northwest of Center City, Philadelphia, this picture-perfect “Garden District” quietly transforms itself into a Hallmark worthy Christmas village for its “Holidays on the Hill” event each year. With festive events running through the end of December, you’ll find many holiday themed things to see and do in Philly’s safest neighborhood. See twinkling lights, festive decorations, and creative window displays while shopping at over 60 unique boutiques in celebration of the season. When you get hungry, there’s a variety of restaurants, cafes and bakeries in Chestnut Hill that provide indoor and heated outdoor seating options, whether you’re looking for a full satisfying meal or just […]
Christmas in Peddlers Village – Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Updated 11/2024 with current information Each year for the holidays, I venture somewhere a little extra special and take in the wonder of the season. Last Christmas we visited Berlin, Maryland – a sweet little historic town on Maryland’s eastern shore and a short drive from Ocean City. This year we wanted something a little closer to home. We headed to Peddler’s Village, a 42-acre, Colonial-style village in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Considered one of the Philadelphia region’s most photogenic spots during the holidays, this sweet little country village has everything you’d want in a holiday winter wonderland. Things To Do In Peddler’s Village With over 65 boutiques, specialty shops, galleries, and restaurants, nestled around winding brick pathways, Peddler’s Village is a charming place to visit any time of year. But around the second week of November, Peddler’s Village comes alive […]
