late october foliage?
 

We're thinking of planning a short (3-4 days) last-minute fall foliage trip somewhere in New England. The trip will be in the vicinity of October 24-27.

I realize that it will be past-peak in the higher elevations and more northern areas. We're open to pretty much anything. We live in FL, so the leaf change and cool weather is what we're after.

Some ideas I had:

--some time in Boston (not sure how much "foliage" there is to see though)

--Cape Cod National Seashore (no crowds, but how's the weather?! we obviously wouldn't be swimming anyway!)

--Providence, RI and maybe Block Island (again, too cold to enjoy?)

--i'd love to see NH's white mountains, but i don't know if there will be any leaves left on the trees at that time!

--Portland, ME

I'm no expert on foliage, so I'm open to ideas on where to go this time of year.

Also, we are traveling with 3 children, ages 7, 4, and a baby. They are good travelers, but let's just say we're looking for short hikes, and some kid-friendly indoor activities just in case the weather isn't good (this is why Boston topped my list).

Thanks in advance!

At that late date, your only hope for foliage-peeping is in Rhode Island and Cape Cod.

Here's a user-friendly map that shows annual averages; this year seems to be right on schedule so far.

http://www.yankeefoliage.com/foliagemap/

I am in Southern Maine right now (I live in FL but have a place here) and the foliage is coming on fast. It probably will be way past peak by your trip, I imagine, but you do never know for sure.

anonymous, i also figured it would be past peak, but then i recalled we were in bar harbor 10/22 a few years ago, and the colors were really great, even though it was considered past peak.

bnbtraveler, my other concern is that i've read lately that the foliage will be early this year!

last year we were in asheville from the 26-31, and the colors were nice, and maybe not even yet at their peak.

we are also open to other foliage locales than new england, if anyone can recommend.

Why not stay closer to home and do Smokies/Blue Ridge Parkway?

www.hereinfranklin.wordpress.com

I suspect October 24-27 will be pretty late for foliage here. We're in the Rutland, VT area, and it's just about at peak now -- or will be this coming weekend, I'm sure.

Gorgeous colors now!

I agree with those who suggest Cape Cod, Rhode Island, or maybe southern Connecticut will be your best chance, but I hope you;re not disappointed.

Good luck!

it does seem like the foliage will be early. Its changing rapidly here in central MA. However, unless we have a big rain/windstorm, there will still be some leaves on the trees that late. Its a beautiful time of year (as long as there are not torrential rains!) to visit Boston, even if not peak foliage. you could drive out route 2 to Williamstown MA in the Berkshires, its a gorgeous drive, again, even if many of the leaves are down.

I'm pretty sure Block Island gets full of birders this time of year, I forget exactly when the big "migration" weekend is out there. If you are interested in birds, its a great idea. Not sure about foliage though.

If you really want to see leaves, you might consider the Hudson river valley in New York. there have been several threads about visiting that area, and it would be nice.

I am in CT, and the foliage is already making the change and quickly. If you are looking for a nice fall trip, I definitely reccommend Cape Cod. We are avid Cape travellers and love it in the fall. Although there aren't many things still open after Columbus Day, it is pretty and quiet. Still nice with the kids...Research that option.

Is Cape Cod good for Fall color?
Anyway, you might consider northwest CT for foliage at that time. Litchfield, Washington, New Milford, Bridgewater, New Preston, Warren, Kent. And over the line into NY State. Try the site litchfieldhills.com

thanks for the responses.

i'm having second thoughts about cape cod. i don't think there's going to be that fall color like what we're looking for. i think we'll save the cape for another trip.

HereInFranklin, we were in NC last year, so I want to go somewhere different. Also the smokies are very crowded this time of year. I guess most foliage locales will be though...


china_cat: thanks for the tip on block island. we are not birders! hudson valley is a great idea also, but we were just in NY two weeks ago for a different trip.

vermonter, i suspected end of october would be too late for foliage in VT.

re: connecticut - i will look into the litchfield hills area, although i'm concerned that it may be past peak also.

DH now says he wants to go to texas for a few days. i read about lost maples, and it might be a good foliage spot at that time (but the rest of the visit isn't really foliage-oriented). but that's in the running now too.

bumping...

still looking for a good autumn spot for the end of october...

Bottom line ... things are moving early this year, and I don't think you will find foliage anywhere in New England at the end of the month. I live in central Mass and I think peak will be sometime next week. Anything north of CT & Rhode Island will be totally done.

So what kind of alternative appeals to you -- go outside new england (New York or PA), or stay in New England but don't see the bright colors? Some kid-friendly places might be

-- Mystic, Providence, and the CT/Rhode Island coast.
-- Bicycling all around Block Island and playing in the sand.
-- The Catskills, NY. Lots of family-resort type places and parks to visit.
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