This article was originally published in 2024 and most recently updated on September 9, 2026, with current information. Danielle Hallock contributed to the reporting of this story.
Each fall, New England’s autumnal foliage transforms some of the most scenic regional byways into clogged arteries of brake lights. Reservations at bed-and-breakfasts or hotels near these popular roads become prime commodities that can easily add up into four-figure territory.
While many visitors to the Northeast tend to think of fall foliage season as a time to explore the region from behind the wheel, the more immersive and peaceful way to experience foliage is to ditch the car for a few hours. I had one such experience one October, when I took a pontoon boat cruise on Squam Lake in New Hampshire. The boat ride was advertised as a loon-spotting cruise, but with the lake’s forested shoreline in sepia tones, the excursion doubled as a way to witness the heft of the Northeast’s foliage. There were no concerns about swapping designated-driver duty throughout the day so that everyone could have a turn gawking at the golden tree canopy. Instead, time was spent among the reflection of amber trees in Squam Lake’s glassy waters, savoring the boating ambience with my fellow passengers.
This fall foliage season, leave the car behind. Continue on foot, bike, boat, train, or even zipline with these six worthwhile trips.
The Amtrak Vermonter
- Book a trip: amtrak.com/vermonter-train
- Where: Washington, D.C., to St. Albans, Vermont
- Mode of fall foliage viewing: train
Running northeast from the nation’s capital to St. Albans in Vermont, with stops in major cities like New York and Philly, Amtrak’s Vermonter train hits its scenic stride when it meanders through the densely wooded valleys and hills of the Green Mountain State. The ride offers a seemingly endless montage of crimson and gold each September and October. Consider reserving a window seat (it doesn’t cost extra) to guarantee a primo view, and make a weekend of the approximately 14-hour journey with overnight stays in attractive small towns in Vermont, like Waterbury or White River Junction. Both towns offer centrally located train stations from which you can walk to local restaurants, shops, and hotels.
Related: 4 Days in Vermont: Sleigh Rides, Waterfall Snowshoeing, Après Ski Hangs, and Maple Doughnuts
Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island, alongside Frenchman Bay.
Photo by Wangkun Jia/Shutterstock
Acadian Boat Tours
- Book a trip: acadianboattours.com
- Location: Maine
- Mode of fall foliage viewing: boat
Late September marks the beginning of what might just be the most magical time to explore New England’s lone national park. Acadia in fall is a gorgeous intersection of autumnal colors, trails, wispy fog, and chilly nights that call for lobster stew. And yet, much of the leaf-chasing action happens on the Acadian coast. Take it all in from the ocean on one of the nature sightseeing cruises offered by Acadian Boat Tours through October. You’ll push off from Bar Harbor and tour the waters of Frenchman Bay while admiring the craggy cliffs and diverse forests of the iconic coastline.
The Presidential Rail Trail
- Book a trip: friendsofthepresidentialrailtrail.org
- Location: New Hampshire
- Mode of fall foliage viewing: biking (or walking)
Thanks to decades of organizing from cycling advocates, multiuse “rail trails” are becoming a fixture of New England’s landscape. But few are as epic and scenic as the Presidential Rail Trail, which extends 20 miles through the Presidential Range, the biggest and tallest of the White Mountains. Set off from the town of Gorham, biking (or walking) through halls of amber-leaved trees that open up to offer astounding mountain views. Finish on the shores of Cherry Pond, the crown jewel of the Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge. And keep an eye out for wild turkeys, black bears, and even the occasional moose.
Boston’s rust and brick colors in the fall are best seen from the water.
Courtesy of Classic Harbor Lines
Fall Foliage Cruise on Classic Harbor Lines
- Book a trip: boston-sailing.com/fall-foliage
- Location: Massachusetts
- Mode of fall foliage viewing: boat
The entire state of Massachusetts erupts into vibrant oranges and reds throughout October, but Boston—with its steeples and brick rowhouses—feels particularly warm-hued, cozy, and academic this time of year. Practically no one would recommend you try driving for the first time in this winding city, but you don’t have to hoof it either. Classic Harbor Lines offers fall foliage cruises along the city shore and to the Boston Harbor Islands. Watch for Old North Church surrounded by leaves and perhaps spot the harbor seals that visit in fall, while you listen to ghost and pirate stories from the area. There’s a brunch or lunch option with choices like butternut squash ravioli and apple cider mimosas, plus outdoor seating or climate-controlled indoors to bask in the views no matter the weather.
The Adventure Park
- Book a trip: myadventurepark.com
- Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Mode of fall foliage viewing: zipline
Why settle for gazing up at the autumn tree canopy when you can literally get into it? Bridgeport’s Discovery Museum offers visitors the chance to try a more adrenaline-fueled kind of foliage-chasing at the on-site Adventure Park—an obstacle course with 38 ziplines and 14 suspended “treetop trails” with bridges, ladders, and ropes. Visitors receive the necessary gear and an orientation on how to use it from a staff member before embarking on the self-guided ramble through the canopy.
The Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad
- Book a trip: thegrandbell.com or railexplorers.net/locations/rhode-island
- Location: Rhode Island
- Mode of fall foliage viewing: railroad
Miles of ocean provide a background for Rhode Island’s foliage, and the best way to see that striking combo is by traversing the railroad tracks that wind through the coastal woodlands. Trains originally ran near Newport during the Gilded Age of the late 1800s but were disconnected from the national rail service at the turn of the 21st century. Today, you can still experience the route around Aquidneck Island in two ways: by dining on a vintage Pullman carriage or riding a tandem or quad pedal-powered rail explorer.
The Grand Bellevue Rail Dining Experience allows passengers to choose from brunch, afternoon tea, or dinner, with fall dishes like cider-braised pork shank with acorn squash, while aboard a 2.5-hour scenic ride. There’s even a murder mystery option for those looking to embrace the spooky season. Alternatively, you could choose to pedal outside with the canopy above your head with Rail Explorers. Riders can choose to go south, pedaling three miles to a waterfront picnic spot with firepits before riding the rail bike back, or head north for six miles through topiary gardens and the Audubon Society Nature Preserve, after which a shuttle takes you back to the start.
