Beautiful Sights for Fall Foliage in the Northeast

It’s no secret that the fall is a very special time for the northeastern states. Apple cider doughnuts, pumpkins, Halloween costumes, and Thanksgiving feasts are some of the season’s most beloved traditions, but what really makes the fall such a unique time of the year is the changing color of the leaves. People travel to the region from all over the country, and even from abroad to see the green forests transform into a spectrum of oranges, yellows and reds. The phenomenon is greatly enhanced by the area’s already beautiful landscapes. Here are some of the places with the best fall foliage in the northeast.

Mount Greylock

As the tallest mountain in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock rewards those who travel up its summit with spectacular views of the surrounding Taconic and Berkshire mountain ranges. As if the place wasn’t already magical enough, J.K. Rowling recently announced that the mountain is the home of the Ilvermorny School, America’s equivalent to Hogwarts.

Closest Bus Stop: Williamstown, MA

Burlington

Vermont’s most populous city and the birthplace of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is also one of the most beautiful places to be during the autumn months. Ranked by Forbes as one of the prettiest towns in America back in 2010, Burlington exudes typical New England charm, and has a history that dates back to 1763. The city is at the center of the Green Mountain Transit (GMT), which makes it easily accessible by bus from surrounding municipalities, and is also easy to get to via Greyhound.

Closest Bus Stop: Burlington, VT
Cheap Bus Trip: New York, NY – Burlington, VT
 

Watkins Glen

Located in central New York’s Finger Lake region, the Watkins Glen national park spans over 700 acres and contains a 400-foot deep gorge. Its formation can be dated back to the Ice Age, and today the park is home to 19 waterfalls, as well as a paved path with stone bridges and nearly 800 steps. The park features three different trails which allow visitors to climb or descend the gorge, including the Southern Rim and Indian Trails which travel along the gorge, and the Gorge Trail, which goes right along the stream.

Closest Bus Stop: Ithaca, NY
Cheap Bus Trip: New York, NY – Ithaca, NY
 

The White Mountains

Home to numerous state parks as well as the tallest mountain in the Northeastern US, Mount Washington, the White Mountains are particularly spectacular in the fall. The mountain range has 8 peaks, known as the Four-thousand Footers, which are over 4000 feet tall. Nature lovers will find countless attractions amongst the white mountains, including Arethusa Falls, the second tallest waterfall in the state, and the site of The Old Man of the Mountain, a rock formation which sadly fell in 2003, yet still remains the state symbol of New Hampshire.

Closest Bus Stop: Berlin, NH
Cheap Bus Trip: Albany, NY – Berlin, NH
 

Squantz Pond State Park

Named after a leader of the Schaghticoke tribe, Squantz Pond State Park has a lot to offer for outdoor enthusiasts, from fishing to hiking to kayaking. The pond is bordered by Pootatuck State Forest which creates a fiery reflection on the pond’s surface during the fall months. The park is just 10 miles north of Danbury, Connecticut, which is easily accessible by bus.

Closest Bus Stop: Danbury, CT
Cheap Bus Trip: New York, NY – Danbury, CT
 

Stowe

Vermont’s second largest town is positioned in a scenic valley between the Worcester and Green mountain ranges. Aside from its natural beauty, Stowe offers visitors plenty to see and do, including arts and craft shows, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard museum, and the rebuilt Trapp Family Lodge, where the Von Trapp family settled after their famous flight from Austria prior to the second world war.

Closest Bus Stop: Montpelier, VT
Cheap Bus Trip: Montreal, QC – Montpelier, VT
 

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a mecca for those who love the out-doors, and its changing leaves amidst the backdrop of spectacular ocean views attract countless visitors. In fact, the scenic coast of Bar Harbor has been home to many influential people, including John D. Rockefeller Jr., Martha Stewart, J.P. Morgan, and William Howard Taft. Residents and travelers alike can enjoy hiking, bicycling, bid watching and mountain climbing. Fans of the 2015 video game, Fallout 4, might even recognize the area from the Far Harbor add-on.

Closest Bus Stop: Bangor, ME