Fall foliage doesn’t peak across New England all at once.
The leaves usually start changing first in northern Maine, northern New Hampshire and the higher elevations of Vermont. The color then moves south through October, with parts of southern New England and the coast holding onto their leaves into late October or even early November.
That gives leaf peepers a long window to see peak color if they know where to go.
Here’s the best time to see fall foliage in different parts of New England.
Northern Maine: Late September To Early October
Northern Maine is usually one of the first places in New England to reach peak foliage.
The best window is generally the last week of September through the first week of October. That includes places such as Fort Kent, Caribou and Presque Isle.
Travelers who want an early leaf-peeping trip should start here. By the time southern New England is just beginning to change, northern Maine may already be near peak.
Maine’s foliage season then moves south during October.
Northern New Hampshire: Late September To Early October
The Great North Woods in New Hampshire usually peaks around the same time as northern Maine.
Late September into the first days of October is generally the safest bet for areas around Pittsburg, Colebrook and Dixville Notch.
From there, the color moves south into the White Mountains.
New Hampshire says the Great North Woods is normally the first part of the state to peak because of its northern location and higher elevations.
Vermont: Late September Through Mid-October
Vermont has a longer window because elevation makes a big difference.
Higher elevations and northern Vermont usually begin showing strong color in the second half of September. The last week of September and first week of October are typically among the best times for peak foliage.
The color then works its way down into the valleys and southern parts of the state.
That means early October is a good general target for a Vermont foliage trip, but travelers visiting later in October can still find good color in lower elevations and southern Vermont.
White Mountains And Western Maine: Early To Mid-October
Early October is prime time for some of New England’s most popular foliage areas.
New Hampshire’s White Mountains generally reach their best color during the first two weeks of October. That includes Franconia Notch, Crawford Notch and the North Conway area.
Western Maine follows a similar schedule. Rangeley, Bethel, Greenville and other mountain areas usually reach peak color around the second week of October.
For travelers looking for mountain views, scenic roads and heavy fall color, roughly October 5 through October 15 is usually a strong window.
The Berkshires: Early To Mid-October
Fall arrives earlier in the Berkshires than it does in eastern Massachusetts.
Higher elevations and the northern Berkshires can start showing strong color in late September. Early October is usually better for northern and central areas, while southern Berkshire County can stay colorful later into the month.
Places such as Mount Greylock, Williamstown, Lenox and Stockbridge are popular during foliage season.
Massachusetts tourism officials say color generally arrives first in the state’s higher elevations and northern areas before moving east and toward the coast.
Central Massachusetts And Southern New Hampshire: Mid-October
By the middle of October, the best foliage usually moves farther south.
Central Massachusetts often has strong color around the second and third weeks of October. Southern New Hampshire also tends to peak later than the White Mountains and Great North Woods.
This can be a good time for people who want a foliage trip without driving deep into northern New England.
Massachusetts says most of the state typically peaks around mid-October, although the exact timing changes from year to year.
Rhode Island: Mid To Late October
Rhode Island is a better choice for people who wait until later in October.
Northern Rhode Island generally changes first, followed by the rest of the state. Peak foliage usually arrives in much of Rhode Island during the middle or second half of October.
Newport and other coastal areas can stay colorful later than inland areas.
Rhode Island tourism officials recommend mid-to-late October for travelers looking for peak foliage.
Connecticut: Mid-October Through Early November
Connecticut has one of the latest foliage seasons in New England.
The northwest and northeast corners usually peak first, generally around early to mid-October. Central Connecticut follows during the middle of the month.
The shoreline and lower Connecticut River Valley peak much later. Those areas can still have strong color in late October and early November.
Southwestern Connecticut can hold onto peak foliage even later.
That makes Connecticut one of the best options for people who miss the traditional early and mid-October leaf-peeping season farther north.
Coastal Maine And Coastal Massachusetts: Mid To Late October
The coast changes later than the mountains.
Southern and coastal Maine usually reach peak or near-peak foliage from the middle of October through the end of the month. Areas around Portland, Old Orchard Beach, Kennebunkport, York and the southern Maine coast can still have good color after much of northern Maine is past peak.
Eastern Massachusetts also tends to run later than the Berkshires. Color can last through late October in the Boston area, along the South Shore and in other coastal communities.
Cape Cod can run later still because of its coastal climate.
What Is The Best Week For Fall Foliage In New England?
If someone could only pick one week to travel around New England, the first half of October offers the most options.
Northern areas may be at or just past peak while Vermont, the White Mountains, western Maine and parts of Massachusetts are reaching their best color.
But there’s no single perfect weekend for all six states.
Someone traveling in late September should head north. In early October, Vermont, New Hampshire and western Maine are good bets. By mid-October, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut become better options. Late October travelers should look toward the coast and southern New England.
Weather can also move the schedule. Drought, warm temperatures, heavy rain and strong wind can affect when leaves change and how long they stay on the trees.
For the best results, check each state’s foliage tracker a few days before leaving rather than relying on the calendar alone.