Fall Foliage in (and around) Boston

Come autumn, there's no lovelier place to be than New England. The colorful fall foliage, the crisp cool air, the just-ripe apples... all these converge to make it a glorious seasons, even with winter right around the corner. If you're in the Boston area over the coming months, be sure to make the most of your time there.

To help you get a good glimpse or a complete immersion in the fall colors, here are some options both in and out of town. If nothing else, make sure to spend a few hours in Boston Common to soak up the reds, golds, and oranges of the changing season.

Arnold Arboretum – Smack dab in the heart of Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood, the 265 acres that comprise the Arboretum host over 14,000 varieties of plants. Roam the paths from dawn to dusk enjoying the leaves.

Mount Auburn Cemetery – Just over the Charles River in Cambridge, Mount Auburn Cemetery offers a surprisingly stunning experience of the autumnal colors.

Maudslay State Park – In the northeast corner of Massachusetts, Newburyport places host to a park that boasts incredible views of the Merrimac River. This former private estate was immaculately cared for both past and present.

Wachusett Mountain – Just north of Worcester in Eastern Mass, Wachusett is known as a winter hot spot for skiers. In other seasons, though, hiking is the order of the day. Drive up or hike up to enjoy spectacular 360-degree vistas of Boston, New Hampshire, and Central Massachusetts.

Mohawk Trail – Out in Western Massachusetts, Route 2 runs westward through several quaint hill towns from Greenfield in the Pioneer Valley to Williamstown in the Berkshires.

The Berkshires – Aside from the Mohawk Trail, pretty much any area of the Berkshires is going to be gorgeous come fall. Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington... take a drive through and you'll quickly understand why Norman Rockwell found inspiration there. You can even hike part of the Appalachian Trail or climb Mount Greylock.

Walden Pond – In Concord, you can visit the site of an even more famous place of inspiration. Henry David Thoreau immortalized Walden Pond and for good reason. Serenity abounds here. Wander through the woods amongst the turning leaves and you'll find your peace.

Crawford Notch – Route 302 through New Hampshire winds its way through a wonderfully scenic valley full of red maples and yellow birches perched proudly on the hillsides. In the distance, Majestic Mt. Washington keeps a watchful eye.

Route 100 (Vermont) – If you have a weekend to spend, cruise the length of neighboring Vermont on this route through the Green Mountains. The farther north you go, the fewer folks you'll have to contend with.

I-91 (Vermont) – Perhaps one of the prettiest stretches of Interstate in the country, I-91 between White River Junction and Newport will lead you through some fantastic scenery, from the Connecticut River Valley to the lush hills of the Northeast Kingdom.

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