DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE AMERICAN ROAD TRIP
Captivating Colors
Guilford - Portland
You’ll begin in New Haven and head north through Connecticut, winding into Massachusetts and along the Mohawk Trail. After driving into Vermont and admiring views from atop Mount Mansfield, you’ll visit New Hampshire’s White Mountains and arrive in Maine – finishing at the quaint Portland Harbor.
Stops on this Route:
What to drive:
Make the most of your US road trip with something from our American Collection:
Captivating Colors
Stop 1: Bishop’s Orchard 1/10
After arriving in New Haven, you’ll travel along the shores of the Long Island Sound towards Bishop’s Orchards. Fall is one of the best times to visit, as the fresh apples, peaches, pears and pumpkins are ripe for the picking until the end of October.
Navigate around the corn maze, stock up on fresh produce at the farm shop and enjoy a Bishop’s Own ice-cream. Kids will love the Little Red Barn & Pumpkin Patch, complete with a ride-on Apple Train.
Captivating Colors
Stop 2: Bushnell Park 2/10
Next, you’ll venture along CT-77 N and I-91 N towards the state capital. Hartford’s Bushnell Park can be found west of the city center and is the country’s oldest publicly funded park – attracting over a million visitors per year.
Featuring 37 acres of leafy spaces that shimmer when the leaves turn, the park contains a 1914 vintage carousel, a Native American-themed Corning Fountain and several tree-lined walks. The Performance Pavilion also features theater, dance and musical interludes, so make sure to check their schedule before visiting.
Captivating Colors
Stop 3: Mohawk Trail 3/10
After taking a 90-minute drive into the Bay State, you’ll reach the start of the famous Mohawk Trail. This scenic drive follows an ancient trade and travel route of Native American tribes, winding through Mohawk Trail State Forest.
It’s an epic place to admire the leaves and their glorious fall colors, with many stopping-off points to grab photos and take it all in. There are many great camping spots along the trail too, including the option to stay in a traditional log cabin at Lamb City Campground.
Captivating Colors
Stop 4: Green Mountain Byway (Route 100) 4/10
Depending on how far you venture along the Mohawk Trail, you’ll then circle back to join the Green Mountain Byway, also known as Route 100. Foliage fanatics will be transported through one of Vermont’s best-kept secrets, a 72-mile loop that takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in New England.
You’ll pass through quaint ski towns and villages and learn the history of the narrow pass known as Smuggler’s Notch. The nearby Trapp Family Lodge offers delicious farm-to-table fine dining and a variety of cozy rooms and suites.
Captivating Colors
Stop 5: Gondola Skyride (Mount Mansfield) 5/10
No road trip through Vermont would be complete without enjoying a birds-eye view of its lush landscapes on a Gondola Skyride from the top of Mount Mansfield – the state’s highest mountain. This cable car ride provides breathtaking aerial shots of the foliage in fall with unforgettable panoramas of the countryside.
After an epic trip, grab a meal in one of the mountainside restaurants such as Cliff House or Midway Lodge. There’s accommodation nearby at the Little River State Park campsite, which has several cabins for overnight stays.
Captivating Colors
Stop 6: Great Vermont Corn Maze 6/10
Several miles east, you’ll find a family dairy farm in North Danville that is home to the Great Vermont Corn Maze. The labyrinth is the largest of its kind in New England with completely new designs mapped out each year.
Even if you’re not visiting for the maze itself, you’ll enjoy navigating the trails that make their way through acres of towering walls of corn. Fall visitors with a penchant for the macabre may want to embark on a spooky evening walk at Dead North – Farmland of Terror, exploring a haunted corn field at night. Expect the unexpected with animatronics and special effects to boot.
Captivating Colors
Stop 7: Polly’s Pancake Parlor 7/10
After crossing the Connecticut River into New Hampshire along I-93 S, make sure you take Exit 38 to arrive in Sugar Hill. Here, you’ll find Polly’s Pancake Parlor, which earns a well-deserved reputation for serving up some of the most delicious pancakes in the country.
A trip to the White Mountains demands a hearty breakfast to kickstart the day right. Get ready to sample a mountain of freshly cooked pancakes, smothered in New Hampshire’s finest maple syrup, fresh from the trees.
Captivating Colors
Stop 8: Kancamagus Highway 8/10
Rejoin I-93 S and use Exit 32 to enter the Kancamagus Highway – arguably one of the best routes to experience New England’s famous foliage. “The Kanc” is lined on each side for miles with thick tree coverage, displaying the full spectrum of spectacular colors the state is known for in fall.
Stop off at various picturesque sightseeing points to get up close and see the leaves at their finest. Don’t forget to stop and check out some of the many tempestuous, thunderous waterfalls en route along beautiful Route 112.
Captivating Colors
Stop 9: Conway Scenic Railroad 9/10
Just before crossing the state line into Maine, drop by the Conway Scenic Railroad to enjoy a heritage steam train ride through Mount Washington Valley and Crawford Notch. More beautiful colours can be seen on your excursion, from a unique perspective on a genuine 19th-century railroad.
While you’re in the area, stop off in North Conway and spend the night at the charming Stonehurst Manor for a little pampering before the final leg of your trip.
Captivating Colors
Stop 10: Harvest on the Harbor Festival 10/10
Bringing the curtain down on your Fall Colors road trip is a visit to the annual Harvest on the Harbor Festival in Portland, Maine. The three-day festival showcases the many foods and drinks the Pine Tree State is renowned for and is a foodies dream.
Sample multiple special menus from local restaurants and taste the best fresh Maine oysters available at the concurrent OysterFest. Don’t forget to snap a picture of the Portland Head Light – one of the country’s most photographed lighthouses.
SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SHARING ABOUT THIS STOP ON INSTAGRAM
