From north to south

The leaves changing their color in the fall is not a rarity, nor is it something that is limited to the East Coast of the USA. It happens every year, all around the world – and yet there's something special about fall in New York and New England.

The perfect fall foliage roadtrip leads from Bar Harbor down to New York City. © Illustration: Blagovesta Bakardjieva/carolineseidler

The spectacle begins in the northern latitudes, moving south from there: the deciduous and mixed forests then glow in the most intense colors, ranging from green to yellow to flaming orange and red. Every year, thousands of leaf peepers, armed with binoculars and photographic equipment, travel to Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and even New York State to experience the colorful autumn foliage in all its glory. The fact that the spectacle is so unique, especially in this region, is due to the vegetation and climate: 76 different tree species and the particularly high proportion of sugar maple provide the broad spectrum of colors. By comparison, just 51 tree species are native to Western Europe.

Central Park in Manhattan: around 18,000 trees create a sea of colors in New York City's largest park. Popular photo hotspot: the Bow Bridge. © Getty Images

Golden moments from New England to New York

In Maine, the natural spectacle begins in mid-September, depending on the weather, and moves further and further south from here. At the beginning of October, the turn for Vermont and New Hampshire has come. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York are next, at the end of October. In Maine, the scenic SR 11 road from Portage to Fort Kent boasts unforgettable views; detours to elevated vantage points, such as Big Squaw Mountain, are also worthwhile. In New Hampshire, 320,000 acres of forest change color, including the White Mountain National Forest, which is well worth seeing for its deep valleys and impressive waterfalls. One of the most beautiful "foliage trips" here is along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway. It's become so popular that there's a dedicated audio guide that foliage fans can download to make sure they don't miss any of the autumnal highlights along the way. It's also worth making a stop or two at one of the many historic towns along the way. Due to their whitewashed churches and idyllic scenery, some of them seem straight out of the Pilgrim era – or a particularly cheesy 90s romcom. One of them is Jefferson, a town with just 1,000 inhabitants.

Lake Placid, New York State: the idyllic lake in the winter sports resort of the same name is a fall destination for leaf peepers and outdoor types. © Getty Images

Humpback whales in sight

According to foliage connoisseurs, there's no place like Vermont. The leaf peepers' favorite trails lead through the Green Mountain National Forest and to Mount Mansfield near Burlington. If you want to experience fall from a whole new perspective, head to the Lodge at Spruce Peak. On one of the longest ziplines in North America, you simply whiz across the colorful canopy of leaves. In Massachusetts, on the other hand, the 100-kilometer Mohawk Trail beckons with more houses built before 1725 than anywhere else in the United States.

The Lodge at Spruce Peak
7412 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672, United States
Tel.: +1 802-282-4625
Web: https://www.sprucepeak.com/stay/the-lodge/
Price: doubles from approx. €590

Whale watching: the best time to see humpback whales in Massachusetts is from October to November. © Stocksy

In October and November, guests can witness another natural spectacle: that's when a particularly large number of humpback whales cavort off the coast. In Rhode Island, leaf peeping is best combined with wine tours, which has proven to be a very worthwhile combination; Connecticut, on the other hand, serves lobster and the finest oysters along with an excursion into the history of seafaring at the Mystic Seaport open-air museum. By the way, Mark Twain once lived in the capital city of Hartford – his former home is now a museum and is open to interested visitors seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Portland Head Light: the oldest lighthouse in Maine has been in service since 1791. A museum is located in the former keeper's house. © Mauritius

Pumpkin patches and apple harvest

Warmer days at this time of year aren't just for taking pictures and roaming the countryside; on the contrary, it's high season for all kinds of sporting activities. Canoeing, hiking, trail running, horseback riding, biking and kayaking top the list of outdoor adventures. Fall enthusiasts, on the other hand, who like a more leisurely pace, gather for hay-bale rides, get lost in cornfield mazes, go apple picking, and select the largest pumpkins for carving or baking. It almost seems as if people are paying homage to summer and the sun one last time before winter rolls in and the New England states will be covered in considerable amounts of snow until the spring.

Fall tradition: families look forward to pumpkin patches year after year, where children choose a pumpkin that will be turned into a jack-o'-lantern. © Brian Scantlebury/Shutterstock.com