• Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery - NH

With its location in the White Mountains and an abundance of outdoor activities, any time of the year is a great time to book a stay at the 40-room Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery — a boutique hotel spread out across six different buildings. The craft beer-savvy, however, seek out a Brewers Weekend. The special event – held a few times a year – includes a hands-on experience learning how to brew beer in the onsite brewery. The weekend ends with a celebratory beer pairing dinner.

• Trapp Family Lodge - VT

The Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont delivers an Austrian experience so authentic, you might find yourself belting out, “The hills are alive with the sound of music” after a few too many pints from the onsite Bavarian-inspired brewery. Drink order tip? Try the GABF medal-winning Bohemian Pilsner. Everything about the mountain resort has that Old World feel from afternoon tea to fine dining restaurants specializing in hearty dishes like saddle of venison and Wiener schnitzel – food designed to quench your hunger from an afternoon of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

• Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Ale House Inn is another hotel housed in a former brewery where guests are welcomed with a pint of beer from nearby Smuttynose Brewing. The building, originally built in 1880, is the setting for this chic inn conveniently located in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. When you’re not busy enjoying a pint at the hotel, you can explore area shops, restaurants, and breweries with the inn’s free bicycle rentals. Foodies will love the discount Ale House Inn guests receive at nearby Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School.

• Bar - New Haven, CT

To those in-the-know about New Haven's pizza prowess, it should come as no surprise that the city's best bar also serves one of the best (dark horse) pies around. But this isn't the charming mom-and-pop eating environment provided by the rest of the city's apizza purveyors -- it's full of sweaty revelers, thumping bass, and more good times than you can shake a pizza peel at (not advised in such crowded quarters). That's because BAR is not just a restaurant, but also: a dance club, an indie music venue, the location of multiple bars, and a fine microbrewery. Yeah, it's pretty much a one-stop night out for most. Just don't sleep on the mashed potato pizza. Literally though, don't sleep on it -- a night spent dancing and drinking at BAR is sure to take a lot of you.

• Oasis - Portland, ME

Maine may rarely, if ever, reach desert-like temperatures, but you won't have time to ponder such incongruencies at Portland's most perpetually buzzing bar, what with the giant Jenga and Connect Four happening on the main floor, the live music and also-giant "beer pong" (think dodgeballs and buckets) going down on the back patio when it isn't snow-covered, and the debauched dancing happening on the more club-like upper level. Because who doesn't consider a Jenga victory, a little throwback Mario Kart (they have that too), and some mutually consensual grinding with friendly Mainers to be the components of a perfect evening? Oh, one more component: cheap 24-ounce beer cans in paper bags.

• Portsmouth Gas Light - Portsmouth, NH

If your dad drove by the crowds lining up outside this spot inside the 1837 home of Portsmouth Gas and Light, he’d absolutely turn to you and say, “Boy, that place must be lit!” And though cringingly awful he’d also be right, as the third-floor nightclub here draws literal lines-around-the-block even when the New Hampshire weather isn’t ideal. Up there you’ll find the brief- strobe-lit moment where Portsmouth feels like South Beach, where bachelorette parties fill the VIP and New Hampshire nightlife amps up as far it’s getting. In the basement, wood-fired pizzas and cold beer flow freely in the pizza pub. Out back, you’ll find a sprawling back patio, where happy hours turn into all night affairs during the warm New England summers.

• Dusk - Providence, RI

Providence, Rhode Island is most certainly a college town. Dusk -- the most fun bar in said college town -- is certainly not a college bar. It's a nightclub skewed towards the metal/hardcore scene with an ambiance fit for Nosferatu. It's a jet black oasis of unabashed positive energy floating in a see of fratty bars and Irish pubs. Understandably, this type of setting may seem a little intimidating for some. But fear not (despite the overall theme of "fear" this place exudes), this bar/venue is one of the most welcoming, warm, and inclusive wells of fun and camaraderie in our Nation's smallest state. Don't abandon all hope, ye who enter dusk. If you like (or can even stand) the music, you're guaranteed to have a wildly good time.

• Red Square - Burlington, VT

You might picture your average Vermonter as a syrup-guzzlin', NPR-supportin', beanie-wearin' outdoor enthusiast. And you aren't wrong! But they do know how to have fun -- specifically in the crunchy college town of Burlington, where the Red Square has developed a reputation as the college bar people actually want to go to after they snag their diplomas. The Red Square, with its eclectic (but always dance-y) music selection, surprisingly good live bands, cheap beers, and overall air of unchained revelry, acts like a magnet for fun-seekers in Burlington: everyone out and about is drawn to the Red Square at one point or another in the night. Can it get a little "bro-y" in there? Sure. But sometimes, you can look past a few pairs of plaid shorts in the name of a good time.

• The Griswold Inn - Essex, CT

1776 was a good year for America. The Griswold Inn shares a birth year with the U.S., and the Tap Room that’s still used today was built in 1735. President George Washington, Mark Twain and Albert Einstein have all stopped by for a taste of the Gris’, and you can too.

• Jameson Tavern - Freeport, ME

Without Jameson Tavern, there would be no Maine, probably. It’s alleged that the papers that made Maine independent of Massachusetts in 1820 were signed here. That’s where it earned the nickname “The Birthplace of Maine.” And it’s a good thing Maine did break off, because if Jameson Tavern was still in Massachusetts, its 3-hour, $3 happy hour would be illegal under Massachusetts’ anti-happy hour law.

Warren Tavern - Charlestown, MA

The Warren Tavern was the first building to be rebuilt in Charlestown after the British burned the city down during the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. Paul Revere was partial to the bar, as was George Washington. There’s also the Green Dragon in Boston, which was founded in 1654 and is known as the “Headquarters of the Revolution.” While it’s older and still open, it’s no longer in its original location.

• The Hancock Inn - Hancock

The Hancock Inn is just a year younger than Hancock, and was the first tavern, sleeping place and restaurant in the state. Franklin Pierce, the only president to come from New Hampshire, loved the spot. Now there’s whirlpool tubs and jacuzzis in the rooms, but also, you know, history.

• The ‘76 House - Tappan

The building was put up in 1668, turned into a tavern in 1754, and was used as a meeting spot for Americans long before thoughts of independence were taken seriously. It earned the nickname as “the listening post of the Revolution” for its role in passing news, and was even briefly a prison for the traitorous spy Major John André.

• White Horse Tavern - Newport

A home is a home until it turns into a bar. A man named Francis Brinley built his home in 1652, and 21 years later it served its first legal drink. Leading up to the Revolutionary War, it served as the colony house meeting place for the General Assembly, and was only briefly vacated when Hessian mercenaries sent by the British took it over. Today, the bar has a focus on rum, just like the colonials of yore would expect.

• Ye Olde Tavern - Manchester, VT

Ye Olde Tavern has had its ups and downs over the years. Originally called The Stagecoach Inn, it served as the headquarters for the movement to sell alcohol in the state in 1902 (Vermont had a pre-Prohibition prohibition from 1850 to 1902). The original uneven floorboards and slanting doorways are still a fixture today.

• Hike the White Mountains of New Hampshire
• Kayak Vermont's Lake Champlain
• Kennebunkport, ME
• Woodstock, VT
• Blue Hill at Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills, New York)
• New Haven Pizza - CT

FRANK PEPE PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA221 Buckland Hills Dr Manchester

• Clam Cakes - RI

IGGY'S DOUGHBOYS & CHOWDER HOUSE889 Oakland Beach Ave Warwick

• Boston Cream Pie - Boston

OMNI PARKER HOUSE60 School St (at Tremont)

• Clam Chowder - Boston

UNION OYSTER HOUSE41 Union St (at Hanover St)

• Lobster roll - NH

SANDERS FISH MARKET367 Marcy St Posrtsmouth

• Lobster - Portland, ME

EVENTIDE OYSTER CO86 Middle St (btwn Franklin and Hampshire)

• Whoopie Pie - ME

TWO FAT CATS BAKERY47 India St Portland

• Maple Creemees - VT

CREEMEES Burlington

• Trinity Brewery - Providence, RI
• Union Station Brewery - Providence, RI
• Newport, RI

Although typically thought of as a summer destination due to its beaches and nautical vibe, Newport has much to offer those visiting in the fall. Wine lovers will appreciate the harvest festivals held by Newport Vineyards (October 27-28) and Greenvale Vineyards (November 10). In a nod to the town’s coastal backdrop, Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival also takes place each October. The town’s iconic Cliff Walk is quite pleasant in autumn, passing by the stunning mansions of Newport’s gilded age. After finishing the cliff walk, stick around to tour the mansion’s interiors and get a taste of the good life. Before the weekend is over, be sure to grab a meal at local mainstay, The Black Pearl, featuring a menu packed with all manner of seafood favorites.

• Manchester, VT

With its storybook white steeple church, many local shops and restaurants, and fall foliage, Manchester is an autumnal dream. Outdoor sites for adventurous weekend travelers are in no short supply either. At Bromley Mountain, visitors can ride the ski lifts (yes, even in the fall!) over the trees to admire the colors of autumn. The inviting Battenkill River practically urges you to rent a kayak, canoe, or tube. After all that physical activity, try a crafty one: glass blowing at Manchester Hot Glass. Just be sure to call and book a class in advance. Don’t leave town without tucking into a meal at The Chantecleer, a French restaurant in a remodeled former dairy barn that brings the term “rustic chic” to a whole new level.

• The Library Restaurant - Portsmouth, NH

The Library Restaurant, located in the historical Portsmouth landmark The Rockingham House, is a favorite among locals as well as Boston's North Shore denizens. The Library has earned a reputation for its steaks (the restaurant shares a meat purveyor with many of Boston's top steakhouses) as well as its polished-yet-cozy ambiance, created by decor featuring silver-lined French mirrors, dark wood tones and bookshelves filled with vintage books. Steaks are all cut according to the restaurant's specifications, including the flagship Gentleman's Cut sirloin, a beautifully marbled 16-ounce prime steak whose creamy fat cap imparts a buttery flavor as the steak cooks. Given the New England locale, you'll find local seafood such as New England clam chowder, lobster mac and cheese, and lobster pie, a riff on pot pie. The restaurant's lounge mirrors the warm, clubby feel with a pair of leather chairs flanking a cozy fireplace and a collection of more than 200 types of vodka behind the bar (it's owner Bruce Belanger's favorite spirit), 120 of which are in the bar's dedicated martini list. The restaurant has also won the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator several years running — if you can, peek at the 1,000 bottles on display in the restaurant's private dining room.

• Fire & Ice - Middlebury, VT

Fire & Ice opened in 1974, starting as a small rock-and-roll bar before evolving over the decades into a steak and seafood restaurant with a locally famous salad bar. The decor is equally renowned, and the building could double as a local history, nautical and sports museum. Fishing and boating are family traditions for Paris Rinder-Goddard and his parents, who founded the restaurant — it's hard to miss the 1921 Hacker-Craft speedboat that's the centerpiece of the "salad ballroom," and you'll notice fly rods, canoes, mounted fish and paddles hanging on the walls alongside antique wooden skis, snowshoes and nearly a thousand black-and-white family photos (some contributed by diners). The steak menu features typical cuts such as sirloin, rib eye and filet mignon, but the restaurant has gained a loyal following for its prime rib and steak Rockport, a butterflied filet that's stuffed with lobster meat and finished with hollandaise. Wash it all down with craft suds from Fiddlehead Brewing Company or Frost Beer Works.

• 22 Bowen's - Newport, RI

22 Bowen's is the rare steakhouse that manages to be many things to many different people. It occupies an 18th-century commercial wharf building in Newport, so you're just as likely to see suit-clad diners feasting on a five-course meal in one of the main dining rooms as you are to glimpse swim-trunk-clad tourists grabbing a beer and a burger on the patio. If you're opting for a steak dinner, you can order typical prime and dry-aged cuts a la carte or take the guesswork out with the 22B Filet Mignon. Its description reads like an ode to the steakhouse, with pommes puree, haricots verts, mushroom bordelaise and whipped blue cheese. Given the restaurant's waterside locale, it's no surprise that there's an excellent selection of New England seafood, too. Start with the fan-favorite local calamari, fried and served with a kicky three-pepper relish or a chilled New England seafood sampler, which includes lobster, littleneck clams, oysters and shrimp. For the best of both worlds, opt for the Surf & Turf Burger: a wagyu beef patty topped with butter-poached lobster, housemade slaw and truffle aioli, all piled onto a brioche bun.

• Stowe, VT

Skiing is the name of the game in Stowe, a beautiful small town located in the mountains of Vermont. If you’re not the skiing type, you’ll find it’s still a great town to relax at the spa or hit up some breweries. In the summertime, enjoy the gorgeous scenery of the area by exploring the Stowe Recreation Path or Moss Glen Falls.

• Totonnos pizza - New Haven, CT
• Ben & Jerry's Tour - Waterbury, Vermont

For ice-cream fiends and casual consumers alike, a visit to the Ben & Jerry’s production facility in Vermont is a veritable pilgrimage. The factory typically cranks out its dairy delights on a daily basis, but guided tours run regardless of whether or not ice cream is being made—and yes, you’ll get to sample the wares either way. Afterwards, stop by the gift shop for some swag, order a full-size cone at the scoop shop, and pay your respects to pints of yesteryear at the Flavor Graveyard. If that’s not enough, go for the VIP Flavor Fanatic Experience, a hands-on affair that includes a tour, time in the lab where you’ll help create a flavor, and a tie-dyed lab coat of your very own.30-minute guided factory tours run seven days a week, with varied hours depending on the season and tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. Adults ages 13-59, $4; seniors 60 and up, $3; kids under 12, free. Flavor Fanatic Experience, $175 per person. benjerry.com

• Taza Chocolate Tour - Somerville, Massachusetts

The hand-carved granite millstone takes center stage at the tour of the Taza Chocolate factory, a small but mighty facility just outside Boston. You'll learn that the primitive-looking contraption grounds the cacao beans to make the brand's signature chocolate discs, a uniquely gritty, tasty treat that pays tribute to the way chocolate was originally made. Expert guides will explain the fair-trade philosophies that dictate how ingredients are sourced, and needless to say, the tour includes a tasting. The chocolate-grinding room is on view from the shop. As to be expected from a chocolate factory, a visit here is particularly kid-friendly, with activities like Cacoa Scouts Bingo and Chocolate Story Time offered on the weekends. All that's missing is Charlie, Grandpa Joe, and Willie Wonka. Intro to Stone Ground Chocolate tour runs Tuesday through Sunday at 2:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. $8 per person; reservations required. Cacao Scouts Bingo is $6; Story Time is free. tazachocolate.com

• DiGrazia Vineyards - Brookfield, CT

Want to learn about the winemaking process? DiGrazia Vineyards offers free tours of the organic vineyard by founder and original winemaker, Dr. Paul DiGrazia. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy wines on their terrace.

• Shelburne Vineyard - Shelburne, VT

Shelburne Vineyard started 35 years ago when Ken Albert leased three acres from Shelburne farms, believing that viticulture could be a success in Vermont. Winemaker Ethan Joseph now produces reds, whites, rosés, and even ice wines, which are dessert wines produced from grapes that have been frozen on the vine. Don’t miss out on Ethan’s other label, Lapetus, which focuses on natural resources and experimental wines of Vermont.

• Liten Buffel - Middleport, NY

Liten Buffel vineyard (meaning “little buffalo” in Swedish) keeps their natural winemaking process quite simple, with no filtration or additives. But the western New York winery’s natural wines are anything but just simple. Opening in 2017, its mission is straightforward: to make the best all-natural wine possible. Make an appointment at their tasting room to try their Pinot Noir or maybe a little Riesling?

• Liberty Hill Farm & Inn, VT

Liberty Hill Farm & Inn boasts peaceful surroundings, and offers an authentic real-life farm stay at a price—$142 per adult per night—that is literally less than 10 percent that of Vermont’s only luxury, five-star resort, Twin Farms. Guests at Liberty Hill lodge in a 1825 Greek Revival farmhouse with maplewood floors and country furnishings. Nearly 300 Robeth Holsteins graze on the farm, and their fresh milk goes into creamy butter and aged Cheddar used in many of the family-style meals served here. Hiking and cross-country skiing are close at hand; the farm connects to one of the best Nordic ski trails in the Northeast.

• Try new haven style clam pizza - CT
• Try blueberry pancakes with fresh maple syrup - NH
• Try a garbage plate - NYC
• Try clear clam chowder, clam cakes, and Narragansett beer - RI
• Try apple grilled cheese - Vermont
• Buffalo Wing Trail - NY

Elmo's Bar and Restaurant

DUFF’S FAMOUS WINGS Glen Park Tavern Cole’s Anchor Bar – Buffalo Lenox Grill Gabriel’s Gate Gene McCarthy’s/Old First Ward Brewing Co. Blackthorn Restaurant & Pub Doc Sullivan’s Bar-Bill Tavern Mammoser’s Tavern & Restaurant Nine-Eleven Tavern

• Haley Farm State Park - CT
• Mystic Seaport Museum - Stonington, CT

Experience adventure at sea without ever leaving dry land; the Mystic Seaport Museum pays homage to America’s seafaring heritage with more than 500 watercraft on display, a recreated coastal village, a research center and a working shipyard.

• The Mount Washington Observatory and Weather Discovery Center - North Conway

Offers a way to safely explore some of the planet’s most extreme climates and conditions through guided weather station tours and interactive science exhibits.

• The Shelburne Museum - VT

Serves up an all-inclusive sampler of history, art and culture through 39 New England–style buildings on a bucolic 45-acre site, all filled with materials and artifacts from the collections of founder Electra Havemeyer Webb.

• The Inn at Thorn Hill, New Hampshire

Like Southern California, New England can be prohibitively expensive. That’s not the case at The Inn at Thorn Hill, however; this budget stay is a 2019 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice winner located in the famously beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire. "The perfect couple’s getaway,” “One of the 10 most romantic inns in North America,” and “Most amazing B&B ever” have all been used to describe the four-diamond lodge. With loads of free amenities, namely parking, internet, hot tub, spa, fitness center, and breakfast, there’s a lot to love about this beautiful property.

• Bennington, Vermont

Honestly, the entire state of Vermont could be on this list. From Burlington to Stowe to Brattleboro, this tiny state packs in a ton of gorgeous towns. Bennington is a small town (around 15,000 residents) just outside the Green Mountain National Forest, a prime location for leaf peeping.

• White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

Looking for a road trip? Take the Kancamagus Highway through White Mountain National Forest for a beautiful, peaceful drive. Don’t miss Franconia Notch State Park and New Hampshire’s famed covered bridges along your route.

• The Adirondacks, NY

One of America’s first vacation destinations, New York’s Adirondack Mountain region has been luring travelers since the late 19th century with clear lakes, pure air, and 46 high peaks to climb. You can still visit in classic style. Built in 1927, the reopened last year after a respectful renovation that brings a touch of urban grandeur to the charming town of Saranac Lake. Hidden in the woods outside of town, is a sumptuous lakeside resort that occupies what was once a “great camp” belonging to members of the Rockefeller family. A change of ownership has brought a welcome refresh to the elevated woodsy décor.

• Camden, MN

The optimal time to visit the northernmost state in New England is the second week in October, according to MaineFoliage.com. And one of the best spots to take in all of Mother Nature’s fall glory is the mid-coast town of Camden. There, leaf peepers can head to Camden Hills State Park, home of Mount Battie. Not only will the hike up the mountain be beautiful, but the view from the top will offer an unprecedented view of the colorful treetops. While there, book a stay at the charming Hartstone Inn, a bed and breakfast located in the heart of town.

• Stowe, VT

The best time to head to Vermont to see the leaves change colors is the first week of October, according to NewEngland.com. And no visit to Vermont would be complete without spending time in the gorgeous mountain town of Stowe. Though the town was made famous by its world-class skiing, it’s still highly worth a visit in the fall to see its gorgeous foliage. Visitors can take a hike, go mountain biking, go horseback riding through the multi-colored forest, and more. While in Stowe, stay at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, which offers special packages for fall visitors.

• Portsmouth, NH

Tucked away along New Hampshire’s shoreline is the town of Portsmouth. The town is so charming it could easily double as a Norman Rockwell painting, making it a prime fall weekend getaway for foliage lovers. Take a stroll down Portsmouth’s Market Square as the tree-lined street changes color in mid-October. That, NewEngland.com said, is the optimal fall foliage time for the region. In town, book a night at The Hotel Portsmouth, a charming bed and breakfast that perfectly mixes New England old-world style with new-world amenities. Like so many New England towns, Portsmouth is awash in early American history. At Strawbery Banke Museum—a 10-acre outdoor museum—you can take in the fall color as you roam the waterfront district and its restored homes built in the mid-1600s. By car, watch the foliage as you drive down the 18-mile scenic Coastal Byway. Or leave the driving to the captain on a 2.5-hour inland river cruise highlighting foliage and local lore.

• Mohawk Trail, MA

Most of Massachusetts makes for excellent fall foliage viewing, but there is perhaps nowhere better than the Mohawk Trail. The 63-mile, east-west highway runs from the New York border to the Connecticut River. Travelers can drive, hike, or mosey their way through the trail and visit its more than 100 attractions along the way. Don’t miss the Bridge of Flowers in the fall, an old trolley bridge in the town of Shelburne Falls, which looks like it lights on fire with the orange, yellow, and red maple leaves framing it. In Shelburne, book a stay at the Ox and Rabbit bed and breakfast for the ultimate New England getaway.

• Newport, RI

Let’s be honest, there’s no bad time to visit Newport. But, perhaps the best time is those magical few weeks at the end of October when the leaves all change and the Newport Mansions put on their spookiest Halloween shows. While visiting, make sure to take a drive down Ocean Road, a glorious stretch of coastal driving that will leave you in awe. Arrive at dawn or dusk to avoid the crowds. In Newport, plan your stay at Gurney’s, which sits on the end of a peninsula overlooking the Newport Bay.

• Old Lime, CT

The best time to check out the fall foliage in most of Connecticut is the second and third week of October, though its season can extend into the first week of November. But if you’re planning a visit make sure to book early as accommodations in the state sell out fast. One of the best places to visit is Old Lyme, a small town located along Connecticut's coast. Though it’s a highly popular summer vacation destination, its larger-than-life trees make it a top destination for foliage fans as well. In Old Lyme, stay at the famed Bee and Thistle Inn, which has been a town favorite since 1756.

• Lake Placid, NY

The Adirondack Mountains are famed for their fall colors, and T+L readers gave Lake Placid the silver medal for autumn foliage. Red and silver maples, birch, aspen, oaks, and beech trees stretch out along the Olympic Trail scenic byway (which runs through Lake Placid), providing a striking show of color for its 170 miles. Or take the Fall Foliage Train tour on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. Prime viewing time tends to be in early to mid-October, which conveniently coincides with the Lake Placid Brewfest.

• Stowe, VT

As the air gets crisp in Stowe, the sugar maples come alive in intense shades of gold, orange, and scarlet blanketing the surrounding Green and Worcester mountain ranges. In general, the best time to capture these brilliant hues is the end of September through mid-October; the Trapp Family Lodge (“the family that inspired The Sound of Music”) makes a charming base of operations, especially during the popular Stowe Oktoberfest.

• Ludlow, VT

Before the snow bunnies take over Okemo Mountain and its ski resort, the 3,344-foot peak is one of the loveliest places in the valley for fall colors—with a 360-degree view that includes the Green Mountains to the west and the Okemo Valley region to the east. Just drive to the top, park, and hike the short distance to the fire tower. Other prime viewing spots are along the nearby Scenic Route 100 Byway: the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site and Coolidge State Park, both affording panoramic, mountaintop views.

• Skaneateles, NY

Set alongside one of New York’s Finger Lakes, Skaneateles is a favorite of leaf-watchers in the region, beginning in late September and running through mid-October. A 50-minute boat tour is a perfect way to get the full effect of a Finger Lakes fall, as the water’s reflection amplifies the foliage’s reds, oranges, and yellows. Or drive the length of the lake, beginning in Skaneateles and continuing down E. Lake Road to the Ripley Hill Nature Preserve in Spafford.

• Watkins Glen State Park: Watkins Glen, New York

With steep, plant-covered cliffs, small caves, and misty waterfalls, this state park in New York’s Finger Lakes region feels a little like stepping into a fairy tale. Visit in spring, summer, or fall, when you can hike the Gorge Trail, a two-mile journey that descends 400 feet, past 19 waterfalls into an idyllic narrow valley. Visitors can also enjoy the beauty from above on one of the dog-friendly rim trails. Season runs mid-may to early November.

• Omni Mount Washington Resort, New Hampshire

Surround yourself with the lush foliage of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains while parking yourself in a plush chair in front of a fireplace at this New England property. Later, get your adrenaline pumping as you soar through the multicolored leaves on a three-hour canopy tour that flies through nine cable zip lines and two sky bridges that reach up to 165 feet above ground.

• The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Vermont

This hotel is ski-in-ski-out in the winter, but in the fall, it's perfect for watching the leaves change color on the mountain. Floor-to-ceiling windows in many rooms make the perfect viewing spot, and the hotel is an ideal jumping off point for adrenaline-filled activities like a zip tour and tree top adventure ropes course, offering even more views of the colorful foliage.

• Twin Farms, Vermont

Yellows, golds, and reds surround you at this all-inclusive Vermont luxury hotel that dates back to 1795. Spend your days hiking in the woods or paddling in the pond before retiring to your soaking tub in the evenings. Settle in to one of the hotel’s cottages with floor to ceiling picture windows to watch the fall foliage for the ultimate autumn escape.

• Volunteer at Goats of Anarchy (Saturday only)
• The Berkshires, Massachusetts

The Berkshires have long been an escape for New York and Boston urbanites, and one visit to the region may make you fall in love as well. The hilly area happens to be one of the best places for fall foliage in the U.S., especially if you take in the views along the 63-mile Mohawk Trail—arguably the most picturesque drive in all of Massachusetts.

• Lake Champlain
• Conway Scenic Railroad
• Connecticut — Pine Mountain Trail

In Ridgefield, Hemlock Hills has beautiful trails and is the perfect place to experience Connecticut’s outdoors, thanks to the proximity to Pine Mountain, Wooster Mountain State Park, and Bennett’s Pond State Park. Take Hemlock Hills to the Pine Mountain Trail for a moderate 7.5-mile loop through scenic woodlands and around Lake Windwing.

• Maine — The Beehive Trail

Hiking in Acadia National Park is one of the most joyous outdoor experiences in Maine. The Beehive Trail is an iconic Acadia hike, with cliff walks, elevation gain, and scenic ledges — though none overly steep, keeping the trail viable for novice hikers.

• Massachusetts — The Great Island Trail

Hiking along the Atlantic Coast on Cape Cod is as good as it gets in Massachusetts. The Great Island Trail, in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, takes hikers along the Cape Cod National Seashore and Herring River to Wellfleet Harbor, before ascending to the Pitch Pine Forest and the cliffs overlooking Cape Cod Bay.

• New Hampshire — The Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

An Appalachian Trail hotspot, New Hampshire sees the AT wind along the Presidential and Franconia mountain ranges up to Mount Washington’s summit. On Mount Washington, the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail takes hikers on a nine-mile loop from the trailhead to Lakes of the Clouds and the summit beyond.

• New York — Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail

Watkins Glen State Park is a stunning abyss of gorges and emerald pools cascading into one another. The way the light hits when the sun streams into the gorges is just as exceptional as the lush greenery and natural waterfalls you’ll encounter at seemingly every turn. Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail is just a mile and a half, and it goes under a beautiful suspension bridge and some active waterfalls — so slip-resistant shoes are a must.

Rhode Island — Beavertail Trail To see the best sunsets in Rhode Island, you might assume the Newport Cliff Walk is the only answer. And while seeing the sunset over the waterfront mansions is a treat, the best sunsets are found on Jamestown Island in Beavertail State Park. Beavertail Trail brings hikers through woodlands to the island’s lighthouse and waterfront, providing panoramic views of the crashing waves and unreal sunsets.

Vermont — The Long Trail Vermont is one of those states, much like Washington, where people just walk around looking ready to hike at a moment’s notice. It’s hard to go wrong with this sort of enthusiasm. Mount Mansfield is the highest mountain in VT and offers two miles of ridge-top, alpine hiking. There are a few trails that bring hikers to the summit of Mount Mansfield, but we’re partial to the Long Trail. The Long Trail is actually a 272-mile trail, but can be followed for 2.3 miles to Manfield’s highest point at 4,393 feet.

• Manchester, VT

Located in the southwestern part of the state, Manchester is a quintessential autumn destination with fall foliage at its best around mid-October, according to the Vermont Foliage Forecaster. Set between the Taconic and Green Mountain Ranges, the area is perfect for hiking along leafy trails to look for waterfalls and stunning views. Restaurants, shops, boutique hotels, inns, and historic buildings attract visitors to its downtown, recently updated but still maintaining its welcoming atmosphere with new benches, landscaping, and vintage-style streetlights. Take a drive out of town to discover country roads and covered bridges as well as farms, antique shops, apple orchards, and breathtaking scenery. Classic fairs and festivals add to the appeal of an autumn visit.

• Leeward - Portland
• Norimoto Bakery - Portland
• Washington, CT

The quirky Connecticut town that Lorelai and Rory Gilmore called home in the show Gilmore Girls is, unfortunately, completely fictional. But real-life Connecticut is oozing with New England charm à la Stars Hollow. In fact, the town of Washington is said to be the spot that inspired the show itself.

Splurge and stay at the Mayflower Inn and Spa, the gorgeous locale that reportedly inspired Star Hollow’s Independence Inn. In the morning, take a five-minute drive to Marty’s Cafe for coffee, breakfast, and all the Luke’s Diner vibes. Then check out more places that inspired locations in the show, like the Washington Food Market and the Hickory Stick Bookshop. It’s the perfect fall weekend if you want to slow down and soak up all the small-town loveliness that Stars Hollow—I mean Washington, Connecticut—has to offer!

• Stowe, VT

Of the many beautiful small towns in the Green Mountain State, northern Vermont’s Stowe continues to wow with covered bridges, quintessential New England architecture, and stunning scenery that changes with each season. It’s a winter dreamworld with heaps of powder, frozen Bingham Falls, ski slopes, groomed cross-country skiing paths, and ice skating. In the warmer months, attention turns toward hiking trails and verdant mountain views in Smugglers’ Notch State Park.

• Lake Placid, NY

Lake Placid is a peaceful and picturesque village in New York's Adirondack Mountains that’s centered around an idyllic lake. Beyond the beauty of the water, it has rolling hills, dense forests, meadows, and a cute Main Street. An average 103 inches of powder annually transforms this glorious upstate getaway into a real-life snow globe that’s ripe for outdoor pursuits like cross-country skiing. When all that frosting melts, it’s time to hit the scenic trails for magnificent views. Don’t miss leaf peeping in the fall.