Farms, Forests & Foliage in New England
The Northeast Kingdom
Snapshots of quaint, rustic barns hidden behind blazing reds, warm oranges and vibrant yellows as you pass the sleepy villages of Vermont and New Hampshire – this is the vision I had of fall in upper New England, and boy was I not disappointed by Mother Nature! I know I am probably not alone in this sentiment, but autumn is my favorite time of the year, and being from California, we don’t really get a true “fall” season. So when I was planning my trip to this amazing area of the country in early autumn, I was yearning to witness the splashes of colors throughout this region’s landscapes as if it was a piece of nostalgia from my childhood that I was missing, even though I had never been to this part of the country! After visiting, I can now see why the Northeast Kingdom, as it has been dubbed, is such a prominent destination for nature lovers and photographers alike to visit – you will be sure to be STUNNED by its offerings.
Brick, Barns and (Covered) Bridges
Whether you are navigating New Hampshire or venturing through Vermont, you are bound to see what I like to call the Holy Trinity of this region – beautiful brickwork, rustic barns and the quaintest covered bridges spanning various bodies of water that criss cross throughout this amazing landscape. While there is a greater population of covered bridges in the southern parts of Vermont and New Hampshire, hidden gems can be found throughout the two states. While I am not used to going over bridges of any kind (unless you count major freeway overpasses), it was a surprising treat to see the countless covered bridges along every route taken, each with its own distinct personality!
The amazing towns connected by these various covered bridges appear as if they have popped straight out of a fairy tale book. From the distressed wood of ancient barns that have withstood decades of harsh winters to stand proud through the passing of each year, to the stately brick edifices that are sentinels of American history in some of the country’s oldest and most prominent towns. While you would need months (or more likely years) to appreciate and visit all of the wonderful treasured towns in Vermont and New Hampshire, the ones I list below are truly “can’t miss” for me!:
Stowe: Nestled in the mountains of Northern Vermont is one of the most charming towns in the state – Stowe! Known as one of the most desired destinations of skiing and winter sports in Vermont, Stowe is pretty magical during the fall as well! While no town in Vermont will be large by most standards, Stowe should be visited for a stroll down its village’s Main Street or numerous hiking trails.
BONUS: Stowe is home to the real Happiest Place on Earth: Ben & Jerry’s!! Right outside of the town proper, is where Ben and Jerry started one of my favorite brands on the planet, their signature namesake ice cream company! Ice cream is my favorite food, and a stop here to tour its factory (and of course receive a sample – or two) and grounds is necessary for any ice cream aficionado. While it is important to book tours early if you are going in the busier months of the year, you won’t want to miss out on a behind the scenes guided walk through this Stowe icon, where you can see not only the production plant and scoop shop, but also the “Dearly Depinted” flavor graveyard, where tombstones to some of the discontinued offerings now are at peace. Don’t forget to get a sundae before making your way here, it will help ease the pain of seeing some truly awesome flavors that will never grace a cone or grocery store shelf again!
Montpelier: The capital of Vermont is yet another delightful sight to see with its historic core and handsome architecture. A walk along State Street will transport you back in time as I felt like I was taken to a set of a movie, but the best part is that it is 100% authentic and unspoiled by commercialism or tourism. A fun fact about Montpelier is that it is the smallest state capital in the country, and its population triples during the weekdays as a swell of people migrate into town for work, before going home daily and leaving this sleepy little town to rest. The crown jewel of your visit to Montpelier will undoubtedly be the Vermont State House, and it is one of the most attractive state capital buildings in the nation as a ring of trees bursting with color in the fall frame this impressive piece of golden domed history.
Woodstock: The quintessential Northern New England town, Woodstock is just simply beautiful. Pastel clapboard houses mingle with regal brick buildings, all interspersed with emerald parks spotted with the famed foliage as leaves drift to the ground. It is literally picture perfect! One other benefit of visiting this area in fall was the clusters of dried cornstalks, plump pumpkins, and traditional Halloween decorations in the main town squares, around light poles, and festooning front porches. A visit to Woodstock wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Woodstock Inn, with its vast lawn shaded by massive trees which invite passerbys to take a seat on the multitude of Adirondack chairs and just soak in the unbelievably lovely setting.
Burlington: The largest city in Vermont lies on the banks of Lake Champlain, and its coastal vibe revolves around this magnificent lake. If you are flying into Vermont, this is most likely your starting point, and don’t run out of town too quickly, as you will want to explore the breweries and shops of Burlington! Church Street is where the action is in this city, and a pint of craft beer on the patio of one of its many establishments will set the tone perfectly for your trip through the Northeast Kingdom. If you have time, meander through the University of Vermont’s campus – it’s pretty spectacular.
Driving the Kingdom
The absolute best way to see this incredible countryside is to just drive! Hop in your car, pick a destination (or don’t), and just let yourself wander through lush green hills, dense forests, babbling brooks, and old fashioned farms. Whether you have an end point in mind or if you just want to go where the road takes you, you truly cannot be let down by the immense beauty of this region’s land and nature. That is why I would recommend leaving your planner at home, highlighting the top sights you can’t wait to see, and then pick the longest, and most scenic option your GPS allows to get to your destination, you will not regret time spent on the road in these outstanding states! The Northeast Kingdom offers some breathtaking drives, and while nearly impossible to go on every single one, make it a goal to hit as many as possible, but remember, it is a marathon, not a sprint, on these rural passages:
Kancamagus Highway: One of the most magnificent stretches of road you will ever drive on exists in the state of New Hampshire – the Kancamagus Highway. This scenic byway is relatively short at only ~56 miles long, but it is mighty in its sights! As a premiere destination for leaf peeping, the Kancamagus Highway, or Route 112, is chock-full of vistas and turn off points where visitors can enjoy the immense views. This highway intersects the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, and in fall, it exposes itself in all of its glory to those lucky enough to glimpse the brief period of fall foliage. I encourage anyone who is visiting New Hampshire to drive every mile of this incredible highway, it will leave you speechless in its beauty.
Quechee Gorge: Known as the “Grand Canyon of Vermont”, the Quechee Gorge is a spectacular natural wonder in the very eastern part of the state. The deepest in Vermont, the Quechee Gorge is bisected by the Ottauquechee River which runs 165 feet below Vermont’s Route 4, also known as Woodstock Road. A popular destination for white water rafting and majestic sights, the gorge is one of the most desirable locations in this region for photos during the foliage season. Don’t miss the Simon Pearce glassblowing studio and shop, which has handmade pieces and live demonstrations on how their unique creations are made, and the restaurant attached has one of the most jaw dropping views as it sits right over the river – the tastes and natural rhythmic sounds are mesmerizing while enjoying a locally sourced meal.
Smuggler’s Notch: One of the newest words I learned while on vacation in Vermont and New Hampshire was notch! A synonym for a mountain pass, the notches in these states are some of the most astounding roads of twists and turns I have ever experienced! Perhaps Vermont’s most well known lies just north of Stowe, called Smuggler’s Notch. Nestled directly in the middle of the Green Mountains (the range that Vermont’s nickname comes from), Smuggler’s Notch will transport you to a different dimension as hairpin switchbacks of Route 108 divide deep forests and rushing rivulets as you journey through one of the most remarkable landscapes in the state. Be advised that the road through Smuggler’s Notch is extremely narrow at times, so although the views are eye catching through the windows, be as safe as possible going through this pristine pass.
Crawford Notch: Now that we have discussed Vermont’s most famous notch, we will highlight New Hampshire’s most renowned! Crawford Notch stretches through the White Mountains of the Granite State, and you will know why it gained this label as hundreds of feet of granite cliffs pocked with flora of various colors yawn toward the sky as you drive Route 302 that traverses the notch.
The grandeur of this pass will leave you awe-struck, and it also contains one of my favorite stops we had on our entire journey through New Hampshire. Snuggled at the northern tip of Crawford Notch is the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, and when I say it is breath-taking, that is simply just an understatement. This area of the country is largely untouched, and this resort pays homage to that ideal, where nature rules and the views dominate. The stately resort is a white beacon of the White Mountains, and seamlessly blends into vast plains and forests that sweep and rise into the most iconic peak in the state – Mt. Washington. If there ever was a place to just sit, relax and admire Mother Nature, the porch of the main hotel ticks every box, and I am not exaggerating when I say you can spend hours upon hours watching the same views drastically change with the shifting of the sun and the rustle of the lively leaves on the thousands of trees that call this place home. I have been fortunate to travel through a lot of incredible places with insane vantage points, but I would put this view of the New Hampshire woods right near the very top!
I can still envision the tall white spires peeking out from above the smoldering canopy of slow changing golden leaves as they briefly burn on branches before falling off to prepare for winter. I still feel the chill air as it whips through the windows of the car as it hugs the road running parallel to swift creeks that slide under the iconic covered bridges and through pastures and meadows. I can still taste the sweet maple and tart apples from the rustic farms that operate out of steadfast barns that smell of smoke and years of history. These are the encounters that will leave you wanting to come back for more in the Northeast Kingdom. I had always wanted to go the upper New England to see the fall foliage and admire Mother Nature at her best, and as much as I thought I was prepared, I could never have anticipated how incredible it was to witness this splendor in person!
