Favorite Five New England Fall Activities

Posted on Jul. 26, 2023  /  Favorite Five  /  Subscribe 0

AUTHOR: Lauren Bennett

With summer moving along rapidly, I, personally, am really looking forward to cooler weather. Sweaters, hot tea, and apple picking are all comforts of fall, and they also come along with viewing stunning, vibrant leaves. Here are my five picks for fun autumn activities in New England.

1.  Leaf Peeping: There are so many wonderful places to see amazing leaves in the fall. Right here in Boston, Jamaica Plain’s Arnold Arboretum is home to fabulous hickory, maple, oak, and other species of trees that offer spectacular color. The Arboretum is also one of my favorite spots for a brisk fall walk. My goal is to make it to Vermont this fall to see the foliage there, as I’ve never been!
2. Apple Picking: Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, MA; Belkin Family Lookout Farm in Natick, MA; and Carlson Orchards in Harvard, MA are popular spots for apple and pumpkin picking. Honey Pot Hill Orchards has some of my favorite apple cider donuts, so don’t forget to snag some fresh ones while you’re there! Many apple and pumpkin orchards also offer activities like hayrides and corn mazes, so you can really make a fun day out of your trip to the orchard. 
3. Halloween-Themed Events: Not everyone appreciates spooky and scary things, but if that’s your vibe, be sure to check out some haunted ghost tours and hayrides, haunted houses, and a trip to Salem this fall. In Boston, you can embark on the Haunted Boston Ghost Tour, or if you want to travel further outside the city, you can visit Witch’s Woods Haunted Hayride and Halloween Screampark in Westford, MA. Salem offers lots of classic spooky events, stores, and of course, the Salem Witch Museum. 
4. Fall Farmer’s Markets & Craft Fairs: Though many people associate farmer’s markets with the spring and summer, fall can also be a great time to visit since it isn’t as hot outside. Produce and flowers also change with the weather, so there will be different offerings later in the year. The New England area is ripe with options to shop locally. The Roslindale Village Farmer’s Market is every Saturday until November 18, and the Copley Square Farmer’s Market runs Tuesdays and Fridays through November 21. Aside from farmer’s markets, craft fairs are a great way to spend your money locally and give back to communities. One such fair is the Great New England Fall Craft and Artisan Show, which will be on October 21 and 22 in Milford, NH.
5.  Try out a new hot beverage: There are so many local cafés serving up delicious warm beverages to take the chill off as the weather cools down. Whether it’s a hot latte, some chai tea, or hot apple cider, New England has some of the best options. Some local favorites are Ula Café in Jamaica Plain, Thinking Cup in downtown Boston, and Glasser Coffee Co. in Brighton.

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