10 Of The Least-Crowded Towns In New England To Catch Fall Foliage

Summary

Avoid the overwhelming crowds during the fall in New England by visiting the least-crowded towns that offer amazing fall foliage and charm.
Lenox, Massachusetts, Mystic, Connecticut, North Conway, New Hampshire, Camden, Maine, Woodstock, Vermont, Guilford, Connecticut, Bethel, Maine, Brattleboro, Vermont, Kennebunkport, Maine, and Grafton, Vermont, are all beautiful uncrowded New England towns in the fall that showcase vibrant autumnal colors.
These towns offer scenic trails, historic parks, covered bridges, and outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of autumn without the overbearing hordes of tourists.

New England puts on quite a show during the fall, where its rich variety of deciduous trees radiate vibrant colors, turning the landscape into a visual masterpiece. For this reason, the region attracts droves of tourists who fill the streets in well-known towns, state parks, and hiking trails, some of which are the most scenic fall hikes in New England.

The large numbers of people can be overwhelming, especially on weekends, as it's hard to secure a picnic spot and scenic viewpoints. Luckily, tourists can avoid such chaotic moments by visiting the least-crowded towns New England has to offer, which are also nothing short of amazing.

The charm of these uncrowded towns in New England to visit isn’t just the visuals alone, as the crisp air, carrying the scent of apples and pumpkin-flavored treats, invites visitors to embrace the season with the utmost delight. Read on to see the least-crowded towns in New England where vacationers can catch awe-inspiring fall foliage without the overbearing hordes of tourists.

10 Lenox, Massachusetts

Ventfort Hall and Gilded Age Museum in Lenox, Berkshires, Massachusetts

Lenox is a lovely mountain town with a rich Gilded Age history and is surrounded by the incredible natural beauty of the Berkshires. To catch fall foliage and avoid the crowds, leaf peepers can visit the exceptional Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary has extensive scenic trails traversing through a 1300-acre wilderness that comes to life with fiery fall colors.

One of the must-hike trails is the Overbrook Loop, which leads visitors to the top of Lenox Mountain. Although strenuous, this 2-hour long hike rewards adventurers with breathtaking mountain vistas and panoramic views of fall colors.

Best places to visit in Lenox, Massachusetts: Kennedy Park, Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Tanglewood, Lenox Library, Norman Rockwell Museum

Besides visiting this small town, Massachusetts has scenic fall hikes where outdoor lovers can soak in fiery colors.

9 Mystic, Connecticut

Boats cruising up the Mystic River in southeast Connecticut toward The Mystic Seaport

Mystic is a small town in Connecticut that exudes the New England charm when the leaves change to the stunning fall hues. Any season is a great time to visit Mystic, but there's something magical about it during the fall that makes up for an unforgettable getaway.

With the crowds gone, travelers can soak in the beautiful sights and sounds of fall at the 350-acre Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Visitors access more than ten miles of trails showcasing fall in all its glory and spot some of the 175 bird species, including three owl species.

Best places to visit in Mystic, Connecticut: Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Mystic Aquarium, Clyde’s Cider Mill, Olde Mystik Village, Mystic Seaport Museum, Bascule Bridge

8 North Conway, New Hampshire

View of North Conway Railroad train passing through an overpass

North Conway is a quaint little town in the White Mountains region and is rated as one of the best places in New Hampshire to see fall foliage. Besides having year-round activities for tourists of all ages and interests, North Conway boasts seasonal activities tourists enjoy, especially during peak fall foliage season.

One is the fall foliage railroading excursion along the Conway Scenic Railroad. Built in 1872, the railroad offers two short train rides and the iconic 50-60 Miles Mountaineer Ride. This ride rewards leaf peepers with the best fall scenery views, especially when the train passes Mount Washington Valley.

Best places to visit in North Conway, New Hampshire: Diana’s Baths, Echo Lake State Park, Schouler Park, Whitaker Woods, White Mountain Winery

7 Camden, Maine

Camden Harbor with docked boats and buildings under a cloudy sky in Camden, Maine

Camden is one of the most affordable towns to visit in New England during the fall. Despite its small size, Camden offers many things to do in autumn, like relaxing along the beach, sailing on a cruise, or going for foliage hikes and drives.

A must-visit park for hiking is Camden Hills State Park, located in northern Camden. The park has a picnic spot with an unbeatable ocean and vibrant fall views where visitors rest after a moderate 1.1-mile trek to the top of Mount Battie.

Best places to visit in Camden, Maine: Megunticook Lake, Merryspring Nature Center, Laite Memorial Beach, Megunticook Falls, Barrett’s Cove Public Beach

6 Woodstock, Vermont

A road in Woodstock, one of the least-crowded places in Vermont, New England, covered with fall leaves

Woodstock is among New England's least-crowded towns in the fall to visit, and it continues to showcase its artisan cultural heritage by displaying cute pumpkins around the town in the autumn. This decor adds an extraordinary beauty to the picturesque display of the changing leaves. With fall in full swing, travelers enjoy taking Instagram-worthy pictures at the famed dreamy covered bridges when touring Woodstock.

However, a stop by the family-owned Sugarbush Farm delights a food lover's taste buds as they sample cheddar and maple syrup. Additionally, this sprawling farm has a free-to-use picnic area where leaf peepers take in the surrounding fiery red and orange maple trees.

Best places to visit in Woodstock, Vermont: Billings Farm and Museum, Taftsville Covered Bridge, Mount Tom, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Ottauquechee River

Woodstock, Vermont, has a counterpart in New York, and while both are stunning, they have their distinct fall charm.

5 Guilford, Connecticut

Aerial view of dense trees in Connecticut during the fall

Considered one of the best small towns to vacation in New England in the fall, Guilford has a historic charm that tourists notice once they arrive. From the old architecture homes dating back to colonial times to a 150-year-old farm, Guilford is a history buff's dream come true.

However, travelers who visit in peak foliage season take in some fiery fall colors as they stroll in the 16-acre Town Green. This historic park offers a tranquil space to learn about Guilford's past, leaf peep, and watch the Guilford Fair parade.

Best places to visit in Guilford, Connecticut: Henry Whitfield State Museum, Hyland House, The Dudley Farm, Chaffinch Island Park

4 Bethel, Maine

Train Bridge near Bethel with surrounding trees during the fall, Maine

There are incredible places in Maine to see fall foliage, and Bethel is one of them. Not only that, it's also among the most uncrowded towns in New England to visit during the fall that promise autumn colors and a lack of tourists. Located in Oxford County, Bethel offers ample outdoor activities, such as hiking, scenic driving, biking, golfing, and fishing.

For a combination of leaf peeping and a memorable river adventure, travelers can take a trip to the Androscoggin River. As anglers catch salmon, trout, or smallmouth bass, paddlers and kayakers go for a scenic expedition along the river as they admire the changing foliage.

Best places to visit in Bethel, Maine: Bethel Pathway, The Gem Theater, Museum at Bethel Woods, Sunday River Covered Bridge, Elements Art Gallery

3 Brattleboro, Vermont

The bright red Creamery Covered Bridge at the Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro, Vermont

Brattleboro lies along the banks of the Connecticut River and is one of the most beautiful and least-crowded towns to visit in Vermont in the fall. Although small, Brattleboro has a fascinating history, a lively art scene, and blissful outdoor areas worth exploring, especially in autumn.

Outdoor enthusiasts escape into nature at the Retreat Farms, sitting on traditional Abenaki homelands. Surrounded by wooded hills and farmlands, this slice of heaven offers a perfect place to admire the autumn foliage and hike in solitude.

Best places to visit in Brattleboro, Vermont: Creamery Covered Bridge, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Brattleboro Area Farmer’s Market, Etsey Organ Museum

2 Kennebunkport, Maine

Reflection of houses on water in Cape Porpoise Harbor, Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport is an idyllic tiny town that begins to enchant travelers as they drive towards it through red and yellow tree-lined highways. The rocky shorelines with navy blue waters beautifully contrast with the changing leaves of the lush forests, adding to the town's captivating scenery.

With the boat traffic reducing in the fall, adventurers rent canoes and kayaks to explore the Kennebunk River as they admire the contrasting colors. However, travelers who want to soak in the mesmerizing fall colors without getting into the water can ride bikes along the tree-lined Eastern Trail.

Best places to visit in Kennebunkport, Maine: Colony Beach, Seashore Trolley Museum, Gooch’s Beach, Brick Store Museum, Mother’s Beach

1 Grafton, Vermont

"Welcome To Grafton, Vermont" sign with fall colors

With a population of under 1,000, Grafton is a perfect destination for a breathtaking fall vacation in New England, away from the crowds. The town may be small and less populated, but it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most idyllic spots to visit in Vermont when the leaves change.

Thanks to the fall colors, Grafton transforms into a lovely scene, as seen at the Kidder Covered Bridge. Photographers come here to capture gallery-worthy pictures of the splendid orange and yellow leaves reflecting on the Saxtons River flowing beneath the bridge. However, nature lovers who want a closer glimpse of Mother Nature during fall can visit the Nature Museum.

Best places to visit in Grafton, Vermont: Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center, Vermont Museum Mining & Minerals, Grafton Historical Society, Plummer’s Sugar House