Rhode Island
Although it is small, Rhode Island has a number of fall experiences for groups looking to sample the best of the state during foliage season.
“We have a fall foliage train that goes through the northern part of the state,” said Ann Martini of Commerce Rhode Island. “It runs in October, and it’s great for leaf peepers.”
That excursion on the Providence and Worcester Railroad leaves from the historic train depot in Woonsocket and takes visitors to Putnam, Connecticut, where Putnam Farm holds the Putnam Fall Pumpkin Festival. While there, groups can take advantage of the antique shops and boutiques in Putnam and take part in the town’s fall bazaar.
Also in the northern part of the state, Blackstone Valley Outfitters can take groups on guided fall kayaking trips to see the foliage along the Blackstone River.
Vermont
If you ask the people at the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing where the best place to see fall foliage is, you’ll get an unequivocal answer.
“We’re going to come out with a World’s Best Foliage campaign this fall,” said director of communications Laura Peters. “We’ve long been considered the best in terms of foliage. We’ve seen increased competition from our neighbors, but we think it’s time to stake our claim.”
Groups traveling through Vermont can catch some of the famous foliage at the numerous ski resorts throughout the state, many of which offer alpine mountain coasters, zip lines, gondola rides and other lofty experiences to give guests a bird’s-eye view of fall color.
Festivals around the state also highlight the best of autumn in Vermont. Peterson recommended groups check out the Tunbridge World’s Fair, the Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival, the Killington Hay Festival and the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival.
Massachusetts
Fall means festivals in Massachusetts, where a number of popular events showcase agriculture, scenery, food, art and culture.
The most popular by far is the Eastern States Exposition, also known as the Big E.
“The Big E is a gigantic tradition that has been going on for more than 50 years,” said Rich Doucette, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “It was originally started as an agriculture show, and it has become the largest fair in the Northeast. Each New England state has a replica of its statehouse on the 175-acre fairgrounds. Inside each of those buildings are all of the things unique to the state — for us, it’s the Cape Cod potato chips and Ocean Spray cranberry juice.”
The Big E also features shopping, rides and plenty of New England specialty foods. The festival runs this year from September 18 through October 4 and is expected to attract more than 1 million people.
Other signature fall festivals in Massachusetts are the Beantown Jazz Festival in Boston, the New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival, Salem Hallowe’en Haunted Happenings and the Cape Cod Fall for the Arts Festival.
