New England Fall Colors

New England: history

The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in 1620, and Boston was founded in 1630. The American Revolution began here, with the Boston Tea Party in 1773 and the first shots at Lexington and Concord in April 1775. Harvard, founded in 1636, is the oldest university in the country.

New England is famous for its autumn colour, which usually peaks from late September to mid-October. Acadia, on the coast of Maine, was the first national park east of the Mississippi.

New England: tourist attractions

• Freedom Trail, BostonA 2.5-mile walk past sixteen sites of the Revolution.
• Harvard YardThe old heart of the university, across the river in Cambridge.
• Kancamagus HighwayA 34-mile drive through the White Mountains, at its best in autumn.
• Mount WashingtonThe highest peak in the north-east, with a cog railway from 1869.
• Stowe, VermontA white church, covered bridges and maple farms.
• Ben & Jerry's factoryAn ice cream tour at Waterbury, Vermont.
• Acadia National ParkThe Park Loop Road, Jordan Pond and sunrise from Cadillac Mountain.
• Bar HarborA harbour town at the gate of Acadia.

New England: excursions nearby

• Lexington & Concord about 15 miles from BostonWhere the Revolution began.
• Salem about 20 miles from BostonThe town of the 1692 witch trials.
• Plymouth about 40 miles from BostonPlymouth Rock and a replica of the Mayflower.
• Newport, Rhode Island about 70 miles from BostonThe seaside mansions of the 1890s.
• Portland Head Light about 110 miles from BostonMaine's best-known lighthouse.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.