As autumn color begins to sweep across the country, two New England destinations stand out for Boston leaf peepers: the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Both landed on USA Today’s 2026 list of the nation’s best fall-color destinations, offering easy access to vivid foliage, scenic drives, and small-town seasonal charm.
Here are the 10 destinations, nominated by an expert panel and voted on by readers:
- Upper Peninsula, Michigan
- Hocking Hills, Ohio
- Roanoke, Virginia
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
- Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
- Bryson City, North Carolina
- White Mountains, New Hampshire
- Adirondacks, New York
- The Berkshires, Massachusetts
Nothing like a New England fall
The White Mountains rank No. 8 and make an especially strong road-trip choice from Boston. Fall color starts earlier at higher elevations, with the region typically reaching its broadest peak in early to mid-October. Plan a drive along the Kancamagus Highway, the 34.5-mile National Scenic Byway between Lincoln and Conway, for mountain overlooks, waterfalls, and dense forests glowing in red, gold, and orange. The Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola and Crawford Notch also offer wide-open views of the Presidential Range.
At No. 10, the Berkshires offer a more relaxed Massachusetts leaf-peeping escape. The region’s winding roads, farm-to-table restaurants, and picturesque towns provide a cozy backdrop for a foliage weekend, while its annual Fall Foliage Parade has celebrated the season since 1956. For Bostonians who want a classic New England autumn without crossing state lines.
