2024's Towns In Connecticut That Come Alive In The Fall
As the southernmost state in New England, Connecticut is one of the best places to see vibrant fall foliage later in the season. Starting as early as September and peaking as late as November, the state comes to life with the classic fall colors we all know and love, painting landscapes with murals of amber, maroon, and gold.
From cozy coastal towns with tree-line shores to rugged mountain towns with forested hills, Connecticut is truly one of the prettiest places in the country to experience the warm colors and cool airs of fall. Sprinkle in the state’s covered bridges, seasonal festivals, and breathtaking State Parks, and you have a recipe for a blissful fall escape in 2024.
Glastonbury
Located in central Connecticut along 9 miles of the Connecticut River, Glastonbury is a top-rated US town with some of the best autumn aesthetics in the state. The town’s Buckingham Reservoir is a lovely place to see the leaves change, or you can head to the Cotton Hollow Preserve to explore its 80 acres of woodlands, Roaring Brook trails, and cotton mill ruins from 1814. With foliage projected to peak close to late October, there is still plenty of time to see the leaves at their brightest.
For a less crowded hiking path with stunning fall hues, the Blackledge Falls hiking area is far less busy this time of year, since its namesake waterfall is at its heaviest flow in spring. Alternatively, Glastonbury also hosts a Fall-Foliage Kayak Tour on the Connecticut River to “experience the vivid colors of fall's foliage from the water,” along with the chance to spot migrating waterfowl.
Back on land, apple picking is a staple fall activity in Glastonbury at places like Belltown Hill Orchards. Or, you can wait for the 49th Annual Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival, happening October 18th to 20th. The celebration will take place at Riverfront Park, featuring live music, carnival rides, food trucks, The Harvest Pub, and tons of apple treats in celebration of the year’s harvest.
Mystic
In the southeast corner of Connecticut, Mystic is a charming coastal town that blends its maritime culture with classic New England scenes. Like Glastonbury, this river town will celebrate “crisp days and crisp apples” with its 3rd Annual Mystic Apple Festival on October 19 and 20, 2024. As for those looking to embrace the town’s seaport past this fall, you will definitely want to take a Mystic River Cruise. While generally associated with summertime, these scenic cruises extend well into autumn, offering stunning views of the river’s tree-lined shores aboard an antique picnic boat. Just make sure to pack your coziest blanket, since things might get a bit chilly out on the water!
Back on land, Mystic offers more of that quintessential New England vibe, with fall attractions like the B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill. Open seasonally, the mill has been family-owned and operated since 1881, making it the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States. Hosting cider-making demonstrations and selling everything from hard cider and wine to cider donuts and slushies, there is truly no better place to taste the flavors of fall. This seasonal attraction is open through October, typically closing sometime in November, which is perfect since southern Connecticut generally seasons its peak foliage toward late October.
Essex
About 30 minutes west of Mystic, Essex is part of the beautiful Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. Described as “the Perfect Small American Town” in the book, “1000 Places to See Before You Die,” this darling coastal village is especially spirited in the fall. Akin to Mystic, Essex boasts stunning river views and experiences, with the river shore's foliage projected to peak toward the end of October. RiverQuest Foliage Cruises are a popular way to take in the vibrant crimson and orange trees, with cruises continuing through October 27th, 2024. That same day, the Halloween Kid’s Cruise invites children of all ages to dress up for hours of fun on the water.
For those looking to celebrate the season on land, Essex will host its Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Parade and Festival the day before, on October 26th. Promising live music, a haunted library, pumpkin carving, horse-drawn carriage rides, and tons of other fun festivities, this family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick-off your Halloween spirit. Since the event’s pumpkin carving takes place at Essex’s Bushy Hill Nature Preserve, this is also the perfect opportunity to take in more autumnal scenes on paths like the Bushy Hill Nature Preserve Loop.
Putnam
Heading to beautiful Northeastern Connecticut, towns like Putnam see foliage at its brightest around mid-October. With a thriving antiques scene and charming downtown, this cozy Connecticut community is the perfect place to spend a day enjoying the crisp autumn air with a coffee in hand. But before heading out to explore the town’s blissful sights and scenes, make sure to grab a seasonal treat from Main Street cafes like The Painted Baker Cafe. This year, the local gem has partnered with the nearby Woodstock Orchards and Bakery Barn to offer some really delightful fall flavors, like Apple Cider Donuts and Mini Apple Cheesecakes.
For those looking to spend more of their time in Putnam’s great outdoors, this darling river town has a range of Hallmark paths. This includes the town’s 3-mile out-and-back Putnam River Trail, offering views of the Quinebaug River, its waterfall, and the surrounding yellow trees. Since most of the trail is paved, people of all ages can enjoy this easygoing path, and there are also several pedestrian bridges to snap a postcard-worthy photo. Back in downtown Putnam, people of all ages will also enjoy the town’s Great Pumpkin Festival, happening October 19th, 2024. This community celebration will spotlight the 14th Annual Scarecrow Contest, countless vendors, pumpkin treats, and tons of other pumpkin-themed activities.
Cornwall
In Connecticut’s Northwest Hills Planning Region, Cornwall is an alpine town famous for having one of the most photographed fall scenes in the state. Whether you are a photographer or looking for the ultimate Instagram-able shot, the Cornwall Bridge is a stunning place to drive and stop to snap a photo. While gorgeous in every season, the antique-covered bridge takes on a warm glow in early to mid-October, with foliage framing the scene and reflecting into the Housatonic River below.
Located in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, Cornwall also boasts some really spectacular hiking trails. The Pine Knob Loop Trail is one of the prettiest, located north of the Cornwall Bridge on the west shore of the Housatonic River. This short but challenging 2.6-mile trail is well worth the effort, rewarding hikers with views of the river valley illuminated with the season’s colors. As for those craving mountain views without the hike, Cornwall’s Mohawk Mountain Ski Area will be hosting its annual Fall Festival & Makers Market on October 26th and 27th, 2024. With the promise of vendors, food trucks, pumpkin painting, hay rides, and more, this is the perfect way to enjoy alpine vistas while having fun with the whole family.
Vernon
For those craving more of a rural New England feel this fall, Vernon is the perfect destination for you. Here you can find Vernon’s “Last Historic Family Farm,” which is a great experience for people of all ages. Established in 1878, today, the Strong Family Farm is open through the 3rd weekend in October for other families to enjoy. Along with selling fresh produce and offering animal interactions with alpacas, miniature horses, and goats, the farm’s Annual Harvest Festival and Craft Fair is a must-see event on October 20th, 2024. With over 45 crafters, countless food trucks, and tons of seasonal farm-themed activities, this is an event you will want to mark your calendars for.
With the area’s foliage predicted to reach its crescendo toward the end of October, there is also plenty of time to appreciate the cool airs and colors of the season in this charming Connecticut town. For hikers and leaf-peepers, Valley Falls Park is the best place to see the oaks and maples transformed from their usual green to warm shades of ruby and orange. For views of the park’s ponds, streams, foliage, and wildlife, the Belding Wildlife Management Area Loop is the best choice of trail.
Ridgefield
Toward southwestern Connecticut, in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, Ridgefield is another darling New England town with a cozy rural feel. Like Vernon, this mountain community has a seasonal farm festival in 2024, promising delicious food trucks, a sensory corn pit, yard games, and scenic tractor rides. This Ridgebury Farm Fall Festival will take place on October 25th, 2024, which should fall in line with the town’s peak-foliage predictions toward the end of October.
With Ridgefield’s wooded hillsides blanketed with reds, oranges, and yellows, leaf-peepers come from all across the state and county to breathe in the fresh alpine air and vibrant fall hues. Seth Low Pierrepont State Park is perhaps Ridgefield’s most underrated place to see the colorful landscapes, but also the most breathtaking. This small 305-acre park boasts beautiful views of Lake Naraneka (also called Pierrepont Pond) along with a 4.2-mile hiking network with countless overlooks for a bird’s-eye view of the tree-studded hills.
Final Thoughts
For those seeking a classic New England autumn closer to Halloween, Connecticut’s delayed foliage season makes it the perfect choice in 2024. Whether visiting Putnam for its mid-October leaves and charming downtown or Ridgefield for its slower leaf peak and stunning mountain vistas, each town promises its own exciting festivities, landscapes, and attractions to help make your fall the best it can be.
