2024's Towns In Maine That Come Alive In The Fall
Boasting some of the brightest seasonal flora in the country, it is easy to see why New England takes center stage when it comes to fall. With cool weather lacing its way through the region, from Connecticut to New Hampshire, the vibrant foliage transforms landscapes into that warm, comforting image of autumn we all know and love.
However, if you make your way to the northernmost New England state, Maine shines as one of the most beloved places for leaf-peepers and fall enthusiasts alike. With green trees replaced with deep reds and yellows as early as September (sometimes peaking as slowly as late October), there is plenty of time to breathe in the crisp air and vivid colors of fall.
Whether hiking dazzling State Park trails, partaking in whimsical celebrations, or exploring unique landscapes that come alive with the season, Maine has some truly remarkable small towns where the seasonal spirit is infectious. If you are looking to bid farewell to summer and open your arms to autumn, find seven of the best Maine towns to make the fall of 2024 the best one yet.
Camden
Beginning the journey in Maine’s MidCoast region, Camden is a coastal town whose charms only heighten in the fall. With foliage brightening the area in late September to early October (and generally peaking in the 2nd week of October), Camden Hills State Park welcomes fall enthusiasts by the thousands. For a truly postcard-worthy scene, the Mount Battie Trail is one of the best seasonal trails, rewarding hikers with a panoramic view of the vibrant red, yellow, and orange trees paired with exquisite views of Penobscot Bay.
Continuing with the scenic scenes, The Camden Snow Bowl ski area offers Fall Chairlift Rides for a more laid-back foliage viewing experience. Alternatively, boat touring companies like Schooner Surprise offer Camden Harbor cruises well into October, promising stunning views of the tree-lined coast reflected into the waters. As for those looking to savor fall scenes from the comfort of their car, concluding your time in Camden with a scenic color tour is the perfect end to any trip. You can begin your drive at the Camden Hills State Park loop, then make your way to Route 1 for the ultimate showcase of autumn colors.
Bar Harbor
Similar to Camden, Bar Harbor sees a spectacular splash of fall hues from late September into early October, usually peaking in the first few weeks of October. As the gateway to Acadia National Park, this Mount Desert Island town is one of the most sought-after places in Maine to see the leaves change. With October temperatures averaging from 47°F to 57°F, summer crowds thin and foliage can be relished on tranquil paths like the Great Head Trail, Beehive Trail, and North Bubble. These are just some of the trails guiding hikers past vibrant oaks, maples, and beech trees colored with bright ruby reds and fiery oranges and yellows.
Coastal Kayaking Tours also offers tours until mid-October, promising stunning fall views from a different perspective. But to get a bird’s-eye view of Acadia’s autumnal colors, adventurous leaf-peepers will want to consider taking on the sky with Scenic Flights of Acadia. Their E-Fall Foliage Flights last around 35 minutes, flying you past Bar Harbor’s coast, Cadillac Mountain, Frenchman’s Bay, and Tunk Mountain in search of the season’s kaleidoscope colors.
Boothbay
The beautiful seaside town of Boothbay is another delightful retreat for those looking to embrace the charms of a classic New England autumn scene. Citing the Farmers’ Almanac, the best time to see the town’s fall colors is from October 5th to 21st, and this darling town has tons of great spots to take it all in. The Ovens Mouth Preserve is perhaps the most popular, boasting 5 miles of trails rich with the colors, smells, and sounds of the season. The preserve’s 93-foot pedestrian bridge is the best place to snap a photo of the foliage, connecting the preserve’s picturesque east and west peninsulas. October is also an excellent time for wildlife spotting here, so keep your eye out for otters, ospreys, and deer.
For animal lovers, early to mid-October is also one of the best times for whale watching. With humpback, minke, and fin whales set to migrate south in late October, Boothbay locals and visitors alike can bundle up and book a whale watching excursion with companies like Cap’n Fish’s Cruises, departing from Boothbay Harbor. As for those looking to stay on land, 2024 is also set to host Boothbay’s 56th Annual Fall Foliage Festival, taking place October 12th and 13th. Set in an authentic “Vintage Village,” (Boothbay’s Railway Village Museum), the event promises live music, entertainment, dozens of vendors, and comforting fall foods. Visitors can also explore the village’s historic buildings, model railroad, and antique car museum.
Freeport
For leaf-peepers looking to enjoy the colors of fall a bit later in the season, Freeport’s darling location along the Southern Maine Coast grants just that. While the town’s foliage typically begins its transformation in late September, the peak tends to be a bit delayed, stretching later into October. This makes places like Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park the perfect choice for those looking to enjoy the bliss of autumn later in the season. Hiking trails like the North Loop Trail are an ideal example, taking on stunning golden-yellow leaves in mid-October.
Earlier in the season, Freeport’s Fall Festival will bring community members and visitors together to enjoy live music, over 225 New England artists, free activities for kids, and countless food vendors with tasty fall treats. This year’s event marks the festival’s 25th anniversary and will be celebrated on October 4th to 6th, 2024. But if your trip to Freeport does not line up with the festivities, consider visiting on October 19th instead for the Wolfe’s Neck Center Fall Festival. Promising hay rides, local food, and access to the nonprofit farm’s 626 oceanfront acres, this whimsical attraction is one of the best places to celebrate the region’s seasonal beauty.
Newry
Newry is an underrated Maine mountain town whose nature and festivals makes it the perfect place to wave goodbye to summer. While the resort community has less than 500 year-round locals, its population swells in autumn, welcoming nature lovers to its highlight attraction, the Sunday River Resort. With the town’s weather mellowing to an average of 54°F highs and 38°F lows in October, autumn is the perfect time for cozy foliage hikes across the resort’s 8 peaks. Alternatively, rides on the Chondola up to the North Peak grant awe-inspiring views without the exertion, and early October is the best time to see the trees at peak-color.
For the ultimate way to “Celebrate Fall in the Mountains,” the Sunday River Resort also hosts an annual Fall Fest. For the youngsters (and young at heart), the event promises Pumpkin Painting while adults can partake in the resort’s festive Wine Pairing events and the quirky 25th Annual North American Wife Carrying Championship. Other events, like the 10th Annual New England Cornhole Championship and 40th Annual Blue Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair, are fun for the whole family, happening on both festival days, from October 12th to 13th, 2024.
Bethel
Dubbed a “classic New England village,” Bethel is a charming alternative for the more introverted travelers, offering the splendor of autumn colors with smaller crowds. Thanks to its picture-perfect setting in Maine’s Lakes & Mountains region, hikes are more secluded but well worth the trip. Like most of the towns in Maine, you can expect the first pops of color in late September, while early October is when the trees are at their brightest.
From tree-lined riverfront views along the Bethel Pathway to hikes through the nearby White Mountain National Forest, crisp autumn strolls are a signature of this mountain town. A brief 10-minute drive from Bethel will also bring you to Newry’s Sunday River Resort for the breathtaking aerial foliage experiences on their chairlift rides. But if you would prefer to stay right in town, Bethel Outdoor Adventure offers kayak, paddleboard, and canoe rentals for those looking to take in the scenes from the Androscoggin River.
Kennebunkport
Making our way back to the southern shores of Maine, Kennebunkport is another charming coastal town whose foliage peaks later, from mid to late October. And while this seaside town is undoubtedly at its busiest during the summer, autumn in Kennebunkport bears its own rewards. Waterfront strolls at Mother’s Beach, Gooch's Beach, and Colony Beach offer a more tranquil, uncrowded experience, not to mention the perk of not having to scramble for a parking spot. Elsewhere in town, kayaking or hiking alongside the Kennebunk River is the best way to see the riverbank foliage, and the vibrant reds and yellows will not disappoint.
As for Kennebunkport’s fall festivities, the Seashore Trolley Museum hosts a fun Pumpkin Patch Trolley for the whole family. While the September dates have already passed, October still has several events in store, from the 4th to 6th, 11th to 14th, and 18th to 20th. Promising trolley rides, pumpkin painting, a scavenger hunt, food trucks, and so much more, people of all ages will get into the spirit of the season at this eclectic celebration.
Final Thoughts
With New England’s reputation for autumnal bliss, it can be tricky to decide which part of the region to spend the season. But when it comes to exploring the region’s foliage and seasonal attractions, whether by car, plane, boat, or foot, Maine offers some of the best—not just in the region, but in the country. Whether driving the Camden Hills State Park loop, flying over Bar Harbor’s coast, boarding a Boothbay whale watching cruise, or hiking Newry’s mountainsides, the seasonal colors, sights, sounds, and smells will reveal a side to the season you have never seen before.
