New England's Top Fall Foliage Spots

New England is indisputably the best place in the United States to see fall foliage. The cool New England clime is critical to the breakdown of chlorophyll which in turn is a prerequisite to seeing the underlying vibrant colors that were there in the leaves all along, hidden by the green. The limited number of species dominating the forest also tends to favor New England's display because most of the trees are turning color at once, creating a dramatic backdrop.

Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine each offers many foliage viewing hotspots. These two fall foliage tour options represent different approaches to fall foliage viewing, appealing to different types of leaf peepers.

Vermont Route 100

A drive along Vermont's Rte. 100 allows leaf peepers to take in the glorious color while stopping to experience typical New England activities. Route 100 winds along the edge of the Green Mountain National Forest. Sadly the forest is shut down at this writing due to damage from tropical storm Irene. But with $300 million in annual leaf peeping season revenues on the line, the state has scrambled to repair roads and inns in preparation for fall foliage tourism. The annual explosion of color is not expected to be diminished as a result of the tropical storm.

Vermont's Rte. 100 is a 200 mile drive from end to end. It passes through numerous small towns with white-washed steeples and town halls. Quaint covered bridges, family farms, and historic general stores establish the locale's New England bona fides.

Points of interest to include in a foliage-viewing drive along part of Route 100 include the Villages of Weston, Waterbury, and Granville.

* Weston is on the National Register of Historic Places and is little changed architecturally since the turn of the 19^th century.

*At Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, tourists can watch crisp fall apples become cider. The mill uses an old-fashioned rack and cloth press, dating to 1920s. Make sure and try a doughnut with the cider; Gourmet rates them among the top four in the country. The Cider Mill also sells Vermont specialties including maple syrup products and cheddar cheese.

* No trip to Vermont is complete without a stop at Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory in Waterbury. The factory tour includes a "moo-vie" about ice-cream making, a look at the production room, and a free sample in the Flavoroom.

* Granville's Moss Glen Falls are said to be the most photographed waterfalls in the state.

Hiking New Hampshire's Mt. Willard

Hiking New Hampshire's Mt. Willard put leaf peepers on the ground among the seasonable beauty. This easy to moderate hike allows families to see fall beauty while breathing the crisp fall air. Hikers can pick up and admire fallen leaves, maybe collecting a few for craft projects.

Mt. Willard is in the White Mountain Range. A hike up Mt. Willard provides an expansive view of Crawford Notch from a wide ledge. Crawford Notch is a glacially-carved, U-shaped valley, one of the most notable in the world. Peregrine falcons are sometimes spotted on Mt. Willard.

Hikers can obtain up-to-date fall foliage reports and text alerts for the White Mountains and other prime New Hampshire foliage spots from the state tourist agency.

There are plenty of other prime foliage viewing spots in New England, primarily in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Choosing an optimal one depends not only on the trees but on the leaf peeper's preferred travel approach.