Exploring Late Fall Color Along the Coastal Route
It was a simple idea, see what we could discover along the coastal routes
This is a compilation of many trips up and down the coast. We usually wait till later in October to do these trips because in a “normal” year the fall colors come to the coast last.
Today’s route leaves Salem and heads up into New Hampshire and stops in Maine. A gazetteer is a good start along with Google Maps to ferret out small roads. You can also try my affiliate link seen next here to see what they turn up.
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There are tons of places that are listed from diners to B&Bs and activities to explore.
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We know many routes up the coast so we seldom look at maps or a GPS. We just drive and if we see an interesting informational sign or we came round a turn and Lisa saw a view that I needed to stop at, she said quick, turn, turn….
So I’m going to give you the names of towns and you can use your own maps to figure out how to get there. Most people come to New England for the fall colors in late September through mid-October and head north to the White or Green Mountains. Later in October, things get pretty quiet (outside of the haunted Happenings in Salem that is).
Salem Massachusetts
Salem is always my starting point since we live here. Most people come here for the Witch Trials and the general spookiness that is present all October. Most people show up here for the haunted good fun. But by late October, I always feel that time is running out.
For those that stay on Essex St and barely see the fall colors in Salem, I just have to say that getting away from the crowds or even showing up AFTER Halloween can still provide a wonderful palette of fall colors. Here you see a shot from Salem Common on 4 November.
Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield Massachusetts
Just up Route 1, you will find Bradley Palmer State Park. This 721-acre park offers 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. I’ve gone in here in late October when the colors have been very nice. Some of the trails are paved like this one, taken on 28 October.
Ipswich Massachusetts
Ipswich Massachusetts is known for its shipbuilding starting back in the 1700s and it continues today. Everywhere you look in Ipswich are reminders of her colonial past.
Of course, if you get hungry there is nothing better than seeking out the local cuisine, and when in Ipswich that means the “Clam Box”…
If you are traveling up Route 1A (which at this point is Route 133 as well, keep your eyes peeled and it will be on the left. Just head out of Ipswich on Route 1A (133) and a little under 2 miles outside of town. You may have heard of Woodmans (known for their boiled lobsters) But when the need for fried clams strikes, then the Clam Box is it.
*Culinary Note* It really doesn’t matter which one you stop at (There is even one at the Salem Willows) because they are ALL good. Even if you found a different place advertising fried clams they are all pretty good as well. It’s just that when clearing a bucket list item, this is the thing to do, that’s all…
Hampton Beach New Hampshire
We will continue up the road and up till this point for being a coastal trip, the coast has been pretty much “Over there” aways. So, after passing Newburyport I want you to stay on Route 1A. This will take you past Seabrook NH and into Hampton Beach. During the summer Hampton Beach is VERY crowded. In October or November, the only folks you might see here are the hardcore surfers hoping for some “big” waves. They will be the ones in the wetsuits because that water was never warm, to begin with!
Now for those who are saying, “Hey! Where are the fall coastal colors?” Well, you are at the beach… there are darn few fall colors at the beach… You have a choice, fall colors (which are inland) or the beach and ocean.
From here you can follow the coastline and drive past the mansions in Rye NH and there are several lookouts to park at along this way. After you leave the beaches behind the trees close in on you, you will pass Odiorn State park which takes up a fair portion of the 18 miles of NH coastline. There is lots of bird viewing and wildlife to see there.
One more food item. Before you get too far out of Hampton you will come to North Hampton State Beach. Right across from the beach is the Beach Plum with classic beach fare… burgers, dogs, clams, **lobster rolls** and ice cream. If you weren’t hungry before at the other stops, now is a good time to get out and stretch your legs. Look for Route 111 which heads west from Route 1A and it’s a quarter of a mile before that.
Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth New Hampshire
Continuing up the road, we got to Portsmouth NH and I saw the signs for Strawbery Banke historic park and if you take your time you might find it. Because we didn’t find any definitive signs of it, and I have yet to visit it during the fall. I did get there during the winter and the period buildings are nice then and I’m betting they’d be great in the late October time period.
It’s very easy to get lost in Portsmouth and since Strawberry Banke was not our objective today, Lisa and I found our way to the highway and went up to the first exit before Kittery and drove down to the Navy shipyard and then tooled around until we ended up back on the mall road in Kittery. We did not stop as much as I would have liked to and we pushed on until we saw a road to the right that said Haley Road.
Wood Island Lifesaving Station & Whaleback Lighthouse in Kittery Maine
We had never come down this way before and we could see tantalizing glimpses of the ocean as we drove along Route 103 and we pulled in at Frisbee’s, 1828 Market. We walked behind the store to the pier, and we could see Portsmouth Lighthouse to one side, and off in the distance we could see Maine’s, Woods Island Lifesaving Station and Whaleback Lighthouse. I got the view below by flying my drone over to Fishing Island and getting this view of both the station and the lighthouse.
Fort Foster
We went into the store and asked if there was a way to get close to it and photograph it. The helpful woman there said if we went into Fort Foster we would be as close as you can get to it and still be on land. There is a boat tour that you can take that takes you around to the lighthouses and harbor points of interest and that will get you closer.
It costs $20 to get an all-day pass to the fort and the guard wouldn’t give a prorated price based on it being late afternoon. So I only spent an hour there and paid the full price.
We relaxed for a bit and then started to head back South to Hampton and our dinner at the Galley Hatch restaurant.
The Galley Hatch Restaurant back in Hampton NH
Lisa and I never pass an opportunity to stop at the Galley Hatch. Lisa and I had our first dinner date there but that is another story. You can either stop in here or just up Route 1 at the “Old Salt”. Both of these restaurants are very laid back with great food which is my preference and I bet it’s yours too.
We got on the highway and headed home and thus ends this day’s exploration of Route 1. We didn’t get as far up into Maine as we wanted, but if you do this right, you don’t have to go that far to find new things.
I thought you said “Coastal fall colors”?
Well, it’s hit or miss as to finding the fall colors on the coastal routes. Late in the season, you get the option to mix it all together when you visit the coast. But…! The closer to the beaches you get, the further from the fall colors you will be. If you want to forgo the beach and find more fall colors then pick routes a little further inland. Can you be at the beach and find fall colors? Sure, but the number of times I’ve found fall colors at the beach is pretty small.
Today is about getting out and exploring and if the weather is poor then I can tell you all these plan “B” locations will all still be there, even the surfer will be out there looking for bigger waves.
Happy Foliage Trails!
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
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Thank you for all the wonderful information Jeff! My family and I are planning a trip to Salem in the fall and while we wanted the fun spooky October vibe for the kids I was also really hoping to catch some fall colors. I saw you said the coast changes pretty late, what dates would you recommend for optimal viewing?
Well the “October” vibe can be found any weekend in Oct. (Even weekdays) but check the haunted happenings website to get times of shows and events.
You could do mid Oct 10 to 15 and get good fall colors in Southern NH/VT and Massachusetts. You won’t have long distances to drive and Salem will be there at the end.
Thank you for all the wonderful information Jeff! My family and I are planning a trip to Salem in the fall and while we wanted the fun spooky October vibe for the kids I was also really hoping to catch some fall colors. I saw you said the coast changes pretty late, what dates would you recommend for optimal viewing?
Well the “October” vibe can be found any weekend in Oct. (Even weekdays) but check the haunted happenings website to get times of shows and events.
You could do mid Oct 10 to 15 and get good fall colors in Southern NH/VT and Massachusetts. You won’t have long distances to drive and Salem will be there at the end.
Hi, thank you for all the great info on your site. We’re taking my father-in-law for a bucket list New England trip for his 80th birthday. We’ll fly into Boston on Oct. 13 and drive to Kennebunkport, ME for 4 nights so he can get the coastal experience and lots of lobster and clams. But then we’d like to see some good fall colors inland for the next 3 days (Oct. 17-19). Where do you suggest we drive/stay to have the best chance of that? Southern NH or VT, or is that late enough that farther south like MA would be our best bet? We’re open to going anywhere. We’d just like to experience beautiful fall foliage and maybe some pumpkins & apple cider, or other iconic fall experiences. We’d appreciate any suggestions, thanks.