Fall Foliage trip planning with kids in mind

I have been telling folks the best way to explore and enjoy the fall colors is to get out of the car and enjoy an activity that isn’t centered on driving to find the colors. With kids in that same car then you know that getting out and doing something is for your survival as well.

families exploring a town of pumpkin people in Connecticut — Pumpkin people at pumpkin town USA in Connecticut. Autumn and fall foliage exploration takes many forms.

What I mean is this, do plan on something like a haunted (or not) corn maze (scary or kid-friendly) this also means you have to STOP, get out of your car and go through a maze in a cornfield. Next, you might check out giant pumpkins and try any farm-fresh products that you haven’t had in a while…(think about an apple-picking stroll through an orchard) All done by you and not from the grocery store! Below you will see some examples of possible activities.

So, yes, get out of the car and explore

First, if you are showing up only to see the fall colors of New England, you can always be disappointed. Mother Nature is a fickle friend at best. She loves to set us up for what “WE” think will be a great fall, only to take it away (like in 2005, 2011, and 2017).

This is why we look for things that will entertain the kids. The White Mountains area of Franconia has several areas like Storyland and Clarks Bears among other entertainment venues. They have rides and amusements to entertain the kids during the trip.

The last stop on the line at Fabyan's train station for the Conway Scenic passenger train. — Fabyan’s Train Station

a couple biking on a trail near the Quabbin Reservoir — Fabyan’s Train Station

Do not think that just because I only mentioned Franconia New Hampshire, this is the only place to have fun… FAR from it. I try to make a habit of stopping at many “fun” places during our trips. Below you will see places like a local farm, a Trustees of Reservation pumpkin lighting, and King Richards Fair. We have lots of fall festivals between Sept and Oct.

Autumn fall colors over the Freeman Farm wooden home — Sturbridge Village

Pumpkin lighting at a Trustee's of the Reservation in western Massachusetts — Sturbridge Village

Dealing with the Stress of a trip

So many people tell me “I need a vacation from my vacation” and we as a culture, old and young alike have taken to going on adventure vacations and running on trails or driving hundreds of miles in a day to view the fall colors in 12 different locations in one day, possible? Sure! But is it relaxing?

Why do I mention all this? You just used 3-4 hours of valuable fall foliage searching time, to do what? Have fun! You inhaled the fresh New England autumn air and maybe some not-so-fresh farm smells 🙂 and you generally did some things you couldn’t do at home. This is the essence of a vacation in New England.

I’m not sure what the secret of keeping the kids happy is but to me, getting out of the car is the first and most important step.

You can enjoy an early morning walk in a wildlife refuge and then hit the road to a nearby town or village. Catch the late afternoon light on Beaver Pond in Kinsman Notch or the view of Kettle Pond from Owls Head Mountain in Vermont’s Groton State Park (involves a short hike that young and old can do) Or a thousand other things that might be done in New England during the fall foliage season.

This is my goal for you, get out from behind the windshield and get in touch with the environment and the fall foliage. Feel the leaves crunch underfoot as you walk along a trail. Note kids love kicking up the leaves underfoot (I know I do)…

There is no way to do everything!

So set yourself up to succeed by making simple plans. Build into the timing lots of slop… This means, don’t plan to be somewhere exactly at 10:05 AM, unless the Conway train leaves the station at that time, then, by all means, be THERE on time because the train won’t wait for you. But after the train ride is over, instead of planning to drive immediately to Jackson to count the pumpkin people, wander through Conway. Grab a coffee/tea at the Metropolitan Coffeehouse. Remember New Hampshire has no sales tax and Conway is full of tax-free outlet stores…

While still in Conway check across the road at Zeb’s General Store or walk down the other direction and visit the Bavarian Chocolate Haus.

The point I want to get across is that if you rush from the train ride to get to the next foliage location on your itinerary, you really don’t get to enjoy yourself. You could pick a B&B in Northern Vermont like Danville Vermont and you can explore for a full day right in that general location (like in this article). You could then spend the next day exploring farther afield and finding things like…

Cabot Creamery Visitors Center and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream in Waterbury VT
Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and Art Gallery
The Great Vermont Corn Maze and Science Center
Stephen Huneck’s Dog Chapel and Gallery
Spectacular Fall Foliage and Scenic Drives
Artisan’s Guilds, Country Shops & Fairs (varies from day to day)

This is also what I call Zone planning (click to read more about it). You put yourself in the way of the fall foliage and while you spend the day enjoying all these wonderful activities, the fall colors, find you, and they surprise you each morning with more and more fall colors.

I’m done preaching about trying to relax during the fall colors. I’ll be out on the road soon enough, searching out the fall colors, and reporting back on where the best fall colors are. If you find some great colors let me know by hitting my Twitter feed @Foliage_Reports or post a picture from your phone on my New England foliage group photos Facebook page.

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

Visit my Amazon affiliate store for items that Lisa and I have curated for you. These items are either New England-made or things we think will make your fall foliage trip more successful.