Preparing for the Family Roadtrip

By Kate Kelleher and Leslie Silverman

New England boasts plenty of beaches and mountains to attract visitors year-round, but one of the most notable reasons tourists visit the area is to admire the beautiful fall foliage during autumn.  Before they become a yard work chore, residents and visitors alike can admire the red, gold and yellow leaves transforming the trees.

Connecticut is known as a top destination for “leaf peepers” because its foliage peaks in mid-October, later in the season than the northern states
The Connecticut Bureau of Forestry provides regular reports on foliage conditions statewide beginning in early September.

According to Yankee Magazine, Connecticut is even home to the town named the number one site in New England for scenic foliage.  In 2010 the publication elected Kent, in the northwest corner of the state, over popular towns in northern New England states in categories such as views and local attractions to claim the number one spot.  Also making the top 25 lists were East Haddam, Cornwall and Litchfield, respectively.

Visitors to Kent, Cornwall and Litchfield, all in the northwest corner, can enjoy the views from the Connecticut Wine Trail in Litchfield or shop at any one of the countless antique stores in the area.  Barkhamsted’s People’s State Forestis an ideal destination for those who want to camp, fish, canoe or hike while taking in the scenery.

Capitol area residents don’t have to travel far to see the beautiful changing leaves.  Simsbury’s Talcott Mountain State Park, less than a 20 minute drive from Hartford, offers gorgeous views of the Farmington River Valley on a 1.25 mile trail.  At the top, visitors will find the Heublein Tower and a picnic area.  For those who want a glimpse of fall in the city, Hartford’s Bushnell Park is an “urban arboretum of rare and native trees,” with pretty views, a pond, a Gothic arch and a carousel.

Southeastern Connecticut’s Mystic, popular for summer tourism at the seaport and aquarium, is also a good spot for autumn scenery.  Driving along the Mystic River, fall leaves provide a backdrop to historic homes, churches and stone walls.  Hikers can trek any of the trails in Stonington’s 140-acre Pequot Woods Park.  Of course, visiting the seaport and aquarium is still an option in the fall.

Fairfield County’s dense population and proximity to New York City certainly doesn’t eliminate it as a great fall travel destination.  Westport’s Earthplace offers 62 acres of land to roam and the opportunity to learn about wildlife.  Visitors can even learn to identify the trees.  Visitors can participate in another educational fall foliage outing at the state headquarters of the Connecticut Audubon Society in Fairfield.  The center is ideal for families, as many of the activities offered during the fall season are geared toward children.

Fall scenery is best enjoyed by car in northeast Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner.”  Route 169, the country’s second longest National Scenic Byway, passes directly through the area and offers views of “one of the last unspoiled areas in the northeastern United States.”  Like the northwest corner, this area also contains a number of boutiques, antique stores and art galleries for stops along the way.

While many of these excursions are short, one-day trips, travelers still need to be prepared in order to fully enjoy the view.  Suggested items to bring along include:

-A camera

-Layers of clothing for unpredictable New England weather

-Food/water for picnic areas

-A map of the area if it is unfamiliar

-A cell phone in case of emergency

If you’re in the mood to travel further, peak will be hitting by early October for Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Massachusetts, like Connecticut, is predicted to reach peak by mid-October.

For some scenic drives, you may want to consider the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts ending at Mount Greylock for some extraordinary views. Follow Route 2 through the Berkshires and weave your way to Williamstown, Deerfield, Shelbourne, Colrain, Charlemont, and Shelburne Falls.

Farther north in Central Vermont, a nice option is the Green Mountain National Forest area, which boasts beautiful scenery and wonderful colors. In planning your trip, check out The Weather Channel’s online updates of New England’s peak color areas [link http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/fallfoliage/regionindex/northeast] and then let us know where you’ve been and where the best colors were found!

Thanks to Ct Watch Dog for the permission to repost this article in full.  We hope you have a blast checking out the festivities!

We had the pleasure of attending the first and second annual Sharon Spring Harvest Festival in NY and are looking forward to the Beekman Boys and the 2011 Harvest Fair on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25 this year.

Sharon Springs is a magical town whose residents are returning it to days of previous glory.

It was once known as the “breadbasket of the American Revolution” for its fertile soil in upstate Schoharie County.

The first festival two years ago drew 500 visitors. Last year it grew by ten fold and 5,000 attended.

The festival will have a cornucopia of local produce, beers, cheeses, exhibits, dozens of kinds of garlic – including some capable of making you cry from its fiery strength.

The Beekkman Boys (think goats) and check out their site if you haven’t seen them and their famous farm on television will be just one of the many attractions.Dr. Brent Ridge was born and raised in North Carolina. Most recently, he’s been VP of Healthy Living at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and was responsible for the development of the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Medical Center. He writes for several publications and websites.Josh Kilmer-Purcell was born in upstate New York, and raised in rural Wisconsin. He is the New York Times bestselling author of “I Am Not Myself These Days” and “Candy Everybody Wants.” Kilmer-Purcell is a monthly columnist for Out magazine, and has contributed to many publications and NPR.

Beekman Boys – Josh and Brent on Facebook

Check out the historic American Hotel and have a drink or a bite to eat. While there consider making reservations for a weekend or a dinner. If you want to really treat yourself make reservations for New Year’s Eve – dinner and lodging.

Across the street is the Black Cat restaurant. Never had curried chicken sandwich like they make it. Check out the vendors, including the couple Lisa and Mike  who sell Mu Mu Muesli – they make it – which we buy by the case. My wife Laura has it for lunch every day mixed with Greek yogurt.

Many hotel and motel rooms are already booked, but Richard Barr, owner of the TurnAround Spa Lodge in Sharon Springs, told me Monday morning that Tany’s House…518-284-2703 still has affordable and clean rooms available at 124 Willow St.

Wes Laraway from the NY Wildlife Rescue Center(Gombossy Photo)

The Harvest Fair is being organized by Joe Todd, who owns the The Finishing Touch store in town.

See the schedule after the jump.

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