The Season of Change: What Autumn in New England Reveals About Travel
Some places around the world experience only two distinct seasons, with climates that don't undergo such dramatic shifts throughout the year. Here on the East Coast, especially in New England, we experience all four seasons. And I mean, we really experience all four seasons. I'm realizing in my adult life just how amazingly insane that is. We can go from sunbathing on the beach to below zero temperatures and a blizzard in a matter of months. Oh, and let's not forget the hurricane that may have swept through somewhere in between. I haven't always appreciated all four seasons, and even as an adult, winter and I still have a love hate relationship. Yet with time has come a different perspective and a growing appreciation for what each season brings.
There is something remarkable about living in a place where the landscape, the atmosphere, and the possibilities for experiences transform so completely throughout the year. I've come to recognize that many of these seasonal experiences shaped some of my fondest childhood memories. They're the very experiences I now delight in sharing with family, friends, and my own children. The truth is, New England is a destination I encourage travelers to experience in every season. Each reveals another layer of its beauty, charm, history, character, and opportunities that are so easily overlooked. Today, however, I want to give autumn the attention it deserves.
Autumn has a way of announcing its arrival long before the calendar reminds us. The leaves begin changing colors, painting the landscape in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold before gently falling to the ground. It's a transformation I never tire of witnessing. Then come the traditions I look forward to year after year. Visits to local farms and orchards, picking pumpkins, enjoying a slice of pie, warm apple cider doughnuts, and freshly pressed apple cider. Even our menus begin to change. We're leaving behind the barbecues, ice cream, picnics, and lobster rolls (well, not entirely) and making room for heartier meals layered with warm flavors, rich colors, and the comforting aromas of the season.
Farm to table restaurants embrace this transition, incorporating cool season crops like kale, spinach, and root vegetables into soups, sauces, and stews. Tender, slow cooked beef and pan seared chicken are paired with freshly harvested vegetables, bringing the richness of the season to the table. These are some of the simple pleasures that make autumn so memorable. And yes, I am unapologetically a pumpkin spice lover. The moment it makes its seasonal appearance is practically my call to arise and shine because autumn has officially arrived!
One of the things I appreciate most about New England is how much there is to experience without having to travel very far. You can spend the morning wandering through an orchard, the afternoon exploring a historic town, and the evening enjoying a wonderful meal prepared with ingredients harvested from nearby farms. Connecticut is especially lovely for this, with its farms, orchards, and charming towns. There's also Mystic, where maritime history remains part of the experience. For those who enjoy the energy of a city, Boston offers a wonderful combination of history, culture, and nature. Walk through Boston Common and the Public Garden, explore the Freedom Trail, or venture into Cambridge, where Harvard and MIT contribute to the region's remarkable academic heritage. There's something special about experiencing these places in autumn, when the parks are filled with color, students have returned to campus, and the city's history feels woven into everyday life.
Beyond the cities, Vermont and New Hampshire offer an entirely different perspective. Scenic country roads lead through historic villages, past covered bridges and working farms, with mountains displaying some of the season's most spectacular colors. Maine brings another dimension, where forests meet the Atlantic along its rugged coastline, particularly in Acadia National Park. Rhode Island has its own charm, from Newport's magnificent Gilded Age mansions to coastal walks and historic neighborhoods. What I find remarkable is how much the landscape and experiences can change within a few hours of travel. Whether you're drawn to the mountains, the coast, the countryside, or the city, autumn offers an opportunity to experience New England beyond its familiar postcards and discover the history, traditions, and communities that give this region its character.
Year after year, I watch the colors change and the leaves eventually fall, knowing the trees will stand bare through winter before coming alive again in spring. Autumn has a way of reminding me about the passage of time and the changing seasons of my own life. I'm four years from forty and nearly twenty years removed from my senior year of high school. Where the heck did the time go?! Seriously, exactly how fast is Earth rotating these days? There have been so many seasons of life, and the one I'm living now looks nothing like those that came before it. Yet nature reminds me that change is part of the process. There are seasons of growth, seasons of letting go, and seasons when what appears to be stillness is actually preparation for what comes next.
I've always understood the importance of creating memories for my children, family, and friends. What I'm learning now is the importance of continuing to create new memories for myself, too. To be present in the experiences rather than always the person arranging them, capturing them, or making sure everyone else is enjoying themselves. To be in the photographs and not always the photographer. Yet while the photographs matter, so does the stillness. There is something about sitting quietly, basking in nature and the beauty of a destination, that allows us to reflect on where we are, not just physically, but where we find ourselves in the journey of life. Perhaps that's another lesson autumn offers us. The beauty of the season doesn't wait for us to finish everything on our calendars, and neither does life. The leaves will change again next year, but we won't be standing in quite the same season of our lives. So take the drive, visit the orchard, explore somewhere unfamiliar, and make room for the people and experiences that matter. And while you're there, don't forget to step into the picture.
This is the season to change the schedule and get the kids out of the house earlier! Day trips and outdoor activities are wonderful this time of year, and sometimes all you need is a scenic drive down a road lined with colorful trees. Between the fresh air and all that exploring, those kids will be knocked out like bowling pins by the time you get home. Thank me later!
Ladies, this is also the season for the perfect blowout! The hats make their return, along with cute jackets, trench coats, and all those fabulous autumn layers. And yes, the flannel comes out too. Personally, I can't stand it, but I absolutely love the family photos that come with it. Go figure!
Plan Your Journey
Travel has a way of revealing more than beautiful places. Sometimes it reconnects us with forgotten parts of ourselves, and other times it reminds us to slow down long enough to notice what’s been there all along.
Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply gathering inspiration for the road ahead, I’m glad you’re here.
Lynai Mufungizi
Suggested Reading: Solo Travel: Safety, Group Trips and Personal Freedom
