I have lived in Massachusetts my whole life, and fall, by far, is my favorite season. I love the cooler weather, the colors of the season, the smell of apples and pumpkins in the air, and so much more. The list of activities this time of year is endless! There are fall festivals, hikes, apple and pumpkin picking, and haunted houses, to name a few. Here are five amazing fall activities to do in Massachusetts.
Pick your own Apples.
Apple picking is an annual tradition in our home. Massachusetts has some of the best apple orchards with a lot more than just apples. Many orchards have invested in their businesses and added beer & wine gardens, cider tastings, corn mazes, petting zoos, vast food offerings, and more. With over 80 pick-your-own orchards in Massachusetts, each a bit different, it is hard to decide where to go. Here are a few recommendations.
Honey Pot Hill Farms – Stowe, MA
Honey Pot Hill is my family’s favorite orchard. We have been going here since our boys were babies. The cider donuts are made fresh daily and melt in your mouth. You can enjoy hayrides, mazes, grill food, pumpkins, farm animals, and more.
Lookout Farm– Natick, MA
Lookout Farm is one of the oldest continuously working farms in the United States. In addition to its orchard, you can enjoy a great meal at The Lookout. The Lookout serves up its own beer and hard cider, along with a delicious menu for lunch and dinner. On Saturdays and Sundays, The Lookout serves a yummy brunch. Why not have a great meal with incredible views?
Bartlett’s Orchard -Richmond, MA
What makes this orchard special? The amazing views of the Berkshires, of course. Bartlett’s Orchard is located in the heart of the Berkshires, the perfect place to spend a fall day. With many hiking trails nearby, why not hike in the morning and spend an afternoon picking apples and eating a cider donut or two? I hear their apple cider is pretty good as well.
Hiking
With thousands of hiking trails in Massachusetts, let’s spend a day exploring. Hiking is a great way to see the fall foliage and get some exercise at the same time. I would recommend the following hikes.
Bash Bish Falls- Mt. Washington, MA
Bash Bish Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in the state (60 feet). The park is adjacent to Mt. Washington State Forest and New York’s Taconic State Park. The streams that drain off the Taconic Mountains and the town of Mt. Washington flow into the Bash Bish Brook and cascade down the falls. It is a short hike from the New York side, about 1.50 miles round trip, and relatively flat.
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellfleet, MA, Cape Cod
Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The Massachusetts Audubon Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving nature in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It protects 36,500 acres of land throughout the state, saves birds and other wildlife, and makes nature accessible through its wildlife sanctuaries and 20 nature centers. There are numerous trails to explore that lead to a salt marsh, a sandy barrier beach, and woodlands.
Noanet Woodlands-Dover, MA
We hiked this area this past spring but planned to return in the next few weeks. It has consistently been rated one of the best local hikes in the fall. There is a network of trails across a great preserve that features woodlands and ponds, a former mill site, and Noanet Peak, which offers views of the Boston skyline.
Mt. Greylock- Lanesborough, MA
At 3,491 feet, Mt. Greylock is Massachusetts’s tallest peak. The Bellows Pipe trail reveals all the fuss: The view at the top includes a lighthouse-looking structure (the Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower), and in the distance, Vermont’s Green Mountains, the Catskills, and on a clear day, New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Take a Scenic Drive.
Not up a hike? No fear, another great way to see the beauty of the season is by car. A few routes throughout the state are known for their spectacular views and a great way to spend the day leaf-peeping.
The Mohawk Trail- Western Massachusetts
Mohawk Trail
The Mohawk Trail is the first scenic road in New England. It officially opened on October 22, 1914. With 63 miles of unsurpassed splendor and 50,000 acres of state parks and forests, it’s an excellent choice for fun and adventure for all ages during any season.
Mount Greylock Scenic Byway
This road is perfect if you want to devote a whole day to taking in the beautiful foliage. You’ll be treated to sights like Natural Bridge State Park, Bascom Lodge, and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Driving the whole road will take you about 2.5 hours, but the beautiful fall colors are completely worth it.
Battle Road Scenic Byway
The Battle Road Scenic Byway traces the approximate route the British soldiers took at the start of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. This 13-mile drive is jam-packed with history with numerous sites along the way. There is a hiking trail as well. I walked part of it last fall and enjoyed the various stops along the way.
Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
Rockport, MA
This lovely ride will take you through 14 coastal towns and past some of the best foliage north of Boston. You’ll drive by colonial architecture, historical sites, and plenty of beautiful trees.
Salem Haunted Happenings
The most famous of all Halloween celebrations not only in Massachusetts, but the whole country take place in Salem, MA. Salem is home to the Salem Witch trials and has so much history. Haunted Happenings are multiple events that take place during October in the city of Salem. Such events include a Grand Parade, the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, Family Film Nights, costume balls, ghost tours, haunted houses, live music, and chilling theatrical presentations.
Attend a Pumpkin Festival.
Just about every weekend, there is some event involving pumpkins! Whether it is stopping in a coffee shop for some pumpkin spice coffee, walking through a pumpkin patch looking for that perfect pumpkin, or admiring some amazing carved pumpkins, there is something for everyone. Here are a few events to check out.
Pumpkin Float At Frog Pond, Boston
(Taken directly from the website) “Participants can bring an 8-inch diameter or smaller, hollowed-out jack-o’-lantern to one of the specified dropoff locations at the Frog Pond. Volunteers will illuminate your carved jack-o’-lantern artwork and set it afloat in the pond. Watch the Frog Pond fill with twinkling lights peaking through the carved pumpkin designs as they gracefully bob and float across the water.”
Krochmal Farms Annual Pumpkin Festival, Tewksbury
The Krochmal Farms Annual Pumpkin Festival is a traditional fall pumpkin-focused great time. Head out to the patch and pick your own pumpkin or buy one already chosen for you. While at the farm, why not enjoy a horse-down hayride, pony rides, a corn maze, and a petting zoo.
Hallowed Harvest: Wicked Labyrinth, Salem
The Hallowed Harvest: Wicked Labyrinth is an indoor event that is fun for the entire family. Showcasing over 1,000 intricately carved jack-o’-lanterns, you will be in awe of the carving expertise slashed across the surface of huge orange balls.
In addition to all these fun activities, why not check out some of the local Halloween events?
So which one of these activities will you be doing over the weekend?
