Fall Foliage in Connecticut

With gas prices soaring, many people are revising their weekend get-a-ways and making smaller day trips. Within 100 miles or just a few gallons of gas, you can see some of the most beautiful foliage Connecticut has to offer. Make a day of it and stop along the way for lunch.

Check the Foliage Map

Before you hit the road, be sure to check the state web site to determine where the foliage can be found. This will give you a run down on where the foliage is just beginning, in it’s prime or past it’s peak.

Foliage around Mystic, Connecticut

Known as a bustling seaport in the 19th century, the area around Mystic Seaport is rich with history. Along the drive, you’ll be able to explore the quaint gift shops of downtown Mystic, to views of the picturesque Mystic River. You can even stop for a sandwich at the world famous Mystic Seaport.

1. Start by driving west on Route 1 (also known as Main St. in downtown Mystic.) This will take you over the famous draw bridge.
2. Take a right onto Pearl St. shortly after the draw bridge and wind your way along the Mystic River until you reach the cemetery. Along the way, you’ll witness statuesque homes from the 19th century.
3. As you approach the cemetery turn right at the stop light and the ensuing stop sign. This will lead you into “Old Mystic.” (This is Route 27 South.)
4. Continuing on, winding your way on Route 27 as you pass the old brick mill.
5. Turn left onto the Pequot Trail (Route 234) and meander your way into the adjacent town of Stonington. Eventually you’ll reach Route 1 again which will take you back to downtown Mystic if you so choose. The entire ride will take about 45 minutes.

Iron Mountain Preserve

At the opposite end of the state, this drive will take you around the Housatonic River, and past two covered bridges. One being Bull’s Bridge and the other being Kent Fall’s Bridge. Feel free to stop in downtown Kent and check out the historic homes and art galleries. Ultimately you’ll pass Iron Mountain and the Institute for American Indian Studies.

1. Take Route 202 West (this begins at the New Milford Town Green) and follow all the way until you intersect with Route 7 North.
2. Turn onto Route 7 North and meander through the rest of New Milford, Kent and ultimately Calhoun Corners.
3. Turn onto Route 45 South just as you arrive into Calhoun Corners. Follow this all the way to Warren.
4. Continue on this road all the way into New Preston where you can again pick up Route 202 East.
5. Follow this to Route 47 and into Washington where you will intersect with Route 67 in the quaint town of Roxbury Station.
6. Pick-up Route 202 off of Route 67 and follow it back to your starting point at the green in New Milford. This drive will take about 90 minutes.

Shoreline Drive

The Connecticut Shoreline has long been a nestled little secret to the stars. A bit further than trendy Greenwich or New Canaan, the towns of the Shoreline have been home to Art Carney, Katherine Hepburn and also home to the Ivoryton Playhouse in which everyone from Groucho Marx to Marilyn Monroe performed summer stock theatre productions.

Begin your drive in Essex (once voted the best small town in America) on Route 154 heading south toward Old Saybrook.

1. Follow Route 154 through the center of Old Saybrook out to picturesque Saybrook Point.
2. Continue following the road as it twists and turns over the Connecticut Shoreline. This drive is lush with views of not only Fall foliage, but Long Island Sounds as well.
3. Meander your way through Westbrook, Connecticut (still on 154) and intersect with Route 1.
4. Take Route 1 South through the Rockwellian small towns of Clinton, Madison and Guilford.
5. End your drive with a picnic at Hammonasset State Park. (Just off Route 1.)

Connecticut's beautiful Fall Foliage

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