It’s a fall weekend afternoon. You’re looking for something to do, but you don’t want to spend big bucks. There’s something relaxing about driving down country roads and enjoying the red, orange and yellow hues of the changing New England leaves.
And, then. Whines from the back seat ruin your reverie. Guess what? The kids are bored.
No problem. We’ve come to the rescue with eight leaf-peeping opportunities, that all have activities or things to do that non-adults and adults alike will love, from rock climbing to hunting wild edibles to cemetery strolls.
Fall Color Meets Kid-Approved Activities
JAMES HIGGINS / NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Minute Man National Historical Park
Minute Man National Historical Park: While the kids check out Revolutionary-era sites like Hartwell Tavern and the Battle Road Trail, you can take in the multicolored scenery of
this near-thousand acre green space.
North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty St., Concord, Mass. Purgatory Chasm: Clifftop trees surround
this glacier-made gully piled with granite rock formations named Lovers’ Leap and The Coffin. A hike through takes about 90 minutes, or more if you picnic and enjoy the painted view up above.
Purgatory Chasm Road, Sutton, Mass. Sankaty Head Lighthouse: Both the sights of and those seen from this historic Nantucket 1850 light station are stunning. Energetic and athletic types can hoof it up 70 steps to Sankaty’s balcony on several days when it’s open. In autumn, the grass of the bluffs turns russet tones. Baxter Road, Nantucket, Mass.
Old Sturbridge Village: From hunting for wild edibles to get up close to heritage breed chickens, sheep, pigs, cattle and turkeys, visitors to
this living museum learn a lot about 1830s agricultural life. Nature trails wind through pasture and woodland.
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, Mass.
COURTESY OMNI MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT
Canopy Tour at Bretton Woods
Newport Cliff Walk: On one side you’ve got the chilly waters of Easton Bay and on the other majestic facades of Gilded Age summer mansions of Newport’s well-heeled power families. Around it all: lush lawns, ornamental trees and fantastic gardens dressed in fall best. Memorial Boulevard at Eustis Avenue, Newport, R.I.
Saugus Iron Works: On this
9-acre National Historic Site, you can explore the genesis of the American iron and steel industry in reconstructed industrial buildings, working waterwheels, and a reproduction blacksmith shop, among other attractions. But, the real treat in fall is the rich color seen on the site’s half-mile nature trail.
244 Central St., Saugus, Mass. Mt. Auburn Cemetery: There’s nothing spooky about these grounds that are home to deciduous trees (think white oak, sourwood, ginko) from across the globe. Berries, nuts and color with more variety than just red, orange and gold: It’s all here. 580 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, Mass.
2 min read
