aaa fall trips

Explore New England with a Fall Road Trip

There is no better way to explore the natural beauty that New England has to offer than with a road trip. Fall road trips in New England are especially popular because they allow drivers to explore and experience the unrivaled fall colors that decorate the local landscapes. Plan a Northeast fall road trip this year and enjoy the full experience for yourself.

Overnight in Fly Creek, NY

Fly Creek, New York, offers a variety of charming activities that are perfect for an authentic New England experience. Taste cider, sauces, and cheese at the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, sip local wines at Pail Shop Vineyards, or take a stroll in the crisp fall air at Fairy Springs Park.

Angry Orchard Tour

Apple cider has been made in the Hudson Valley for more than 200 years. Angry Orchard makes more than 10 varieties of hard cider at its Walden, NY, Cider House. Book a tour of the facility to see how the cider is made, enjoy tasty samples, and take in the natural surroundings.

Haunted Huguenot Street

Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY, is considered one of the most haunted sites in the Hudson Valley. Plan your visit for October, when Haunted Huguenot Street tours bring the chilling stories of 18th-century historic houses to life through a series of theatrical vignettes.

The Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze

The Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze is one of the Hudson Valley’s most popular Halloween events. Taking place in Croton-on-Hudson on the grounds of the Van Cortlandt Manor, the event consists of more than 7,000 illuminated, hand-carved pumpkins that are brought to life with sound, lights, and audio.

Ellms Family Farm

A Christmas tree farm for more than 35 years, Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa expanded its repertoire to include fall family fun. Fall visitors can pick their own pumpkins, get lost in a corn maze, and enjoy the Pumpkin Glow & Light Show Drive-Thru.

Salem Witch Trial Museums and City Tours

No fall tour of New England is complete without a stop in historic Salem, Massachusetts. While visitors flock to Salem year-round, a trip in the fall can include haunted attractions and Halloween-specific frights to go along with tours of local witch trial museums.

Witch Trials of Connecticut

More than 40 years before Salem’s infamous witch trials, Connecticut played host to its own. Both Fairfield and Westport held witch trials in the 1640’s, with more than 43 trials that resulted in 16 executions. Take a driving tour and be sure to stop by Edward’s Pond in Fairfield, where several of the trials took place.

Legoland New York Resort

For autumn activities that are more fun than spooky, plan a stop at Legoland New York Resort in Goshen. With seven themed lands and Halloween holiday activities like trick-or-treating all throughout October, the park provides fun for the whole family.

Six Flags Fright Fest

Each Halloween, Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury, NY, hosts Fright Fest. This seasonal thrill includes haunted houses as well as scare zones with zombies and ghouls roaming the park after dark. Best of all, AAA members enjoy discounted admission to all Six Flags parks year-round.

Star Trek Stage & Set Tour

Star Trek fans do not need to go all the way to Hollywood to experience a bit of sci-fi Tinsel Town magic. In Ticonderoga, NY, Star Trek superfan James Crawley painstakingly recreated sets from the original series and opened them to the public for tours as well as special Star Trek events.

Overnight with Wine & Beer Tastings and Letchworth

A western New York overnight adventure is the perfect excuse for a fall road trip. Visit New York Kitchen in Canandaigua for a tour of New York’s produce and agricultural scene, take a hike in the 14,427-acre Letchworth State Park, and plan to tour the Sonnenburg Gardens & Mansion Historic Park to soak in some local color.

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4 fall-foliage train rides in northern new england.

By Jeanne O’Brien Coffey

September 19, 2022

Autumn drives through the mountains are a time-honored New England tradition. But the passengers get to admire the spectacular fall foliage more than the drivers, who must pay attention to the ups, downs, and hairpin curves, as well as watch for bears that might wander onto the road. And don’t even talk about the traffic! Just ask anyone who has driven New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway on a sunny late-September weekend.

So why not do as vacationers in the past once did: board a restored vintage rail car for a trip that showcases much of the same autumn scenery that admirers have soaked up for generations. Here are 4 fall-foliage train rides that everyone will enjoy.

Read more:  6 drives with stunning views in Northern New England

1. Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum in Maine

Visit the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum before or after riding on the narrow-gauge tracks. | Photo courtesy Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum

In the mid- to late-1800s, narrow-gauge railways (“2-footers,” said to be as wide as a pair of pair of size 12 shoes set heel-to-toe) were popular for logging in Maine. The narrow tracks required less materials to build and could fit into tighter spaces. As years went by, wider tracks became the standard, and these slender trains on narrow tracks fell out of service, often replaced by trucks.

Mix leaf-peeping with an in-depth look at steam-powered narrow-gauge railroading in Alna, an hour north of Portland. The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum is a working railroad depot, complete with an engine repair shop. Visitors can tour the outdoor museum before taking a 40-minute round-trip scenic ride to pick pumpkins. The train rolls through wild pine forests, farmlands, and Sheepscot Valley hamlets, and in these socially distanced times, the line even offers a private caboose for groups of up to 15 people ($150).

If you want to get your hands dirty, you can join fall volunteer groups that help build and maintain the tracks or assist with forging pieces needed to maintain the trains. Time it right, and your work will be rewarded by a cookout at the line’s event pavilion. Adult tickets start at $15.

2. Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad in Maine

The Belfast & moosehead Lake Railroad has operated for more than 150 years. | Photo by Jennifer Booher/Alamy Stock Photo

Roll past bucolic pastures and enjoy lovely views of Unity Pond on classic restored train coaches. Catch the breeze in an open-air car or settle into a heated coach (fall through winter) to enjoy the scenery.

First opened in 1870, Unity’s Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad offers excursions on select weekdays as well as weekends throughout the fall, including a 90-minute ride to a pumpkin patch where everyone gets to pick their own. People planning to visit the Common Ground County Fair, which is returning in-person this September, might want to consider the railroad’s special Common Ground train, which drops guests off right at the fairgrounds. Adult tickets start at $15.

3. Café Lafayette Dinner Train in New Hampshire

Enjoy a relaxing 5-course meal aboard the Café Lafayette Dinner Train. | Photo courtesy Café Lafayette Dinner Train

In the White Mountains, take “dinner and a show” to new heights as you watch the sunset while enjoying a 5-course meal. The Café Lafayette Dinner Train wends its way from North Woodstock through the Pemigewasset River Valley in restored vintage rail cars—2 from the 1950s and a 1924 Pullman originally from the New York Central line. Even the music fits the theme—enjoy some Frank Sinatra in the 1950s car or channel the 1920s big band–style in the Pullman.

As you cross 3 charming trestle bridges, dine on entrées such as soy-ginger salmon or grilled pork tenderloin topped with mushroom cream. The line also operates one of the last dome cars still in operation—the $25 upcharge for that second-story experience is a small price for a ride in history. Main Level, $95 per person; Dome Level, $120 per person. Fares include train ride, dinner, and tax.

4. Hobo & Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire

The Hobo & Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad offers a 4-hour foliage train that departs from Meredith, New Hampshire. | Photo by Wangkun Jia/Alamy Stock Photo

Make serious tracks with the 4-hour Fall Foliage Special on the Hobo & Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad .

Operating along part of a rail system dating back to 1848 that once connected Boston to Montreal, the train travels from Meredith up and over Ashland Summit, across the Ashland High Trestle, and past farms and forests before stopping at The Common Man Inn & Spa in Plymouth for a hot buffet lunch. On the way home, the train stops in Ashland at the restored Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad Station, where members of the Ashland Historical Society , dressed in 1860s attire, lead guided tours of the historic station.

The train line offers 3 classes of service, but only coach—a classic commuter rail car with padded bench seats facing each other—is open to families. In First Class, passengers can choose from commuter bench-style seating, armchairs, a couch, and tables. Or travel like a railroad baron in Presidential Class, seated on overstuffed chairs or a plush leather couch. A steward serves light snacks and nonalcoholic beverages in First and Presidential classes.

Reservations are required for the Fall Foliage Special. Coach Class, $75.95 per person; First Class, $101.95 per person; Presidential Class, $115.95 per person.

Read more:  Embrace the past at historic New England resorts

New England native Jeanne O’Brien Coffey delights in sharing stories about her corner of the world. Her work has also appeared in Boston and Naturally, Danny Seo magazines.

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AUTUMN FOLIAGE ADVENTURES ACROSS THE US, FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE TO NAPA VALLEY

June 21, 2023 | 10 min read.

3. NEW YORK - Hudson Valley Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Hudson Valley, New York. The region stretches along the Hudson River from the tip of Manhattan to Albany. In Ulster County, less than 90 minutes from mid-town Manhattan, lies 250,000 acres encompassing 35 peaks and 350 miles of trails.

At the east end of Route 6 is Scranton (the town in the hit show The Office). The kids will love the Steamtown National Historic Site, where they can become a Steamtown Junior Ranger. Learn about the history of the steam engine and see the giant locomotives that helped expand our nation. Take a fall ride on the rails, from short 30-minute trips exploring the park’s historic railroad yard to full-day trips through the Poconos. Just north of town, go apple picking at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery and visit Roba Family Farms for pumpkin picking, cider donuts, and slushies. Then head west on Route 6 to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, Pine Creek Gorge, where gorgeous autumn colors are displayed. The Canyon is nearly 50 miles long and 1,450 feet deep, and some of the best fall views can be found at the East Rim at Leonard Harrison State Park. Stay the night in Wellsboro, exploring the quaint shops and restaurants. 5. NORTH CAROLINA - Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway is America’s longest linear park at 470 miles. Its winding path leads travelers along a scenic byway along the Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching 469 miles between Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Known for its stunning foliage display each fall, you’ll find countless opportunities to explore and experience the beauty of the changing season. Asheville is a great base for exploring. To the north, you’ll find Blowing Rock, where you can explore the Blue Ridge by zip line or drive the mile-high Linn Cove Viaduct for breathtaking views of Grandfather Mountain. South of Asheville is the Cradle of Forestry in America, another great spot for families along the parkway. Home to the first school of forestry in the nation, the historic site offers visitors educational programs and interpretive displays. Also, visit Brevard and Transylvania County, known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” with over 250 waterfalls, the largest concentration in North America, including Sliding Rock.

6. GEORGIA - Helen Helen, Georgia, is a small town in northeastern Georgia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is known for its Bavarian-style architecture, implemented in the 1960s to boost tourism.

Helen offers a unique experience for visitors during the fall season, from pumpkin patches to scenic hikes. The town's riverwalk is a paved path that follows the Chattahoochee River, stunning during autumn. There’s Oktoberfest, a celebration of German culture that includes live music, food, and beer. Helen is home to Unicoi State Park, where a nearly five-mile trail leads to the spectacular Ruby Falls waterfall. Whether you make the trek or do the zipline, views of the surrounding color-changing trees abound, making this a great town to visit to get your autumn fix. Another must-see attraction is the Hardman Farm State Historic Site, which offers tours of the historic mansion and gardens. During the fall season, the farm hosts a variety of events, including a fall festival and a haunted history tour. Additionally, the town hosts a fall leaf art show, a hot air balloon festival, and a fall festival at the Hardman Farm State Historic Site.

One of the must-see attractions in Colorado during the fall is Rocky Mountain National Park, 90 minutes northwest of Denver. As the largest national park in the state, with more than 100 peaks rising above 11,000 feet in altitude, Rocky Mountain offers endless opportunities for families to explore the great outdoors. Take in the stunning fall colors with hikes along trails like the Bear Lake Trail, or take a scenic drive on Trail Ridge Road, one of the highest continuous paved roads in the United States. Estes Park, located just outside Rocky Mountain National Park, offers various family activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing. Visitors can also explore the town's many attractions, including the Estes Park Aerial Tramway. Just 20 miles west of Denver, families can explore the charming mountain towns in Clear Creek County. After the first significant discovery of gold during the Colorado gold rush in Idaho Springs in 1859, eager prospectors flocked to the area fueling the establishment of boom towns. Families can tour the Argo Mill and Tunnel, once the longest mining tunnel in the world, and walk through the original mill. Visit the Phoenix Gold Mine, a still operational mine. Take a ride on the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a train chugging from Georgetown to Silver Plume since 1884. 11. CALIFORNIA - Wine Country California's wine country is incredibly stunning in the fall. With harvest season in full swing, Napa Valley allows visitors to witness and even participate in the grape harvest process. Several wineries, such as Cakebread Cellars and Robert Mondavi Winery, provide tours where visitors can take part in stomping grapes and learning about the wine-making process. If the thought of grapes squishing between your toes isn't your idea of fun, wineries like Frog's Leap offer family-friendly hayrides through their picturesque vineyards. Winery Tours are fun for everyone. And some wineries even do grape juice tastings for the kids, presented like a wine tasting so they can taste along with their parents. Many wineries are also farms with winery dogs and farm animals the kids will love to see. But wine-related activities are just some of the things to do in Napa Valley. Families can spend the day hiking in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, known for its redwood trees and scenic views, or kayaking on the Napa River, where wildlife sightings such as bald eagles, river otters, and Great Blue Herons are common. Fall is a magical time of year; there's no better way to experience it than with a fall leaf-peeping adventure. Whether you're looking for scenic drives, hiking trails, wineries, or historic sites, there's something for everyone on this list. So, grab your family and get lost in nature this fall. Fall Adventure Awaits!

AAA Travel Advisors are available to help you navigate and plan all the details of your Fall vacation with special Member benefits and savings. Find an Advisor

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Pullman, Washington and Moscow, Idaho

The twin college towns of moscow and pullman offer something for everyone..

Nestled in the beautiful Palouse farmland is a cultural oasis with a thriving food scene (much of it sourced from local farms and ranches), indie shops, music and theater — to say nothing of the sporting events. Whether you’re headed this way to visit Washington State University or the University of Idaho, seeking seasonal fun or looking for a flavorful and scenic gateway between Washington state and northern Idaho, Moscow/Pullman is a Northwest gem.

Don’t miss the University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden , which is organized into regions of the world and is filled with benches and water features built for contemplation. The sweet scent of lilac fills the air in May when the arboretum’s more than 100 varieties begin to bloom. The approximately 750 hosta plants in the display garden — recognized by the American Hosta Society — are best from May through September, setting the stage for fall foliage. And did you know you can call a few days ahead to inquire about a personal tour?

Idler’s Rest Nature Preserve is the perfect place for a hike with the kids in an idyllic woods setting. Head up Moscow Mountain for the best views and trails for a variety of experience levels. Still not tired? Hit the Palouse Recreation Trails, more than 38 miles of pavement to skate, walk, run, stroll or bike to your heart’s content in a beautiful setting.

Or catch a show at the U of I, WSU, Pullman Civic Theatre or Regional Theatre of the Palouse. Stop in to the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre for live theater, films, concerts, lectures and even Saturday morning cartoons from June through September. Wander through the 1886 McConnell Mansion (home to the historic society) and step into the past with help from exhibits and docents, but be sure to check the tour schedule in advance.

A walk down Moscow’s Main Street could keep you busy for hours browsing in its shops. Pullman and Moscow both have thriving farmers markets filled with the bounty of the region, including  huckleberries during picking season . If you’re not there on market day, don’t miss the Moscow Food Co-Op for a snack and some local produce.

On your way in and out of Moscow, take in stunning landscapes along the Palouse Scenic Byway in all months. Depending on the route and time of year, you might see colorful crops, old barns, snowy scenes and dramatic weather. But stick to paved highways instead of dirt roads when conditions are wet and wintery, and be prepared for poor cell phone coverage between towns.

Plan a detour to Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site, drive the spiraling road up to the 3,612-foot summit overlooking the Palouse and explore the 168-acre day-use park, home to some of the oldest rock in the Pacific Northwest.

–Written by Cara Strickland , last updated in September 2022.

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Mass. gas prices currently under national average, but expected to rise this summer

Though it feels like spring has just arrived, the summer travel season is right around the corner. As school lets out, drivers will be hitting the road for vacations, family get-togethers and graduations.

And leading into the summer travel there's one question that is always on people's mind: What will gas prices look like?

Prices enter an upward trajectory simply based on demand in the spring and summer, said AAA North East spokesperson Mark Schieldrop, starting to increase late winter and ramping up in the spring before peaking in mid-June. After this point they stabilize before lowering in the fall.

New England gas prices to rise this summer

Based on current projections, Schieldrop believes this year that the fuel gouge will not be a price gauge for New England drivers.

"(Prices) should stay where they are before rising about 30 to 40 cents in the next couple months, assuming steady increase in demand with summer driving season," he said.

Massachusetts gas prices as of April 23 average $3.574, according to AAA. The national average is $3.667.

Schieldrop qualified that hard numbers are tricky to come by, as the oil and gas markets are commodity-based, which means prices are determined through anticipation of changes in supply and demand.

As a result, the "market can be emotional and reactive," said Schieldrop, such as rising in responses to geopolitical tensions in oil producing countries.

Domestic oil production at 'record high'

Though there was initial concern following the drone attacks against Israel by Iran, Schieldrop said he has not seen prices rise due to the news. Part of that, he said, is due to a particularly high domestic inventory in the New England region.

"If anything, oil prices have been falling and that helps," he said. Oil is trading below $90 a barrel, which is on the low side and good for drivers, as the price of oil directly impacts the price of gas.

Gas prices are going back up: These states have seen the biggest increases lately

"We have more in reserve than we had last year," he said. Which means there is no danger of a supply crunch in the Northeast driving up prices.

Not only that, but demand is actually trending behind numbers from this time last year. Naturally, this will change as the season progresses; however, there is "room for demand growth without impacting inventories." This translates to a buffer for increased demand this summer without raising prices.

Quick tips to save on gas

This isn't to say you're completely at the mercy of forces outside your control when it comes to lowering your gas expenses. There are still things you can do while driving to maximize fuel economy.

Barring a summer scorcher, take a moment to consider if you really need that air conditioning for the whole trip. Air conditioning consumes gas, so try to open the windows first.

Also, being a speed demon can add up, so avoid hard acceleration and braking whenever possible, according to Consumer Reports . Once you reach the desired speed, drive evenly — smooth driving, acceleration and braking all help conserve fuel.

With any luck, this news means that the gas mileage won't take too much of a bite out of your travel budget this summer, whether it's going to see mom for Mother's Day or that long-awaited post-graduation road trip.