Massachusetts - Scenic Drives

Regional Foliage Reports

Enjoy a slow and leisurely drive in sparse traffic, on the route to Quabbin Reservoir:

From Rt. 128, follow Rt. 117 to Stow. This is Massachusett's apple country. At Stow, pick up Rt 62 south and west to Princeton. Go north to Wachusett Mountain Reservation, (this road has no number) where you can drive or hike to the summit for a splendid panorama of the countryside.

Return to Rt. 62 and head west to Barre, then south on Rt. 32 to Old Furnace. Follow the unnumbered road west to Hardwick, then go north on Rt. 32A, which runs along Quabbin Reservoir to Petersham.

Quick Jaunt: Turn left. The Federation of Women's Clubs State Forest on the shores of the Quabbin is just a short drive away.

In Petersham, follow Rt. 101 east through Templeton, Gardner, and the Ashburnhams to the junction with Rt. 119. Travel east on Rt. 119 through the Willard Brook State Forest in Ashby and Townsend, where the brook and road run parallel.

Quick Jaunt: To loop around Quabbin Reservoir, take Rt. 32A N. Off of Rt. 9. From Rt.32A take Rt.122 west to Rt. 202 south, back to Rt. 9.

Regional Foliage Reports

The foliage of Plymouth and Bristol counties, as well as Cape Cod, and the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard provide unique leaf-peeping. Rolling hills, sand dunes, and sea shores combine with heath land. Hills adorned with blueberry and blackberry bushes spin to gold and crimson, balanced by the blue of the ocean.