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Foliage

Foliage Drives in Massachusetts  Foliage Drives in Massachusetts

The foliage season starts in late September and peak color often coincides with Columbus Day weekend. Foliage drives in Massachusetts can also do double duty as tours of the state’s many themes of history and culture. For instance, the Boston / Lexington / Concord area is the epicenter of the American Revolution in the northern colonies. Northwest of Boston are the cities of Lowell and Lawrence, which preserve the history of the early industrial revolution in America. To the northeast of Boston are the fishing communities of Gloucester and Newburyport, made famous in movies like “The Perfect Storm.” South and east of Boston are lakes and cranberry bogs, historic Plymouth Rock, and the lovely towns of Cape Cod. In the center and western parts of the state are small towns, small farms, big mountains, and ravishing views.



Foliage Maps and Reports

Use the New England Foliage Map to determine where and when you are likely to see the best foliage. Once foliage season begins the Foliage Reports will be regularly updated.

Massachusetts Foliage Map

Massachusetts Foliage Report

Massachusetts State Map



Scenic Drives Massachusetts

Berkshires Region

Williamstown, Mohawk Trail and Savoy State Forest Loop ---------- (55 miles)

-- Via Williamstown, North Adams, Charlemont, Shelburne Falls, Greenfield, Drury, Savoy Center, Adams, North Adams, Williamstown

Williamstown is the starting place for a tour of the northern section of Berkshire County. Starting from Williamstown, proceed east on Route 2 into and through North Adams. Natural Bridge State Park is located east of North Adams off Route 2 and 8. This natural bridge of white marble was created by the waters of Hudson Brook.
■ East of North Adams, Route 2 is also named the Mohawk Trail. The road follows the old trail Native Americans of the Five Nations used to pass between the Connecticut and Hudson Valleys. First point of interest on the trail is the Hairpin Turn, where the trail rises sharply to the Western Summit. There is an observation point to view the mountains of southern Vermont and northwestern Massachusetts, including Mount Greylock, Mount Prospect, and Mount Williams.
■ Continuing on Route 2 / Mohawk Trail, the next stop is Whitcomb Summit, the top of the trail, with an elevation of 2,173 feet.
■ Further along, the trail crosses a bridge and turns sharply to the left. Another road leads to the right. Here the visitor has a choice of three routes.
■ The first is to continue along the Mohawk Trail to Charlemont, Shelburne Falls, and Greenfield.
■ The second is to retrace the route back to North Adams.
■ The third is to turn into Savoy Mountain State Forest for a visit to Tannery Falls. To reach Tannery Falls, pass through Drury on Route 2, then turn right on Black Brook Road, right on Adams Road, and left on Bannis Road into Savoy Center.
■ From Savoy Center, proceed west on Route 116 to Adams. Pass through Adams and head northbound on Route 8 to North Adams.
■ Also, East Road, which runs parallel to Route 8 from Adams to North Adams, gives a commanding view of Greylock Mountain, towering over Adams, a charming Victorian town with an elegantly restored Main Street.
■ To complete the tour, turn west on Route 2 when leaving North Adams and return to Williamstown.

Nearby Points of Interest:


♦ Williamstown -- Williams College Museum of Art, 15 Lawrence Hall Drive, 413-597-2429
♦ North Adams -- MASS MoCA, 1040 Mass MoCA Way, 413-MoCA-111
♦ North Adams -- Western Gateway Heritage State Park, 115 State Street, 413 663-6312


Jacob's Ladder Trail From Westfield to Lee (Route 20) ---------- (33. miles)

-- The Jacob's Ladder Trail originated centuries ago when people from the Mohican and Woronoake tribes walked between Connecticut and the Hudson River Valleys. Extending through the Berkshire Hills, it is one of the most beautiful roads in the United States.


■ Travel Route 20 from Westfield to Russell, Huntington, Chester, West Beckett, ending at Lee

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Westfield -- Stanley Park , 400 Western Avenue, 413-568-9312
♦ Lee -- October Mountain State Forest, 317 Woodland Road, 877-422-6762


Boston Region

Boston Revolutionary History Trail ---------- 125 miles

-- This drive in eastern Massachusetts starting in Boston and traveling west and then northwest, takes visitors through sites of the American Revolution at Boston, Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord, and scenes of the American industrial revolution, at mills along Merrimack River at Lowell and Lawrence.


■ Start in Boston and take Route 3 across the Charles River in the adjacent city of Cambridge
■ Leaving Cambridge, follow Massachusetts Avenue (Route 2A) into Arlington
■ From Arlington, continue on Route 2A into Lexington
■ From Lexington, take Route 2A into Concord
■ Leaving Concord, take Route 126 south to Wayland
■ In Wayland, pick up Route 20 (the Mohawk Trail) headed west
■ About five miles west of Wayland, take the turnoff to the Wayside Inn
■ Backtrack to Wayland along Route 20 and take Route 27 north to Sudbury and Maynard
■At Maynard, head west on Route 117 toward Stow and Bolton
■At Bolton, take the Harvard/Bolton Road into the town of Harvard
■ From Harvard, follow Littleton Road and King Street into Littleton
■ From Littleton, follow Route 110 northeast through Chelmsford to Lowell
■ Leaving Lowell, follow Route 110 east along the Merrimack River to Lawrence

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Boston – Freedom Trail , The Boston Common, 617-357-8300
♦ Boston – Faneuil Hall, 1 Faneuil Hall Square, 617-635-3105
♦ Charlestown -- U.S.S. Constitution, Charlestown Navy Yard, 617-426-1812
♦ Cambridge -- Harvard Square , Brattle Street, 617-491-3434
♦ Lexington -- Minute Man National Historical Park, 174 Liberty Street, 978-369-6993
♦ Concord -- North Bridge
♦ Concord – Walden Pond, 915 Walden Street, 978-369-3254
♦ Sudbury -- Wayside Inn , 72 Wayside Inn Road, 978-443-1776
♦ Harvard -- Fruitlands Museums , 102 Prospect Hill Road, 978-456-3924
♦ Lowell -- Lowell National Historical Park , 67 Kirk Street, 978-970-5000
♦ Lawrence -- Lawrence Heritage State Park, 1 Jackson Street, 978-794-1655


Cape Cod Region

Old King's Highway (Route 6A) through Cape Cod ----- 34 miles

-- Travelers on Old King's Highway, Route 6A can see hundreds of historic sites. These range from sea captain houses, to pilgrim churches, to other historic buildings. Other points of interest include cranberry bogs, salt marshes, and preserved farmlands. The present day byway was once an Indian trade route, traveled on for thousands of years. When the pilgrims arrived, they used it for their carts and wagons, which widened the path. This byway is also well suited for bicyclists. It often follows along the coast.


■ From the Sagamore Bridge, take Route 6A, the Old King's Highway, which winds through the historic villages of Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster and Orleans.

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Sandwich -- Heritage Museums & Gardens , 67 Grove Street at Pine and Grove Streets, 508-888-3300
♦ Sandwich -- Sandwich Glass Museum, 129 Main Street, 508-888-0251
♦ Brewster -- Nickerson State Park, 3488 Main Street / Route 6A, 877-422-6762
♦ Brewster -- Cape Cod Museum of Natural History , 869 Route 6A, 800-479-3867
♦ Eastham -- Nauset Light Beach (Cape Cod National Seashore), Ocean View Drive, 508-349-3785
♦ Dennis -- Cape Cod Museum of Art, Route 6A, 508-385-4477
♦ Eastham -- Nauset Light , Ocean View Drive, 508-240-2612


Central Massachusetts Region

Route 128 to Quabbin Reservoir through Apple Country

-- Enjoy superb color at a relaxed pace when you drive along the less frequently traveled routes to the Quabbin Reservoir. This route begins near the town of Waltham on Route 128, the right road that surrounds Boston and its western suburbs. The route travels westward through farm and orchard country to the Quabbin Reservoir in the heart of Central Massachusetts via Waltham, Stow, Hudson, Berlin, Clinton, Sterling, Princeton, North Rutland, Barre, Barre Plains, Hardwick, Templeton, Gardner, Ashburnham, Ashby, Townsend, Littleton.


■ Starting on Route 128 near the town of Waltham, follow Route 117 to Stow.
■ Take Route 62 in a southwesterly direction through the towns of Hudson, Berlin, Clinton, and Sterling, arriving in Princeton
■ Turn north on Mountain Road to Wachusett Mountain Reservation. There you can drive, hike or take a skyride (check on scheduling) to the summit for a sweeping view of the countryside
■ Return to Route 62 and head west through North Rutland to Barre
■ From Barre, take South Street through the town of Barre Plains, to Barre Road to the town of Hardwick
■ Turn north on Route 32A, which runs along the Quabbin Reservoir to Petersham.
■ At Petersham follow Route 101 East through Templeton, Gardner and Ashburnham to the junction with Route 119
■. Head east on Route 119 through the Willard Brook State Forest in Ashby and Townsend
■ Follow route 119 back to I 495 near Littleton

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Princeton -- Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Mountain Road, 978-464-2987
♦ Belchertown – Quabbin Reservoir and Visitor Center, 485 Ware Road (Route 9), 413-323-7221


North of Boston Region

Essex National Heritage Area Scenic Byway ---------- (24 miles)

-- The 24-mile Essex National Heritage Area Scenic Byway is a showcase for New England’s historic seaports, Colonial era farms, village centers, and period architecture. Set against the backdrop of The Great Marsh, New England's largest salt marsh, the byway traverses six communities and is anchored at each end by the cities of Gloucester, a large active fishing community founded in 1623, and Newburyport, a historic shipbuilding and trade port. Along the way the route passes through Essex, a small community with extensive farmland, woodlots, marsh views, and a thriving antiques trade.


■ Start in the city of Gloucester at the intersection of Routes 127 and 133. Travel northerly along Route 133 through the town of Essex and into the town of Ipswich
■ Merge with Massachusetts Route 1A. Follow Route 1A northerly through the towns of Ipswich, Rowley, and Newbury, and into the city of Newburyport, terminating on High Street and the Newburyport downtown loop.

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Gloucester -- Maritime Heritage Center, 23 Harbor Loop, 978-281-0470
♦ Gloucester -- Annisquam Light, Wigwam Point, 978-281-8865
♦ Essex -- Essex Shipbuilding Museum, 66 Main Street, 978-768-7541
♦ Ipswich -- Castle Hill, 290 Argilla Road, 978-356-4351
♦ Newburyport -- Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water Street, 978-462-8681
♦ Newburyport – Parker River Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, 978-465-5753


South of Boston Region

South Shore from Quincy to Fall River ---------- (100 miles)

-- This drive coasts along Cape Cod Bay and Buzzards Bay, passing by the historic town of Plymouth and through cranberry farming country and lots of whaling and seafaring history. Via Quincy, Cohasset, Scituate, Marshfield, Duxbury, Plymouth, Wareham, New Bedford, and Fall River.


■ Starting from the town of Quincy, travel south on Route 3A, a road from Colonial times that hugs the shore past or through the towns of Cohasset, Scituate, Marshfield, Duxbury, and Plymouth
■ Leaving Plymouth, the drive continues in a southwesterly direction via Route 44 to Route 58 and Route 28 to Wareham, on Buzzards Bay
■ Follow Route 6 south and west along Buzzards Bay through Marion, Mattapoisett and Fairhaven to New Bedford
■ continue on Route 6 to the city of Fall River

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ Quincy -- Adams National Historic Site, 1250 Hancock Street, 617- 770- 1175
♦ Plymouth -- Cranberry World Visitor Center, 225 Water Street, 508- 747-2350
♦ Plymouth -- Plymouth Rock, Water Street, 508-830-1620
♦ Plymouth -- Plimoth Plantation, Plimoth Plantation Hwy, 508-746-1622
♦ New Bedford -- New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, 508-997-0046
♦ Fall River – Battleship Cove, 5 Water Street, 508-678-1100


New Bedford to Plymouth through Cranberry Country

-- Via New Bedford, Rochester, Lakeville, Bridgewater, Kingston, Plymouth, Halifax, Carver, Wareham.


■ Leaving New Bedford and driving east on I-195, take the exit for Route 105.
■ Travel north through Rochester, past the Quittacas ponds, Long Pond and Assawompset Pond to Lakeville.
■ Leave Lakeville by going north on Routes 28 / 18 to Bridgewater.
■ In Bridgewater pick up Route 104 to Route 106 going east. You can take this all the way to the shoreline town of Kingston, just north of historic Plymouth.
■ Or just before Halifax turn right on to Route 58 South, which will take you through Carver and to I-495 just outside of Wareham.

Nearby Points of Interest:

♦ New Bedford -- New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, 508-997-0046
♦ Carver -- Flax Pond Farms, Pond Street, 508-866-3654.
♦ Plymouth -- Cranberry World Visitor Center, 225 Water Street, 508- 747-2350
♦ Plymouth -- Plimoth Plantation, Plimoth Plantation Hwy, 508-746-1622



Bastille Day Street Dance Party -- Boston
Now through July 11, 2009
Boston Harborfest
-- Boston, Massachusetts
June 30, 2009 to July 5, 2009
Melissa Ferrick Picnic Concert -- Ipswich
July 2, 2009
Independence Day Celebration
-- Worcester, Massachusetts
July 3, 2009
New Bedford Summerfest
-- New Bedford, Massachusetts
July 3, 2009 to July 5, 2009
Gloucester Independence Day Horribles Parade and Fireworks
-- Gloucester, Massachusetts
July 3, 2009
Grand Ole Fourth of July
-- Westfield, Massachusetts
July 3, 2009
Sail Plymouth 2009
-- Plymouth, Massachusetts
July 3, 2009 to July 6, 2009
By the Bay Fine Art & Craft Show -- Brewster
July 3, 2009 to July 5, 2009
Fourth of July Sand Sculpting Spectacular
-- Salisbury Beach, Massachusetts
July 3, 2009 to July 5, 2009
Red, White and Blue at Garden in the Woods
– Framingham, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Star Spangled Springfield
-- Springfield, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Picnic in the Park
– Concord, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Independence Day Parade
-- Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
July 4th Parade, Concert, and Fireworks
-- Plymouth, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Fourth of July Celebration
-- Amherst, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade
-- Pittsfield, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Independence Day at Top of the Hub
– Boston, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Sudbury's Annual Fourth of July Parade
-- Sudbury, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Pops Goes the 4th
-- Boston, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Rockport Independence Day Celebration – Rockport, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Independence Day Celebrations
-- Sturbridge, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Fourth of July Celebration
-- Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Edgartown Fireworks
-- Edgartown, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Barbeque on the Old Whaling Church Lawn
-- Edgartown, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Salem Celebrates the Fourth
--Salem, Massachusetts
July 4, 2009
Enchanted Garden Tour -- New Seabury and Popponesset Island
July 9, 2009
Circus Smirkus – Wilbraham
July 11, 2009 to July 12, 2009
Group W: Industrial Strength Art -- Pittsfield
July 11, 2009 to July 12, 2009
Heritage Annual Auto Show -- Sandwich
July 11, 2009
Peter Rockwell Day -- Stockbridge
July 11, 2009
Secret Garden Tour -- Provincetown
July 12, 2009
Harry and the Potters Concert-- Waltham
July 12, 2009
Whale Watch – Bristol, Rhode Island, to Plymouth, Massachusetts
July 12, 2009
Brimfield Antique and Collectibles Show (Summer) – Brimfield
July 14, 2009 to July 19, 2009
Annie and the Hedonists -- Williamstown
July 14, 2009
Zambian Summer Celebration Concert -- Oak Bluffs
July 16, 2009
Third Thursdays in Pittsfield
July 16, 2009
Sand Sculpting Festival -- Revere
July 16, 2009 to July 19, 2009
Circus Smirkus – Wellesley
July 17, 2009 to July 19, 2009
North Shore Farm to Table Dinner Series -- Newburyport
July 18, 2009
Fire and Ice Day at Old Sturbridge Village – Sturbridge
July 18, 2009
Pittsfield Art Show – Pittsfield
July 18, 2009
Fanfare Brass Quintet -- Waltham
July 22, 2009
Kenny Rogers -- New Bedford
July 23, 2009
Cabaret-to-Go -- Stockbridge
July 23, 2009
Circus Smirkus – Lawrence
July 24, 2009 to July 25, 2009
The Temptations Revue with Dennis Edwards -- New Bedford
July 25, 2009
International Wine Dinner – Deerfield
July 25, 2009
Circus Smirkus – Sandwich
July 27, 2009 to July 29, 2009
Nantucket Comedy Festival -- Nantucket
July 28, 2009 to August 1, 2009
Circus Smirkus – Revere
July 31, 2009 to August 1, 2009
Pops by the Sea -- Hyannis
August 2, 2009
375th Anniversary Celebration -- Ipswich
August 9, 2009
Cyndi Lauper -- New Bedford
August 15, 2009
Crane Beach SandBlast! -- Ipswich
August 15, 2009
Champney’s Cookout – Deerfield
August 16, 2009
Third Thursdays in Pittsfield
August 20, 2009
Brimfield Antique and Collectibles Show (Fall ) – Brimfield
September 8, 2009 to September 13, 2009
Music on the Farm -- Upton
September 12, 2009
Tour of Italy dinner– Deerfield
September 18, 2009
Oktober Fiesta dinner – Deerfield
October 31, 2009
Cuisine of Provençale dinner – Deerfield
November 21, 2009
Click here for a full list of events.
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