New England Fall Photography Trip Ideas

Historic Newport, Rhode Island, might not be known for its fall foliage, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find beautiful fall settings along its streets. The opulent mansions, the rugged coastline, and the quaint downtown all combine to make this one quintessential fall destination worth checking out, especially if you’re driving into the region from the Mid-Atlantic United States or from further west, such as New York or Pennsylvania. Newport is easily accessible for travelers from these areas, giving you a dose of New England fall fun (definitely check out the town’s calendar for fall festivities!) without a lot of work. 

To find a pristine, photo-worthy setting without even leaving your hotel, book a stay at the Vanderbilt boutique hotel. The vintage Newport property was built in 1909 and refurbished in recent history to offer 33 guestrooms and suites. It’s one of the few period homes in the region that welcomes guests, so this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Plus, the hotel’s great location puts you within mere minutes of the Atlantic, as well as the cobblestone streets of downtown Newport. 

In the Williamstown region of Massachusetts, you’ll find Mount Greylock, and if it’s natural scenery, leaf-peeping and gorgeous vistas you’re after, you won’t want to look anywhere else. Mount Greylock is the highest vantage point in Massachusetts and, from the top, you’ll be able to glimpse five nearby states, if the weather cooperates. Of course, if you don’t feel like a hike in the nippy autumn air, you can also drive to the summit (though, is that really as fun?). 

After you’ve spent some time exploring Mount Greylock and snapping some amazing photos of the scenery, you can visit the nearby towns. You’re just a short distance from Mass MoCA, Williams College, and the Clark Art Institute. You’ll want to stay at none other than the Porches Inn at MASS MoCA in North Adams.  

For more outdoorsy goodness paired with luxury living, try Kent, Connecticut, for your New England fall photography trip. Kent Falls State Park is absolutely lovely all year long, but it truly shines in the fall. In fact, the town of Kent has been named one of the best places in New England to see fall foliage. Of course, one of the highlights of the state park is the waterfalls, so be sure to check them out. You may even want to bring a waterproof camera on your trip to get some up-close shots of the cascading pools of water. 

After you’ve spent a day exploring Kent Falls, retreat to your own private oasis just a short drive away. The Mayflower Inn & Spa is a woodland escape set on nearly 60 acres of tranquil forests and gardens. Plus, the property itself is set within 3,000 acres of a nature preserve. In other words, if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living, in high style, this is the place to do it. In addition to the luxurious accommodations, the property also offers guests its large spa, with an array of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments. A massage is just the thing after all that hiking! 

But a fall photography getaway doesn’t have to be all about nature and the leaf-peeping. You might find that some charming small-town backdrops for your fall photos are just as pleasing. Imagine it — capturing a sleepy, New England seashore community in the first rays of golden sunshine on a crisp fall day, the few residents out for a walk in their sweaters and scarves, while pumpkins and gourds and chrysanthemums dot the sidewalks. Sounds just about perfect, doesn’t it?

Find a small-town setting nearly just like this when you visit Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Along with all of the above, your backdrop will include such historic spots as the Strawberry Banke Museum, honoring Portsmouth’s 1623 founding and preserving colonial, Georgian and Victorian homes in a 10-acre living history setting. 

And what better way to end your day of capturing this town on camera, than with a pint at one of the local pubs? 

After it all, you can lay your head to rest at The Hotel Portsmouth, right in downtown. The 135-year-old mansion is filled with desirable amenities and unique touches that make your stay unforgettable in every way. 

The smallest state capital in the United States, Montpelier might be tiny in size, but it definitely doesn’t let that stop it from serving up big helpings of charm to visiting travelers. This town is as New England as it gets, from the local, family-run businesses in town to the historic farms just a short drive away. You get the best of both worlds here, as Montpelier is surrounded by tumbling hills that come alive with their most vibrant hues in the fall months, so you have plenty of opportunities to capture some foliage on camera, but the town itself is more than worthy of a few pics as well. Whatever you do, though, make sure to try the food while in Montpelier. The New England specialties, like maple syrup, are on full display wherever you dine. 

For a close-by stay, choose The Old Stagecoach Inn in Waterbury, VT. Enjoy a local craft beverage in our cozy library bar or walk just 100 yards to multiple fantastic local restaurants, pubs, and shops. We look forward to welcoming you to our home!

Camden is a great place for you to base your explorations of one of the favorite places of locals and tourists - Camden Hills State Park. Just a few minutes away from the city center, breathtaking views of surrounding hills and lakes make this place more than worth to visit. You’ll have plenty of leaf-peeping photo opportunities while driving to and from the park, but the place that is most photographed is at the top of the trail. Overlooking  Lake Megunticook, Camden Hills State Park is also one of those few places that have ocean views, the view from Maiden’s Cliff is of the lake.  The lake is also dotted with little seasonally inhabited islands, which makes the eagle-eye view even more interesting. 

Camden’s 16 Bay View provides a wonderful place to stay while in the area, a transformation of a 100-year-old industrial brick building into a one-of-a-kind 21-room boutique hotel that delivers authentic Camden, Maine vacation experience. Camden’s newest luxury hotel is just a short walk from all of the town’s best attractions, whether you want to take to the water for a fall boat ride along the shore or you want to explore the shops and restaurants in Camden village.