10 Best Fall Foliage Getaways on the East Coast

Home to the most vibrant fall scenery in North America, these destinations throughout the Northeast and Canada make for an incredible fall getaway during peak foliage season.

Key Takeaways: Fall Vacation Ideas on the East Coast

● Northeast Harbor in Maine: Bar Harbor is a popular coastal town. It’s the gateway to the picturesque Acadia National Park, known for its hiking trails and spectacular fall scenery.

● Tadoussac in Quebec: This historic maritime village is one of the oldest villages in North America and is a popular destination for whale watching.

● Woodstock in New England: Woodstock is a quintessential town to explore the New England fall foliage. Surrounded by the Green Mountains, it’s brimming with craft breweries and farm-to-table dining experiences.

● Canmore in Alberta: Canmore is a mountainside town with a more relaxed and rugged feel compared to its counterpart, Banff. It's perfect for an adventurous Canadian vacation without the crowds.

● Gloucester in Massachusetts: Gloucester is the oldest seaport in the United States, offering the best parts of Cape Cod without the crowds. Go swimming at Good Harbor Beach or enjoy whale watching between May and October.

● St. John's in Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John's is a scenic city with a friendly small-town vibe. Check out the colorful buildings on Jellybean Row, and spend the night enjoying the town’s innovative dining scene.

● Stonington in New England: Selected as one of New England's prettiest coastal towns by New England Today, Stonington's top attractions include The Old Lighthouse Museum, Saltwater Farm Vineyard, DuBois Beach and Enders Island.

● Flowerpot Island in Ontario: This island is named after two beachfront flowerpot-like rock pillars (or sea stacks) located on its eastern shore. Explore ancient caves, enjoy a hike along the coast or escape on a snorkeling adventure.

● Portsmouth in New England: Hop aboard a traditional steamboat for a tour around Portsmouth Harbor, or head to Water Country, New England's largest water park.

● Sydney in Nova Scotia: Here, you can visit the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, browse local crafts at the Big Fiddle Market and enjoy a seafood lunch.

● Explore our East Coast cruises to start planning a breathtaking vacation among the fall foliage.

1. Fall for Northeast Harbor

Bar Harbor is a popular coastal town on Mount Desert Island in Maine. It acts as a gateway to picturesque Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor can get busy during high season, so you should head to the "quiet side" of the island, where you'll find the smaller but still photogenic town of Northeast Harbor — a summer residence for the Rockefeller family, the owners of Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Just like Bar Harbor, it's very close to Acadia National Park, which is one of the 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. October is the best time for a Northeast fall foliage trip because the leaves are displayed in all shades of amber and crimson — and Acadia National Park is one of the best places to hike among the stunning views during peak foliage season.

Spend a day visiting stunning gardens like Asticou Azalea Garden and Thuya Garden. When you get hungry, experience authentic New England cuisine with a tasty, fresh lobster roll or bowl of clam chowder from Colonel's Restaurant and Bakery. If you want to do even more exploring outside of Northeast Harbor, there's another hidden gem just across the water — Southwest Harbor.

2. Go Whale Watching in Tadoussac

Tadoussac in Quebec is one of the top places to visit in Canada. The historic maritime village is conveniently located an hour-and-a-half drive from Saguenay. Founded in 1599, Tadoussac is one of the oldest villages in North America and its first permanent French settlement. This area is also one of the world's best whale watching destinations.

It sits at the meeting place of the freshwater Saguenay River and the saltwater St. Lawrence River, which is a rich feeding ground for marine mammals, including minke and blue whales. The peak time for whale watching in Tadoussac is between late July and September. Visiting during the autumn means fewer visitors but the same amount of breathtaking whale sightings. After a busy day of whale watching off the coast, settle in for some delicious French cuisine at Cafe Boheme.

3. Let Woodstock Win You Over

Woodstock is a quintessential New England town and one of the best places to visit on the East Coast for fall foliage. Located in Vermont, surrounded by the Green Mountains, this town is filled with locally owned shops, craft breweries and farm-to-table dining experiences. Don't miss a visit to Woodstock Farmer's Market, which is open Tuesday through Sunday. Its stalls are fully stocked with locally made spreads, rows of cheese (glorious cheese), ice cream and sandwiches, if you're looking for lunch.

Just outside of Woodstock, you'll find Jenne Farm, said to be New England's most photographed farm; Billings Farm & Museum, which is a working dairy farm; and the woodland trails of Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Woodstock's covered bridges, natural beauty and friendly locals are sure to instantly charm you. One of the best places to stay in town is the Woodstock Inn and Resort, renowned as Vermont's most beautiful address.

4. Enjoy an Adventurous Fall Vacation in Canmore

Canmore is an underrated alternative to the very popular Canadian Rocky Mountain town of Banff. A quick 20-minute drive from Banff, Canmore is a mountainside town with a more relaxed and rugged feel compared to its counterpart. If you’re looking for an adventurous Canadian vacation without the crowds, Canmore is one of the best places to travel during fall.

Canmore's Nordic Centre hosted events in the 1988 Winter Olympics, and today, it's a top mountain biking and cross-country skiing destination (depending on the season), with over 99 miles (160 kilometers) of trails. Other thrilling experiences await you in Canmore, including white water rafting, hiking and rock climbing.

Fall is the picture-perfect time to visit Canmore. You can spot moose when they're most active and go on a hike or bike ride to see the region's stunning fall scenery. Don't miss capturing a photo of The Three Sisters, a photogenic trio of peaks. As if that wasn't enough, the mountain town also has a booming food and drink scene, as it's home to distilleries, breweries and award-winning restaurants. For mountain views and creative fine dining, try Crazyweed Kitchen.

5. Get Away to Gloucester

Move aside, Cape Cod, there's a new Massachusetts Cape in town. Located on Cape Ann, Gloucester has all the best aspects of Cape Cod without the crowds of tourists. What more could you want from a fall getaway in New England?

Settled in 1643, Gloucester is actually the oldest seaport in the United States. Cool things to do in this New England town include swimming at Good Harbor Beach, visiting Maritime Gloucester and Hammond Castle, checking out the sweeping views from the village of Magnolia, and eating seafood at The Gloucester House.

From early May through October, you can also go whale watching, making it one of the best places to vacation in October in the U.S. Don’t miss Rocky Neck Art Colony, among America's oldest continuously operating art colonies, where painters, photographers and jewelry designers display their work. For anyone who loves to fish, you're in luck. Gloucester is the setting of the National Geographic reality TV show "Wicked Tuna" and the film "The Perfect Storm."

6. Set Sail for St. John's

St. John's is a fun and scenic city with a friendly small-town vibe. The area is steeped in history and is home to a creative and young community, with brightly colored buildings begging to be photographed and an innovative dining scene. When you arrive in St John's, take in the panoramic views from Signal Hill and Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site.

Spend a day visiting the charming fishing village of Quidi Vidi, and learn more about the area at The Rooms museum. Wrap up the day by checking out the colorful buildings on Jellybean Row, and spend the night eating and drinking along George Street. There's no doubt, St. John's is one of the top places to cruise to in Canada.

7. Sea the Sights in Stonington

Located on the east coast, Stonington, Connecticut, is less than an hour's drive from both Providence and Newport in Rhode Island. Selected as one of New England's prettiest coastal towns by New England Today, Stonington's top attractions include The Old Lighthouse Museum, Saltwater Farm Vineyard, DuBois Beach and Enders Island. You'll be swept up in Stonington's small-town charm when you take a walk down Water Street, which is lined with boutiques, art galleries and eateries.

If you're traveling with the family, Mystic is just down the road from Stonington and it's home to the Mystic Seaport Museum and Aquarium. If you're feeling hungry, you can't go wrong with Noah's Restaurant or Dog Watch Cafe, which are two local favorites.

8. Take in the Interesting Flowerpot Island

Flowerpot Island is part of Ontario's Fathom Five National Marine Park. A four-hour drive from Toronto, it's only accessible by boat between mid-May and October. Named after two beachfront flowerpot-like rock pillars (or sea stacks) located on the gorgeous eastern shore, this small island has a lot to offer.

Discover its ancient caves, visit the historic Flowerpot Lightstation, and enjoy a hike along the coast and through the forest, spotting the island's population of rare plants. If you're feeling adventurous, brave the cold but clear waters of Georgian Bay on a snorkeling adventure or stay above water on a boat cruise.

9. Let Portsmouth Charm You

Portsmouth is a charming coastal town in New Hampshire and is conveniently located on the coast between Boston and Portland, Maine. It was settled in the early 1600s, and you can learn more about the town's history at Strawbery Banke Museum, a 10-acre, 40-building outdoor living history museum that preserves the oldest neighborhood in the state. You can also hop aboard a traditional steamboat for a tour around Portsmouth Harbor, the Isles of Shoals and Star Island.

The town is also known for its vibrant arts scene with plenty of art galleries to browse. The Music Hall, the town's performing arts center, puts on events including movie screenings and concerts.

If you're visiting Portsmouth with the family, make a beeline for Water Country, New England's largest water park. There are thrilling water slides, a wave pool and an Adventure River. You can also see the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse or head to nearby beaches, including Wallis Sands State Beach in Rye, Maine.

10. Be Surprised By Sydney

Located on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Sydney is often overlooked by visitors but is one of the top places to visit in Canada. Sydney is home to the world's largest fiddle, which honors the local music scene, and is the closest major city to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Cabot Trail circles the national park and is known as one of the world's most scenic drives. It looks its best during the fall season, when the surrounding trees explode with color.

Back in Sydney, some of the top things to do in the seaside town include visiting the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, learning more about Nova Scotia's Gaelic culture at the Highland Village Museum, checking out the Big Fiddle Market and enjoying a seafood lunch at Flavor on the Water.

Explore Incredible East Coast Fall Vacations by Cruise