Autumn in Maine: So Much to Fall For!
Planning a fall foliage trip to Maine?
Here's what you need to know:
The leaves show their color first in the extreme north, then in the western
mountains and central valleys, and lastly in eastern, coastal and southern
locations.
When does foliage reach its peak? That's up to the weather, which can speed
up or delay the transformation of leaf pigment due to a number of factors.
Peak foliage can't be predicted, but one thing is certain: anyone visiting Maine
from the last week of September to the third week of October will see trees
showing off the yellow, orange, red and purple hues that have made Maine
the top destination for leaf-peepers.
Here are a few more reasons why Maine is so popular in the fall, and some
suggestions on how to enjoy the dazzling display of colors throughout the
state.
Strength (and more color) in numbers: With 17 million acres of forest,
Maine has more land covered by trees than any other state in the country.
Maine's coastline, inland valleys, rivers, lakes and mountains are home to
76 tree species, 52 of which are the hardwood leaf-producing variety.
Autumn's most photogenic stars like the sugar maple, oak, elm, birch and
ash are all native to the state. Even the Maine Turnpike is lined with
beautiful foliage during October.
Drives with a view: Maine's nine state and national scenic byways take
travelers through some of the state's best locations for viewing foliage
from the road. In the western mountains region, the Rangeley Lakes National
Scenic Byway begins on Route 17 in Byron and traverses north to its
namesake waterway. The must-stop turnout along this route is about 10 miles
in at Height of Land. This panoramic overlook offers a view of five lakes
and the colorful mountainsides that surround them. In northern Maine, the
State Route 11 Scenic Byway winds between two mountains and two lakes and
follows the Fish River to the historic town of Fort Kent.
Ride the rails: For those who need more leg room or a glass of wine while
taking in Maine's foliage, there's a passenger train waiting at the
station. Maine Eastern Railroad serves the state's Midcoast region between
Brunswick and Rockland with a fleet of restored Art Deco-era excursion
trains. Day trips depart Wednesday through Sunday and offer some of the
best foliage viewing along Maine's world-famous rocky coast. Visit
www.maineeasternrailroad.com or call 866-637-2457 for more information. In
central Maine, the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Preservation Society
operates a passenger train on an eight-mile stretch of rail between the
towns of Unity and Burnham. Riding behind the 1913 Swedish built steam
engine "Spirit of Unity," travelers can enjoy the spectacular scenery on
rides Thursday through Sunday. For more information, call 207-948-5500 or
visit Unity Train Museum.
Great parks with great hikes: It's no accident that Maine's state parks
are located in some of the state's most scenic coastal and woodland
settings. Here are a few that offer excellent hiking trails through and to
fabulous foliage. Bradbury Mountain State Park on Route 9 in Pownal near
Freeport, Camden Hills State Park on Route 1 in Camden, Mount Blue State
Park off Route 156 in Weld, Grafton Notch State Park on Route 26 near
Newry, and Aroostook State Park off Route 1 near Presque Isle. For more
information on these and other state parks or historic sites in Maine,
visit Maine's Historic Parks and Sites.
The fruits of fall: Leaves aren't the only colorful attractions dotting
Maine's landscape during autumn. Farm stands and orchards offer pumpkins,
gourds, fresh pressed cider and a variety of delicious apples. Many farms
offer hay rides, corn field mazes, animal petting areas and other
activities for children. To find a farm or orchard near a foliage
destination, visit Maine's Farms and Orchards.
Leaf-peeper central: Maine's best resource for foliage updates,
information and travel suggestions is Maine's Fall Foliage. The Web site is
operated by the Maine Department of Conservation and provides a weekly
overview of foliage conditions throughout the state beginning the third
week of September until Oct. 25. A foliage forum allows locals and visitors
to share their observations about the annual changing of colors. Also
featured on the site is "live help" which will be available during the
season to answer foliage-related questions.
For more information about accommodations or events taking place in Maine
this fall, log on to Visit Maine or call 1-888-624-6345.
More information about Maine click here!
Planning a fall foliage trip to Maine?
Here's what you need to know:
The leaves show their color first in the extreme north, then in the western
mountains and central valleys, and lastly in eastern, coastal and southern
locations.
When does foliage reach its peak? That's up to the weather, which can speed
up or delay the transformation of leaf pigment due to a number of factors.
Peak foliage can't be predicted, but one thing is certain: anyone visiting Maine
from the last week of September to the third week of October will see trees
showing off the yellow, orange, red and purple hues that have made Maine
the top destination for leaf-peepers.
Here are a few more reasons why Maine is so popular in the fall, and some
suggestions on how to enjoy the dazzling display of colors throughout the
state.
Strength (and more color) in numbers: With 17 million acres of forest,
Maine has more land covered by trees than any other state in the country.
Maine's coastline, inland valleys, rivers, lakes and mountains are home to
76 tree species, 52 of which are the hardwood leaf-producing variety.
Autumn's most photogenic stars like the sugar maple, oak, elm, birch and
ash are all native to the state. Even the Maine Turnpike is lined with
beautiful foliage during October.
Drives with a view: Maine's nine state and national scenic byways take
travelers through some of the state's best locations for viewing foliage
from the road. In the western mountains region, the Rangeley Lakes National
Scenic Byway begins on Route 17 in Byron and traverses north to its
namesake waterway. The must-stop turnout along this route is about 10 miles
in at Height of Land. This panoramic overlook offers a view of five lakes
and the colorful mountainsides that surround them. In northern Maine, the
State Route 11 Scenic Byway winds between two mountains and two lakes and
follows the Fish River to the historic town of Fort Kent.
Ride the rails: For those who need more leg room or a glass of wine while
taking in Maine's foliage, there's a passenger train waiting at the
station. Maine Eastern Railroad serves the state's Midcoast region between
Brunswick and Rockland with a fleet of restored Art Deco-era excursion
trains. Day trips depart Wednesday through Sunday and offer some of the
best foliage viewing along Maine's world-famous rocky coast. Visit
www.maineeasternrailroad.com or call 866-637-2457 for more information. In
central Maine, the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Preservation Society
operates a passenger train on an eight-mile stretch of rail between the
towns of Unity and Burnham. Riding behind the 1913 Swedish built steam
engine "Spirit of Unity," travelers can enjoy the spectacular scenery on
rides Thursday through Sunday. For more information, call 207-948-5500 or
visit Unity Train Museum.
Great parks with great hikes: It's no accident that Maine's state parks
are located in some of the state's most scenic coastal and woodland
settings. Here are a few that offer excellent hiking trails through and to
fabulous foliage. Bradbury Mountain State Park on Route 9 in Pownal near
Freeport, Camden Hills State Park on Route 1 in Camden, Mount Blue State
Park off Route 156 in Weld, Grafton Notch State Park on Route 26 near
Newry, and Aroostook State Park off Route 1 near Presque Isle. For more
information on these and other state parks or historic sites in Maine,
visit Maine's Historic Parks and Sites.
The fruits of fall: Leaves aren't the only colorful attractions dotting
Maine's landscape during autumn. Farm stands and orchards offer pumpkins,
gourds, fresh pressed cider and a variety of delicious apples. Many farms
offer hay rides, corn field mazes, animal petting areas and other
activities for children. To find a farm or orchard near a foliage
destination, visit Maine's Farms and Orchards.
Leaf-peeper central: Maine's best resource for foliage updates,
information and travel suggestions is Maine's Fall Foliage. The Web site is
operated by the Maine Department of Conservation and provides a weekly
overview of foliage conditions throughout the state beginning the third
week of September until Oct. 25. A foliage forum allows locals and visitors
to share their observations about the annual changing of colors. Also
featured on the site is "live help" which will be available during the
season to answer foliage-related questions.
For more information about accommodations or events taking place in Maine
this fall, log on to Visit Maine or call 1-888-624-6345.
More information about Maine click here!
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