By Kyle Davi, Trustees Staff
Photo by Nan Suri.
Leaves are turning shades of amber and crimson, and the smell of apple cider saturates the air as fall arrives in New England. With it comes the transformation of many Trustees special places, not solely in their natural beauty but also in the activities they offer. There’s so much to do and see during such a short season, it can get overwhelming to determine what makes it onto the fall calendar and what gets bumped to another year.
Luckily, we’ve already taken care of the planning for you! From the North Shore to the Berkshires, here are three ideal day trips to help you get the most out of this scenic season. Pull those cozy sweaters from the closet and finalize your fall plans with the help of these must-do itineraries.
Go Beyond Leaf Peeping at Fruitlands Museum
The extensive views of the Nashoba Valley and New Hampshire mountains at Fruitlands Museum are a sight to behold during fall. A sea of autumnal colors blanket the landscape making it a great spot for leaf peeping, especially for those who don’t want to contend with the massive crowds further north. But this special place is much more than just an overlook for fall foliage—there’s a whole day’s worth of activities to make it well worth the trip to Harvard.
On Thursdays–Sundays, start your day by aiming to arrive at Fruitlands Museum when the property opens at 10AM. Before you get to the entrance gate, it’s recommended you drive past it (if you’re coming from Route 2, otherwise the stop is before the entrance) to the pullout at the top of the hill. Here you’ll get your first chance to take in the vast collage of reds, golds, and oranges of the valley below.
Once you’ve gotten your fill, head through the entrance gate, and stop at the white building across from the parking lot to secure your admission. From here you have a few different options to explore based on your interest and activity level. One of the most popular activities—especially in the morning while you’re full of energy—is hiking around the property.
Select the yellow, orange, blue, or red trails based on how active you’d like to be. A handy trail map can be downloaded before you head out so you can pre-plan your route. Keep in mind that even the shortest trails can be hilly at Fruitlands Museum, and what goes down must also come back up!
As a reward for making your way through the tumbling leaves, grab lunch at The Fruitlands Café which is open from 11AM–2:30PM. There’s a whole new menu to enjoy while you leaf peep some more from the café’s terrace. When you start to hit your post-lunch coma, take it easy by exploring the multiple buildings and galleries across the property.
Four main buildings are open for exploration at Fruitlands Museum, including the 1790s Shaker building, hosting one of the earliest collections of Shaker objects in the United States, and the historic 1820s farmhouse. The two art galleries—the Four Seasons Gallery and The Seasonal Gallery—currently host three different exhibits: Across Boundaries Across Barriers, Place of Intersection: Survivance in the American West, and A Surreal Place: Sky Hopinka and Cannupa Hanska Luger.
While the museums are sure to take up most of your afternoon, consider sticking around for a fall concert—if you’re there on a Thursday—and stop by the Fruitlands Museum Store to pick up an early holiday gift. The store’s selection of merchandise is curated with a blend of beauty and purpose, centered around New England artisans, toys, and books for the whole family. Trustees Members even get a 10% discount!
View Sweeping Foliage at Monument Mountain
Photo by Richard Cheek.
If you’re in the mood for fall hiking, Monument Mountain is right for you! The 1,642-foot summit in the Berkshires known as Peeskawso Peak offers spectacular views of the Housatonic River Valley. During autumn, these same panoramic vistas transform into a patchwork quilt of vibrant reds, fiery oranges, and golden yellows, ensuring your hike is a visual feast.
Start your day in the main parking lot located along Route 7 in Great Barrington. From there, you have two trail options to choose from: the Mohican Monument Trail (blue) or the Hickey Trail (yellow). The Hickey Trail leaving right (north) from the parking lot is the most direct, but also the most strenuous approach. The more gradual Mohican Monument Trail leaving left (south) from the parking lot may be double the length but it’s still only 1.5 miles.
The subtler incline of the blue trail is a great warm-up for your day of hiking. Crunching leaves mix with the occasional squawking of hawks (or perhaps a bald eagle, if you’re lucky). You’ll pass stone walls covered by a layer of leaves, old wood roads and cart paths, and long-cooled hearths of charcoal makers.
Photo by T. Coffin.
Once you get closer to the top, turn right onto the Peeskawso Peak Trail (red). This summit connector offers some of the best vistas on the whole mountain and connects with the Hickey Trail for your descent. Pull out a picnic lunch to celebrate making the climb while soaking in the kaleidoscope of colors reaching all the way north to Mount Greylock and west to the Catskill Mountains.
If you’re interested in hiking more—and have time with fall’s early sunsets—consider taking the Cross Over Trail (pink) to Willow’s Trail (orange). Heading right (north) you’ll go all the way to Flag Rock for even more scenic vistas and pale quartzite geology. Just remember to stay on the trail as it crosses privately owned property.
Regardless of what you choose, you’ll want to descend back to the parking lot on the Hickey Trail (yellow). It’s much steeper than what you took to get up the mountain, so be careful of your foot placement when heading down. If you choose to solely do the Peeskawso Peak loop, all three connected trails are under three miles so you can take your time and enjoy the fall foliage.
Encounter Autumn’s Bounty at Appleton Farms
Photo by Jumping Rocks.
Pumpkins, squash, and haybales dot the colorful landscape of Appleton Farms in the fall. What once were lush grasslands have made way for vibrant foliage cascading down with each brisk breeze. With nearly 12 miles of looping trails, you could spend an entire day wandering the Ipswich grounds with a picnic of delicious snacks pulled together from the Farm Store. But Appleton Farms is sharing fall’s bounty in much bigger ways this year!
Every Saturday in September and October, there’s a celebration of the farm’s rich autumnal offerings with seasonal food, drinks, games, and activities. Each event celebrates a different aspect of the farm during the fall, making any of them perfect for a day trip.
Farm Days (September 14 & 15) — Spend the afternoon exploring Appleton Farms, listening to live music, enjoying great food & beer, hiking the trails, and entertaining the kids. Wood-fired pizza from the Appleton Culinary Team will be available, alongside craft beer from Essex County Brewing and True North Ale and treats from DownRiver Ice Cream.
Fall on the Farm (September 21 and October 5, 19, & 26) — Spend a day outdoors with friends and family while you eat, drink, and revel in the multitude of fall scenes that can be found at Appleton Farms. Local beer, freshly baked bread, and seasonal treats will be available on the Farmhouse patio, and hay rides out to the Great Pasture run every 20 minutes during the afternoon.
Oktoberfest (Saturday, October 12) — The spirit of Oktoberfest is taking over Appleton Farms for one very special Saturday! Lawn games, stein-holding competitions, and live traditional German music accompany local breweries, food truck offerings, and wood-fired pizza from the Appleton Culinary Team.
While Fall on the Farm is part of your regular admission to Appleton Farms, events like Farm Days and Oktoberfest require tickets. Plan your trip and reserve your tickets today as they tend to sell out quickly!
Looking for more fall things to do with The Trustees? Explore the full list of Fall Activities as autumn is one of the best times to visit any Trustees property.
