The Ultimate Guide to the Best of Fall in CT
Plan your trip with our guidebook to getting the most out of the best but fleeting season. Find the best fall foliage, pick pumpkins and apples, and get spooked all over the state!
Plan your trip with our guidebook to getting the most out of the best but fleeting season. Find the best fall foliage, pick pumpkins and apples, and get spooked all over the state!
Maybe it’s shows on TV, or movies, but people seem to most often equate Connecticut with autumn.
And for good reason, it, like many other New England states, truly shines during those few months between summer and winter.
Sometimes, it’s helpful to have a list in front of you to keep track of all that there is to see and do. Especially when you've got 169 towns to potentially treat as your fall stomping grounds.
Everything in this guide stems from years of questions from guests at our Connecticut inn. Who else but an innkeeper could provide in-depth knowledge on experiencing our state during the best time of the year?
Whether you're reading this to find a fall festival, find the best fall foliage driving routes, or just want a cute town to post an Instagram photo or two, we can't wait to see you in Connecticut!
Colin Pearson
Colin Pearson (Innkeeper at Stanton House Inn in Greenwich, CT)
Colin Pearson is the Innkeeper at Stanton House Inn, a bed and breakfast inn in downtown Greenwich, Connecticut. The Inn is a historic mansion that has been in his family for generations
Colin left Connecticut after high school and lived around the world:
And returned to Connecticut after his time elsewhere taught him an appreciation for all there is to offer in his home state. He now gets to give an intimate introduction to his community to visitors from all walks of life!
Lauren DeStefano
Chapter Two
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Driving along scenic roads is the most obvious pick for seeing CT’s fall foliage for yourself.
Some of the top picks for Connecticut fall foliage driving routes include:
Routes in Upper Westchester County, NY
Connecticut is blessed with some of the finest, most awe-inspiring fall scenery on the planet. A veritable treasure trove of seasonal scenes, this is the place to be if you’re keen to experience this wonderful season in all its glory. At Stanton House Inn, we’re ideally placed to enjoy some of the most fabulous fall foliage driving routes in the state. We urge our guests to get out and about and enjoy the ever-changing palette of colors that comes alive against the backdrop of clear, crisp skies. There are hundreds of routes that afford breathtaking scenic views, but some are extra special. Here’s a few of our favorite driving routes, starting with road trips that are local to us in Greenwich.
One of the best-loved drives in the state, the Merritt Parkway comes alive in the fall, as the trees change color.
Picture it:
The trees and ground are covered by a patchwork quilt of orange, terracotta, golden, yellow, maroon, and brown.
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The route, a limited access parkway, is nestled in the heart of Fairfield County. It runs from the border with New York in Greenwich to Stratford’s Housatonic River. This road is not accessible to trucks and buses, making it a much calmer drive. It’s an idyllic stretch that showcases New England in the fall at its finest. Famed for its natural beauty, brought to life by an abundance of imposing trees, this route is also known for its collection of Art Deco bridges. These unique structures were built during the 1930s and 1940s and they add to the stunning aesthetic of the scenery.
If you’re keen to travel further afield and explore more of the local area and its spectacular fall foliage vistas, there’s more to explore. It is possible to head north from the Merritt Parkway and make for the towns of Danbury and New Milford. As such, you can drive a loop which takes you back south to Fairfield County and the Merritt Parkway.
En route to the Merritt Parkway, there are several places to stop and enjoy the autumnal scenery. An easy stop in Greenwich is the Audubon Center. Further along the route, leaf peeping is a popular activity at the nature centers in New Canaan and Stamford. And of course the Bartlett Arboretum is a highlight for any fall itinerary.
The Litchfield Hills are renowned for their beauty all year-round. That said, there’s something enchanting and ethereal about this area in the fall. It’s a kaleidoscopic patch adorned with tiny, charming villages, rustic churches, and rolling hills flanked by trees decorated with sunset-hued leaves. This is a perfect drive to capture photographs and get a sense of why people from every corner of the globe rave about fall in New England. Starting off in Greenwich, the drive will take you along the coast before heading north. The jaw-dropping colors are the main draw of this route. For those keen to combine sightseeing with snapping away and enjoying the views, there are several points of interest to enjoy en route:
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Route 136 is a historic track, which locals call a back road. While this drive may not ease the fastest travel times, it’s a fabulous route to enjoy fall foliage. Covering 20 miles of prime Fairfield County territory, this stretch of tarmac affords incredible views. And once you’re away from the coast, it’s wonderful to be able to experience the isolation and peace of being off the beaten track.
Route 136 ends close to Devil’s Den Preserve, which has the best fall hiking trails for fall foliage views in Connecticut.
We’re close to the border with New York. And in our opinion, it’s well worth crossing the lines to explore scenic drives and leaf peeping hotspots in nearby Westchester County. Towering trunks line the roads that lead to Kingsland Point Park. And it’s possible to enjoy panoramic views of Hook Mountain and the Palisades from the Tappan Zee Bridge. The Hudson River walk is also a perfect spot to stretch your legs and get some fresh air after your drive.
It’s blissful to drive for miles and miles at a languid pace in pursuit of the best fall foliage shots in Connecticut. Yet the Greenwich area is blessed with such spectacular scenery that you don’t have to plan a week-long road trip to enjoy the views. Close to the heart of downtown Greenwich, there’s a host of tracks, routes, and paths you can take on foot or on two or four wheels. For the best hiking to discover the best fall foliage views in Greenwich, we recommend the Mianus River State Park and Babcock Preserve.
Driving to the stretch of CT shoreline towns from Guilford to Essex, is a longer trek.
But it’s worth the trip for one of the most unique Connecticut fall foliage experiences.
That is, if you can get tickets for it.
The Essex Steam Train leaves from the historic Essex, CT, train station. From there, it pulls its vintage coaches along the Connecticut River Valley on a 12-mile round trip stretch of old train track.
If an old-fashioned riverboat is more your thing, the Becky Thatcher riverboat leaves from Deep River’s landing for an hour and a half journey.
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While both of these attractions run throughout the year, fall foliage season is among the most spectacular times to take a ride.
Speaking of the Essex Steam Train, there is more to experiencing the fall than simply driving around.
The third smallest state in the Union, no town in Connecticut is far from anywhere else in the state.
The longest drive, along the Connecticut shoreline, takes less than 2 hours.
But I encourage you to take way longer than that, so you can stop and explore some of the best fall towns on your Connecticut day trips.
Pretty much any town in Connecticut has something appealing about it in the Autumn.
But Connecticut has 169 towns, so we all have to prioritize.
You may be surprised to learn that this Greenwich native is not including Greenwich on the list of Connecticut towns to visit.
Greenwich is beautiful any time of year, and there are plenty of things to do year-round. That said, the towns on this list are built around the Fall.
Connecticut’s number one tourist attraction is a prime destination for visitors looking to experience the Fall.
And it's only a little farther along the coast from Essex.
Mystic Seaport looks straight out of a magazine in the fall, with historic buildings draped in fall color. And the blue of Mystic harbor’s water is a perfect contrast to the explosion of color on the surrounding shores.
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Visit the local farms for fall goodies, and check-out B.F. Clyde’s steam-powered cider mill. It’s the last one in America, and was designated a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1994. Even if you’re not into historic mechanical marvels, the cider slushies and cider donuts are delicious.
There are a lot of towns in this part of the state.
They’re all so small, though, that an afternoon would be enough to knock most of them off your list without too much of a struggle.
Everyone knows that the beautiful, warm hues of fall foliage are fleeting. Luckily, Connecticut boasts the longest foliage season in New England! Though each year brings some variation in peak leaf peeping times, you can generally expect the best, most reliable color between mid-September and late-October. Be sure to check the Connecticut Fall Foliage Report for real-time updates!
Chapter Three
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An attraction in itself, many people travel from all over the country to see the stunning vistas, parkways, and hilltops awash with color. Whether you’re a regular leaf peeper or you’re visiting for the first time, you’ll find endless things to do in Connecticut this fall.
Be sure to peruse our list of favorite fall activities in Connecticut before you head up our way!
With a range of high-octane activities and more relaxed ways to fill your day, you’ll never tire of spending time outdoors in Connecticut.
You’ll find that apples are everywhere in fall, with delicious ciders, apple pies and caramel apples to enjoy. Take a break in one of the many cafes lining the streets for your necessary pumpkin spiced drink. Or visit a ‘pick your own’ Connecticut apple orchard or farm and get back to nature.
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Once you’ve picked your apples, don’t forget to search for the perfect pumpkin! If you’re visiting Connecticut before October 31st, you’ll be in time to scour the local pumpkin patches for the best Halloween pumpkin you can find. Don’t wait too late into the season, or you’ll risk finding slim pickings.
Don’t forget – Connecticut has some of the best Halloween attractions around. So why not see the ghosts at the Lockwood-Matthews Mansion Museum in Norwalk? Or you could take a lantern-lit walk through the graveyard at Mill Hill Historic Park.
For more outdoor fun, try one of the many corn mazes across Connecticut. Perfect for fall fun, there are corn mazes to suit all ages, with some strictly for adults only.
For a great day out, try Plasko’s Farm in Trumbull. Stretching over eight acres, the farm is full of delights and features one of the oldest corn mazes in the county on weekends in the fall. With endless twists and turns, you can spend hours trying to find your way around or give in and ask one of the many corn cops for help!
There’s a reason people associate Connecticut with hauntings. It’s one of the oldest states in the Union, with plenty of opportunities to acquire a spirit or two with unfinished business.
While many of the most haunted houses are privately owned, there are still some fun haunted houses for Halloween. Try to snap a picture of the ghosts at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion museum. Or head to Mill Hill Historic Park for a lantern-lit walk through the graveyard.
A haunted house can be a fun way to give yourself a little scare.
The best haunted houses near Greenwich are in nearby Westchester County.
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If you’d rather something a little less structured, you can check-out some of the most haunted places in Connecticut:
I admit this isn’t in Connecticut, but nearby Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow are the site of one of the most famous American short stories.
And these two Hudson River Valley towns cash-in each year on their most famous undead resident with all sorts of Halloween events.
Perfect for nature lovers, there is a wide selection of hiking trails to enjoy in Connecticut, and fall is the perfect time to get out there.
Greenwich Hiking Trails
Open from dawn to dusk, the Greenwich Audubon Center features over seven miles of trails within its 295-mile reserve. With trails for all levels, you can set off for a serious hike or plan a less intense walk for all the family.
You can also head to Babcock Preserve to trek through the forests or traverse the trails on horseback.
Of all the Connecticut hiking trails, though, one of the more intense hikes rewards with one of the most splendid fall views in Connecticut.
Heublein Tower, perched on a ridge in Talcott Mountain State Park, requires a steep hike. But once you get there, the tower offers a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. Hartford and the surrounding towns are within sight, plus the surrounding hills and valleys, swathed in golds, reds, and oranges.
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Other top fall Connecticut hiking trails include:
If intense, uphill hiking isn’t your thing, you can also plan a picnic at one of the more manicured parks, such as:
It doesn’t matter if you’re a new visitor to Greenwich or the picturesque scenery and array of attractions keeps drawing you back. No trip is complete without a visit to Greenwich Point Park. At over 147 acres of beach and parkland, you can explore the best the area has to offer at this unrivaled beauty spot.
Home to the Old Greenwich Yacht Club, the site features a public marina, as well as areas dedicated to saltwater fishing. If you want to spend more time on the water, there’s even kitesurfing and windsurfing areas to keep you entertained. Book a picnic area and enjoy an outdoor clambake with friends. You can also explore the area on one of the many walking trails or simply relax on the sand and watch the waves roll in.
This best of the Greenwich beaches is worth visiting, regardless of Long Island Sound’s temperature!
If you’re not all farmed-out from pumpkin and apple picking or exploring corn mazes, there are still more farms to check-out.
In this case, Connecticut has a growing vineyard and winery industry scattered throughout the state. Read our guide to the best wineries on the CT wine trail for a full trip.
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I’m personally more partial to the beer brewed in Connecticut than the wine. But to each their own.
We’ve got a list of the best breweries in Connecticut and Westchester County, if an autumnal day of sampling local brews is more your style.
The Greenwich Avenue shopping district is always a top destination.
But fall just seems like the perfect time to go antiquing through New England for some reason.
Comb through the Connecticut Antiques Trail’s list of antique shops and pick a few along your planned day trip route. I also highly recommend the Elephant’s Trunk flea market in New Milford on a Sunday morning in the fall.
If you want to get active this fall, why not try ziplining at the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport? A dedicated aerial forest rope park, there’s fun for all ages. You can spend your time traversing the trails and looking out over the treetops of Connecticut with:
But the fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down. Throughout November, the Park stays open late on Fridays and Saturdays. You can zipline well into the evening. Be sure to dress warmly, though, as temperatures can fall November evenings.
Nearby Bruce Museum is a great place to explore science and natural history, as well as art. The most famous museum in Greenwich, the exhibits, features, and galleries will entrance you. For children and young people, the Stepping Stones Museum is an interactive wonderland. It’s filled with hands-on exhibitions, activities and special events. Meanwhile, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo at Bridgeport is a top attraction for families.
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Connecticut offers everything you could want and more, whether you’re planning to:
The state offers beautiful natural sites, a range of attractions and a calendar full of festivals. Your fall trip to Connecticut will be a vacation to remember.
Chapter Four
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Fall in Connecticut features a calendar bursting with activities, events, and festivals.
It’s the perfect time to visit Connecticut. There’s something for everyone in CT this season, from:
Not sure where to start?
Check-out our list of favorite fall festivals in CT.
Food festivals take place throughout Connecticut in the Fall. And yet some of the best are just a stone’s throw from Greenwich.
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The Hey Stamford! Food Festival happens each August and features an array of producers and food retailers. Revelers also get to enjoy a great line-up of live music and a dedicated beer garden. Perfect for food lovers, the Festival stretches over the entire weekend. You could easily spend a full few days enjoying the fare before returning to luxuriate at Stanton House Inn.
Interested in something that celebrates Connecticut’s economic history? The annual Norwalk Oyster Festival at Veteran’s Memorial Park runs over four days in September. It offers arts, crafts, live music, delicious food, amusements and much, much more. With a dedicated family day, there is something for all ages to enjoy at this iconic festival. Enjoy some oyster slurping, sample craft beers from CT breweries or take a Harbor Tour Cruise while you’re there.
If you finish shucking oysters earlier than planned, be sure to check-out more of the Norwalk’s attractions, activities, and things to do. It’s a great, unpretentious town to explore for an afternoon.
If you miss all of the top summer festivals in CT, this one is your last chance for the year!
Of course, the Outdoor Arts Festival at the Bruce Museum is a much-loved local event too. The talent on display will astonish you, featuring world-class artists in:
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Besides all this, the Outdoor Arts Festival offers a range of activities to get involved in, as well as delicious foods and drinks to enjoy. It’s on the list as our can’t-miss Connecticut art festival!
If you’re looking to go farther afield, Mystic Seaport hosts fantastic fall events.
The Mystic Seaport’s 25th Annual Antique Vehicle Show, By Land & By Sea, will happen on Saturday, September 24, 2023. Expect about 100 vehicles built before 1932 on the beautiful grounds of Mystic Seaport Museum, a recreated maritime village. You, your family, and your friends are invited. Be sure to check the calendar at Mystic Seaport for more information and to purchase tickets.
You can follow one of our favorite CT fall foliage driving routes for an afternoon in Mystic!
Because, as befits Connecticut’s biggest tourist attraction, there are always fun activities, attractions, and things to do in Mystic, CT.
If you want to enjoy live music in the open air, one of the many music festivals in Connecticut is sure to float your boat.
Despite the name, harvesting apples is more just a good excuse to enjoy some great live music outside.
Check out the Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival to see the full line-up this year.
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Jazz Fest, over the border from Greenwich in White Plains, NY, is a five day celebration of the best jazz has to offer. Visitors will also enjoy the interspersed food tasting and sampling. You’ll also find a great selection of beverage vendors. Less than 10 miles from downtown Greenwich, you can spend a relaxing evening with international artists. Then, head back to your spacious suite at Stanton House Inn for a restorative night’s sleep.
To be frank, a stay at Stanton House Inn would bore children to tears. That said, we’re happy to make recommendations for visitors who need to entertain the entire family they’re visiting.
And there are plenty of fall festivals nearby for kids to enjoy as well!
The Cider Saturday and Harvest Celebration in New Canaan is another fantastic festival to enjoy in CT this Fall. Ideal for families, the Festival features:
You’ll even get to take part in the annual Apple Olympics!
Harvest Festival Weekend at The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is another of the family-friendly fall festivals in CT. Filled with seasonal events, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the crisp air in your lungs and leaves underfoot. Enjoy all sorts of typical Connecticut fall activities, like:
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Drive about an hour northeast of Greenwich to reach the quiet town of Seymour. It’s only a 20-minute drive from Bridgeport, CT, in fact.
For one day in September, the town isn’t quiet at all!
On September 18, 2023, the Seymour community gathers for the annual Seymour Pumpkin Festival. There’s something for everyone with:
Danbury, CT, isn’t too far from Greenwich to experience some of the area’s fall festivals. And added benefit to a fall day trip for a festival is that there are plenty of things to do in Danbury and nearby.
Some of the most popular fall festivals around Danbury include:
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The St Peter’s Apple Festival happens the first weekend after Labor Day in Monroe, CT. This is where to go for everything apples, as the name implies.
The largest Oktoberfest in all New York happens across the Hudson River in Bear Mountain, NY. At Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain you’ll get to enjoy all German food, German beer, and polka music you need for the year.
Quaint Newtown, CT, holds its annual outdoor arts festival in mid-September.
Little Kent, Connecticut, squeezes everything it can out of fall. It’s the epitome of Connecticut in the Fall, and this event helps drive that point home. Visitors to the Connecticut Antique Machinery Association’s event can see:
Garlic enthusiasts will converge again for the annual Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival in Bethlehem, Connecticut.
As the name implies, everything revolves around the treasured allium at the Connecticut Garlic Festival. Attractions and activities include:
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And much more at the Bethlehem fairgrounds.
Be sure to bring breath mints!
The Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival kicks off the fall season with a celebration of Connecticut’s maritime history. You’ll find a number of tall ships as well as US Navy and Coast Guard ships visiting the harbor. Tour a historic schooner, witness a U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration, and watch patriotic costumed re-enactors burn Benedict Arnold. The children have their own fishing tournament at this maritime fall festival.
Make sure to try all of the delicious food available at this New London event, including the Chowder Challenge, which features variations on classic chowder.
Visit their website to plan your trip.
This Southington festival celebrates the apple harvest every year during New England’s fall foliage season. There will be road races, musical guests, an arts and crafts show, and other activities. A free family-friendly event with a parade, live music, crafts, carnival rides, children’s activities, and fireworks. This fall festival draws over 100,000 people from Connecticut and throughout New England.
You’ll want to add this one to your list of CT fall festivals to visit because it has food, games, live music, crafts, vendors, and more.
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Come to the East Haven Town Green this September for a road race, car show, crafts, artisan vendors, rides, music, and more! This is a fantastic fall festival for the whole family!
Come to the East Haven Town Green this September for a road race, car show, crafts, artisan vendors, rides, music, and more! This is a fantastic fall festival for the entire family!
Admittedly, this is not just a Fall festival.
But the Elephants Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, Connecticut, is a blast, especially in the Fall.
The Elephants Trunk stretches from April to mid-December, but it’s a great destination on a drive through Northwestern Connecticut.
It could even be a great start to a tour of the best flea markets in Connecticut.Stock-up on antiques and other cool finds at one of the largest flea markets in New England!
With so much to do and see in Connecticut, it’s not surprising people travel from all over the world to enjoy what’s on offer. There are even more popular CT fairs and festivals to suit all tastes.
Fitness fanatics can enjoy the Annual Health, Wellness and Lifestyle Expo in Stamford.
And the UBS Parade Spectacular is one of the largest helium balloon festivals in the whole of the US. Award-winning floats and marching bands provide entertainment throughout the day. And jaw-dropping balloons and helium-filled incarnations of your favorite characters fill the street.
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Located approximately 45 minutes from Greenwich, the Guilford Fair is another event that you won’t want to miss! This agricultural fair offers plenty of things for visitors to do including midway rides, games, arts and crafts, photography exhibits, and more. The Antique Tractor Pull and Show is one of the fair’s most popular events, so be sure to stop by for old-fashioned fun and entertainment.
The Orange Country Fair is one of Connecticut’s most classic events! If you’re willing to make the hour drive from Greenwich, we promise the journey will be well worth it! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with animal displays, arts and crafts, delicious fair food, a lumberjack show, and many more family-friendly activities! You could spend an entire day enjoying all the exciting things there are to do at this annual fair.
Fall Harvest Marketplace features 15 local artisans, crafters and producers. Head here for the opportunity to enjoy a fall day right next to Long Island Sound.
Can’t make it to the fairs and festivals in CT this weekend? No worries! Visit the Connecticut Tourism site to find even more upcoming festivals and fairs any time of year.
The Connecticut Renaissance Faire opens each Labor Day Weekend at the Lebanon County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Connecticut. This recreation of a sixteenth-century harvest festival includes jousting, magic, and other events.
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The Durham Fair, one of Connecticut’s largest agricultural fairs, is held at the Durham Fair Grounds at the end of September. The fair features rides, animals, massive fruits and vegetables, and a museum containing some of the country’s oldest farming implements.
Chapter Five
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Winter in snowy New England is legendary.
And there’s a common misconception that November is the start of the snowy months in the area.
While that may be true for much of New England, Connecticut is way more temperate.
And the Connecticut shoreline especially so.
November in Connecticut is the season of flannels, jeans, and bonfires to help keep-off the slight chill in the air.
And that definitely beats parkas and anoraks.
There’s plenty to love about Connecticut in November. After all, it’s still the best season here: fall in CT is splendid at any point of the 90-day period.
Here’s our list of favorite things to do in Connecticut in November for your upcoming weekend getaways!
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Of the fall weather months, November often gets short shift.
Yes, it’s not as idyllic as October, and definitely not as summer-like as in September.
But it’s still pleasantly crisp. And not as cold as in December and the rest of the winter in Connecticut, so still ideal for fall fun.
The Long Island Sound helps to keep the coast of Connecticut warmer in November. Average weather data shows highs along the coast are typically in the mid-50s in November. Average nightly lows are often in the middle to high 30s, but nothing a jacket can’t cover.
Shoreline Connecticut temperatures in November are much warmer than inland, though. And even warmer than northern New England.
October is normally the month to start dressing in layers, like a good New Englander. And November is when you remember why that’s a useful skill to have here.
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Sometimes, but rarely.
I remember a snowy Halloween when I was growing-up. That said, snow in November is rare along the Connecticut coast.
On top of that, it’s usually a light dusting, rather than a heavy load of snow.
So most weekends in November are perfect for a day trip to any of the cute towns in Connecticut.
Ever heard the saying that March comes in like a lion, and out like a lamb?
November’s the opposite of March in that regard.
So plan accordingly, especially if you’re heading further north into New England from southern Connecticut.
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The secret is to wear lots of thin layers that you can add or remove easily. One heavy jacket may be a great idea for walking outside in late November. But then you’ll be sweating when you go inside anywhere.
The clothing you can comfortably wear in fall, especially November, makes Southerners jealous:
But the weather in November, and fall in general, is usually pretty wet. Don’t forget to pack an umbrella or raincoat.
October and September are often packed with visitors to New England. Wherever you go, other people experiencing the same sights as you will be surrounding you.
But November is when it starts to slow-down.
Major tourist destinations in Connecticut are slower. Tourism slows down from:
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So visitors can enjoy shorter lines, smaller crowds, and often lower fares.
Another benefit is that Greenwich beaches are open again to non-residents! Starting November 1st until early spring, you don’t need a pass to explore Greenwich Point Park. It’s always high on our list of top things to do in Greenwich, CT, in the winter.
Some other fantastic Connecticut beaches to visit in the off-season include many top Connecticut state parks:
Rates do start to drop in November. You’ll often find hotel and inn rates can be up to 15-20% lower than busier months for visitors to Connecticut.
And in some cases the rates drop even more, depending on the location.
Connecticut fall foliage
typically doesn’t hit peak along the shoreline until the end of October to the first week of November. And the Connecticut shoreline is one of the best places to see fall foliage near New York City.
So you’re not too late if you forgot to plan a fall foliage road trip in October!
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But even after the leaves have turned and fallen, there’s a practical added benefit to being here afterwards.
With the leaves off the trees, the views improve. You can see sights that are normally obscured by leaves on trees much more easily through the bare trees.
Not necessarily Instagram-worthy, but still pretty.
For example, there are way more opportunities from the ridge on which the Post Road runs in Greenwich to see all the way to Long Island Sound.
It sometimes feels as though you’re putting holiday decorations up shortly after Halloween ones come down.
Thanksgiving in Connecticut is fantastic to celebrate in its own right. But an added benefit in November is that many holiday fairs and festivals start in November.
Head to a few and get in the holiday spirit before they get inundated with holiday seekers in December.
Don’t forget about Stamford’s Thanksgiving Day parade, for example. It’s not as big as New York City’s, but it also doesn’t have the crazy crowds. It’s still a beautiful way to start the holiday season. Though going into the City is a great excuse to get started on the lengthy list of winter activities in New York City.
And many Halloween attractions keep running for a week or two into November. Plus, not as many other people will be there, either.
Check-out the CT Visit website for a list of CT November events.
And you can also get a head-start on many things to do in Connecticut in December that start in November.
We already mentioned leaf peeping still being a thing down by us in early November. But even more of the other fall activities are still doable later in the fall.
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And you can even take advantage of the colder days to start enjoying the top winter activities in CT, too!
Apple picking and pumpkin picking in November would likely disappoint. The fields and orchards are likely over-picked by then. But the corn mazes are still standing, and hayrides and haunted houses are often less crowded and thus more fun.
Most of these activities remain family friendly, just be sure to dress in layers.
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Fall is football tailgating season for sports fans. And UConn and Yale both have football games throughout the fall. Yale’s season ends with the Yale/Harvard football game at the end of November.
As with a lot of other options on this list, Connecticut’s wineries and vineyards empty-out after October.
But the slower months are still great times to enjoy a tasting or two on CT wine trail wineries. It’s a more relaxed time to witness one of the fastest-growing wine-growing areas in the United States.
You can often hike through entire Connecticut state parks in November and not pass another hiker. The crunch of the recently-fallen leaves and the crisp autumn air in your lungs adds to the experience.
Be sure to visit a nature center or two:
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Or skip the potential mud and visit top indoor activities across Connecticut.
Art museums and galleries across the state are open for visitors throughout the year, though the crowds die-down by November. Spots that are perfect for a late fall tour include:
For something a little less high-brow, checkout the scavenger hunts and bingo games at the PEZ Visitor Center, in Orange, Connecticut. One could easily argue that PEZ dispensers are an art-form in and of themselves.
Bonfires are fun in the summer, but you actually have a good reason to cuddle by a fire starting in November.
We’re looking forward to the fires on our patio, or you could enjoy some privacy with one of our guest rooms with fireplaces.
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One of the best parts of November in Connecticut is the relative calm. The crowds have departed for the year, so you often feel like you have the place to yourself.
That also means not as many events and festivals to show-off. After some serious time spent researching, this is what this writer found:
Fall festivals and events happening in November include:
November in Connecticut is perfect in its own right.
Well, perfect may not be the right word.
But it has its own benefits to balance-out some of the drawbacks people associate with the month. Which means that as far as months go, it is enough as it is.
And don’t let anyone else say otherwise.
Come see for yourself!
Cross the border from New York State and arrive in Greenwich, Connecticut.
It's the perfect point to start exploring the state, as well as the Hudson River Valley.
Click below to download our free Visitor's Guide to Greenwich, CT.