The Perfect New England Fall

The crisp air, the vibrant leaves, the excuse for extra snuggles… fall has to be my favorite time of the year. Besides the fact that my birthday arrives during this season, there is so much more to celebrate with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all around the corner. And yes, this is an excuse for unlimited apple cider and the pillsbury holiday-themed sugar cookies, but there are so many activities that are characteristic of a New England fall. Throw on your Barbour quilted vest, your best Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater, and those LL Bean boots you’ve kept in storage: here are some picturesque ways to celebrate this fall.

Apple Picking (Shelburne Farm)

We’ve been heading to Shelburne Farm in Stow, MA for two years now and it’s for a very particular reason (besides the fact that I LOVE tradition). Sure, you can apple pick anywhere, but nothing beats a good cheddar-apple pairing: head to this farm if you’re interested in making an excellent fall-themed charcuterie plate out of their reserve cheddar. After handpicking a peck of apples, we like to explore their antique apple shop which boasts a selection of specialty apples, cider, homemade cider donuts, and ornamental gourds. Their farm also includes alpacas, llamas, goats, miniature donkeys, bunnies, and chickens to visit and though they do have a pumpkin patch, they are the pre-cut ones that are lined up in rows.

A Real Pumpkin Patch (Ward’s Berry Farm)

Given that Shelburne Farms did not have a real patch for picking, I was determined to find a farm that offered off-the-vine pumpkins. Ward’s Berry is a very impressive establishment in Sharon, MA that still had pick-your-own cherry tomatoes, flowers, blueberries, and raspberries available by mid-October (I know this is more so weather-dependent than intentional, but wow!) Their stand had a large variety of pumpkins, squashes, and ornamental gourds if you’re in a rush, but we were here for some real pumpkin picking. To get there, we walked through their playground, haystacks, farm, and multiple patches of PYO, including a beautiful peach orchard. The pumpkin patch was humongous and still had a bountiful selection of pumpkins by the time we arrived (tip: grab a wagon at the farm stand first). On our way back, we hung out with their farm animals which included two beautiful cows, multiple sheep, goats, bunnies, and chickens. Their Nubian goats, Shadow and Luna, had the floppiest ears and the most beautiful coats. We played on their playground, climbed on the haystacks, and then checked out at the farm stand with some specialty pumpkins and a baguette. I would highly recommend Ward’s Berry Farm and cannot wait to come at other times of the year for their fruits.

A Boating Event (Head of the Charles)

Honestly, there is nothing more New England than watching the world’s largest regatta on the Charles River amidst the colorful leaves and beautiful architecture of Cambridge. It’s not just all about rowing - companies, vendors, and food trucks line the banks, handing out tons of free samples, promoting new products, and selling HOCR apparel. I love the Head of the Charles, not only because it is an excuse to hang out by a body of water in a perfectly planned boating outfit, but because families love to bring their pups to these kinds of events. Last year, we met the most mellow black lab named Hudson with huge paws and he was the best boy. Though I know he has definitely grown in size, I hope to see him again, and many, many more good pups.

A Boating Event (except it’s you in the boat)

If you love the water as much as me, it’s not a destination exclusive to the summertime. With the leaves turning and the temperature dropping, putting yourself in a body of water may not sound ideal, but this is where I find myself the most at peace. The water was so glassy as we explored each nook of the lake and watched the wildlife interact with each other, and there were few people that dared to venture out on the lake with us. And if you’re feeling adventurous (and sailing certified), rig your boat and give it a whirl. I would consider this activity the nautical version of how people drive up to VT to see the leaves change.

The Beach

I have one last summer-turned-fall activity in mind, and it’s visiting the shore. For me, snuggling up on the beach with a blanket and a hot drink sounds so appealing, and maybe that is because it is ironic to be at the beach when it’s cold (but also because I am a self-proclaimed beachkin). One of my favorite days in the summertime was heading to the beach to boogie board when it was raining. The forecast was a gray 70°F and the beach was completely deserted, so we jumped in the waves, wrapped up in a towel, and watched how the sky and the ocean were perfect reflections of each other that day (symbolic much?) I cannot wait to take a stroll on the beach and look for the perfect sea shell because chances are, there will be an excellent selection since everyone else is cozied up at home.

Sheep and Wool Festival (Rhineback, NY)

The Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Festival is a nostalgic memory for me. My mom used to knit a lot, and this festival is one of the largest gatherings of sheep, llamas, and alpacas, as well as their coveted product: wool. Vendors take this event very seriously and bring their best goats to compete for prizes in shows hosted at this event so this is the kind of content that I am willing to commute for. Apart from the animals, I am a huge fan of their rock and mineral show as well as all their seasonal and carnival foods, like apple pie and funnel cake. Just three hours from Boston, consider this another excuse to take a moment to enjoy all the fall foliage or even create a romantic weekend getaway with this.

Cranberry Bog Wading (Cape Cod)

Cranberry bog tours are a super New England activity that often gets overlooked as a hallmark activity for fall. Cranberries grow on vines and when the harvest turns a deep red color, farmers flood the bog with a foot of water, and run their picker through. Since cranberries float, this makes it a lot easier for farmers to collect them. In my opinion, the cherry (cranberry?) on top of these tours is if you’re allowed to don a pair of waders and make your way into this sea of floating cranberries (if you haven’t seen the Ocean Spray commercials that depict this, then you should seriously get on that). This activity really isn’t one that you can just stroll on to a farm and expect to stand in their bog, so plan in advance to book a tour at one of the many family-owned cranberry farms around the Cape Cod area.