Ideal Conditions Expected

For Fall Foliage Viewing

With optimal weather conditions and healthy forests, this autumn is expected to be one of Connecticut’s best leaf peeping seasons in recent memory, according to the state’s leading foliage authority. With a central location offering convenient access throughout the east coast, the state now offers driving routes, hikes, and outdoor excursions to help put visitors in the thick of this colorful display.

According to Don Smith, Connecticut’s state forester (and the brother of Newtown Town Clerk Cindy Simon), the color display this year should be spectacular.

Connecticut’s dazzling bouquet of fall foliage peaks during the month of October. The Connecticut Office of Tourism has made it easy for visitors to obtain pertinent information as they make their plans. Since Connecticut’s foliage season is dependent on Mother Nature’s unpredictable temperatures, the Connecticut Office of Tourism offers updates with details on when colors are at their peak throughout the state. Call the toll-free number, 800-CT-Bound (800-282-6863) or visit www.ctbound.org for up-to-date foliage information.

Leaf-Peeping Sites

For panoramic views high above the treetops, savvy fall foliage seekers climb to great heights to leaf-peep at the Valley’s below. Connecticut’s Bureau of Parks and Forested has selected the following as this year’s top viewing spots:

Haystack Mountain State Park/Stone Tower in West Norfolk

Macedonia Brook State Park/Cobble Mountain in Kent

Mohawk State Forest/Lookout Tower in Cornwall

Pachaug State Forest/Mt Misery Overlook in Voluntown

People’s State Forest/Chaugnam Lookout in Barkhamsted

Shenipsit State Forest/Observation Tower in Somers

Sleeping Giant State Park/Stone Tower in Hamden

Talcott Mountain State Park/Heublein Tower in Simsbury

For more information, contact the Connecticut Bureau of Parks and Forests at 860-424-3200.

Driving Tours

There’s no better way to soak up the colors of autumn than by taking a leisurely drive along one of Connecticut’s National Scenic Roads. The following districts offer various self-guided tours:

The Litchfield Hills Visitors Bureau is offering an updated version of its award-winning, free, 40-page full-color Unwind brochure that targets all the attractions in northwestern Connecticut within easy access of the leaf peepers trails. Points of interest run the gamut from a unique Indian museum, America’s first law school, homes large and small linked to the history of the Colonial period, to a wide range of outdoor sports activities. Visitors to the area can hike a mountain trail, ride a horse, and shop for fall bulbs and annuals at some of America’s most prestigious nurseries, among other choices. To learn more about boating, lakes, and other outdoor fun, and to receive a free copy of Unwind, call the Litchfield Hills Visitors Bureau at 860-567-4506; or visit their website at www.LitchfieldHills.com.

The Central Connecticut Tourism District and the Waterbury Region Convention & Visitors Bureau have teamed up to offer visitors a Fall Foliage Driving Tours brochure with sites ranging from arts and crafts festivals to pumpkin picking and hayrides. For a free brochure, contact the Central Connecticut Tourism Bureau at 860-225-3901 or visit www.centralct.org. The Waterbury Region Convention & Visitors Bureau can be reached at 888-588-7880 or visit www.waterburyregion.com.

Connecticut’s Heritage Valley, also known as the North Central district, has put together a driving tour brochure that outlines the area’s many activities – from pick-your-own farms to historical sights located throughout the ten-town district. For a free copy of A Fall Foliage Driving Tour of North Central Connecticut, call the North Central Tourism Bureau at 800-248-8283, 800-763-2578 or visit www.cntb.org.

Connecticut River Valley & Shoreline Visitors Council has compiled a checklist of suggestions for travelers interested in spectacular foliage scenes complete with waterviews and waterfalls. For further information, the Connecticut River Valley & Shoreline Visitors Council can reached at 800-486-3346 or visit www.cttourism.org.

Where To Stay

Whether the colors of autumn spark a romantic escape or annual family ritual, visitors can find a comprehensive list of accommodations ranging from hotels and motels to country inns and B&Bs in the Connecticut Vacation Guide. For more information on fall foliage and accommodations, call for a free guide or, for a state map highlighting scenic places, call 800-CT-BOUND (800-282-6863). Visit www.ctbound.org for a listing of “52 Great Connecticut Getaways” – two-and-three day itineraries designed for families and couples.