6 New England Towns You Have To Visit In October
There is so much to do, see, eat, drink and enjoy in New England come October! Whether you are a horror fanatic looking for some spooky scares, an outdoorsy-type in search of the best spots to leaf-peep, or a party person hoping to enjoy some fall brews and brats, these 6 towns have the perfect autumn event for you!
1. Salem, Massachusetts
There is endless spooky fun to be had in Salem each year, from kid-friendly events, to strictly adult horror and supernatural themed expos and pub crawls. More than 250,000 people are lured to the famous city each October for the month-long Haunted Happenings festival, which includes parades, street performers, family film nights on the Salem Common, costume balls, live music, and a Pyschic Fair & Witchcraft Expo. To learn more about the rich and tragic history of Salem, tour the Salem Witch Museum and The Witch House, the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin who presided over the Salem Witch Trials in the 17th century.
2. Lincoln, New Hampshire
#loonmountain #dasboot #shoottheboot #glassboot #boot #beer #samadams #samadamsoctoberfestThose in search of some adult fun complete with beer, brats, and gorgeous views will love the White Mountain Oktoberfest held on Oct. 7 and 8 at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Festivities include live music and beer-themed contests like stein hoisting and keg tossing. Representatives from Samuel Adams will be on hand for brewing tips, demonstrations, and plenty of beer samples. Once you sober up, take a drive down Kancamagus Highway, which runs through Lincoln. It was named one of the 7 best places to see fall foliage in New England by Town & Country magazine.
3. Danville, Vermont
Danville, VT is home to “the largest maze in New England.” 10-inch-tall corn stalk walls weave, curve and dead-end across three miles, taking visitors more than two hours to find their way out. Danville’s Great Vermont Corn Maze is open 7 days a week and offers a smaller “scenic” maze that is more kid-friendly. There is also a kid’s play village and barnyard miniature golf.
4. Nantucket, Massachusetts
The population of Nantucket drops off drastically with the end of summer, making October a fabulous time to visit the island. There are several fall festivals to enjoy including the nine-day Nantucket Arts Festival (Sept. 30-Oct. 8). This year’s theme is “Imagination at Sea,” and will feature performances by the North Star Jazz Ensemble, a film festival, and the annual Nantucket Music Center Organ Crawl. Oct. 7 is the local favorite annual Cranberry Festival held at Milestone Cranberry Bog.
5. Damariscotta, Maine
Love pumpkins? Then Damariscotta, Maine is the place to be this October. The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta – held from Oct. 6-9 this year – is a massive, world-famous event that draws more than 15,000 people to Maine each year. There is a pumpkin parade, a giant pumpkin weigh-off, a pumpkin soapbox-style derby, a pumpkin hunt, pumpkin pie-eating contests, a pumpkin drop, and a display of more than 65 carved and painted pumpkins. The event is family-friendly with lots of delicious pumpkin and fall themed treats. On the final day, regatta participants race down the Damariscotta River in gigantic hollowed-out pumpkins!
6. Adams, Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ highest point, Mount Greylock, sores 3,491 feet above the earth in Adams’ little corner of the Berkshires. Not only is it a remarkable spot to take in the fall foliage at its peak, Adams will also host the 50th Annual Greylock Ramble on Oct. 9. Hikers can pick up a shuttle in downtown Adams that will deliver them to the base of the mountain’s Cheshire Harbor Trail. Once at the top, there are refreshments and souvenirs, plus a 90 mile panoramic view – weather permitting. North Adams also offers scenic fall foliage train rides throughout the month of October.
H/T to Boston.com