Autumn returns to New England

  • Published
  • By Meredith March
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The leaves have begun turning brilliant colors and the night air has acquired a decided chill, meaning it's time to enjoy New England's spectacular autumn views and take in some of the area's fall events and festivals. There is a wide variety of activities for both individuals and families to see and do before the splendor of fall turns to a wintery mix of white. Here's a glimpse of some of the autumn activities that New England has to offer.

Massachusetts 

King Richard's Faire: The Faire is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, through Oct. 25. Tickets for adults are $26 per person. Cost for children ages 5 to 12 is $15; children younger than 5 are admitted for free. Parking is free. Visit www.kingrichardsfaire.net for more information.

Topsfield Fair: The Topsfield Fair is one of America's oldest agricultural fairs. The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is scheduled to run through Oct. 12. Tickets are available at Hanscom's Information Tickets and Travel Office. Cost is $9 per person and ride strips are available for $20. For more information call ITT at (781) 377-3262.

Davis Farmland: The farmland, located in Sterling, Mass., is a sanctuary for endangered farm animals, where children can learn about, pet and feed the animals. The farmland is open Thursdays through Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available through ITT. Cost is $12. For more information call (978) 422-6666 or visit www.davisfarmland.com.

Davis Mega Maze: Davis Mega Maze is a themed corn maze located across the street from the farmlands. The maze covers three miles of winding pathways and has a new theme each year. The theme for 2009's maze is the Lost Tomb. The maze is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets obtained through ITT cost $12. For more information call (978) 422-8888 or visit www.davisfarmland.com/megamaze.

Canobie Lake Park: The park's annual Screeemfest opens Oct. 2 and runs through Nov. 1. The park will be open Friday through Sunday evenings throughout October and will also open for the Columbus Day holiday. In addition to shows and rides for adults, the park has entertainment for children, including the Pumpkin Palace, where kids can enjoy pumpkins, storytelling, and a trip to Oz. Parking is free. For park hours and directions visit www.canobiehaunts.com. For ticket information contact ITT at (781) 377-3262.

Old Sturbridge Village: Located at the intersection of I-90 and I-84, the village is a living history museum situated on more than 200 acres. It features more than 40 restored and recreated buildings including a bank, meeting house, country store, parsonage, covered bridge, town pound, shoe shop, tin shop and personal residences as well as living history interpreters. The village is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (800) 733-1830 or go online to www.osv.org.

Halloween Tales at the Hartwell Tavern: Join park rangers and volunteers in a spooky candle-lit setting for an evening of traditional New England ghost stories on Oct. 16. A special early show, appropriate for children 6 years and under will take place from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. The regular performance will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information call (978) 318-7825 or go online to www.nps.gov/mima.

Battle Road Heroes at Minuteman National Historical Park: Join park volunteers and rangers and travel back in time for a special, candle-lit evening of theater and history on Oct. 10 at the Hartwell Tavern. Listen to the personal stories of residents who lived along the Battle Road on April 19, 1775. Join Capt. William Smith, the Hartwells, the Lincoln Minute Men, drovers, musicians, and His Majesty`s soldiers. Starting at 7 p.m., tours leave approximately every 15 minutes. For more information call (978) 318-7825 or go online to www.nps.gov/mima.

Wachusett Mountain 26th Annual AppleFest: The fall festival celebration will be held Oct. 17 to 18 and Oct. 24 to 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, Mass. Events include more than 60 craft exhibitors each weekend, in addition to a farmers' market and special family fun side shows with traditional New England flair. The first weekend will follow an Octoberfest theme, including German entertainment, food and beer. The second weekend features a Celticfest theme, which will celebrate Irish music, food and dancing. Kids' entertainment includes face painting, clowns, hay rides, pony rides, petting zoo and moon bounces. Enjoy peak foliage viewing from the SkyRide. For more information call (978) 464-2300 or go online to www.wachusett.com.

Maine

Maine National Scenic Byways: Located in Maine are four national scenic byways. There are many shopping, dining, historical and recreation offerings along the routes.

Acadia Byway: This coastal route travels through Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor.

Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway: As the name suggests, this byway travels along Route 201, through forests from Solon to the Canadian border.

Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway: Located along Routes 4 and 17, this route provides many outdoor recreation opportunities such as golfing, boating and hiking.

Schoodic National Scenic Byway: This route travels along a more rugged area of the Downeast Maine coastline. Visitors can experience lobstering and other traditional ways of life in the sheltered harbors.

To contact the Maine Office of Tourism, call (888) 624-6345 or go to their Web site at www.visitmaine.com.

New Hampshire 

Keene Pumpkin Festival: The annual Pumpkin Festival will take place in Keene, N.H. on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The festival features music, a children's costume parade, a pumpkin pie-eating contest and more. After dark, attendees will enjoy the view of thousands of lit jack-o'-lanterns. For more information call (603) 358-5344 or go online to www.pumpkinfestival.org.

Lincoln, Meredith and Weirs Beach, Fall Foliage Trains: Through Oct. 25, enjoy train rides that wind throughout the White Mountains region. Call or visit Web site for schedule, tickets and locations. Call (603) 745-2135 or (603) 279-5253 for more information or go online to www.foliagetrains.com.

Kancamagus Highway: During the fall months, a drive along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway provides a scenic view of the New England fall foliage. The route travels through the White Mountains of New Hampshire and is approximately 28 miles long.

White Mountains: The White Mountains area offers a wide variety of family attractions, outdoor and indoor recreation activities, including camping and hiking facilities.

For more information on areas to visit in New Hampshire call (800) 386-4664 or go online to www.visitnh.gov.

Vermont

Quechee State Park: This park is home to the impressive Quechee Gorge which stands a dramatic 165 feet below spectators. It was formed from thousands of years of water flows from the Ottauquechhe River. The park features waterfalls, campgrounds and hiking trails and is open through Oct. 19.

For more information on things to do in the state visit Vermont's Department of Tourism and Marketing online at www.travelvermont.com or call (800) 837-6668.

(Editor's note: Rhonda Siciliano, 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)