There's Nothing Like Fall in New England
Don’t get us wrong – we LOVE summer. But we also appreciate that every time the season changes it’s special. Once the leaves start falling, you’ll find us grabbing our hoodies and looking for our breath in the cool, crisp air.
Fall is when we look forward to all the tastes, smells and feels that come with the season, and we don’t want you to miss any of the fun. So light the fire, grab your pumpkin spice beverage of choice, and start planning your Wicked-Fun Fall 2021 Bucket List!
Mayflower Beer Garden at The Pinehills
It's Back! Sundays in October | 11am–6pm
Join us to raise a glass at the Mayflower Beer Garden at The Pinehills . With Mayflower Brewing craft beer on tap, wines, live music, artisan pop-up shops and more.
Bring a chair or blanket, order to-go from your favorite Pinehills establishments, like Mamma Mia's, The Market, The Blueberry Muffin, or The Bistro at Mirbeau Inn & Spa and make a relaxing day of it on the Village Green.
Leaf Peeping
'Tis the season to take in New England's amazing colors
Timing is everything so keep the Peak Fall Foliage Map and New England Fall Foliage Forecast on hand to plan your best leaf peeping days. Next, pick a state, any state and you won’t be disappointed. From Connecticut to Vermont and every state in between, New England has the gift of foliage – lots of foliage!
Road Trips
Always Take the Scenic Route
Lucky us.... New England has some of the most scenic road trips! If you do your planning right, you can visit all our beautiful states. From Maine to Connecticut, to Boston and Central Massachusetts, not to mention that other “shore” North of Boston. Hop in the car and go for a long Fall drive around New England.
Fall Festivals
Fall is festival season in New England!
From seafood to cider to pumpkins, country fairs to Renaissance Fairs, there's a festival for every thing.
While the Wellfleet Oyster Festival isn’t on for 2021, you can still find some briny Cape Cod oyster goodness October 16th at the 4th annual Cape Cod Beer Shuck! A Day of Oysters and Beer. Love seafood of all kinds? That same weekend, the 30th Annual Seafood Festival takes place at Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, Rhode Island.
Apples the apple of your eye? 10/16 & 10/17 is the 37th Annual Wachusett Mountain AppleFest. Or, celebrate all things apple at the Franklin County Cider Days, 11/6 & 11/7.
A couple of blue-ribbon winners in the world of New England Fairs include The Topsfield Fair (Massachusetts – 10/1 to 10/11) and The Fryeburg Fair (Maine – 10/3 to 10/10). If you’ve never been – go! You won’t be sorry.
Step back in time with King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA – Now in its 40th season, the colorful renaissance festival runs through October 24th. Turkey leg anyone?
It is the season for all things pumpkin so you can bet there are lots and lots (and lots) of celebrations of the king of the gourds!
- Frog Pond Pumpkin Float (Boston – 10/18)
- Hollowed Harvest Wicked Labyrinth (Salem, MA – through 10/31)
- Pumpkintown USA (East Hampton, CT – through 10/31)
- Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular (Providence, RI – through 10/31)
Even More New England Fairs and Festivals!
Apple Picking / Pumpkin Picking / Corn Mazes
Get Stalked in a Corn Maze!
From apple picking, to picking the perfect pumpkin, to getting lost in a corn maze, you’ll find it all right here in New England.
- CN Smith Farm (East Bridgewater)
- Knight Farm (North Scituate, RI)
- Sweet Berry Farm (Middletown, RI)
- Tougas Family Farm (Northborough, MA)
- C & C Reading Farm (West Bridgewater MA)
- Keith’s Farm (Acushnet, MA)
- Nessralla Farm (Halifax, MA)
- Sauchuk Corn Maze (Plymouth, MA)
- Flint Farm Stand Corn Maze (Mansfield, MA)
- So many mazes!
Historic, HAUNTED New England
‘Tis the Season for Spooky Things
Download your EMF app, put on your running shoes, and head out on some of the creepiest haunted tours in New England... if you dare.
- There are plenty of folks who will tell you that Americas Hometown is wicked haunted…
- Salem is a classic New England destination this time of year. Have a look at the ghost and history tours through Witch City Walking Tours.
- Been there done that? How about this list: Most Haunted Places in New England
Fall Farmers Markets
Support Your Local Farmers!
Farmers markets hit their peak with the fall harvest. Enjoy the bounty at the great farmers markets to be found right here on the South Shore.
- Rye Tavern Farmers Market
- Plymouth Farmers Market
- Kingston Farmers Market
- Marshfield Farmers Market
- Scituate Farmers Market
Our Favorite Time of Year in America's Hometown!
When fall arrives in Plymouth – we give thanks!
Thanksgiving is America’s holiday, and in no place is it more celebrated than Plymouth. One of our very favorite places to embrace the sights, smells and flavor of the season is at Plimoth Patuxet Museum. Their New England Harvest Feast is a delicious journey into the past, and don’t miss the brand new exhibit commemorating the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving, "We Gather Together: Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and the Making of an American Holiday."
Some may think that the Macy’s Parade is the thing, but back and better than ever for 2021 is America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration on Saturday, November 20th from 10am – 12pm. In addition to the parade and gorgeous floats, there are lots of events taking place including the Wampanoag Educational Pavilion, the Waterfront Festival, a Beer and Wine Garden, Waterfront Activities, Historic Village and live music!
Long Walks in the Crisp Air
Sometimes a trail is better than a road.
Your legs, better than a car. The sounds of nature, better than a radio. That’s when you think less about where you’re going and more about where you are. Here are a few places to get out and enjoy the great outdoors:
- From Plymouth to Cohasset to Scituate, enjoy the fresh air and fun with some of The Best Fall Hikes on the South Shore.
- Finally, there may not be a more beautiful place to explore on the South Shore than World’s End in Hingham.
Help Neighbors in Need
Please remember all those who could use a helping hand this time of year and throughout the year.
- South Shore Community Action Council
- Food Pantry – Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless
- Friends of the Plymouth Pound
Need More Help with Your Fall Bucket List?
Here are some great resources.
