Connecticut in Autumn
Nature saves her big fireworks in Connecticut for autumn. Generally, it happens about the second week in October, when suddenly the forested green of summertime flashes into a hundred shades of scarlet and gold, coaxing you out for a last fair-weather fling.
Go. Be brave. Leave the interstates and wander off on less-traveled byways, threading your way through hills and valleys, past brooks and ponds - all framed in the vibrant color of fall.
And what you see is not all you get. The tempting tastes and smells of a New England harvest - apples, pumpkins, peaches, and Fall vegetables- are found at scores of roadside stands and cider mills throughout the state. Virtually every byway has one or more.
Autumn is a time of country fairs, where farm folk - and other folk - gather to show off their animals and crops, compete for prizes in dozens of friendly contests, and display their handicrafts. There are oxen draws, games of skill and chance, midway rides for the young at heart, and finger food of every conceivable variety.
While the fair season makes its annual debut in late summer, things really get into gear come Labor Day Weekend, and the fun continues through mid-October. It is a great time to be outdoors, walking the well-marked trails of Connecticut's state parks and forests, exploring its wealth of nature centers and preserves, visiting historic sites, enjoying a seasonal hayride, and generally taking advantage of the brisk sunny days that precede the snows of winter.
Gillette Castle and the Durham Green
WHY ARE CONNECTICUT AUTUMNS SO EXCEPTIONAL?
Only a few regions of the world have seasonal displays of color like Connecticut's. Eastern North America has large areas of deciduous forests, ample rainfall and favorable weather conditions for vivid fall colors. Eastern Asia, southwestern Europe and the mountains of the western U.S. can provide comparable viewing opportunities for bright fall colors.
In Connecticut, some species offering exceptional foliage color are in greater abundance than others. These include: Red only: Red Oak, White Oak. Yellow only: Quaking Aspen, Birch, Hickory, Norway Maple, Tulip Tree. Red or Yellow: Cherry, Red Maple. Brown or Yellow: Silver Maple. Bronze: Beech. Bronze or Red: Sugar Maple and Scarlet Oak. Purple or Red: Dogwood. Purple, Red or Yellow: Ash. Purple, Red, Yellow or Orange: Sassafras and Sumac.
According to Native American legend, "Celestial hunters slew the Great Bear autumn, and the spilled blood turned the leaves red. The yellow of fall came from the fat splattering out of the kettle as the hunters cooked their prize."
Actually, termination of chlorophyll production, coupled with chemical processes which take place as growing season ends, create the spectacular array of pigments. These vary in each species, making each identifiable by its fall colors.
WHEN DOES IT PEAK?
While Columbus Day weekend in October is a good "ballpark" gauge for the peak around most of the state, Connecticut's long-lasting foliage season actually encompasses the first three weeks of October. Then, foliage is at its best, mostly yellows and reds with bronze, orange and purple accents. This is due to a southern New England location and the influence of warmer, coastal air.
Check out the current conditions at