Section 9 is located in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts.

The Section 9 portion of the New England Scenic Trail is a difficult one that is suited for experienced hikers. It can get very steep in parts and may require some rope assistance.

This top-rated hike includes scenic views, a lake, and beautiful foliage.

There are also some interesting natural wonders including wildflowers and funky trees to witness along the way.

Be sure not to miss this pretty little brook. It makes a great backdrop for your hiking selfie!

The Fort River Birding and Nature Trail is an easy one-mile loop trail that is perfect for nature lovers of all ages.

The short scenic path will take you past meadows full of wildflowers, wooded areas, and two ponds.

Little ones will be amazed by all of the Interesting creatures that they encounter along the way. Be on the lookout for turtles, frogs, rabbits, and various species of birds.

There is also a gorgeous pollinator garden along the trail. Bring your binoculars to get the best views of caterpillars, bees, hummingbirds, and monarch butterflies.

While you are walking, be sure to look out for this twisted tree!

The interpretive signs are one of my favorite things about this trail.

Another thing that makes this path so special are the many beautiful spots where you can stop and relax along the way.

The Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters in Cambridge is one of these unique places. For almost 40 years, the house was home to poet Henry W. Longfellow.

Outside of the Longfellow house is a short but beautiful 0.7-mile loop trail.

Enjoy some time wandering through the formal garden. It is beautifully landscaped with colorful flowers, statues, and quiet places to sit.

You don’t even need to take a tour of the Longfellow house to enjoy the grounds. The gardens are open from morning until evening and admission to them is free of charge.

You can even borrow books, art supplies, and games to enjoy on the lawn. Just head over to the site’s visitors center and they will help you out.

A fall foliage trip with Charles Riverboat Company is the perfect way to spend a relaxing autumn day in Boston.

Climb aboard the boat at the CambridgeSide Mall in Cambridge and get ready for 90 minutes of spectacular leaf peeping and lots of fall fun.

As you cruise along the banks of Boston and Cambridge, you will experience gorgeous views of Harvard University, the Boston skyline, and Memorial Drive.

You will also pass by the Charles River Esplanade, one of the city’s most beautiful places to spot colorful leaves.

While you sail, you can relax and enjoy your favorite cocktail. The boat has a full-service bar for your enjoyment.

The Fall Foliage tours run most Fridays and weekends throughout the month of October and into the first week of November, so there will be lots of opportunities for you to set sail on the water.

The loop trail at the Notchview Reservation is a short 1.9-mile hike, but it is a moderately challenging one. The hike can be completed in about 45 minutes.

You will pass through peaceful wooded areas and beautiful open fields along the way.

Gorgeous wildflowers, an array of birds, and mature trees surround you while you hike.

You may also see butterflies, snakes, and small woodland creatures.

One of the things that makes the reservation so special, is that many of the trails can be enjoyed all year long. This definitely makes Notchview a top Massachusetts hike in my book! From December to April, you can take part in some fantastic snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Notchview is owned and operated by its trustees. Please be aware that the property charges a fee for non-members.

Your journey to the Rye Tavern begins on Old Sandwich Road, an dirt road that is thought to be one of the oldest public streets in the entire country.

Step back in history while enjoying some fantastic food. The tavern specializes in fresh farm-to-table cuisine.

A portion of the restaurant's produce is grown on-site in its very own Rye garden. Many of the other ingredients are sourced from local farms and markets.

The seasonal menu is filled with delicious dishes. The chefs make changes to the menu each day, so there is always something new to try.

The tavern serves lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch.

The cocktails at the Rye Tavern are fabulous.

Enjoy your meal from the comfort of the warm and cozy inside dining area.

On Monday afternoons (throughout the summer and into fall), the Rye Tavern also hosts a local farmers market. It is a great place to buy local honey, flowers, baked goods, fresh produce, and handmade items.

Stockbridge is a quaint little town in the Berkshire region of the state.

If your trip to town includes a hike, I suggest checking out the scenic Laura’s Tower Trail. This 1.8-mile moderate trail leads you to a tower where you can climb up and enjoy some beautiful views.

More gorgeous scenery can be found at the Stockbridge Bowl near the Tanglewood Music venue.

One of the town’s biggest fall events takes place at Naumkeag, the former estate of well-known lawyer, Joseph Choate. Throughout the month of October, you can tour the lush property and visit over 1,500 uniquely carved jack-o-lanterns when you attend The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show.

A quintessential New England visit to Stockbridge is not complete without a stop at the Norman Rockwell Museum.

Even if you don’t feel like walking, you can still enjoy the majestic foliage of Stockbridge.

There is so much fall fun to experience in Stockbridge that you might as well turn your trip into a getaway.

The ANGRY donut is a true hidden gem that can be found within the coastal city of Newburyport. Despite its peculiar name, the bakery is known for its welcoming atmosphere.

The donuts are not only delicious but also award-winning.

You must try the ANGRY Donut’s Vanilla glazed donut! This brioche donut is absolutely irresistible!

The glazed donuts are only one of many delicious options at Angry Donuts. Other scrumptious flavors include strawberry jelly, peanut butter cookie monster, maple bacon, and chocolate sea salt. All donuts are handmade.

And if for some reason you are not in the mood for a donut, there are many other breakfast options available, including the very popular ANGRY Egg Sandwiches!

Other fantastic breakfast treats include muffins, pastries, cinnamon rolls, and coffee cake. You can also order a hot or cold sandwich and a salad for lunch.

The South Coast Harvest Festival is one fall event that you won't want to miss! The fun will take place Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Westport Fairgrounds in the little town of Westport.

Get ready for three full days of festive autumn fun! There will be scarecrow displays, beautiful flowers, children’s activities, and animal shows.

The fair kicks off with an opening celebration on the morning of Friday, Sept. 29. Events throughout the day, include a pumpkin carving demonstration, an antique tractor procession, and a stunt trick dog show.

The celebration continues with another whole day of fall fun on Saturday. There will be more music and live performances to enjoy; however, the event that I am most excited about is the live owl demonstration.

Sunday, Oct. 1 is the final day of the festival. There will be an interesting talk about native pollinator plants as well as an informative workshop about shitake mushrooms.

You can also buy lots of yummy food at the fair. Vendors include Ocean Grove Burrito Bar, Del's Lemonade, and No Joke Smoke BBQ.

You will be hard-pressed to find a more magical hike than the Rockery Trail at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Trail.

The trail leads to the Rock Grotto, a century-old man-made rock structure that is so much fun to explore.

As you walk along the boardwalk to get to the grotto be on the lookout for some interesting wildlife.

Many beautiful birds frequent the property, including some pretty friendly ducks.

But one of my family’s favorite things about this hike is feeding the birds.