Fun Time for Nurses: Best Leaf Peeper Spots in Connecticut
Cooler weather, vibrant Fall foliage, and apple cider donuts ease the loss of summer and make us long for comfy sweaters and thick socks.
Leaf Peeper Season is almost upon us so let’s plan for a few day trips around the state.
As nurses, as spouses, as mothers, our lives move pretty darn fast and our plans for downtime always seem to go unchecked on the to-do list. So this Fall, let’s all schedule some spare moments to take a drive, go for a nature walk, and just breathe in some of these incredible spots right here in Connecticut.
Let’s look at 3 types of Leaf Peeper Spots:
- Foliage and Food!
- Leaf Peeping from Above
- Unconventional Leaf Peeping
Foliage and Food!
Leaf Peeping is hungry work!
Okay, not actually, but doesn’t it make you crave some hot chocolate, a thick chowder, or crisp apple cider donuts?
Essex sits in the lower Connecticut River Valley and offers stunning mirrored views of the fall foliage in the river, perfect for not only leaf peepers but Instagrammers wanting to impress their followers. For added family fun, you can also ride the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, enjoying the Fall colors from both land and water.
Punctuate your trip with a delicious lunch on the river at Abbey’s Place with outdoor seating next to the boatyard and a diverse menu of American favorites and seafood.
Check out other great Foliage and Food spots here.
Leaf Peeping from Above
If you’re looking to command a wide view of the surrounding foliage, then you’ll want to visit Connecticut’s many accessible lookout towers! These scenic perches often offer 360 degree vistas great for sweeping panoramic photographs.
Visit Mohawk State Forest and the Mohawk Lookout Tower and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Catskill, Taconic, and Berkshire mountain ranges. The Lookout Tower is located at the end of Mohawk Mountain Rd.
Spend the day hiking and maybe catch glimpses of the varied local wildlife, including deer, fox, and bobcat. Bring binoculars to spot hawks, woodpeckers, and dozens of other bird species living in the forest.
Check out other great Lookout Tower Leaf Peeping Spots here.
Unconventional Leaf Peeping
Want to really see the foliage from above? How about from a hot air balloon?
This is not for the casual leaf peeper looking for beautiful foliage. A hot air balloon ride over the local forests and Fall foliage is an experience you need to invest in. While the cost is steep (up to $325/person) a hot air balloon ride over Connecticut in all of its Autumn splendor is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Aer Blarney offers leisurely 3-hour tours while sipping champagne. Berkshire Balloons offers shorter 1-hour tours.
Check out other hot air balloon companies and Unconventional Leaf Peeping ideas here.
NursePower Empowers Nurses!
Our goal from the beginning has always been to help you take better care of yourself. As nurses, we know how hard our jobs are. We know how extra hard things have been the past 18 months as we all handle Covid.
In this space, we share food, exercise, wellness, and family fun ideas that will hopefully make your life a little easier, a little healthier, a little “funner.”
But we are always looking for new ways to give you what you need. If you have any suggestions, please let us know in the comments!
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About Samanta Roseme, RN BSN
Samanta Descombes Roseme, also known as Sam, is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) at Assured Quality Homecare (ASQ). As the CVO, Sam is responsible for setting ASQ’s vision, mission, and goals and ensuring that the company is aligned. Sam brings in over 8 years of experience in the Healthcare field and has a Bachelor’s degree in Registered Nursing from the University of Connecticut. In 2016 Samanta, along with her husband Caleb, founded Assured Quality Homecare with a vision of providing high-quality, trained, and compassionate caregivers to the aging community of New London, CT. Samanta and Caleb are raising three beautiful children, and as a mother and woman of faith, you can find Samanta volunteering at her church in her free time.