Fodor’s Travel picks New Haven as CT’s underrated fall destination

“There’s nothing like the charm of Connecticut in Fall. And New Haven isn’t just home to Yale University — there are plenty of fall-focused activities to embark on here in autumn,” the website said.

The travel website’s “12 Underrated and Picturesque Northeastern Towns for a Cozy Fall Escape” list recommends towns in the region where people can get the complete fall experience while avoiding large crowds. Fodor’s Travel recommended towns like Westerly, R.I. instead of Newport and Boston, instead of Salem.

Fodor’s Travel suggested New Haven as an alternative to Greenwich for its haunted tours, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, hiking trails and Yale University football tailgates.

Visitors can book a spirited Ghosts of New Haven Tour to hear dark tales about the city. For outdoor adventures, the list suggests visiting the pumpkin patch at the Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven, apple picking at Guilford’s Bishop’s Orchards and hiking in Sleeping Giant State Park. Sports fans can tailgate for a Yale football game and stay in the Graduate New Haven hotel located near the university.

The city’s new Hotel Marcel, the first net-zero energy hotel in the U.S., also received a mention for those wishing to make their trip more sustainable.

Those who do want to check out Greenwich this fall can expect a hayrides at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, hiking at the Greenwich Audubon Center and the Greenwich Wine and Food Festival on Oct. 1.

Residents who live far away from New Haven may also consider Monroe, Mystic, Essex, Litchfield and Kent for an eventful autumn day.

The list also included Burlington, Vt.; Bethlehem, Penn.; Catskills, N.Y.; Loudoun County, Va.; Cape May, N.J.; St. Michaels, Md.; Thomas & Davis, W. Va.; Camden, Maine; and Portsmouth, N.H.