Fall Foliage 1 Day Itinerary
Itinerary Note
Note – we put some scheduled times in here just to give you some ideas. You can pick and choose what you want to do. Be sure to look at when they are open and if there are any COVID restrictions. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to call any that you plan to visit just to be on the safe side.
Morning
9:00 AM – Breakfast at the Greenhouse Restaurant
19 Main Street, Caribou, ME 04736
Start off your day with breakfast at the Greenhouse Restaurant! Hours: Monday- Friday 6:00 am- 2:00 pm and Saturday- Sunday 7:00 am- 2:00 pm! Also open for supper, Monday- Saturday 5:00 pm- 9:00 pm and Sunday 4:30 pm- 8:00 pm!
10 min drive to Goughan’s Berry Farm
10:10 AM – Goughan’s Berry Farm
875 Fort Fairfield Road, Caribou, ME 04736
Goughan’s Berry Farm is a fun-filled destination with a corn maze, greenhouses, pumpkins, a dairy bar, and more.
40 min drive to Haystack Mountain
11:50 AM – Haystack Mountain
Haystack Road, Castle Hill, ME 04757
Head to Haystack Mountain in Castle Hill for a short, moderately difficult-level hike. The mountain is said to have one of the best 360-degree views in the country, making for a stunning view of Aroostook County’s fall foliage.
15 min drive to Ashland Diner
1:05 PM – Lunch at Ashland Diner
11 Exchange Street, Ashland, ME 04732
Stop in at the Ashland Diner for lunch to get pizza, sandwiches, and more.
15 min drive to Portage Lake
Afternoon
2:20 PM – Portage Lake Public Beach
West Road, Portage Lake, ME 04768
It’s too cold to swim this time of year, but the Portage Lake Public Beach offers stunning views of the trees and mountains in the fall foliage, with space for public parking, charcoal grills, and picnic tables.
50 min drive to Fort Kent
4:10 PM – Fort Kent Riverside Trails Walk
Riverside Park, 40 Dufour Street, Fort Kent, ME 04743
The Fort Kent Riverside Trails offers a 3-mile network of trails along the Saint John River and Fish River through downtown Fort Kent, passing through natural scenery and historic sites. The trail passes the Fort Kent Blockhouse, which originates from the “Bloodless” Aroostook War of 1838-39, and the border dispute between Great Britain and the United States. The trail network also passes America’s First Mile monument, marking the beginning of the U.S. Route 1.
55 min to Caribou
6:05 PM – Dinner at Mascoto’s Italian Restaurant
6 Center Street, Caribou, ME 04736
Finish off your day at Mascoto’s in Caribou for a variety of delicious Italian options.
Activity Alternatives
Hotel Alternatives
Restaurant Alternatives
Fun Facts
Men’s Journal listed Aroostook County as one of the best 16 places in the country to see fall foliage — read about it here.
Packing Checklist
The weather in Maine can be unpredictable. Therefore, here are some ideas to be prepared. Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers, Maine is very casual, so you probably will not find any restaurants that require formal attire.
Spring/Summer/Fall: clothes, comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes for walking, sun hat, sunscreen, sweater or jacket, insect repellent, toiletries, and phone/camera
Winter: clothes (layers), ski pants highly recommended, winter boots, jacket, hats, scarves, gloves, warm socks, toiletries, and phone/camera. Please pack a helmet if you are participating in snowmobiling, skiing, or snowboarding.
Alternative Routes
In Aroostook County, you can’t go wrong with the route you choose to drive on. This itinerary takes you on Route 11 from Caribou to Fort Kent, and then back to Caribou on Route 161.
Here are some other routes that are just as beautiful:
- US Route 1 from Caribou to Van Buren
- Drive through Presque Isle, Mapleton, Ashland, and Portage Lake; for a loop, drive from Presque Isle to Ashland on Route 163 and then back to Presque Isle on Route 227
- Haynesville Woods on Route 2A – This was a popular route for truck drivers hauling potatoes to Boston, but was the site of many accidents due to its hairpin turns and icy winter conditions. It is known to be haunted by a woman who was in an accident with her husband, or a child who was hit by a truck while trying to cross the road. Fittingly, the song “A Tombstone Every Mile” by Dick Curless was written about this road.
The Presque Isle Historical Society also offers Fall Foliage tours aboard the”Molly the Trolley,” which is a 3-hour trip featuring light narration about area history. Tickets are $10 per person. Call (207) 762-1151 or email pihistoricalsociety@hotmail.com for the season’s dates and to book your seats.