Go for the doughnuts, stay for the New England charm.
New England towns are busy, colorful destinations during the fall season, and cider doughnuts are the cherry on top of any excursion.
Ahead, check out reader-recommended cider doughnut spots in every New England state and why they’re worth building a day trip or weekend around.
Amesbury, Mass.
Amesbury, located on the Merrimack River near the New Hampshire border, is a former farming and mill town that produces “the most amazing doughnuts you’ll ever have” at Cider Hill Farm, former city clerk Amanda Haggstrom told Boston.com.
Cider Hill Farm has perfected the family day trip, according to MassLive, and was named the top apple-picking spot in America by Yelp. Guests enjoy more than 60 varieties of apples on its 145 acres as well as pumpkins, hayrides, food trucks, a hard cider bar, and live music.
Other things to do in Amesbury: exploring the downtown full of restaurants, shops, and galleries and stopping for a craft beer at one of several city breweries. Nature lovers can check out the city’s trails, forest, and riverwalk, including the 133-acre Powwow River Conservation Area and its gorgeous views from the summit at Batchelder Park, Amesbury’s highest point.
Mystic, Conn.
This coastal town, long known for its “Mystic Pizza” fame, is also churning out some seriously delicious cider doughnuts at Clyde’s Cider Mill, according to Boston.com readers.
Clyde’s, a National Historic Landmark and family owned and operated since 1881, is the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the U.S. and sells cider doughnuts and cider, and folks can attend hard cider and wine tastings and cider-making demonstrations every fall.
Other things to do: visit Mystic’s charming downtown full of restaurants, shopping, museums, and attractions such as the Mystic Aquarium, recently named one of the top five aquariums in America by USA Today. Also, visitors can go zip lining at TreeTrails Adventure Park or visit wildlife at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.
New Gloucester, Maine
Southern Maine’s New Gloucester, known for its 18th-century architecture, is serving tasty cider doughnuts at the family-owned 25-acre Thompson’s Apple Orchard, according to Boston.com readers. In fact, the orchard makes the best cider doughnuts in Maine, according to “The Cider Donuteur” a.k.a. Alex Schwartz. The you-pick farm also offers hayrides, live music, and seasonal artisan and craft fairs.
Other things to do: tour Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, the world’s last active Shaker community, check out Norumbega Cidery, which hosts its Big Falls Music & Cider Fest every September featuring cider, live music, food trucks, art vendors, and on-site camping. Or visitors can celebrate the season at Pineland Farms which hosts an annual Harvest Festival in October where guests can explore a 5-acre corn maze, pick pumpkins, visit farmyard animals, watch agricultural demonstrations, and grab a meal from a food truck.
Meredith, N.H.
Spend time in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire this season, where Cider Bellies Doughnuts at Moulton Farm in Meredith is making some of the region’s best cider doughnuts, according to Boston.com readers.
Meredith is located on Lake Winnipesaukee and was named among the best lake towns in New England by Boston.com readers and among the 50 most charming small towns in America by Big 7 Travel. Moulton Farm also offers corn mazes, pumpkins, wagon rides, and food trucks.
Other things to do: ride the scenic Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, check out Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, a craft winery with live music and farm-to-table food, or enjoy lake views while browsing boutique shops along the scenic walkways at Mills Falls Marketplace
Cumberland, R.I.
Rhode Island may be the nation’s smallest state, but it offers big flavor in the cider doughnuts sold at Adams Farm in Cumberland, according to Boston.com readers.
The family-run farm is billed as Rhode Island’s biggest pumpkin patch and has the best pumpkin picking in the state, according to Rhode Island Monthly. Farm guests also enjoy a petting zoo, hayrides, and multiple mazes.
Other things to do: explore the Blackstone River Bikeway along the Blackstone River and visit Valley Falls Heritage Park, a 2.5 acre historical site and part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Or catch a concert at Blackstone River Theatre and then stop at the family-run Diamond Hill Vineyards for a wine tasting or Phantom Farms Brewing and Ravenous Brewing Company for a beer.
Waterbury, Vermont
Nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains on scenic Route 100 and home of the popular Ben & Jerry’s Waterbury Factory, Waterbury is where Cold Hollow Cider Mill is making excellent cider doughnuts, according to Boston.com readers.
Travelers who visit the family-owned cider mill can watch fresh cider being pressed the old-fashioned way, sip hard cider on the porch, and visit the cafe, retail store, and bakery where the cider doughnuts are made on an old-fashioned doughnut machine.