Last October, I shared the Best Fall Foliage Routes across New England. This year, I am taking a fresh angle on fall adventures by focusing on another beloved symbol of New England: covered bridges. With their rich history, rustic beauty, and picture-perfect settings, these bridges are the perfect companions to crisp October days.
Nicknamed “kissing bridges” in folklore, these wooden spans were built to shelter travelers and protect timbers from harsh weather. Today, they serve as living history and some of the most photographed spots in the region. Here are some of the best covered bridges to explore this fall, complete with direct map and info links.
Vermont
Middle Covered Bridge (Woodstock): A postcard scene in the heart of Woodstock.
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Emily’s Bridge (Gold Brook Bridge, Stowe): Famous for ghost stories and October charm.
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West Dummerston Covered Bridge: The longest covered bridge in Vermont still in use.
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Taftsville Covered Bridge (Woodstock): Bright red and beautifully restored, one of Vermont’s oldest.
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New Hampshire
Cornish Windsor Covered Bridge: The longest wooden covered bridge in the United States.
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Albany Covered Bridge (Kancamagus Highway): A favorite stop on the scenic Kancamagus drive.
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Henniker Covered Bridge: A newer bridge with sweeping river views.
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Bath Haverhill Covered Bridge: Built in 1829 and still standing strong.
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Massachusetts
Burkeville Covered Bridge (Conway): One of the oldest in Massachusetts, dating back to 1871.
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Upper Sheffield Covered Bridge: Rebuilt in the 1990s, a Berkshires favorite.
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Ware Hardwick Covered Bridge: A classic 19th-century survivor in central Massachusetts.
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Connecticut
West Cornwall Covered Bridge: A bright red beauty across the Housatonic River.
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Bulls Bridge (Kent): A picturesque stop near Kent Falls State Park.
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Comstock Covered Bridge (East Hampton): Dating back to 1840, full of historic character.
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Maine
Sunday River Bridge (Newry): Known as the “Artist’s Bridge,” built in 1872.
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Lovejoy Bridge (Andover): Maine’s shortest covered bridge at 70 feet.
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Rhode Island
Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge (Exeter): The only authentic covered bridge in Rhode Island.
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🍂 Make This Fall Unforgettable
Covered bridges offer more than a glimpse of history, they are timeless backdrops to New England’s most colorful season. Whether you are planning a family outing, a photography adventure, or a quiet country drive, these bridges invite you to slow down and enjoy the charm of October. If you loved last year’s foliage routes, you will find that visiting covered bridges is the perfect new tradition to add to your autumn calendar.