New England Fall Foliage Aerial Tours

Aerial Fall Foliage View in Massachusetts

Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

Fall foliage travelers have many tour options to consider. For a truly memorable autumn in New England experience, soar high above the changing fall colors with one of these hot air balloon companies or other aerial tour operators.

01 of 08

Fall Foliage Chairlift Rides

Aerial Tramway on Cannon Mountain

Photo Courtesy of Cannon & Franconia Notch State Park

Each fall, ski resorts in New England and neighboring New York State transform chairlifts into foliage skyrides. Here's a look at some of the best options for leaf peepers who'd like to enjoy a relaxing view from above as the leaves turn.

02 of 08

Bretton Woods Canopy Tour

Zipline over the trees at the Bretton Woods Canopy Tours

Photo courtesy of Mount Washington Resort

Feeling adventurous this autumn? Strap on a safety harness, pay attention in ground school so you'll know how to brake, then, prepare for the ride of your life! The year-round Canopy Tour at New Hampshire's Bretton Woods ski area features an exhilarating series of sky bridges and zip lines high in the trees of an old-growth forest. You'll gain confidence as your guides lead you on this three-and-a-half-hour journey, and, if you manage to remember to look around as you fly through the trees, you'll enjoy incomparable views of mountain peaks and fall colors.

03 of 08

Berkshire Balloons

Lone hot air balloon high above the ground

 Photo courtesy of Berkshire Balloons

Connecticut-based Berkshire Balloons utilizes a variety of launch sites in central Connecticut and the Farmington River Valley for its 7 a.m. fall flights. Reserve well in advance for the busy fall foliage season.

04 of 08

High 5 Ballooning

Hot air balloons in flight

Photo courtesy of High 5 Ballooning 

Departing from North Salem, New Hampshire, this hot air balloon tour company offers sunrise flights that are scenic and spectacular year-round, especially during fall foliage season. You'll enjoy a picnic and champagne celebration after your flight. An interesting point of differentiation: The basket you'll ride in has a door, so you won't have to climb up and over the side. This makes these hot air balloon rides accessible to more folks.

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05 of 08

Hot Fun First Class Balloon Rides

See colorful autumn vistas in southern Maine, stretching as far as the eye can see, from your vantage point in a hot air balloon on this unique fall foliage tour. All tours are private and can be customized to be extra memorable with add-ons such as a post-flight champagne picnic.

06 of 08

Katahdin Air Service Scenic Flights

Floatplane on the Ambaisiers Lake in front of autumnal trees, Maine

Franz Marc Frei/LOOK-foto/Getty Images

See autumn as you've never seen it before as you circle Maine's majestic Mt. Katahdin and fly along rivers and over lakes on these 30-minute and longer flights. Enjoy a bird's eye view of a region of Maine's remote North Woods that is largely inaccessible by car, but which has some of the state's most brilliant fall foliage colors. They'll even fly you to a remote pond beach for a secluded fall picnic.

07 of 08

Liberty Balloon Flights

Enjoy stunning, panoramic views of southern New Hampshire's fall foliage from the skies in a hot air balloon. When you fly with Liberty Flights, based in Milford, New Hampshire, you'll even enjoy a traditional champagne celebration after your tour.

08 of 08

Massachusetts Ballooning

hot air balloons above a field at sunset

Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Ballooning

Take a scenic and serene fall flight with this Massachusetts-based hot air balloon tour company. Even if you live in New England, you've never experienced fall colors like this. The view is like looking down from the clouds.