Connecticut, and New England in general, conjures up just about the most celebrated displays of fall colors anywhere in the world. A magical blend of climate, geography, and hardwood diversity means autumn here downright explodes in vibrant and varied hues.
Staying with us at Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk, you’re nestled right in the heart of some exceptional leaf-peeping country, whether you feel like doing it from behind the wheel or laced up in some hiking boots—or both!
Here are a few of the most fruitful destinations for eyeballing the leafy loveliness that defines this time of year in our greater backyard.
Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil’s Den Preserve
One of the ecological treasures of our region, the Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil’s Den Preserve is—at the better part of 2,000 acres—the Nature Conservancy’s biggest holding in Connecticut and the largest protected landscape in Fairfield County. Only about 10 miles north of Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk, these rugged, rolling woods boast a great diversity of deciduous trees and shrubs and therefore quite the fall-color palette.
And amid the rich history of the site, there’s some Halloween-appropriate mystery: The whole “Devil’s Den” moniker stems from a supposed hoofprint in the area.
Gallaher Mansion & Cranbury Park
The 1931-vintage Tudor Revival mansion may be the main attraction, but besides its architectural grandeur and the dignified sprawl of its lawn and sculpture gardens Cranbury Park also boasts acres of woods that get plenty fiery in October.
Gallaher Mansion and Cranbury Park are just a stone’s throw from Hotel Zero Degrees on the north side of Norwalk.
This under-development multiuse pathway, which when complete will stretch 38 miles between the Norwalk waterfront and Danbury’s Rogers Park, provides our guests with an easy-to-reach dose of autumn fresh air—and plenty of seasonal color. From Calf Pasture Beach to Union Park to Kellogg Pond, check out the existing reaches of the route nearest our hotel right here.
Scenic Fairfield Fall Foliage Driving Route
Here in Norwalk, we’re the southern waypoint for an official fall-foliage driving route (one of seven designated by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection). Taking a leisurely daytrip from Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk up to Danbury and New Milford and back should serve up plenty of eye-catching canopies.
Here in southwestern Connecticut, we typically see peak fall foliage in late October, so make your reservations here at Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk now: You’ll be all set for some genuinely world-class leaf-peeping!