Top Boating Destinations for Fall Foliage

As we wave goodbye to summer and embrace the crisp autumn air, there's no better way to observe fall foliage than from the water. Boating offers a unique way to view the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows that transform shorelines across the United States. Whether you want to cruise the waterways of the Northeast, explore the Southeast coast, travel along the lakes of the Midwest, or enjoy a mild West Coast autumn day, these destinations provide a stunning backdrop for your fall boating experience.

Northeast:

Kennebunk, Maine

Discover a quintessential New England boating scene in this Maine community! As you cruise along the Kennebunk River and venture out to the coastline, vibrant autumn colors reflect off the water. It’s a truly unique perspective that is best appreciated from a boat.

Located at Doanes Wharf on the Kennebunk River, just south of famed Dock Square, our Kennebunk location is close to the downtown shops, galleries, and renowned eateries. Directly next door to this Freedom Boat Club is Federal Jacks Restaurant and Brew Pub which is the perfect spot to enjoy a bite with views of the river, mountains, and fall foliage.

Newington, New Hampshire

Boating in Newington offers a  scenic experience with proximity to Great Bay and Piscataqua River. It’s a perfect place for boaters to witness the fall foliage transformation along the riverbanks. The area is surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes including marshes and wildlife habitats.

This prime Freedom Boat Club location displays a stunning autumn tapestry of red, orange and gold leaves. There’s no shortage of things to do as boaters can also explore nearby historic sites like the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to learn more about the town's maritime heritage. The combination of scenic beauty and historical charm makes Newington an ideal fall boating destination.

Warwick, Rhode Island

foliage. You can observe colorful leaves the iconic Rhode Island lighthouses reflecting off the coastline while exploring secluded coves. From there, head north towards Providence or south towards Newport to continue making the most of your fall adventure.

Freedom Boat Club’s Warwick location can be found in the Safe Harbor Cowesett North Yard. It is conveniently located adjacent to Chelo's waterfront restaurant, so we highly recommend sitting down for a beverage and locally caught seafood after your day of leaf-peeping!

Mystic, Connecticut

Situated along the Mystic River, this area provides great views of the autumn colors that line its riverbanks. The leaves aren’t the only sight to see in the charming town of Mystic. Boaters can also revel in scenic bridges and classic New England architecture that are best viewed from the water.

Established in 2016, the Freedom Boat Club Mystic location continues to grow in popularity. It’s located in the Mystic Shipyard East Marina and offers easy access to Fisher’s Island Sound, New London, and Stonington. It’s the ideal spot to observe the best of Connecticut’s fall foliage while soaking in the autumn air – so be sure to visit this location before it closes for the season!

Lindenhurst, New York

a colorful fall transformation creates the perfect scenery for your boat day.

Lindenhurst is one of six unique Freedom Boat Club locations on Long Island. It allows members to easily get out and explore South Oyster Bay along the island’s southside. Overall, we guarantee that Lindenhurst will be a memorable way to enjoy Long Island's fall foliage from the water.

Southeast:

Annapolis, Maryland

A premier fall destination that we can’t overlook is Annapolis, Maryland. As you cruise through Chesapeake Bay, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a tapestry of red, orange, and yellow trees that line the shore and reflect off the crystal-clear waters around you.

Conveniently located where Back Creek meets the bay, our location at Annapolis Landing Marina offers direct access to the city’s historic downtown area and all that Chesapeake Bay has to offer. The autumn leaves combined with Annapolis’ historic charm, will set the tone for an enjoyable fall season.

Durham, North Carolina

like Falls Lake, boaters can enjoy scenic views of the area’s captivating and colorful shoreline. As you cruise along the lake, the surrounding trees will look like something out of a painting.

Centrally location on the 28-mile-long body of water, Freedom Boat Club’s Falls Lake location provides ample opportunity to observe the area’s beauty from the comfort of your vessel. We recommend booking a pontoon boat for this trip! Overall, it’s a great destination to embark on a memorable fall boating adventure and explore the great outdoors.

Jacksonville, Florida

While Jacksonville, might not be known for the dramatic fall transition seen in northern states, it still offers a unique boating experience during the autumn months. The fall foliage typically peaks in November. This is when you’ll notice subtle changes in the native trees, like cypress and sweetgum, which develop hues of gold and orange.

Our Julington Creek location was voted 2023 Best Boat Club by the Jacksonville Award Program because it gives members an easy and convenient way to explore the beautiful waters of St. John’s River. The pleasant and mild fall weather in Jacksonville makes it a perfect place to embrace the fall season aboard a boat.

Midwest:

Algonac, Michigan

nearby wetlands. The fiery colors of changing leaves create a striking contrast with the blue water. Algonac is sometimes referred to as the "Venice of Michigan" because of its network of canals, which provide a peaceful setting to enjoy all that fall has to offer.

The Freedom Boat Club location at Algonac Harbor features a waterside restaurant called Port-O-Call. Stop by for live music, delicious cuisine, and drinks in a fun tiki bar setting. There are several great stops to explore along Lake St. Clair, including three other Freedom Boat Club locations, making it a unique destination to visit this fall.

Pewaukee, Wisconsin

When searching for fall foliage, look no further than Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Located on the shores of Pewaukee Lake, this destination offers you a front-row seat to the autumn transformation that surrounds the water. As you make your way along the river, enjoy panoramic views of the foliage’s shades of red, orange, and yellow.

Freedom Boat Club’s Pewaukee location is the newest in the state and already one of the most popular! It’s just steps away from the downtown area with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops to explore. This combined with a brilliant autumn landscape creates an ideal fall boating destination. 

Northwest:

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is another outstanding boating destination for viewing fall foliage. The area’s uniqueness comes from a blend of urban and natural beauty. The red and golden hues of maples, oaks, and other native trees create a stunning contrast against the backdrop of the city skyline.

Freedom Boat Club has four locations in Seattle, including the Elliot Bay Marina and Nautical Landing Marina. Located in the heart of Seattle, our Nautical Landing Marina location is just minutes away from downtown Seattle and offers great views of the nearby State Park's foliage. Or you can choose to boat out of Elliot Bay Marina for direct bay access and picturesque views of the fiery tree leaves. 

Emeryville, California

For those that want to experience what autumn entails on the West Coast, Emeryville is for you. Located on the San Francisco Bay, Emeryville provides boaters with scenic views of the Bay Area's subtle fall colors. While the transformation of California’s leaves is not the same as you’ll see in New England, the native trees develop a pretty golden hue that sets the scene for your fall cruise.

The Emeryville Freedom Boat Club location grants easy access to view the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Oracle Park. This location’s sightseeing opportunities and mild temperature is why we’re deeming it a premier fall boating destination. 

Any of these fall boating destinations will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of autumn from a perspective few get to experience. So, book your reservation, grab your camera, and head out on an adventure surrounded by nature’s fall colors. Are you bringing the family along on this getaway? Be sure to check out our list of family friendly boating activities – which covers everything from fishing to scavenger hunts