Where to leaf peep in Connecticut this weekend, Oct. 16-18

Hopkins Vineyard in Warren on October 10, 2015 Hopkins Vineyard in Warren on October 10, 2015 Photo: Lidia Ryan Buy photo Photo: Lidia Ryan Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close Where to leaf peep in Connecticut this weekend, Oct. 16-18 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

The warm weather has delayed foliage season a bit, but it's in full swing in some parts of the state.

Your best bet for peak foliage viewing close to southwestern Connecticut this weekend is to drive up north of New Milford. (Click here to view a map that shows you scenic driving and walking trails in that area).

Hopkins Vineyard in Warren, right on the border of Washington and Kent, is a great spot to spend an afternoon enjoying the foliage. Guests are invited to take a walk through the vineyard and try a wine tasting. You are then free to head out to the picnic tables with a bottle of wine and food.

If you want to make a whole weekend out of it, 19th century Hopkins Inn overlooking Lake Waramaug sits right on the outskirts of the vineyard.

Lovers Leap State Park in New Milford is another good spot to take in the fall colors.

According to the DEEP, "trails through the park will lead the walker through centuries of land-use history. Heading northeast from the parking lot the trail utilizes the 1895 Berlin Iron Bridge, one of five remaining in Connecticut, to cross the Housatonic River.

Across the bridge the Lovers Leap Trail heads southeast 1,200 feet to the rock formation that gives the park its name. From here, tradition has it, that the Pootatuck Indian Chief Waramaug's daughter, Princess Lillinonah, and her lover plunged to their deaths. The Chief himself died in 1735."

The farther north you go, the better. All of northern Connecticut above Hartford is seeing prime autumn foliage.

Southern Connecticut is still not in peak foliage season. Because the weather has been so mild, much of New England is also still waiting for the vibrant fall colors. Temperatures are predicted to get down to the 30s this Sunday, though, which may kick the colors into full gear int time for next weekend.