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60th birthday trip to Vermont, NH, Maine in October

60th birthday trip to Vermont, NH, Maine in October

Old Jun 24th, 2016, 01:41 PM
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60th birthday trip to Vermont, NH, Maine in October

My husband and I will be celebrating his 60th birthday this fall with a New England trip. We would like to see the foliage, covered bridges, lighthouses and to eat lots of lobster! Here is my tentative itinerary:

Day 1 (Saturday,Oct. 8--realize it is holiday weekend) Fly into Manchester, NH late and will stay near the airport at Sleep Inn which has a shuttle to and from airport.

Day 2 Take shuttle to airport and pick up rental car. Drive to Woodstock, VT. Possibly stay at The Shire for two nights (they have availability as of today).

Day 3 Stay at Woodstock. Eat breakfast at Mendon--Maple Sugar and VT Spice. Drive to see sights, possibly Sugarbush farm?

Day 4 Drive to Jackson, NH. Stay one night (middle of the week so one night is acceptable) at The Lodge at Jackson Village or The Snowflake Inn. Any ideas here or is there a better place rather than Jackson? I'm not real sure about driving the Kancamagus Hwy since I get car sick.

Day 5 Drive to Maine. Should we stay at Ogunquit or Kennebunkport? And stay 3 nights in the same place?

Day 6 Maine Ogunquit or Kennebunkport

Day 7 Maine (Portland?) Or stay at same base?

Day 8 (Saturday morning) Our flight leaves from Portland Maine around 11 a.m.

Any thoughts or ideas about this itinerary? Things you would change, add, or take away? Thanks so much for your input.
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 05:38 PM
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Alamo has some good car rates for that one-way rental right now, I would book before the rates go up. We booked early for a summer car rental and got a good rate, my son is paying triple since he booked quite late.

Ogunquit/Kennebunkport is coastal, so not really considered a foliage destination....or do you think you will have had enough of fall colors by then?
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 07:05 AM
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Thank you, DebbieDoesDulles ! I have booked a full sized car (hope that is large enough since another couple will be traveling with us) through Southwest Airlines and think I got a good rate.

I was hoping we would see enough beautiful foliage in Woodstock and Jackson and then could enjoy the coastal lighthouses and lobster! But I am open to suggestions!
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 07:43 AM
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We enjoyed our visit to the Cabot cheese factory. It was out a bit but well worth the trip.
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 07:53 AM
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Thanks, gardendiva! I will add that to my notes. I was wondering if anyone has an opinion about Sugarbush Farm (maple syrup)?
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 10:16 AM
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You can access Route 100 from Woodstock. A drive on it will give you spectacular leaf peeping as it's called.
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 10:55 AM
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I'm going to assume from MHT you'll head north on I93 then I89 to VT. Woodstock is a very popular tourist destination. Norwich is a lot quieter and the Norwich Inn is very nice place to stay. If you bake, you'll want to visit King Arthur Flour. Next to Woodstock, visit Simon Pierce in Quechee if only to see the building and glassblowing. The restaurant is wonderful but pricey. Cheaper to eat at King Arthur Flour's café.

You shouldn't have any problems with the Kancamagus Highway. Depending on your route, it might be just as easy if not more scenic to go thru Meredith NH to Center Sandwich, then Tamworth and connect with Rt 16 north. That will give you a great view of Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith. Foliage should be lovely.

I can barely keep Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Ogunquit apart because they all have a section of shops and restaurants. You'll be able to take a good look at Nubble Light in York and do a lighthouse cruise in Portland. The beaches are lovely but ... I would head further north to the Rockland area where we just spent a few days. There's Pemaquid Point lighthouse, Miller's Point, Owls Head, etc. The only problem with October is the lobster shacks are usually only open weekends, closing Columbus Day weekend. McLoon's in So. Thomaston is wonderful but it's eating at picnic tables. We arrived just in time to see an eagle swooping among the boats trying to get some lunch. But Claws in Rockland should be open. Again, it's very casual but it's on Rt 1 with a heated porch area.

But, it means driving more miles north of Portland. The big difference is you eat lobster looking at lobster boats instead of sailboats and other pleasure craft. I would stay all three days in same place. For an 11am flight just get up early to return rental car and get to airport. I would also consider staying 3 nights in Portland and doing day trips to lighthouses. Rockland is about 2 hours north of Portland. It is also home to the Farnsworth Art Museum which features paintings by all three Wyeths and there's nearby Owl's Head Transportation Museum. It's an easy hike to Owls Head Light.

If you get a DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer for each state, it will list all the covered bridges, waterfalls, etc. with very detailed road maps. Perhaps just get one for Vermont. None for NH since you're just passing thru and you can get a list of lighthouses in Maine off the internet.
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 11:39 AM
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If you're flying in on a Saturday night and departing on a Saturday morning, that would be a one-week car rental, probably the same price as a six-day rental. So you might want to just pick up the car when you arrive at the airport Saturday night rather than backtracking Sunday morning when the airport will probably be more crowded.

Are you flying in from the west coast? If so you'll be arriving late, but it will be 3 hrs earlier for you so you might be looking for a light meal or something, which you won't be able to get if you just shuttle to the Sleep Inn.There is nothing within walking distance.

The Sleep Inn shuttle only runs til 10pm so if your flight is late, that could be a problem. The hotel is in Londonderry, about a 20 min taxi ride. Also note that Sleep Inn shuttle runs as late as 10pm only if you notify them 24 hours beforehand that you'll be arriving the following evening. Otherwise the last shuttle is at 4pm.
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 01:50 PM
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Thanks, DebbieDoesDulles. Those are good points that I hadn't considered.

HappyTrvlr, thanks for the Route 100 tip!

And thank you, dfrostnh, for taking the time to offer all the detailed suggestions. Good to know about Norwich and Rockland--I appreciate all the advice!
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 02:57 PM
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The Billings farm Museum in Woodstock is very interesting, the history of dairy and farming in Vermont. Not sure of the Sugarbush farm - maple syrup season is in the early spring so you won't see it being made. You can buy it all over Vermont and NH. The Kannc should not be an issue - there are a number of places to pull off for scenic views or short walks.
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 07:45 AM
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There is lots to see and do around Woodstock. Sugarbush Farm makes cheese and syrup - it's quite rustic and untouristy. Also don't miss Billings Farm Museum, and the Rockefeller Estate. Just north of Woodstock is picturesque Silver Lake state park. The drive is beautiful, as are most of the drives outside Woodstock. The Shire looks like a nice motel just at the edge of Woodstock's downtown. Jackson is another very scenic town. The drive from Woodstock is a long and scenic one - the kanc is somewhat winding, but not too bad. Both Ogunquit and Kennebunkport are wonderful. Ogunquit is slightly more touristed, but has a spectacular stretch of beach. Kennebunkport has some nice beach, a busy little downtown, and some nice back roads. I would stay in either place for the 3 nights. Portland is an easy drive from either as a day trip.
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 03:13 PM
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Thank you, sandragoodlife and zootsi! Billings Farm and the Rockefeller Estate sound neat as well as Silver Lake. Hope the drive from Woodstock to Jackson is not too hard. Would you choose a different town that isn't as far rather than Jackson, or should we stick to the original plan?
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 04:48 PM
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To me, your itinerary looks just fine. We prefer Ogunquit to Kennebunkport, but you can easily visit one from the other and also the beautiful Nubble Light in York. Personally, I wouldn't bother, especially in fall, with Rockland or other points north. The Ogunquit-Kennebunkport area is just fine. If you do spend the night in Portland before your flight home, consider

http://lobstershacktwolights.com/OldSite/about_us.html

It's only 40 minutes from Ogunquit (less from Kennebunkport) to Portland airport, so you could spend that night in Portland (amazing dining opportunities) or not.

Rather than bothering with the Kancamagus, you could just drive Route 302 to Jackson (our favorite town in the area). We much prefer that to the Kancamagus.

We were in Ogunquit last October and quite surprised by all the beautiful foliage. Not as much of it as in the mountains, but still quite colorful all over, and then the beautiful seaport towns...We really enjoy the Sea View (now obstructed by trees) Motel in Ogunquit. Very close by, the Greenery Cafe is spectacular for breakfast (check hours that time of year).
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Old Jun 30th, 2016, 05:47 AM
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Thank you, djkbooks. Good to know the route you prefer to Jackson, and thanks for the food and lodging recommendations!
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Old Jun 30th, 2016, 08:09 AM
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I don't think the Kancamagus drive should give you any problems. You're on a road trip and that road is really no different from others in the area that you'll be driving.

Another option near Woodstock is the village of Queechee, which is much quieter and less touristy than Woodstock, an easy drive away. I stayed at the Queechee Inn and enjoyed it, and it has a very nice restaurant.

I found Sugarbush Farm by accident while exploring. It's reached through a lovely scenic drive and is worth a visit.

Jackson is a quiet little village and a nice area in which to stay. I liked the Inn at Ellis River and the Thompson House Eatery just across the road. Franconia Notch is close by and worth a visit.

I think you've received good advice from everyone, especially dfrost. She knows her stuff and I completely agree about Rockland and the surrounding area. It's a beautiful and interesting part of Maine.
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Old Jul 1st, 2016, 06:32 AM
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Thank you, panecott, for your thoughts. I have been looking at the Inn at Ellis River, so I was glad to see you recommended it. I have read lots of good things about Jackson, so we may stay two nights there rather than one. Think that is a good idea? I checked Quechee Inn, but there is no availability for the dates we will be there.
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Old Jul 1st, 2016, 12:55 PM
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If you have some extra time while in Vermont during light hours. Take Route 100 to Route 108 up past Stowe to Smuggler's Notch. There are some beautiful sites as well as experiencing the Notch.
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Old Jul 2nd, 2016, 07:10 AM
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That sounds very nice, gardendiva. Thank you!
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Old Jul 4th, 2016, 09:44 AM
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Two nights in Jackson will be very nice b/c it's a good base for the surrounding area.
North Conway is nearby, which has a lot of shops and restaurants and a scenic RR. I much prefer Jackson b/c it's a lot quieter and less commercial, but NC is worth at least a look around.

You might also be interested in driving up, or taking the cog railway, to Mt. Washington. I did the drive and didn't find it too challenging. And again, Franconia Notch is an easy drive away.

I agree with gardendiva about the area around Stowe. There are several covered bridges and other scenic spots very close to Stowe, including Smugglers Notch.

I may have mentioned some of these places in more detail in one or two trip reports.
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 11:21 AM
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Thanks, panecott. I enjoyed reading your trip reports.
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