vgulian

We are going to New England area in October for 1 week (Sat.-Sat.). We are starting in Boston for 2 nights and then heading to Gloucester for 1 night. The we go to Ogunquit for 1 night and then to Boothbay harbor for 1 night. This now puts us at Wednesday with 2 nights left. We were then hoping to go to Bar Harbor for 1 night and then to Stowe, Vt for last night and then straight to Boston Logan airport.the only problem is that on those last 2 nights we run out of time going all the way North to Bar Harbor (4 hr. drive from boothbay Harbor) Then to get to Stowe, VT the next day is about 7 hrs. which gives us no time at all in either Stowe or Bar Harbor. So the choice to make is to skip Bar Harbor and head to Stowe, VT from Boothsbay Harbor (through white and green mountains)for 2nights and then go through Woodstock and Plymouth on way back to Boston or to keep going North to Bar Harbor and just stay there 2 nights and then head back to Boston and not do Vermont and New Hampshire at all. Only problem with that is that choice doesn't seem like we did a New England trip but more like just a trip thorugh Maine.
I could really use some advice on which intinerary seems best with our limited amount of time. Also which driving course would best to see most foliage and sights if do go from Boothbay Harbor to Stowe, ME?
We really like to walk around town, sightsee, eat/drink and have fun (if that helps with decision).
Thanks for helping me with this.

djkbooks

With only one night at each of your destinations, you'll have no time to explore these lovely destinations.

Summer is really the best time to visit Bar Harbor, and you'd want to spend several days or more there - otherwise any of the more southern coastal towns are beautiful and not so far a drive.

The foliage will be fabulous in the White and Green Mountains, though it may be challenging to find lodging at this late date and many will required two or three night minimums.

Since the leaves change first north and east and move west and south, you might want to head as far north as you care to go, then proceed west and south and back to Boston.

I would recommend saving Boston for the end of your week, as there will be more color then, and especially since you are flying.

Rates for accomodations will be significantly less along the coast than in the mountain areas that week.

Stowe is a fabulous destination that week with scenic drives in all directions. The best way to enjoy the foliage is by driving all over, in both directions.

If it were me, I'd spend only one night in Boston, then head for Ogunquit or Boothbay Harbor for two nights. Then, spend two nights in Stowe. Any route will be gorgeous. Then, spend a night or two in Southern VT (Manchester) or New Hampshire (Keene), or even Williamstown or Lenox, MA before heading back to Boston for your last night or two or somewhere on the North Shore (Gloucester, Salem, Newburyport, Rockport). This would give you a nice combination of the coast and the mountains.

LuvMaine

Donna has nailed the perfect trip for you. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Anonymous

I think djk has made some good suggestions. The drive from Bar Harbor to Stowe (mostly via US 2?) normally takes about 7 hours, but will be much longer if the leaf-peepers are out.

IMHO, there's no need to trek all the way to VT, especially if your week is later in Oct.; a few days in NH, rather than trekking all over Maine and then to Vt, will provide plenty of foliage wonderfulness and much more time for hte walking around town that you mentioned.

Anonymous

One small point: The foliage change starts in the north *west* corner of NE and moves towards the south *east.* Did you hve a particular travel week in mind?

dfrostnh

I vote for djbooks plan, too. The original plan spends too much time on the coast. But instead of Stowe, I would opt for something in the Hanover NH/Norwich VT area or mid-Vermont for at least 2 or 3 nights. This would be a good base making a northern loop one day and a southern the next. But then both Burlington and Montpelier are an easy drive from Stowe ... Your choice will depend on the week you will be here. Foliage in Stowe VT and NH's White Mountains might be past peak after the first week of October. Still beautiful though. I agree with starting the trip in the north first.

dusty56438

I don't know much about the New England states for fall colors, but I've lived in Minnesota, Kentucky and North Carolina.

My tip (as well as that in most websites that promote fall colors) is to drive north while viewing the colors. That way the sun will be at your back while driving and the sun will reflect off the leaves much nicer.

If you drive south it will be just the opposite. You will be seeing the shadowed side of the trees and facing the sun while driving.

dusty56438

Here's a site that has a lot of links to fall colors:

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/Autumn.htm

tovarich

We did the 6 New England states last year in 26 days.Our planning was as follows:
- Boston 3 days. If you have little time available the best think to do is take the Old Town Trolley tours of Boston;
- Portland
- Bar Harbor 2 days-whale watching
- Rangeley lakes
-Jackson 2 days . Wonderful in the White mountains. Covered bridge motel: great!!!
- Shelburne 1 day
- Bennington
- Williamstown
- Lee
- Torrington
- New Haven
- Mystic
- Newport
-Wood's hole 2 days
- Plymouth
- Boston and back to Belgium.

If I had to choose I would stay in N. Hampshire and Vermont and drive back to Boston via Connecticut. Paul
-

vgulian

Hi, its the author to this question responding to all this fabulous advice! Thank you!. But I have a problem. I had already booked most of the reservations for the Boston, Gloucester, Ogunquit & Boothbay Harbor leaving me 2 fulls days & 2 nights and then 1 day where I must be at Boston Logan airport for 4:30 pm flight.So that is where I am at: In Boothbay Harbor staying Wednesday night Oct 12th then I have Thursday oct. 13th & Friday Oct.14th OPEN with Saturday Oct. 15th OPEN to be at Boston airport by 4:30 p.m. (turn in rental car.)
What can I do now with the suggestions you gave me to try to at least fit in some of them in this 2 full days and nights and then day drive back to Boston airport? Do I continue up to Bar harbor and just make this more of a Maine trip now(which isn't what I wanted to do)? or Do i take the long drive to Stowe Vermont and do 2 days there? Or do I head to WoodStock and see that and then head to Hanover,NH and then back to Boston? WHich or what would give me the best sightsee and enjoyment opportunity with these days I have left? Thanks so much for helping me with this.

Dreamer2

I would definitely not bother going all the way up to Bar Harbor. (Actually, I wouldn't even go to Boothbay!) But if you do want more Maine, try Camden.

I would cross over into NH or VT instead. Woodstock, VT is an absolutely charming town that's beautiful in autumn. It will, however, be packed. Queechee is another great option. If you only go as far as NH, consider staying at one of the Mt. Washington hotels, or around Lake Winnepesauke (such as Wolfboro).

No matter what, you'll have a lovely trip - especially if this glorious weather keeps up!

dfrostnh

Plot a route over to N Conway NH. Portland to the Conway area is only about an hour. You do want to drive into North Conway at least for the view as you're coming into town but it would also be a good place for lunch. Either take the Kancamagus Hwy over to Franconia which gives you a beautiful drive thru the mountains or head down to Lake Winnipesaukee. But on the 13th the foliage is going to be nicer further south. If you take Rt 3A from Bristol to Rt 127 you will probably avoid traffic and will go thru some small towns. When you get to Contoocook, switch to Rt 103 into Hopkinton. If you want a fine view and great apples, follow the sign to Gould Hill Orchard. On Labor Day weekend there were about 6 or 8 choices of apple varieties. The future of this orchard is up in the air. There is also a small nature museum and old apple farm tools that are of interest. Get on Rt 89 west but you will take Rt 202 and then 9 to Keene. Stay the two nights in the Keene or Brattleboro area. Keene is a wonderful college town. You will have easy access to southern VT and western Massachusetts. This area is called the quiet corner of NH. The route over to Bennington VT is nice. From the Keene area you are only about 2 hours from Boston. Another option would be to make a quick trip from Portland ME over to the White Mtns and then down to eastern CT. This is an area we haven't explored but is reputed to be very nice and has some wineries. In NH there will be some variations in foliage as it will color earlier at higher elevations. We notice a big difference just between the Concord NH area and the MA state line. Also, much of NH is beautiful no matter what time of year.

Dreamer2

What about Thursday night in either Keene, NH or Queechee, VT,
and Friday night closer to Boston, such as Concord, MA.
(You could also consider staying Wed night in Bretton Woods, NH, with lunch on the way as DFrost suggests.)

vgulian

Thank you dfrostnh and dreamer 2 for all you help! Ok so if I want to see as much of the beautiful white and green mountains in NH & VT on my last 2 full days and nights and stay overnight those 2 nights in fun towns with restaurants and sigtsee what would this route be and where do I stay overnight? And have we then also cancelled out Stowe VT on those last 2 days and nights?(Remember I have 2 full days and nights -Thurs & Fri and then Saturday I must make my way to Boston for 4:30 pm flight.) I know you suggested , "Plot a route over to N Conway NH. Portland to the Conway area is only about an hour. You do want to drive into North Conway at least for the view as you're coming into town but it would also be a good place for lunch. Either take the Kancamagus Hwy over to Franconia which gives you a beautiful drive thru the mountains or head down to Lake Winnipesaukee."
If I took this route would a good place to stay over be Woodstock or Hanover as these seem like fun nice towns to stay overnight in? Or are they not in this area?I really want to spend these last 2 days seeing as much beautiful white and green mountain sightsee and stay overnight in fun/interesting towns with good dining and sightseeing(noyt too isolated.
So what do you suggest specifically after I leave Boothsbay Harbor Thursday am? Please let me know where you suggest I head and go Thursday and stay Thursday night and then where I head and go Friday and stay Friday night and then which course to take to maximize any last day sightsee on way back to Boston airport saturday.Sorry to be redundant but I am a bit confused where specifically you suggest I go those days and stay those nights based on our desire to see great white mountain and Green Mountain scenery during days and stay in fun interesting and entertaining towns at night.
Thank you very much for your guidance on this.

dfrostnh

Sounds like you really want to stay in Woodstock VT or Hanover NH. Norwich and Queechee are also pretty towns an all of them are close to each other on the VT/NH border. I think the foliage will be past peak in that area but there will still be leaves and you can see the southern areas on your drive back to Boston. It is 87 miles from Lebanon (near Hanover) to Conway but expect them to be slow miles. I don't think there is a best choice. I think you have plenty of time to take the Kancamagus Hwy and then head north to Franconia and then Rt 10 south along the Connecticut River. This long way around gives you a nice trip thru the White Mountains and then a quiet road thru some old farm towns to the Hanover area. You can make a loop over to Middlebury (another great college town, there's a nice pedetrian bridge over the river and good places for lunch) south on Rt 7 thru Brandon and Rutland. The Vermont Country Store is a fun stop in Weston and then you can have dinner back where you are staying. Simon Pearce in Queechee is very upscale and beautiful even if you just explore the building (there are potters and glassblowers giving demonstrations). To return to Boston you could head south on Rt 5 and then Rt 101 to Nashua, stopping in Peterborough for lunch (artsy town) or down to Massachusetts and Rt 2. If you want to sleep late and make a fast trip back to Boston, take Rt 89 back thru NH and then south on Rt 293/93. Either Concord NH or Manchester NH would be a good place for lunch. There are several nice restaurants in the old mill buildings in Manchester. If you take the fast road back to Boston make sure to take the highway thru Manchester because you will see the old mill buidings on the opposite side of the river. Once you get close to the MA border, expect a lot of commercial and industrial vistas.

Dreamer2

I generally agree with DFrost's recommendations, and this time is no exception. That said, the following would be my own personal preference.

I would cross through Maine somewhere around Sebago Lake and pick up Rt 302 into the Conway area. It's good this won't be on a Sat, because the traffic will be bad enough on a weekday! There is tons of tax-free outlet shopping in the area, restaurants, Conway Scenic RR, etc.

From there, either take the Kancamaugus (Rt. 112) over to Lincoln, being sure to stop at Lost River park, or continue on Rt. 302 up to Mt. Washington in Bretton Woods. I'd be tempted to splurge on a night at the Mt. Washington Hotel! If you take the more southern route to Lincoln, you may want to spend the night instead around Lake Winnipesauke, perhaps in Meredith. It would be fun to take the Mt. Washington steamship out on the Lake for a dinner cruise (or sightseeing cruise if you are there early enough for daylight hours).

The next day, I'd continue on to either Woodstock or Queechee, VT. Not sure the best route to do this, but if you don't mind slow-moving backroads, it looks like Rt. 118 will take you into Lebanon, NH via Canaan. Now you could visit Darmouth Univ and have lunch in Hanover.

Then you want to take Rt. 89 (highway) into Vermont. Woodstock and Queechee are neighbors, and the Queechee Gorge, Simon Pearce restaurant and demo shop, Billings Farm Museum, and downtown Woodstock are all worth a stop. These areas are all off of Rt. 4 in VT. Staying in either town would work well.

The next day, I'd take Rt. 89 back to Concord, NH, and Rt. 93 south to Boston. If you have time, and are traveling before Columbus Day, there is an interesting, albeit low-key, Native American (Mt. Kearsarge) Indian Museum in Warner, NH off Rt. 89 (exits 9/10).

Or, as an alternative, or if time still allows, you can branch off RT. 93 in Manchester to pick up Rt. 293/Everett Turnpike/Rt. 3 South to Burlington, MA, where you would pick up Rt. 128 South for a couple exits, to reach Concord, MA. This is a charming New England town, with historical and literary significance, and there is a lovely inn for late pub lunch downtown called the Colonial. From here you'd be about an hour from Logan airport, but allow extra time for our infamous traffic!

By the way, Stowe is lovely, and worth a visit, but really quite far out for your constraints. Also, I'd try to firm up those last couple reservations asap. Hope this helps, and doesn't confuse further.

I think you'll get the flavor of the area by any of the routes listed in the last few posts. Happy Trails!

Dreamer2

Just a disclaimer...

My route (above) doesn't really get you into the thick of the Green Mountains (more like the foothills). I think there is not enough time, unless you skip Boothbay and start your route over a day earlier. I would not try to make the drive from northwestern VT to Logan for a flight on the same afternoon.

You could do Wed night in NH, Thurs night in VT, and Fri night in MA. JMHO.

Please let us know what you decide, and then, how you enjoyed it!