Tinabull

Hi folks, we're heading to Boston on 10/18 for 5 nights and on one day we plan to rent a car to drive out and see some beautiful foliage.

Having never been to Boston at all we have no idea where to head for to catch a glimpse of some stunning autumnal scenery.

We will have the car for just one day and we're open to any suggestions.

Thanks so much!

Tina

isabel

That will be after peak for most of northern New England - Vermont and New Hampshire. But the coast turns later so a nice drive might be up the coast of Maine. In one day you could easily go as far as Portland, probably Camden. I frequently go those dates as I usually wait till after Columbus Day for less crowds and cheaper rates and the foliage is great on the coast (but mostly gone if you go inland).

If you don't want to go that far then Cape Ann is also beautiful and very close to Boston - Gloucester, Rockport, etc. If Hammond Castle is still open go there - it's great. It closes for the season in late October but will probably still be open. Do NOT go to Salem on those dates. Total zoo.

If for some reason you don't want to do coastal areas, then try Sturbridge, about an hour west of Boston, Old Sturbridge Village is nice and will be beautiful at that time of year. You could stop in Concord on the way.

dfrostnh

The 18th is getting pretty late. Check foliage maps just before your visit. I agree western MA will probably be decent but if you want coastal I would try Rhode Island. Color in the Concord NH is coming on. A tree in the yard that was just beginning to color on Friday is about one third colored today (sunday). Saw spotty color all the way south to Cape Cod this weekend.

Vttraveler

concord can be very pretty at that time of year, too. Fruitlands Museum in Harvard MA is another beautiful spot.

gail

Most people seem to like mountains, or at least hills for foliage. But it will be a bit late for that, so I might head south towards Rhode Island - area of Jamestown - look at a map. The coastal blues plus whatever foliage is left should be beautiful and it is a nice day trip.

Depending on foliage maps, you could also just hop onto Route 2 and head west. Near Concord with a very slight detour you can get to Walden Pond which should have some foliage colors reflecting off the water. Once you get past Concord it gets quite rural, with farm stands - that type of thing - and after an hour or so you hit some hills. But again, check a foliage map. A portable GPS if you have one to bring might make you more comfortable wandering off the highways. Concord itself is a cute little New England town, so you coudl always stop there for lunch, coffee.