phieaglefan

Ok, here's the thing. I just found out that DH has to be in Springfield MA for a few days for work, ending on Sept. 28. I have the option of flying out from the midwest and meeting him for the weekend.

Assuming we wouldn't want to drive any more than 2 hours each way from Springfield, can you suggest a destination for the weekend?

Things to keep in mind:
1. Any foliage is great foliage to those that live in Oklahoma.
2. Due to work constraints, our dates are not flexible.
3. Any non-foliage but quaint or romantic destinations will be considered as our youngest just left for college (sob, sob)
4. We're more the quaint and rustic type than the posh B&B type. Not camping, mind you, but not chintz either.

Thanks for any thoughts!
H

china_cat

you probably have to go north to see any foliage. You might stay someplaces like Stowe Vermont, or the Franconia notch area of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. neither of those would be much more than 2 hours, I don't believe. and maybe you'll see some color.

djkbooks

All the New England states have toll free foliage hotline numbers, starting mid-late September.

Go to http://www.yankeefoliage.com/peakmap/ and click on September 30th.

The farther north and east you go, the more color you will see.

Stowe is an excellent destination. At the end of September, though, you will likely see more color in the White Mountains of New Hampshire than the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Things to keep in mind:

1. The changing colors vary from year to year and are impossible to predict.

2. The foliage can be earlier or later from one side of a mountain to another and vary enormously by elevation.

3. The colors start in the far north and east and move south and west.

4. The very best way to enjoy the foliage is by driving all over.

5. If you are planning an overnight, it is essential to book ahead.

If you are going to stick to your 2 hours, recommend the Berkshires or southwest Vermont.

tovarich

Jackson N.Hampshire in the center of the White mountains.Stay at the Covered bridge motor lodge.Paul

Gpanda

If you're going up to see foliage, make your lodging reservations as soon as possible.

dfrostnh

Some great suggestions. I'll vote for Stowe, too. We enjoyed the Golden Eagle Resort (really thought it was more of a very nice motel) in Stowe. Nice quiet location with gas fireplaces in the rooms. The unit we were in had a small balcony overlooking a small pond. To get there you will drive the length of VT but it might be a little more than 2 hours. A visit to the Vermont Country Store is fun (love the free food samples). Drive around as was suggested. If you like wine you could stop at the Boyden Valley Winery which is between Stowe and Burlington. The Great Vermont Corn Maze is great fun and very challenging. In Danville VT next to NH. Expect at least 2 hours in the maze and getting a good walk. The view from the top is nice. On your return to Springfield you can drive thru NH's White Mountains, maybe as far as Lake Winnipesaukee. My preference is to go north to the mountains but you would be coming from the north. I love the way the mountains get closer and closer and then you are right in the middle.
2 hours from Springfield would only get you part of the way, put in the extra time to make the drive. It will be well worth it to get further north to see the beginning of color. And the drive will be interesting. Let me put it this way. I've been on some roads umpty-ump times but no matter what the season, some views are always wonderful and cheer the soul.

phieaglefan

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Unfortunately, Google Maps puts the drive to Stowe at around 3 hours and Jackson, NH even further. I believe the airport he's flying into and out of is actually BDL in Windsor Locks, CT which makes it an even longer drive back to the airport.

I am not at all sure if it's worth it to fly out for the weekend to spend that much time in the car. Any other non-foliage suggestions closer in? Are there any quaint towns in southern Vermont, northern Connecticut?? What about towards upstate NY?

I will keep Stowe on my radar for a future longer trip!

Thanks,
H

djkbooks

Stockbridge is only 45 minutes from Springfield, and Lenox is only 10 minutes north of Stockbridge. Plenty to see and do, shopping and dining.

You could stay just in Springfield.

china_cat

I thought the drive would be shorter, oh well. My next choice, like djkbooks said, would be the Berkshires. I don't know that I'd stay in Springfield, but its a nice short drive. There's plenty to see and do, and nice places to eat. You can hike a little, or visit the museums. Its a great place to spend a couple of days.

djkbooks

It may be too late to reserve a reasonably priced room in the Berkshires.

Pausanias

Lots of nice places in southern Vermont: Newfane, Grafton. You might stay in Brattleboro, which is a non-quaint river town with some good restaurants, or you could try Newfane or Grafton, which are quaint and have some well-known inns. Or maybe inbetween at the Putney Inn, just off Rt 91. Foliage usually peaks around Columbus day in this area, but I'm sure some leaves will be turning.

The area is about one and one-half hours from Windsor Locks airport.

capxxx

Here are some more ideas (in decreasing order of your chances for seeing colors on the trees):

-- The Berkshires. Lenox, Stockbridge, North Adams. Quaint towns, some great little art museums, concerts and antiques. 1.5 hours from Springfield.

-- Northampton/Amherst. College town football games, punkin patches, a very nice rail trail. Northampton is a foodie destination town, and fun to walk around in. Some nice small museums (art, dinosaurs, etc). 20 minutes from Springfield.

-- Mystic, CT + casinos. Visit the living-museum historic waterfront. Gamble at Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods. There is a very impressive Pequot Museum of the Indian People. Visit the aquarium.

-- Boston is about 1.5 hours from Springfield.

clarkgriswold

Sturbridge Country Inn

New_England_Dawn

These websites should help you out:

www.berkshires.org, www.sturbridge.org and www.worcester.org.