apempel

Sat., 10/9 Arrive Manchester, NH
Sun., 10/10 Drive to Middlebury, VT (Middlebury Inn)
Tues., 10/11 Drive to Mt. Washington (Bretton Arms B&B at Mt. Washington Resort)
Wed., 10/12 Drive to Bar Harbour (Claremont Hotel in Southwest Harbor)
Thurs., 10/13 Drive to Portland (Percy Inn)
Fri., 10/14 Drive back to Manchester
Sat., 10/15 Depart Manchester

Are we too late to see good foliage in these areas?

MBnancy

We are arriving Oct. 9th on Columbus Day Weekend also. Have done this for 25 years, and there will still be foliage. We are going to concentrate in MA and NH this time, with a couple nights in Kennebunkport, ME.

Wefferman

NOT AT ALL--Today is Monday 09-20-2004 and the foliage in the higher areas is just starting. When friends ask I tell them USUALLY the weekend before Colombus Day is peak, with Colombus Day being a tad after. I live in the town of Benton (Mt Moosilauke is in Benton) and have super views of the foliage. You'll have some driving to do but if thats part of your trip, then enjoy. I hope you have good weather as your proposed trip sounds wonderful. Be prepared for some of the most beautiful areas on earth. The only downfall will be Colombus Day will be "trafficy". Those 40' motor homes with their "75hp" engines going through Kancamagus Pass makes a long ride!

I'm not sure where home is but take advantage of the fine seafood in our area. My wife & I just returned from the Bar Harbor area and had a wonderful, relaxing time. I think Acadia will still be humming and definitely plan to do at leat the car loop. Climb Mt Washington buy foot, car or train.

The five notches, (Oliverian, Kinsman, Franconia, Crawford and Pinkham) should all be wonderful with color when you drive through. Perhaps you could try to include Route 112 from Bath to Woodstock. It is much less crowded than the "Kanc" and is spectacular through Kinsman Notch, Beaver Lake areas.

Dare to brave the RV's on the Kanc for a better than you will believe ride.

Well I hope that helps. This is my little corner of the world and if you need any more info...I'd be very happy to provide!

dfrostnh

What route are you takig from Portland to Manchester? I hope you will swing thru Portsmouth NH. From there I would recommend heading to Concord because Rt 4 is much prettier than Rt 101. If the traffic is heavy take Rt 3A instead of the highway. Rt 3A runs on the west side of the Merrimack River and will come out where you can reconnect with Rt 293 and miss the toll booth. If you need to stop for ice cream, there's Johnson's Dairy Bar on Rt 4 in Northwood or Merrivale's on Rt 3A (homemade - try their Indian Pudding ice cream).

apempel

Thanks Wefferman and others. I know we have a lot of driving and I kinda regret that we planned it that way, but went on advice of travel agent as didn't have time to research on our own.

My husband will get very impatient with the big RVs, but I'm going to try and get him to relax and enjoy it as the Kangamangas (sp?) is spectacular and not to be missed from what I hear.

We are certainly looking forward to getting away from the hurricanes and humidity here in Florida!

Wefferman

You'll have fun apempel. It isn't THAT much driving so relax, stop a lot and enjoy. BTW...It's Kancamagus...the common spelling! lol.

rays2002

We are planning to fly into Manchester, NH the weekend of Oct 15th to view some foliage. Never been to NH, where are the best sights that time of year? Thanks.

zootsi

Even though Oct 15 is a tad late for the White Mountains, there will still be some foliage, and the scenery is spectacular anyhow. Drive up I-93 and ride the Kancamangus. More southern areas of the state will still have lots of foliage to see. The Monadonock (southwestern corner of NH) is especially pretty and unspoiled. Peterborough,Hancock, Washington, and dozens of other small towns in the area are fun just to drive around and explore. Just north of Concord, is Canterberry Shaker Village. This is an interesing and scenic spot for a day trip. You can also drive over to Lake Sunapee or Winnapasaukee and take a lake cruise. I believe the boats will still be running, especially on weekends. Manchester itself is not particularly scenic, although the city is going thru somewhat of a renassance and there are some interesting restaurants in town.

dfrostnh

How long will you be staying? Rt 101 west of Manchester is nice esp once you get past Milford. There are some wonderful towns in the Monadnock Region and you could go past Keene and into southern VT. If you have enough time I would make a trip north since it should be nice even if past peak and then go over to Portsmouth on the coast. The apple orchards are wonderful right now but the best part is when they start making cider and you can smell it. The area just before the mountains such as Plymouth, Squam Lakes, Sandwich region are beautiful any time of the year. You would be just below the mountains with views of some mountain peaks. I agree that a cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee or a train ride would be nice and give the driver a break. Even heading north on Rt 93 you start to see mountains in the distance as you approach Concord just 15 minutes north of Manchester. Just about every place is pretty.

FainaAgain

A year ago I was on the New England tour in VT, MA, NH, CT on October 10-15 (approximately) and hit the peak of those gorgeous colors. It may change from year to year, but you can't know in advance.

Like Zootsi I visited the Shaker's village and took a boat on the lake Winnepesaukee (sp?). Let me know if you want to read my report, I'll post the link.