schnookies

I've always wanted to see either Nantucket or Marthas Vineyard, but I'm leaning more toward Nantucket. But we only have about a week and we're doing a foliage trip starting in Boston and continue to Kennebunkport and Vermont. We did this trip but with more stops along the way a few years back. Now we're going back to spend more time in picturesque Kennebunkport but we'd also like to go to a place we haven't been to. So maybe a good time to make it to Nantucket from Boston? But is it still nice to go beginning of October and spend the day there to stroll the town? Is it a rather "sleepy town" or is it still worth seeing in the fall?

emalloy

Nantucket is a nice place to visit, but it will involve a lot of extra driving to get there and given your short time frame and the season, I would not go this time. It is in the opposite direction from Kennebunkport from Boston and unless you fly there, would involve a long drive, a ferry ride, there and back. You would also have to time things so you weren't just sitting waiting for the next ferry, not my idea of a pleasant day trip from Boston.

If you want another seaside area, look at Rockport or the whole Cape Ann area in MA or Portsmouth in NH.

gailw

I totally agree with emalloy. You'd spend a whole day just getting to and from Nantucket (it's quite a long ferry ride as I recall, maybe 3 and 1/2 hours?) and you can't go wrong if you're looking for foliage by sticking to the places you mentioned in early October.

socialworker

The ferry ride would be much shorter if the fast ferry is still running in October. Cuts the trip to only 1 hour!

djkbooks

Here's another recommendation for Cape Ann and/or Portsmouth.

Seaside destinations are far better in nicer weather and are not foliage destinations (due to lack of trees and that leaves turn last near water).

You may not see much color in Boston in early October or elsewhere in your travels unless to head to northern Vermont.

The weather throughout New England in early October is impossible to predict. There could be a spell of Indian Summer, but it could also be rainy and/or very chilly, especially along the coast(s).

volcanogirl

We flew over in the interest of time, and we loved Nantucket.

rhkkmk

i love nantucket and we go there often.... BUT, with such a short time i think you should concentrate on the area north of boston.... add portsmouth, nh and portland, Me to your destinations...

have lunch at stonewall kitchen just off the highway at the york exit.... drive up the coast road to ogunquit from york

ACKdweller

The traditional ferry (slower boat) is 2.15 hours long, the fast ferry is just 1 hour, and you can fly over in 20 minutes. October is beautiful on Nantucket, and if you time your visit for the first two weeks, there is lots to do: a Maritime Festival, a Cranberry Festival, Arts Week, and more. You can find a calendar of events here: http://www.yesterdaysisland.com/events/events10.php

schnookies

Considering your advice we have decided to probably skip Nantucket for this time. Unless we have some extra time at the end we might rethink. But you're right, we are there to see colours and we'll spend most of our time in Vermont for that. You have been so very helpful

happytrailstoyou

I've always wanted to see either Nantucket or Marthas Vineyard...

Sorry, but if this is as close as you will be to them for a while, then by all means go. There is no better time than now to do one of the things you have always wanted to do.

HTTY

Bowsprit

happytrailstoyou: You are so very right and I couldn't agree with you more.

volcanogirl

I totally agree with you as well. We only had one night to spend there, and it was totally worth it since we didn't know when we'd be in the area again.