Travel For Fall Foilage
Jul 13th, 2011, 01:59 PM
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Travel For Fall Foilage
I am traveling into New York, NY Sept 30th. From NY I would like to travel by car
up through Vermont and on into Boston. I would like to know the best route to take in order
to see all the foilage. I have plenty of time for this trip, and am planning on visiting Maine, and Salem while there. Could you please tell me the best route for the New York to Boston
part of this trip. Thank you so very much, Tammy
up through Vermont and on into Boston. I would like to know the best route to take in order
to see all the foilage. I have plenty of time for this trip, and am planning on visiting Maine, and Salem while there. Could you please tell me the best route for the New York to Boston
part of this trip. Thank you so very much, Tammy
Jul 13th, 2011, 04:26 PM
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The beginning of your trip is awfully early for fall foliage. Columbus Day - Oct 12th or thereabout is usually good color in the Mass area - but leaves don;t change near NYC until near the end of the month. You'll have to stay north - and higher elevations to see anything at the 1st of Oct.
Jul 13th, 2011, 05:21 PM
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There are a lot of options. How long do you have? You say you have plenty - but is that a week or a month?
There are sites you can go to that tell you where the foliage is peak or near peak (just google peak fall foliage). Most years you will only see good color the first week in October in the northern part of New England (Vt and NH). The rest of New England, especially the coast (Maine, Boston) won't have great color till the middle of the month.
Given that, if you really have unlimited time I'd drive up through the Hudson Valley or the Conn Hills/Berkshires (no color that early but still nice) to Vermont, then over through the White Mountains of New Hampshire to Maine with Acadia as a destination. Then work your way down the coast of Maine to Boston.
There will be 'fall festivals' in many small towns all over New England every weekend in Oct. Again, google to find them if they are the kind of thing you'd like to do.
While an unstructured trip may appeal to you, lodging is very full all over New England in October so it would be best to actually plan out an itinerary and make reservations.
There are sites you can go to that tell you where the foliage is peak or near peak (just google peak fall foliage). Most years you will only see good color the first week in October in the northern part of New England (Vt and NH). The rest of New England, especially the coast (Maine, Boston) won't have great color till the middle of the month.
Given that, if you really have unlimited time I'd drive up through the Hudson Valley or the Conn Hills/Berkshires (no color that early but still nice) to Vermont, then over through the White Mountains of New Hampshire to Maine with Acadia as a destination. Then work your way down the coast of Maine to Boston.
There will be 'fall festivals' in many small towns all over New England every weekend in Oct. Again, google to find them if they are the kind of thing you'd like to do.
While an unstructured trip may appeal to you, lodging is very full all over New England in October so it would be best to actually plan out an itinerary and make reservations.
Jul 14th, 2011, 01:35 AM
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Depending on your route from NYC, from Hartford CT head north to take I91 north to VT thru western MA. In VT, western route north to Burlington takes you thru farm country, perhaps stop at Shelburne Museum. Eastern side, Rt 100 is more wooded and hilly. Both are lovely. Maybe go up one side, done the other. Check dates, I think Brandon VT will have their harvest people out then. Check Yankee magazines website for suggested drives.
Aim to enter NH via I89 but stop to visit Quechee Gorge (and many will recommend Woodstock VT) and head to Concord NH. Swampy areas get color early from red swamp maples. Connect with I93 to head north. Even though it's an interstate, it's a pleasant drive and the mountains will start to come into view. This hwy eventually goes thru Franconia Notch in the White Mountains. If you have spent some time in VT, Warner NH right off I89 has a foliage festival Columbus Day weekend. Crafts, farmers market, parades with homemade floats, etc.
Take Kancamagus Hwy thru the mountains to the Conway area. Don't do this on a weekend, it will be too crowded. From Conway, it's only an hour to Maine. The mid-coast area is our favorite. You might consider a stop in Portland ME for great restaurants and a cruise of Casco Bay. Get on I95 until you get to Brunswick. Then travel Rt 1. Camden was voted one of the top foliage spots - probably because of the view from Mt Battie.
Heading south, for speed, take I95 but get off to visit one of the coastal towns south of Portland. Then Portsmouth NH (more great restaurants and historic buildings). At this point you're only an hour from Boston. Salem MA is a slight detour.
Aim to enter NH via I89 but stop to visit Quechee Gorge (and many will recommend Woodstock VT) and head to Concord NH. Swampy areas get color early from red swamp maples. Connect with I93 to head north. Even though it's an interstate, it's a pleasant drive and the mountains will start to come into view. This hwy eventually goes thru Franconia Notch in the White Mountains. If you have spent some time in VT, Warner NH right off I89 has a foliage festival Columbus Day weekend. Crafts, farmers market, parades with homemade floats, etc.
Take Kancamagus Hwy thru the mountains to the Conway area. Don't do this on a weekend, it will be too crowded. From Conway, it's only an hour to Maine. The mid-coast area is our favorite. You might consider a stop in Portland ME for great restaurants and a cruise of Casco Bay. Get on I95 until you get to Brunswick. Then travel Rt 1. Camden was voted one of the top foliage spots - probably because of the view from Mt Battie.
Heading south, for speed, take I95 but get off to visit one of the coastal towns south of Portland. Then Portsmouth NH (more great restaurants and historic buildings). At this point you're only an hour from Boston. Salem MA is a slight detour.
Jul 14th, 2011, 04:21 AM
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I have two weeks to spend. If I don't see the peak, at least
I will maybe see some of the changing. I just can't thank you all enough for the time you spent sending me this information. Dfrostnh, this really sounds so exciting.
Thank you Thank you Thank you.
I will maybe see some of the changing. I just can't thank you all enough for the time you spent sending me this information. Dfrostnh, this really sounds so exciting.
Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Jul 16th, 2011, 11:54 AM
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dfrostnh,
Could you please tell me if I am planning this correctly?
I have tried to route the best plan possible. Haven't gotten to details yet, such as reservations. I just want to be sure
I am doing this the best way possible.
Headed from NY after landing and spending the night, I am looking at driving to Mystic,CT and also New London. Maybe staying there a night. Then heading into Boston, (will have to look at towns along the way to stop for quick look around).
Next headed to Boston for couple of nights, then to New Hampshire with a overnight somewhere, then onto Vermont, and to Salem for a night. I would like to fit Maine into the mix, I am just so unsure how to plan this. You are such a wealth of knowledge on the area, I just hope you could help me a bit.
Thank you in advance
Could you please tell me if I am planning this correctly?
I have tried to route the best plan possible. Haven't gotten to details yet, such as reservations. I just want to be sure
I am doing this the best way possible.
Headed from NY after landing and spending the night, I am looking at driving to Mystic,CT and also New London. Maybe staying there a night. Then heading into Boston, (will have to look at towns along the way to stop for quick look around).
Next headed to Boston for couple of nights, then to New Hampshire with a overnight somewhere, then onto Vermont, and to Salem for a night. I would like to fit Maine into the mix, I am just so unsure how to plan this. You are such a wealth of knowledge on the area, I just hope you could help me a bit.
Thank you in advance
Jul 17th, 2011, 01:20 AM
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Hi Tdesireeh,
First, peak is an illusive period of wonderful color. It's going to vary on the same day depending on where you are in terms of north, elevation and type of tree. Most people want the sugar maples' vibrant oranges but there are other trees like different kinds of maples, oaks, beech, that turn at different times. There are foliage maps that show where color is "peaking" so you can check them when you are here. Color just keeps developing thru early October. I can never decide when it's peak although a friend with a vacation home in northern NH claims a really cold night will cause great colors to occur overnight. There might be great color in one town and not so much in another. That's why people like to travel about.
My original directions were NYC to VT and NH. If I understand you correctly, now you want NYC to CT to Boston and then NH etc.
I've never stayed in New London only Mystic.
You should visit Salem after Boston because it's so close. Perhaps get an early start to get to Salem when the PEI museum opens. (Get ticket for timed tour to the Chinese house.) Get back to I95 north to Portsmouth. Check schedule of cruises. It might be a little early for color but there are foliage cruises. The harbor cruise and inland rivers cruises are very interesting.
Maine is just over the bridge. If you want to avoid the Rt 1 outlet malls you can take a scenic route (follow signs to Kittery Point and then route to York. York has beautiful sandy beaches, a lighthouse, etc. A lot of people like the southern Maine coast (so close to Boston) because of the beaches. North of Portland the beaches tend to be very rocky. Our favorite area is the mid-coast from Brunswick north. Portland deserves a stop if you want some interesting shopping (Old Port Area) and good restaurants. Also can take a mailboat cruise of the bay or another cruise with more narration instead of going on a working boat. Camden is probably the most scenic coastal town thanks to a beautiful harbor, windjammers, and view from top of Mt Battie (take the auto road and don't forget binnoculars).
We tend to like old, quaint and quiet. Camden is pretty but on weekends is very popular.
To get to NH and the mountains, back to Portland and then west is probably the fastest. Reverse my original directions to go from NH to VT and back to NYC.
You will find a local of information on Yankee Magazine's website. There are suggested drives and local information. You might want to check thru foliage photos to see what areas appeal to you.
First, peak is an illusive period of wonderful color. It's going to vary on the same day depending on where you are in terms of north, elevation and type of tree. Most people want the sugar maples' vibrant oranges but there are other trees like different kinds of maples, oaks, beech, that turn at different times. There are foliage maps that show where color is "peaking" so you can check them when you are here. Color just keeps developing thru early October. I can never decide when it's peak although a friend with a vacation home in northern NH claims a really cold night will cause great colors to occur overnight. There might be great color in one town and not so much in another. That's why people like to travel about.
My original directions were NYC to VT and NH. If I understand you correctly, now you want NYC to CT to Boston and then NH etc.
I've never stayed in New London only Mystic.
You should visit Salem after Boston because it's so close. Perhaps get an early start to get to Salem when the PEI museum opens. (Get ticket for timed tour to the Chinese house.) Get back to I95 north to Portsmouth. Check schedule of cruises. It might be a little early for color but there are foliage cruises. The harbor cruise and inland rivers cruises are very interesting.
Maine is just over the bridge. If you want to avoid the Rt 1 outlet malls you can take a scenic route (follow signs to Kittery Point and then route to York. York has beautiful sandy beaches, a lighthouse, etc. A lot of people like the southern Maine coast (so close to Boston) because of the beaches. North of Portland the beaches tend to be very rocky. Our favorite area is the mid-coast from Brunswick north. Portland deserves a stop if you want some interesting shopping (Old Port Area) and good restaurants. Also can take a mailboat cruise of the bay or another cruise with more narration instead of going on a working boat. Camden is probably the most scenic coastal town thanks to a beautiful harbor, windjammers, and view from top of Mt Battie (take the auto road and don't forget binnoculars).
We tend to like old, quaint and quiet. Camden is pretty but on weekends is very popular.
To get to NH and the mountains, back to Portland and then west is probably the fastest. Reverse my original directions to go from NH to VT and back to NYC.
You will find a local of information on Yankee Magazine's website. There are suggested drives and local information. You might want to check thru foliage photos to see what areas appeal to you.
Jul 17th, 2011, 07:02 AM
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http://www.yankeefoliage.com/
Connecticut ? Why? Best scenic & colorful vistas in Vermont/New Hampshire/Maine.
Connecticut ? Why? Best scenic & colorful vistas in Vermont/New Hampshire/Maine.
Jul 17th, 2011, 07:10 AM
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A thread on similar topic .....
FALL FOLIAGE -- 30 SEPT to 09 OCT 2011 >>>>>
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...9-oct-2011.cfm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FALL FOLIAGE -- 30 SEPT to 09 OCT 2011 >>>>>
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...9-oct-2011.cfm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jul 17th, 2011, 08:57 AM
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Thank you all so much, you have given me a wealth of information. I am a first time user of Fodor's forums, and
you have made me a believer. It means alot to me that you
all took your time to help me.
Dfrostnh, Thank you so very very much.
you have made me a believer. It means alot to me that you
all took your time to help me.
Dfrostnh, Thank you so very very much.
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