2011 New England Fall Foliage Itinerary
 

Hello everyone! I am trying to plan a trip to New England for my mother and I and we have finally gotten a rough itinerary together. We're trying to make the best use of our time out there. We have 3 weeks so we're going to start in the north and head south. If you could let me know what you think of this itinerary, whether we're spending too much time or not enough in places, if there's some places not worth going to, etc. Keep in mind these are just "base" stays for us, as we are going to be doing day trips and exploring the areas around our base.

2 nights in Stowe, VT
3 nights in Bethel, ME
4 nights in Bar Harbor, ME
4-5 days along the coast between Bar Harbor and Portsmouth
2 nights in Chatham, Mass (Cape Cod)
3 nights in Mystic, CT

Not sure where to stay along the coast after Bar Harbor. Is it possible to "wing it" along the coast and just drive and try to find a place in an area you like or just a plain bad idea?

Also, if you have any recommendations for moderately priced accommodations and/or great places to eat in these areas, they would be greatly appreciated!

You will have the best fall foliage colors in Vermont and there will be none on Cape Cod.My Cape Coad family leaves there every fall to see the colors in Vermont. You have chosen very nice places to visit but wanted you to be aware of the fall color factor.

Thank you for that comment HappyTrvlr. We realized that once we got down into Massachusetts and Connecticut we wouldn't be in the fall color area. But we were OK with that as we would have seen fabulous (hopefully) colors farther north and heading back to Wisconsin through Pennsylvania, we'll hit color again.

I think 3 nights in Mystic is 2 nights too long. We've spent a couple 1 nights there and saw everything. Have you thought of going to to Newport, RI to see a couple of the Mansions?

Also like a stop in Freeport, ME, at the Harraseeket Inn. Can walk down the block to charming store front outlets.

http://www.harraseeketinn.com/

3 nts in Bethel is probably 1-2 nts too long. Not much there, IMO. Don't know where you are from or where you are flying into but keep in mind that New England is very small. 4-5 nts between Bar Harbor and Portsmouth means very small driving distances each day but that's OK as long as you are aware. Think that Rt. 100 in VT either way is gorgeous. It goes right into Stowe. Unfortunately, west to east in New England is cumbersome - no direct rts but with 3 weeks you can meander. Freeport at Harraseeket is a good suggestion if you like outlet shopping. Wonderful hotel and excellent restaurant.

You must keep in mind the progression of the colors, toward the south. For ex, the area around Rutland, VT is at its height around Columbus Day. And then moves slowly south. (Incidentally, Cape Cod does not have the masses of the "right" kind of trees for color.)

You might think about spending some time in Boston and seeing the sites there. Some of your choices you may find not alot to do in the area so taking some of those extra days you can put toward some time seeing Boston, and there is so much to see from the Freedom Trail to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Science, the Common and Boston Garden, Quincy Market, the North End, and that just scratches the surface.

Have a lovely time in your planning and even better on your visit.

I assume you are driving thru NH to get to Maine ... subtract the nights as other posters have suggested and add a couple of nights in NH's White Mountains. There's lots to do and just south of the mountains is Lake Winnipesaukee and the Squam Lakes region. You could take a foliage cruise or train ride or do a little hiking. Visit Castle in the Clouds.

You might be able to wing it on the Maine coast even though it's foliage season as long as it's not a weekend. Visit Camden, Boothbay Harbor, Rockland (Farnsworth Museum), or any place with availability. We recently stayed at the Dunes in Ogunquit - old fashioned white cottages, pretty landscaping. Camden: auto road to top of Mt Battie
Rockland: in addition to Farnsworth, easy short hike to Owls Head light
Boothbay Harbor: Maine Coastal Gardens
Portsmouth is a great choice. Much more to see and do than in Mystic.

When are you going?

Yes, starting North and then going SOUTHWEST is the right idea. You could go from Maine into NH and then into VT and into the Berkshires in Mass which would have beautiful color and LOTS to do. The color change would follow you.

Cape Cod will not have the colors you wish. The coast is not as great as the inland areas for color. Go inland.

3 nights in Bethel ME is a lot. What day trips are you planning from there?

Instead of 3 nights in Mystic CT, stay the 3 nights in Newport RI.

I traveled thru New England a couple years ago and now have the good fortune to live in Connecticut :). A couple restaurant suggestions - the pub beneath Sudbury Inn in Bethel, ME has good food. And King Eider's pub in Damariscotta, ME had superb steaks (didn't enjoy the manicotti so much).

I very much enjoyed the Colonial Lantern Tour in Plymouth, MA. The guides are informative and funny and there's not too much walking. I would also suggest taking the Liberty Ride thru Lexington and Concord. And Walden Pond is near Concord and it is just GORGEOUS.

While it is true that the trees on Cape Cod are not as colorful as the those in the north, the marshes are gorgeous! Drive up to Nauset Marsh in Eastham to see some pretty fabulous views of Nauset Marsh turned all golden in contrast to the deep blue of the sky and water. You might also be on the look out for the red cranberry bogs along the side of Rt 28 as you make your way from Chatham to Orleans.

I just signed on to another site I visit from time to time.
Here is an article about seeing fall foliage from various trains. http://www.railroad.net/

I definitely agree on Mystic, CT....1 night is enough and Newport, RI is one of my favorite places to go and I am a Bostonian. The Cape is mostly a summer place and even then I'm not that impressed by it. Also, I can't imagine spending as many days as you are in New England and not stopping in Boston......

We did two nights in Mystic, but that was only because we spent the first day in Hartford. Visited the State Capitol and the Mark Twain house, and then drove to Mystic. The second day we visited Mystic Seaport and the the submarine in Groton (the name escapes me now). Agree with lahern98, you must visit Boston. Expensive, but so worth it! Though, you could get a deal on Priceline or Hotwire.