5 days from Boston and Back early October
 

Hi

Travelling to Boston 4 October for 3 days with husband and 27 yr old daughter. 7-11 October planning a trip to see bit of New England. Finding it a nightmare trawling the internet for where to go, what to see, sensible itinerary. it's all just names to me ! We have a hire car (not booked that yet) obviously want to see the Colours. My thoughts are maybe New Hampshire, Vermont and then down to Rhode island before heading to Logan airport on 12 October for a flight to Indianapolis - we have a family wedding there next day ! Travelling from London and Malta for this trip. Any suggestions would be most helpful. I need to get some rooms booked (Boston sorted). Thanks. Mary

Some questions first:

1. do the three days in Boston include your arrival and departure days?
2. do the five days outside Boston include your departure day?
3. have you already booked your flight to Indianapolis from Boston or could you go from Portland, Maine; Burlington, Vermont; Manchester, NH; or Providence, Rhode Island?

It is far too late for budget lodging in most places, but the cost is not likely to be a shocker for someone who is coming from Europe or the UK.

I have a number of ideas for you -- as will everyone else -- but we really need to know your expectations.

For driving routes and updates on foliage take a look at www.yankeefoliage.com and Massachusetts has it's own foliage interactive map with suggestions: http://www.massvacation.com/fallfoliage/

Re Boston: we arrive midday 4th Oct, have 3 nts accommodation booked at Holiday Inn, Beacon Hill. Looking to leave Boston sometime Sunday 7th October. Flight already booked Boston to Indianapolis 2pm 12th October. Looking for a suggested 'route'/itinerary for Sunday to Thursday without spending entire time in a car. 3* rooms or thereabouts is good, not budget. Thinking of New Hampshire and Vermont and then down to Rhode Island and then back to airport on the Friday. does that make sense? where to stay though, ie which towns. A bit last minute so really need to crack on and book rooms now, make a decision. thanks for any help you can offer. Mary

You can follow this on Google Maps.

Day 1 October 7: Drive north from Boston on I-95 to Portsmouth, NH. Explore the town and spend the night. Many good places to eat, nice shops and seafront.

Day 2 October 8: leave Portsmouth by NH 16 to Kancamaugus Highway. Drive west on Kancamaugus Highway to I-93. Drive north through Franconia Notch to Littleton, NH, or St Johnsbury, VT, to spend the night. This is likely to be a very colorful day. If you stay in Littleton, the Littleton Diner is famous, esp for breakfast.

Day 3 October 9: Explore the Northeast Kingdom, north and west of St Johnsbury, especially the areas near Craftsbury Common and Hardwick. Hihways 14, 15, and 100 are all scenic, and the Vermont welcome center at the border can give you information as to where leaves are at their peak. Try to spend the night in the Stowe-Waterbury area, but you will absolutely need to book ahead.

Day 4 October 10: Cross Mt Mansfield on the Smugglers Notch road, descending to Essex, then Burlington. In Burlington, you can visit the Shelburne Museum, view Lake Champlaign, perhaps cross over and back on a ferry, and enjoy the very lively restaurants and brew pubs in the pedestrian center. There is a parking garage, so you do not need to stay downtown.

Day 5 October 11: follow VT 100 from I-89 in Waterbury to Plymouth. Tour the historic site, then make your way east to charming (if twee) Woodstock and east from there to I-89. I would take this at least to Concord or Manchester, NH, where I would stay for the night. An early morning departure (much commuter trafffic) should get you to Logan in time to return your car and make your flight.