KOL

My husband and I are planning a trip this fall. We fly in/out of Boston. We want to see the coast and New England fall colors. Please comment on my tentative itinery. We want to cover the best and not try to pack in too much. We prefer B&B type places. Just not sure how long it takes to go from one place to another. Thanks for all your help.
Oct.1-4 Boston (3 nights)
Oct. 5 drive up coast overnight in Marblehead/Portsmith/Kennebunk?
Oct. 6 Work our way over to Conway/ Jackson, stay overnight?
Oct. 7 Take the 112 to N. Woodstock, overnight or make it up to Stowe and overnight?
Oct. 8 Explore Stowe and take the 100 S and overnight in Westin?
Oct. 9 Work our way back to Boston thru the Berkshires? Overnight in Concord?
Oct. 10 Explore Concord and then overnight in Cambridge
Oct. 11 - Depart noon for home out of Boston.

twelveoaks

Two comments: first make sure you have reservations as hotels, etc. are full up during leaf peeping season. My wife and I were in that area in 2006 and witnessed people without reservations not being able to find lodging. Second if you are going for fall color your dates may be too early as Columbus day seems to be the time to go unless you go north to Maine or northern Vermont. That being said I am from the west coast so I'm sure you will get better info from the locals.

xkenx

KOL, you've done your homework. Rte 112 (Kankamagus hwy) is one of the most spectacular fall foilige drives anywhere. Try to go thru the Flume in Franconia Notch. Foilage should be around peak in northern NH when you are there. Even if not quite peak, that is better than missing peak and getting too much brown. In the Boston area it won't be peak yet. The only way to get both would be to start in NH around the 7th and get to Boston for the 3rd week of October.

dfnh

Color should be good in the north but early on the coast on in Berkshires. Still, your itinerary is pretty good. I consider Marblehead to be practically a Boston suburb. From Boston to Portsmouth NH it's only an hour. Portsmouth would offer you a great variety of restaurants. Also I like the boat cruises. You have plenty of time to get to Conway either heading up to Portland then west or (my choice) going west from Portsmouth then north. I would suggest two nights in the White Mountains so you could do something besides drive around. The Flume would be a nice hike or a ride up Mt Cranmore. Your itinerary is also a lot of lodging changes. Perhaps you could enjoy a great lunch and boat ride in Portsmouth and then head to Conway for dinner thus making two nights in the Conway area. I would try to make other places a two night visit, as well, including your last night since you have plenty of time to turn in your rental car and get your flight.

Anonymous

During foliage season, many B&B's have a 2-night minimum stay.