Hi,
I am traveling with a friend in the first week of October. We are both in our mid-30's, married with babies, and this is our little getaway! We will start in Boston and would like to do a road trip to see some fall color, and then need to return to Boston. The whole road trip will be about 2 1/2 days, so not very long.
I need help with, well, the whole thing!
We can spend about $150/night on lodging.
We'd like to do a day spa type thing at some point.
We need help with route, lodging, restaurant, and spa recommendations.
Thanks!
Dana

I don't mean to sound negative, but

1) $150/night for Oct foliage season is quite low.
2) first week of October is too early for foliage. Traditionally, Columbus Day weekend is the time for peak foliage in MA/NH/VT. If you come in early October, you may have to drive very far north in order to see some foliage.

For budget lodging in Boston, I'd check:
Park Plaza Hotel
Residence Inn @ Tudor Wharf
Courtyard Marriott on Tremont Street
Holiday Inn Express & Suites on Friends Street near North Station
Constitution Inn in Charlestown
Hotel 140 on Clarendon Street

We've had wonderful foliage the second half of September in NH and Vermont.With so little time (forget the spa)I would go to Jackson NH and visit surroundings.The Covere bridge motel is great to stay.Paul

It would probably be cheaper to fly into Manchester NH and rent a car there. Foliage first week in Oct should be good in central NH/VT and better in northern NH/VT.

I would not use Boston as a base for road trips. There's too much traffic and most hotels charge to park your car.

North central Vt foliage usually peaks at the end of September/first week in October. You could get to the St.Johnsbury area in the "Northeast Kingdom" fairly easily from Boston. It has beautiful scenery but is not really spa country.