Destination and route guidance needed for Oct trip to New England.
Aug 22nd, 2016, 06:37 PM
#21
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Lol...well, it doesn't confuse things, but I like to go prepared! I'd be nervous not having set reservations. Perhaps what I'll do is book the WM's for Sat, Sun and Mon, and the coast for Wed, Thurs and Fri., and leave Tuesday night open.
Do you use bedandbreakfast.com? Is there a better site? I like it, but I would prefer to put my dates in, and have all available Inn's come up, rather than having to check each location individually.
Thanks!
Do you use bedandbreakfast.com? Is there a better site? I like it, but I would prefer to put my dates in, and have all available Inn's come up, rather than having to check each location individually.
Thanks!
Aug 23rd, 2016, 02:01 AM
#22
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have you tried airb&b? Some people serve breakfast. We've been happy with the places we have tried. The listings vary from homes and cottages to a private room shared bath. I have seen some inns listed on airb&b. We prefer something with kitchenette facilities and take care of our own breakfast.
Aug 23rd, 2016, 07:54 AM
#23
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Recommend you decide and book that as well. You may want to consider spending that night on Lake Winnipesaukee. Highly, highly, recommend the Bayside in Alton Bay. Views from your porch or deck are spectacular. Quite a lot of color when we were there October 12 last year. Scenic drive from the White Mountains then to the coast from there.
Take care selecting seacoast town for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Better bet would be Portland, Portsmouth, or a seaport city/town in Massachusetts which are year around destinations. Restaurants, shops, etc, switch to seasonal hours after Columbus Day in the seasonal towns (Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, York), which may mean closing for the season, open weekends only, particularly breakfast spots, etc.
The 1785 is a lovely place to stay and well located north of the outlet traffic, though you would have to endure that traffic to/from the Kancamagus, unless you find the back road cut through on a very detailed map (or ask your hosts).
However, I would favor the western side of the White Mountains your dates for more color without the Route 16 traffic issues.
If you're interested in outlets (no sales tax in NH) those in Lincoln are better (in my opinion) and without heavy traffic or parking issues.
Agree with booking forthwith
Recommend you decide and book that as well. You may want to consider spending that night on Lake Winnipesaukee. Highly, highly, recommend the Bayside in Alton Bay. Views from your porch or deck are spectacular. Quite a lot of color when we were there October 12 last year. Scenic drive from the White Mountains then to the coast from there.
Take care selecting seacoast town for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Better bet would be Portland, Portsmouth, or a seaport city/town in Massachusetts which are year around destinations. Restaurants, shops, etc, switch to seasonal hours after Columbus Day in the seasonal towns (Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, York), which may mean closing for the season, open weekends only, particularly breakfast spots, etc.
The 1785 is a lovely place to stay and well located north of the outlet traffic, though you would have to endure that traffic to/from the Kancamagus, unless you find the back road cut through on a very detailed map (or ask your hosts).
However, I would favor the western side of the White Mountains your dates for more color without the Route 16 traffic issues.
If you're interested in outlets (no sales tax in NH) those in Lincoln are better (in my opinion) and without heavy traffic or parking issues.
Agree with booking forthwith
Aug 24th, 2016, 02:48 PM
#24
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Thank you for your replies!
djkbooks, I actually wasn't looking on the western side of the mountain for accommodations. I've been looking in Conway/Jackson area. So you think I'm better off looking more into Woodstock/Lincoln/Franconia for better foliage and to stay away from a good part of the N. Conway traffic? I heard that N. Conway will be having a pretty busy festival that weekend, along with it being a holiday weekend! Is the western side still close to any activities we would have done if we were staying on the other side?
We don't mind traveling during the daytime at all, but in the evenings we'd like to be able to go out to dinner without driving an hour to get there, or perhaps a drink. However, I don't want to stay in an area where there are busy streets all around us. Quaint walking towns are nice as well.
Thanks!
djkbooks, I actually wasn't looking on the western side of the mountain for accommodations. I've been looking in Conway/Jackson area. So you think I'm better off looking more into Woodstock/Lincoln/Franconia for better foliage and to stay away from a good part of the N. Conway traffic? I heard that N. Conway will be having a pretty busy festival that weekend, along with it being a holiday weekend! Is the western side still close to any activities we would have done if we were staying on the other side?
We don't mind traveling during the daytime at all, but in the evenings we'd like to be able to go out to dinner without driving an hour to get there, or perhaps a drink. However, I don't want to stay in an area where there are busy streets all around us. Quaint walking towns are nice as well.
Thanks!
Aug 24th, 2016, 04:20 PM
#25
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If you decide to head up the coast from Logan, to avoid North Conway traffic/festival and have better availability up in that area midweek....then look at RiverHouse in South Berwick, Hartwell House in Ogunquit or Edgewater Inn in Kennebunkport. The Inn at English Meadows in Kennebunk is nice too.
Not sure how late you arrive into Logan but the first two are only about 75 mins drive if you wanted to hit the road immediately.
Don't worry about Ogunquit or Kennebunkport being too "quiet", they are now year-round communities with plenty open at least through the New Year holiday. Things do quiet down considerably January through May. Oh, and if the foliage is "wicked early" this season and you hit the tail end of it...from the coastal towns you can still take a 2 hr day drive up to Jackson or to Bethel or wherever the color is at it's peak. Otherwise the Naples/Sebago area should be colorful, and is closer, or head to the Shapleigh/Lake Lovell area.
Not sure how late you arrive into Logan but the first two are only about 75 mins drive if you wanted to hit the road immediately.
Don't worry about Ogunquit or Kennebunkport being too "quiet", they are now year-round communities with plenty open at least through the New Year holiday. Things do quiet down considerably January through May. Oh, and if the foliage is "wicked early" this season and you hit the tail end of it...from the coastal towns you can still take a 2 hr day drive up to Jackson or to Bethel or wherever the color is at it's peak. Otherwise the Naples/Sebago area should be colorful, and is closer, or head to the Shapleigh/Lake Lovell area.
Aug 24th, 2016, 07:59 PM
#26
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Debbie, I'm pretty sure we'll want to spend the first 3 nights up towards the White Mountains. I'm not counting the first night we get in (Friday night) as one of those nights, as we will probably just stay overnight in Boston once we land (which won't be until about 9pm), and get a very early start on Saturday morning.
We then have an additional 4 nights, which is when we'll visit Ogunquit, and other towns by the coast. I'm going to work on what area(s) to stay during those 4 nights next, but I think we'll want to be in the mountains to start with so that we'll have a change of scenery from the coast. Maybe one night in the lakes region on our way to the coast.
Lot's to think about, but I do look up everything you recommend. I had looked up Franciona earlier today, and it looked so pretty! It also seems like an ideal location for the mountains.
I hope I'll have my destinations set by the end of the weekend!
Thanks again for all of your suggestions!
We then have an additional 4 nights, which is when we'll visit Ogunquit, and other towns by the coast. I'm going to work on what area(s) to stay during those 4 nights next, but I think we'll want to be in the mountains to start with so that we'll have a change of scenery from the coast. Maybe one night in the lakes region on our way to the coast.
Lot's to think about, but I do look up everything you recommend. I had looked up Franciona earlier today, and it looked so pretty! It also seems like an ideal location for the mountains.
I hope I'll have my destinations set by the end of the weekend!
Thanks again for all of your suggestions!
Aug 24th, 2016, 08:02 PM
#27
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Dfrostny, you said....
<The big difference according to my dh between the Kancamagus Hwy through the White Mountains and my preferred route through Tamworth and Sandwich is the Kanc is a lot of trees and mountains. The more southerly route includes some beautiful old homes and rolling hills>...
Is there a way of combining both of these routs to get the best of both worlds, when heading from the mountains to the coast?
Thanks!
<The big difference according to my dh between the Kancamagus Hwy through the White Mountains and my preferred route through Tamworth and Sandwich is the Kanc is a lot of trees and mountains. The more southerly route includes some beautiful old homes and rolling hills>...
Is there a way of combining both of these routs to get the best of both worlds, when heading from the mountains to the coast?
Thanks!
Aug 25th, 2016, 02:42 AM
#28
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The routes roughly parallel each other. One morning starting from the west side near I93/Rt 3 we traveled the Kanc, spent a short time in a couple of North Conway stores, drove south on Rt 16 then west thru Tamworth and Center Sandwich and had lunch at a small drive in restaurant in Moultonborough. You can do this loop if you are staying in the area.
If you stayed in a place like Meredith, you could walk to a restaurant. The downtown intersection is busy but a few miles away it's not busy. Doesn't matter if you can walk to a restaurant but keep in mind there might be long waits at restaurants if you choose to stay in a popular area. I keep saying Meredith because several hotels overlook the big lake and there's a nice walking area along the shore. However, there's probably no vacancies at this point in time.
From Conway (east side of mountains) to Portland ME is about an hour and probably add another hour if you stayed on the west side of the mountains.
Once you're on the Kanc, there's hardly any side roads off since you are going thru the mountains. In the Center Sandwich area there is a network of roads between the towns and the lakes. You could spend a lot of time driving the backroads but I would suggested using a Delorme Atlas to find your way. Some are dirt roads.
There are plenty of places to go without going to the places where you are going to be in slow moving traffic.
If you stayed in a place like Meredith, you could walk to a restaurant. The downtown intersection is busy but a few miles away it's not busy. Doesn't matter if you can walk to a restaurant but keep in mind there might be long waits at restaurants if you choose to stay in a popular area. I keep saying Meredith because several hotels overlook the big lake and there's a nice walking area along the shore. However, there's probably no vacancies at this point in time.
From Conway (east side of mountains) to Portland ME is about an hour and probably add another hour if you stayed on the west side of the mountains.
Once you're on the Kanc, there's hardly any side roads off since you are going thru the mountains. In the Center Sandwich area there is a network of roads between the towns and the lakes. You could spend a lot of time driving the backroads but I would suggested using a Delorme Atlas to find your way. Some are dirt roads.
There are plenty of places to go without going to the places where you are going to be in slow moving traffic.
Aug 25th, 2016, 02:53 AM
#29
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Another airport to consider would be Hartford/Springfield (BDL). Southwest has direct flights with very good rates in October. It is north of Hartford and an easy drive north on I-91 to see the foliage. Car rates are likely to be ok too.
Aug 26th, 2016, 09:01 PM
#30
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This is just not true. We were in Ogunquit just after Labor Day last year and dining (particularly breakfast) was quite limited, especially weekdays, many shops were closed, the trolley wasn't running. We were also there Oct 22-25 (for a concert at Jonathan's), when even fewer (almost no) places were open. We spent most of our time with excursions elsewhere for the scencery, movies, Portland and Portsmouth.
We changed our Thanksgiving accommodations in Kennebunkport to one night versus our intended four due to so few dinner options and absolutely no place for a hearty breakfast (continental only offered by lodging),despite the onsite spa and excellent dining room for dinner (only).
All in all, if you hope to find accommodations, at favorable rates, anywhere in the White Mountains, at this late date, you must stop dithering.
As mentioned previously, the huge advantage of the Littleton, Franconia, is that the foliage will likely be far better than the North Conway area, and the area is in far better proximity to scenic drives in all directions for foliage, all depending on the foliage reports.
>
And, there you go. Merideth, in particular, is overpriced, exorbitant actually, for lodging and dining. AND, fall colors come last to that area, most likely not during your dates.
The longer you wait to book accommodations, the fewer your choices and the much higher the rates.
Suggest you make some decisions sooner rather than later.
Please know that there are far better, more "dramatic", scenic drives all about the White Mountains than the Kancamagus devoid of the traffic and with places of interest and dining (none whatsoever along the Kancamagus) all along the way. While the Kancamagus surely has its appeal, all is far better enjoyed just about any time other than foliage season. For one thing, not only is being behind one or more slow RVs or Coach Tours, endlessly frustrating, they block you views.
This is just not true. We were in Ogunquit just after Labor Day last year and dining (particularly breakfast) was quite limited, especially weekdays, many shops were closed, the trolley wasn't running. We were also there Oct 22-25 (for a concert at Jonathan's), when even fewer (almost no) places were open. We spent most of our time with excursions elsewhere for the scencery, movies, Portland and Portsmouth.
We changed our Thanksgiving accommodations in Kennebunkport to one night versus our intended four due to so few dinner options and absolutely no place for a hearty breakfast (continental only offered by lodging),despite the onsite spa and excellent dining room for dinner (only).
All in all, if you hope to find accommodations, at favorable rates, anywhere in the White Mountains, at this late date, you must stop dithering.
As mentioned previously, the huge advantage of the Littleton, Franconia, is that the foliage will likely be far better than the North Conway area, and the area is in far better proximity to scenic drives in all directions for foliage, all depending on the foliage reports.
>
And, there you go. Merideth, in particular, is overpriced, exorbitant actually, for lodging and dining. AND, fall colors come last to that area, most likely not during your dates.
The longer you wait to book accommodations, the fewer your choices and the much higher the rates.
Suggest you make some decisions sooner rather than later.
Please know that there are far better, more "dramatic", scenic drives all about the White Mountains than the Kancamagus devoid of the traffic and with places of interest and dining (none whatsoever along the Kancamagus) all along the way. While the Kancamagus surely has its appeal, all is far better enjoyed just about any time other than foliage season. For one thing, not only is being behind one or more slow RVs or Coach Tours, endlessly frustrating, they block you views.
Aug 29th, 2016, 12:28 PM
#31
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Hi all!
Okay, so taking everyone's suggestions into account, I've been working very hard at finding accommodations in an area that we hope would suit us. A few days ago, my daughter decided she'd like to join us (she's 25, and we invited her a while back). The following has accommodations for the 3 of us, and I'd just like to know your opinions on one accommodation vs the other, as well as the area. The price is what it will cost to accommodate the 3 of us, per night.
Red Sleigh Inn - Lincoln $170 total (small adjoining room for daughter).
Woodstock Station House & Brewery - Woodstock $252 plus $30 for daughter) Cottage with living room and Q couch.
Lovetts Inn - Franconia $265 + $30 for daughter (small cottage).
Is the higher price worth it for the area? What would you do? And what is your opinions of these accommodations?
Thanks so much! Hope to book tonight or tomorrow morning
Okay, so taking everyone's suggestions into account, I've been working very hard at finding accommodations in an area that we hope would suit us. A few days ago, my daughter decided she'd like to join us (she's 25, and we invited her a while back). The following has accommodations for the 3 of us, and I'd just like to know your opinions on one accommodation vs the other, as well as the area. The price is what it will cost to accommodate the 3 of us, per night.
Red Sleigh Inn - Lincoln $170 total (small adjoining room for daughter).
Woodstock Station House & Brewery - Woodstock $252 plus $30 for daughter) Cottage with living room and Q couch.
Lovetts Inn - Franconia $265 + $30 for daughter (small cottage).
Is the higher price worth it for the area? What would you do? And what is your opinions of these accommodations?
Thanks so much! Hope to book tonight or tomorrow morning
Aug 29th, 2016, 04:22 PM
#32
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No the higher prices are not worth it. The "cottage" section at Lovett's is more like a backyard motor-court, and the cottages at Woodstock Station are not as nice as the main house.
The Red Sleigh is in a nice spot just a few minutes walk to the "downtown" area. Lincoln is probably smaller/quieter than what you're looking for , but there are several good restaurants and you're only 5 minutes from Woodstock. That's a good rate for a triple suite. The breakfast alone, for 3, is worth 60 bucks....you won't need to eat again til dinner time.
The Red Sleigh is in a nice spot just a few minutes walk to the "downtown" area. Lincoln is probably smaller/quieter than what you're looking for , but there are several good restaurants and you're only 5 minutes from Woodstock. That's a good rate for a triple suite. The breakfast alone, for 3, is worth 60 bucks....you won't need to eat again til dinner time.
Aug 29th, 2016, 06:52 PM
#33
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Actually Debbie, the one at Woodstock Station isn't a cottage (my mistake), but it is in the "Cascade Lodge". The room is the "Sweetwater". I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not. However, I'm glad you approve of the Red Sleigh! It's more in the budget I hoped to keep in, so that's a huge plus! I will be so relieved once I'm booked! Then I can go on to plan where we will go (and stay) for the next 4 days after that! Will it be the Maine Coast, Boston Coast, 2 nights of each...decisions, decisions!
I also need to go back and read all the comments again once my room is booked for the WM. So much valuable information from you all that will help me plan our days
Thanks Again!
I also need to go back and read all the comments again once my room is booked for the WM. So much valuable information from you all that will help me plan our days
Thanks Again!
