maribethp

We will be there overnight on the first. Thanks so much.

KenF

You've indicated a looking for color in New England. If you ar not tied to the northeast, there is also a lot of color to be found in the midwest. Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc. have great fall color with a mixture of maples, oaks, elms, etc.

zatrams999

Thanks everyone for the excellent input and for sharing the wealth of information. Dfrostnh, it is awesome to have such great input from someone local, really appreciate it. I’ve looked through the advice, so here is the tentative plan.

Trip timing: 2nd Oct (night) – 6th Oct (noon)

Vermont Foliage: http://www.vermontvacation.com/fallf...oliage2010.asp

New Hampshire Foliage : http://foliage.visitnh.gov.ns1www.si...dex-flash.html

The foliage maps predict that around the 3rd, the northern part of NH, VT and the White Mountain area will be in full swing for foliage, while this a bit early for the Lake area (better around 5th or 6th).

Since White Mountain is on the way to the North, the only option I can think of is to do White Mountain on Sunday. But I’d rather not, since I’ll probably hit heavy traffic as dfrostnh pointed out.

And regarding towns to stay in, I’m not picky about hotels, just looking for a very basic hotel to stay, so any suggestions are welcome.


Tentative Plan:

10/02/10, Saturday –

Arriving at MHT 10/02/10 around 11PM – staying at Concord/Manchester/Other suggestions?

10/03/10, Sunday –

a) do the I-93—113—112 loop (Kanc), stop at Jackson
b) possibly a lake loop around Lake Winniepesaukee, stop at Wolfsboro
c) possibly take 16 to Errol by the Androscoggin River and back to 16
d) take 16—2—3—105, spend night at Barton/ Newport/Any other town suggestions?

10/04/10, Monday –

a) take 100 to Stowe
b) possibly I-89 to Burlington and Lake Champlain and back to 100, possibly Montpelier
c) 100 to Waitsfeld, 125 to Middlebury through Green Mountain and back to 100
d) Possibly 100—11—30--Manchester(VT)
e) 100—4—Woodstock, spend night at Woodstock/New London/Any other town suggestions?

10/05/10, Tuesday –

a) check out New London, Bradford. loop around lake Sunapee
b) continue on 103, check out Winslow State park, 103 to Contocook and Hopkinton
c) check out Contocook and Blackwater river
d) Back on 4—28, loop around Lake Winniepesaukee
e) take 4—Portsmouth—1—101—Hampton State Beach, spend night in Hampton/Any other town suggestions?

10/06/10, Wednesday –

Wake up early, watch the sunrise, take 101 back to MHT, flight around 2PM



Do you’ll think this is doable in the time I have?

Thank you for your help.

irishswampyankee

I read that the Friendly Toast in Portsmouth was closed for a while over the summer by the Bd of Health after several warnings for filth, rodent droppings, incorrect food storage temps, a frig that wasn't working, dirty restrooms, etc. Ick.

dfrostnh

always good to get lots of opinions. Here's a link to chowhound with very mixed opinions of Friendly Toast and Board of Health issues
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/729...s;results_list

I would recommend staying in Manchester since your flight arrives so late. Get an early start in the morning. Make sure you can find your hotel because some of the "airport" hotels are tucked away on side streets off Willow St, near Mall of NH. Rt 101 connects Rt 93 and 293 so if you take the Brown Road exit from the airport it can be confusing. They merge north of Manchester but if you take 293 it travels along the Merrimack River and you can see the old mills on the other side. They are now offices and restaurants. Really great renovation project. In the morning you also get a decent view of what's coming up since there's a couple of spots with a distant view of very distant mountains.

OTH The Concord hotels are right off the exit. There's 3 or 4 now, recently built or thoroughly renovated at exit 13.

I would not take the route to Errol and I wouldn't do the Kanc on Sunday unless it was early in the morning. Otherwise I would flip a coin. Staying in Portsmouth and taking a boat trip to see foliage would be ideal break from driving but it looks like there are limited trips in October. I like the Portsmouth cruise better than Lake Winnipesaukee since there is more history narration.

It was 82 deg yesterday but it looked like more color developed. It's still at the turning stage when you look at a distant view but there's quite a few trees along the road that are in full color. Sumacs are brilliant red. Even this early things are starting to look nice.

zootsi

zatrams, I'll try and address some of your plans - first off you are doing waaayyy too much driving each day. Because of winding mountain roads, driving can take longer than you might expect from looking at a map.
There are several good hotels right near Manchester airport. The Highlander is a good one, and it's virtually at the airport.
The drive from Wolfeboro to Errol is a very long one. Why go up that far? There is plenty of beautiful countryside in the White Mountains. Ditto for Newport (not the most charming town).
Your drive thru Vermont is also very ambitious for one day. It is doable however. You might want to drop Middlebury & Manchester. Plenty to see in Burlington, Woodstock, Stowe.
The New London-Sunapee area is quite nice, but I'd skip Hopkinton-Contocook. Visiting Canterbury Shaker Village just above Concord might be a better option.
Although Hampton beach will be fairly quiet this time of year, it's not the most scenic area (except for the actual beach) - lots of honkey tonk geared towards teenagers. I'd explore Portsmouth, and possibly York Maine, which has a very photogenic lighthouse.

OfficialILOVENY

You can also get weekly reports on the Fall Foliage colors in New York state. They are put out every wednesday New York State Fall Foliage Reports. This will certainly help you to see all the colors Fall has to offer ♥

jubilada

I live in Western MA and colors are certainly early this year.

Vttraveler

I think your 10/4 day in Vermont involves too much driving. i would cut out at least the drive to the Manchester area. From Burlington you could go south on 16 east on 125 over Middlebury Gap and connect back to 100 then south to 4, east to Woodstock.
Color is now what I would call early rather than spot in north central Vt, quite pretty

J62

I agree colors are early in western Mass this year. I drove through yesterday and the early reds are starting to show. Red maples, sugar maples, sumac and poison ivy are all starting to turn red. A little yellow mixed in from some birch.

Still mostly green, but with the dry weather and very cool nights colors will continue to change.

zatrams999

Thank you very much for the excellent feedback, zoosti, dfrostnh and vttraveler. I realize the point about the excessive driving and will modify the plan accordingly and post here.

I wanted to get feedback on one more aspect from you guys. I just booked the Manchester hotel for the first night as advised. Now, initial plan was to make a counter-clockwise loop in 3 days:

from White Mountain NH-North NH-North VT-Central VT-Lakes NH

but with this, I do White Mountain on Sunday as dfrostnh pointed out, which might have a lot of traffic. (Was at Sequoia National Park & Forest in the Labor day weekend, it took ~ 1 hour to find parking at any of the vista points)

So, to avoid this traffic situation (if it is that bad), if I make a clockwise loop in those 3 days, will I miss out on the VT colors? (since it is predicted to appear later than nh)

Thanks.

zootsi

It's not practical to try and predict colors down to the day. Foliage usually stays peak for about a week or so, and things like altitude, soil, weather, etc is more pertinent than which state you are in. Don't drive yourself crazy - you'll see plenty of color wherever you go in NH & Vt. Just pray for good weather!
Yes the traffic can be bad in the Whites on weekends, but there are plenty of small side roads (many are gravel) that will be free of cars. Get yourself some good maps.

Vttraveler

I agree with zootsi that the color won't change that much in a few days--unless there is a big storm and the leaves are blown down (but we certainly hope you don't encounter that).

zatrams999

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Ok, incorpotating the suggestions, I have an outline. Please let me know if you think this will be doable in the time-frame I have, and without too much driving.

10/02/10 - Arrive and stay at Manchester, NH

10/03/10, Sunday -

a) Explore Portsmouth, Winnipeasaukee and Wolfeboro.
b) York, ME, if time permits.
c) Drive back in late evening/night to Littleton, spend night at Littleton

10/04/10, Monday -

a) Explore White Mountain Trail, Kanc Loop and Littleton
b) Other areas north if time permits
c) Drive back in late evening/night to Montpelier, spend night at Montpelier

10/05/10, Tuesday -

a) Explore Burlington and Stowe
b) Drive down on 100
c) Woodstock if time permits
d) Drive back in late evening/night to New London, spend night at New London

10/06/10, Wednesday -

a) Explore New London and Lake Sunapee
b) Get to MHT by 1PM


This way, I drive less, and also avoid visiting White Mountain on Sunday, avoiding stop and go traffic.

How is this plan, is this doable in your opinion? Please let me know. Thank you.

Cranachin

If your flight out of MHT is at 2:00, arriving "by 1PM" is cutting it too close. You need to plan to be there by 12:00 to allow time to return the rental car and in case you encounter any delays like accidents.

zootsi

If you are going to see York, you definitely want to do it while near Portsmouth, not from Wolfeboro.
When driving rte 100 south in Vermont, when you get to Waitsfield, turn left onto Bridge street which turns into East Warren Road. Follow this to Brook Road to Warren. It's one of the most beautiful drives in Vermont.
Your plan sounds fine!

zatrams999

Thank you so much for your feedback, really appreciate.

zootsi, yes, I meant York while near Portsmouth. Thanks so much for sharing the tip about Brook road to Warren, will check it out, I look forward to it.

Ok, I have booked the hotels, Manchester, Littleton, Stowe and New London.

Anyone know of any good car rentals at or near Manchester, the standard rental companies at the airport (MHT) are still running at ~ $45/day for the compact cars! Maybe I'll have to priceline it.

zatrams999

I have a question for you'll regarding Portsmouth - there seems to be too many things to see in Portsmouth. Which two should I focus on, the boat tour and walk around the downtown area? I am there mainly for Fall colors, so what will be the best choices for me?

And for York, the beach is the main attraction,correct?

zootsi

Portsmouth is a small port city with many interesting restaurants and shops. You can take a boat tour if you have the time. York has some nice beaches, and a very scenic lighthouse (Nubble Light). Neither Portsmouth nor York are considered 'fall colors' destinations, although you will see some. By far the best colors will be in the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont.

dfrostnh

The BOAT TOUR. Park in the parking garage. You can walk to the boat dock. It's been a while since we've been there but I think you can still walk to the "downtown" Market Square area. Another spot would be to park over by Prescott Park which is on the water and across the street from Strawbery Banke Historic area. From there, drive out Rt 1B thru New Castle ... very old houses and then the fabulous Wentworth by the Sea hotel. There is plenty of foliage along this route.
Portsmouth is a seaport/harbor. It's a small city. Lots to see but not as spread out as Boston. If you take a morning cruise you can have lunch after and then walk around and still have time to drive over to Prescott Park.

Distant views still show plenty of green in the Concord NH area but there is plenty of color along the roadways.

In York, both beach and lighthouse are the main attractions. If the Goldenrod is open it is traditional to watch the taffy pulling machine and buy some saltwater taffy.