We are planning a trip the 1st week of Oct. and would like ideas and suggestions for fall festivals, towns, fishing harbors, lodging, etc. In general, we are looking for the "don't miss" spots. Thank you.

can suggest one area that we visited during foliage season. The Mohawk Trail was beautiful from Greenfield, Mass. along Rt. 2. There is the Hail! To The Sunrise statue which is a cool thing to see, further along you will hit the infamous Hairpin Turn and the natural bridge and lots of foliage along the way. Also Gould's Sugar House with all their maple sugar products. We stayed at Motel 6 in Deerfield, not a fancy place but cheap and near Deerfield Village. Have a good time!!!

If you go to New England in October, prepare for cool evenings, possibly cool days. The Kangamangas Highway in NH is very colorful but you need reservations months ahead. Have a wonderful trip!

For sure, make your reservations right away! The foliage will be beautiful everywhere, but especially along Route 89 in Vermont through the Green Mountains (the town of Stowe is a fabulous base point for scenic drives), and Routes 302 and the Kangamangus Highway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. There are many wonderful towns in New Hampshire. Our favorites are Franconia and Jackson.

definately the green & white mounyains in vermont & new hampshire border.

As everyone has stated, don't come without reservations or you will be sleeping in the car.
Neat things to see and do by state.
Vermont:
Shelburne Museum, south of Burlington, everything American located on acres of land with many buildings to explore including; a one room schoolhouse, lighthouse, carousel, paintings, quilts, hooked rugs, covered bridge and a steamship that sailed on Lake Champlain.
Off exit 10 of Interstate 89 is Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream factory and tour with samples, a cider mill with tour and samples and the Cabot cheese outlet with more samples, you won't need lunch that day. Also on the road (route 100 is Stowe where the Trapp Family (of the Sound of Music fame) has an Inn, overpriced I hear.

New Hampshire: The Kancamagus highway between Lincoln and Conway is very scenic and the chance of seeing a moose pretty high especially early morning and sunset. Go through the notches, Franconia, Crawford and Pinkham, (routes, 3, 302 and 16).
Take the boat around Lake Winnipesaukee.

Maine: Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Rockland, all down the coast are wonderful towns with boat rides, seafood restaurants, museums, etc.
Even Portland in the Old Port section is nice to visit.

I live in Massachusetts and have never been too fond of the Mohawk Trail, can get really crowded slow. However in Williamstown, there is the Clark museum with lots of European masters.
Look at the site:
http://www.newengland.com/index.html
has lots of info on events, activites, etc.
Put out by Yankee magazine. You can order their guide to New England for more on accomodations, restaurants, etc. Also contact AAA for maps and guides.
Dennis

I was lucky enough to live in Vermont for a few years
and visit friends there every fall. Manchester, Vt.
is a gorgeous place at any time of year. Just drive
where your eyes take you and you'll fall in love with
the whole state. Cross N.H. into Maine-see Ogunquit
and keep driving along the coast as far as you can
go. It's all truly beautiful.

Agree with above post re: Trapp Family Lodge. Overpriced and overrun with tourists having a "look-see". If you're in the area, however, be sure to have a look yourself. It's gorgeous and the views from this location are absolutely awesome. Down the road, they have an "Austrian Tea Room" which is wonderful for afternoon tea, dessert and coffee, or lunch. The views from the deck are spectacular.

My wife and I spent 3 weeks touring New England
on our honeymoon in the Fall of '94. We visited
many great places but regret we didn't spend more
time on the Maine coast. In fact, the only place we
stayed in Maine was Kennebunk Port. It's a
charming town but many people (especially the
locals) insist it's too touristy. Perhaps, but it's still
worth it. We stayed at the White Barn Inn which
was probably our favorite Inn on the whole trip. It
has Maine's only 5-star restaurant. If you're near-
by, eat there even if you don't stay there! In
Vermont, Stowe and Woodstock are both very
quintessential Vermont towns. Vermont is known
for the best fall colors, but early October may be
a bit too early for their peak. We found the best
colors (in early Oct) to be in Maine. But this varies
tremendously from year to year. If you're going to
Martha's Vinyard, stay at The Charolette Inn. It's a
bit pricey, but oh so worth it! Wherever you go,
you'll have a wonderful time. (P.S. Don't miss
Boston!)

My wife and I spent 3 weeks touring New England
on our honeymoon in the Fall of '94. We visited
many great places but regret we didn't spend more
time on the Maine coast. In fact, the only place we
stayed in Maine was Kennebunk Port. It's a
charming town but many people (especially the
locals) insist it's too touristy. Perhaps, but it's still
worth it. We stayed at the White Barn Inn which
was probably our favorite Inn on the whole trip. It
has Maine's only 5-star restaurant. If you're near-
by, eat there even if you don't stay there! In
Vermont, Stowe and Woodstock are both very
quintessential Vermont towns. Vermont is known
for the best fall colors, but early October may be
a bit too early for their peak. We found the best
colors (in early Oct) to be in Maine. But this varies
tremendously from year to year. If you're going to
Martha's Vinyard, stay at The Charolette Inn. It's a
bit pricey, but oh so worth it! Wherever you go,
you'll have a wonderful time. (P.S. Don't miss
Boston!)

For a completely different twist, consider the American Canadian Caribbean Line's fall foliage trips on the Erie canal and Saguenay River on Sept 13 and Sept 25. Check them at www.accl-smallships.com. This is a very unusual US flag cruise line owned entirely by one man in RI.