Hi, I will be going to Boston in September. I would like to take two to three days to see the fall foliage. I'm not sure Boston will be the best place to see this, so I was considering renting a car and driving up to New Hampshire. Would like some opinions on this. How long would the drive take to the White Mountains? More than two hours is probably too long. If the White Mountains are too far can you suggest another area? Thanks in advance.
Donna

Donna, the White Mountains are probably about a three hour drive from Boston (or more if it's leaf peeper season and you hit traffic), but if you have two or three days, what's an extra hour or so? If you want to rent a car and stay more local, anywhere you drive will be rewarding. I'm constantly delighted by some of the fall colors within one block of my house in Newton (8 miles from Downtown Boston). You could drive west to Old Sturbridge Village and enjoy the colors along with a visit to an 18th century recreated village. You could drive to Lexington/Concord and enjoy the colors there as well. In fact, peak color travels south, so depending on the time of fall and the weather conditions, peak could be up north or further south the days you want to see it. You'd have to check at the time for the best areas of color, and they do broadcast them, just like ski reports or the weather reports.

When in September are you coming??? If it's early September, you may not see any color at all. Mid to late September you'll have to drive north. The Franconia, NH are is about 2 1/2 North of Boston would be a nice place to explore. Check out www.newengland.com for information on foliage. Peak color usually doesnt hit Boston until around Columbus Day weekend. Have fun!

I would head for the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire; it's only about 90 minutes from Boston. There's an article about it in the Sunday NY Times from 2 weeks ago. Lots of inns, galleries, Mt. Monadnock, restaurants.

Isn't peak around the 1st week of October up north? I was thinking Columbus day weekend for optimal leaf peeping in Franconia, I don't know maybe im late... I believe it takes about 2 and half hours to get to the white mtns from boston as long as its not a friday night.

Have you checked into flights into Manchester, NH?
They're often cheaper, the airport's small and new and you're already part way to your destination.

Here is a link to a map showing "peak" color times in New England.
http://www.newengland.com/foliage/chart.html
Nadene-Your assesment of Franconia having color over Columbus Day is not off the mark--it varies year to year. I grew up in Northern VT and our colors tended to peak out toward the end of Sept. Now I live in Boston and notice the most vivid colors in Mid-Oct. I hope you had a great time in NE and Donna, I hope you have a great trip this fall!