Philbill

We will arrive at JFK on Sept. 29th mid afternoon and return from JFK on October 10th in the morning. (Virgin America has a great fare sale so we booked on the spur of the moment this morning!) We have been to NY before, but that is it!! It is not necessary to build NY into the itinerary, but to spend the day before we leave in the city would be nice.

My husband is keen to see Fall Foliage (so that is our primary focus) and any other recommended sites/cultural venues. We will rent a car. (Or should we get a train first to Boston??) We really have no preconceived plans, so any suggestions will be most welcome.

Thanks so much.

jroth

Fall foliage can be fickle - date-wise. Different times from year to year depending on weather conditions. But - try to factor in a visit to Williamstown, Mass where you can visit the world class Clark Museum and nearby MassMoca Museum ( contemproary art). And then on up into Vermont - famed for fall foliage of the sugar maples - a riot of color. Check out B&B's in the areaa - and book ahead as they are booked solid during fall foliage. I wouldn't bother with a train to Boston - rent out of New York and head up the Taconic Parkway.

nytraveler

I hate to say it - but you're kind of early for fall foliage. Columbus Day Weekend - Oct 12th - is usually the prime time for Mass, South VT, NH and upper CT. The dates are usually later along the coast and near NYC. (Manhattan trees don;t turn until End Oct or early Nov.)

So I would jump on Amtrak to Boston immediately, getting an idea form that if there's anything to see south of Boston or if you'll have to head north. Also note that hotels are booked on weekends months in advance - so try to get reservations ASAP.

Philbill

Thanks so much jroth and nytraveler...we looked at the fall foliage predictor maps online and the indicators were that we would be heading out at the right time....but maybe not! We actually could not come later as I have other travel plans starting the 17th. Appreciate the advice on booking ahead. Keep any other ideas coming.......

djkbooks

You'll want to shop car rental prices from various locations, as they could vary significantly. But, it would probably be much more convenient to pick up/return a car at JFK, rather than get yourselves and your bags from JFK to the train station then back on your return.

To economize on the car rental, you may want to check prices in other places along Amtrak routes such as Hartford, CT, Springfield, MA...

There is little chance of a lot of color in the immediate Boston vicinity that early. Your best bet for fall color is to go as far north as possible - at least to northern New Hampshire or Vermont. The color moves south and west, so you should do likewise.

In the alternative, you could head for the Adirondack and/or Catskill Mountains in New York state, where there will likely be much more colorful foliage earlier during your visit.

See the map for New York State

http://www.iloveny.com/SeasonsInNy/FoliageForecast.aspx

Here's a map for New England (click on your dates)

http://www.yankeefoliage.com/peakmap/

Agree that you should decide on an itinerary and book overnight accommodations forthwith.

dfrostnh

Check some of the other threads for suggested itineraries. You should have great foliage in central VT and NH during the last few days/the first full week of October. Best if you could be in the mountains. Pick some places you'd like to see and do, color or no color. The scenery is great even without fabulous color and there will be less traffic the end of September. Burlington VT and Shelburne Museum might make a first stop. Good food, history. Cross northern VT and then NH's White Mountains or Lake Winnipesaukee area. Cruise the lake, visit tourist attractions like the Flume in the mountains. Check Yankee Magazine's website for list of events. If weather is perfect you can go to the top of Mt Washington. If it's crummy, there are some small museums in the Concord/Manchester NH area which is an hour south of moutains. Your choice art or history. This weekend lots of people are enjoying some great kayaking weather. There are rental places if that's something you'd like to do. Near the Conway NH area, Fryeburg Maine has a very nice agricultural fair Oct 4-11.

mclaurie

Here's a link to the foliage map. http://www.yankeefoliage.com/peakmap/ I'd head to Vermont or New Hampshire and then start driving south. You might consider flying up to say Burlington Vt. (jetblue.com) from JFK and then renting from there and driving south.