I know its difficult to believe but I found accomodations open for fall foliage this year. My dates for this trip are Oct 3 - 7. I will be in Providence on business on the 2nd and can depart early on the 3rd. Flying out from Boston probably on the 8th. But here are my questions that I need your help with. We want to combine hiking and fall foliage viewing within those 5 days. I think with the time I have, I can only do a couple of things:

1. Base ourselves in White Mountains, NH. I think we can combine hiking, sightseeing and fall foliage right there.; OR
2. Base ourselves in the Green Mtn, VT area. Thinking we can do the same thing here.; or
3. Base ourselves in Stowe, VT area.

Based on our limitations, what are your recommendations.

I can't offer advice, but I sincerely hope you'll post a detailed trip report when you get back from your travels. Many of us would love to take the trip you are describing! Thanks~

Any of these would be fine, but I would choose the White Mountains for the superior hiking there.The trek to a falls that starts with A just north of North Conway is fantastic.

The Franconia notch to North Conway area of the White Mtns.is spectacular. The Flume is a nice gorge trail in fall foliage season, and the Kancamagus Highway is a gorgeous foliage drive between the two areas.

Your dates should be terrific for the White Mountains. Keep in mind that NH's White Moutains are tall, craggy granite mountains while Vermont's Green Mountains are lower, more tree covered, less craggy granite. If you stayed in the Rt 93 corridor you could make an easy day trip thru VT. Hiking can be anything from a fun, but tiring walk thru Danville VT's Great Vermont Corn Maze to some challenging and steep hikes in the White Mountains. Keep in mind that you should have appropriate gear and that winter conditions could exist on Mt Washington. Near the White Mountains, there will be a country fair in Sandwich NH. An hour south, Warner NH has a foliage festival (also an easy hike of Mt Kearsarge). The advantage of the White Mountains would be easy access south to Lake Winnipesaukee (foliage cruise on the Mt Washington boat). Expect a heavy amount of traffic on Oct 7 and 8 and carry a good map. Rt 495 west of Boston was a parking lot yesterday afternoon because of construction. I ended up escaping via an exit and rt 111 back to NH which was a wonderful drive thru some pretty towns. I would suggest a scenic roundabout drive north on the 3rd which could easily be thru a section of VT and over to NH. Figure 2 hrs interstate driving time from Providence to Concord NH and another hour to get to the White Mountains. Concord NH to Burlington VT is about 3 hours. Brattleboro VT in the south to Burlington VT in the north is 148 miles. Remember: southbound Sunday traffic on Oct 8 is going to be very heavy by the afternoon. Allow extra time to get to the airport.

Thanks so much..all great advice. Sounds like White Mountains is what I am after.

i think i like the idea of driving thru green mtns in vermont to white mtns in new hamster best. dfrostnh has great suggestions!

the two 'bald nob' hikes around franconia, nh are not too craggy, and wind thru deciduous forests and over small streams/waterfalls up to a bald granite nob on the top. great view of foliage!!!

White mountains. Stay in Jackson as a base.Great place.Drive up Mount Washington.-kamcamagus highway etc..You're in the centre of things.We had a nice stay at the Covered bridge motel there.Paul

Got a lot of great ideas. I think I am going to do the following based on these suggestions.
Day 1, Oct 3. Drive from Providence through Green Mtns Vermont, stop where we want, probably make Ben & Jerrys a stop over. Wind up in Stowe for overnight. I know its going to be a long day and probably won't get much hiking in.
Day 2. Finish Stowe area sightseeing. Drive to Conway or Jackson taking in the Kancambus Highway on the way. Stay in North Conway or Jackson (someone recommended the Darby Inn).
Day 3 & 4. Take in the foliage, hike, lake cruise, etc
Day 5, Oct 7. Head to Boston for late evening flight out.

Any recommendations for lodging?

In Stowe, Golden Eagle Resort. It's more of a very nice motel but the buildings are set back from the road. We had a room in the back with a little balcony overlooking the pond. It was voted best hotel room we ever stayed in because of the roominess. I liked the little reading alcove because I'm always up earlier than anyone else.
Mountain Washington area? anyplace that still has availablility!

I was able to find soemthing in Lincoln that should be a good central place to get to the hiking and viewing areas as far as I can tell from the map.

In Vermont, we settled for Middlebury.

you may find that this current source is helpful
http://p104.ezboard.com/feuropetogof...icID=388.topic

The Kangamangus Highway between Conway
and Lincoln NH would be a great foliage
drive -- with easy hikes up Nancy Pond/Brook/Falls Trail, into the Pemigewasset wilderness for the more intrepid and along the roadside river, then from Lincoln along 'Lost River'.

Ask about the fall foliage discounts! I have actually saw them, I was amazed. I remember going to Maine as a kid in Fall though and the most beautiful place I have ever saw was NH. Never forgot it. If you like spas check out the Stoweflake ... seems like one of the places I saw the fall foliage special.