NE foliage tour
Sep 12th, 2002, 08:04 AM
#1
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NE foliage tour
Planning on taking two day trip through NH and Vermont, departing from Providence the week of October 5. Is the traffic worse in these regions during the weekend, or does it matter, since so many "leaf peepers"? Any suggestions for things to do and places to see would be greatly appreciated, since our first time to this region. Two active seniors...plan to do some hiking, but have limitations. Thanks
p.s. Rconomical but nice lodging recs????
p.s. Rconomical but nice lodging recs????
Sep 12th, 2002, 09:04 AM
#2
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Two days is a bit short to see much of both states, but it can be done. Here are two different options:
1. Drive up I93 into the White Mtns of NH. Spend the first day exploring and hiking the Whites. Then drive west, thru Bethlehem NH (interesting town!) and over to Vermont for a night somewhere in the northeast part of the state. The White mountains get quite congested this time of year, but there are lots of small roads where you can get away from the traffic. If you don't have rooms reserved yet, you may have a problem. There are several inexpensive motels in Twin mountain that are centrally located, and not as crowded as North Conway. The Four Seasons looks the nicest. Of course New England is rich with b&b's if you prefer these. If you do stay in the Whites, pick up Delorimer's map of hiking trails in the White Mountains. This map has hundreds of hikes and walks of every type, and they are well described.
Option 2: Drive up I89 from Concord NH, and spend the first night in the Sunapee area. There are several nice b&b's and small inns in the area. The Inn at Sunapee is a very beautiful place. You can hike the trail at Mt. Sunapee, which is about 3 hours round trip. Next day, continue towards Vermont. There are hundreds of b&b's in central Vermont, and some beautiful countryside. Again you need to reserve asap. Some nice towns are Chester, Woodstock, Barnard, and dozens of others. If you drive this route, an interesting trip is the drive up Mt. Ascutney after crossing thru the Cornish (NH) - Windsor (Vt) covered bridge. This is a very picturesque part of New England, and not very commercialized.
1. Drive up I93 into the White Mtns of NH. Spend the first day exploring and hiking the Whites. Then drive west, thru Bethlehem NH (interesting town!) and over to Vermont for a night somewhere in the northeast part of the state. The White mountains get quite congested this time of year, but there are lots of small roads where you can get away from the traffic. If you don't have rooms reserved yet, you may have a problem. There are several inexpensive motels in Twin mountain that are centrally located, and not as crowded as North Conway. The Four Seasons looks the nicest. Of course New England is rich with b&b's if you prefer these. If you do stay in the Whites, pick up Delorimer's map of hiking trails in the White Mountains. This map has hundreds of hikes and walks of every type, and they are well described.
Option 2: Drive up I89 from Concord NH, and spend the first night in the Sunapee area. There are several nice b&b's and small inns in the area. The Inn at Sunapee is a very beautiful place. You can hike the trail at Mt. Sunapee, which is about 3 hours round trip. Next day, continue towards Vermont. There are hundreds of b&b's in central Vermont, and some beautiful countryside. Again you need to reserve asap. Some nice towns are Chester, Woodstock, Barnard, and dozens of others. If you drive this route, an interesting trip is the drive up Mt. Ascutney after crossing thru the Cornish (NH) - Windsor (Vt) covered bridge. This is a very picturesque part of New England, and not very commercialized.
Sep 12th, 2002, 09:09 AM
#3
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Lodging will be very hard to find; this season books a year in advance. Traffic will definitely be heavier on the weekend, especially the following week's Columbus Day weekend.
You may want to visit the Native American Indian Museum in Warner, NH and the Lost River in North Woodstock, NH - if it is still open in the fall - and of course, the Old Man of the Mt. You will love the towns of Woodstock and Quechee, VT for shopping, crafts, and farmstands.
The Shire Motor Lodge and the Pond Ridge are both in Woodstock, VT and reasonable. In Lincoln, NH the Indian Head Resort is popular, and the Kancamagus Motor Lodge is in a great location.
If there is no occupancy, call The Hamshire Inn in Bow, NH. That would put you at the corner of Rts. 89 and 93, an hour and half away for NH and Vt sights. It's about $100/night.
You may want to visit the Native American Indian Museum in Warner, NH and the Lost River in North Woodstock, NH - if it is still open in the fall - and of course, the Old Man of the Mt. You will love the towns of Woodstock and Quechee, VT for shopping, crafts, and farmstands.
The Shire Motor Lodge and the Pond Ridge are both in Woodstock, VT and reasonable. In Lincoln, NH the Indian Head Resort is popular, and the Kancamagus Motor Lodge is in a great location.
If there is no occupancy, call The Hamshire Inn in Bow, NH. That would put you at the corner of Rts. 89 and 93, an hour and half away for NH and Vt sights. It's about $100/night.
Sep 12th, 2002, 09:44 AM
#6
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Jay,
N. Conway will be nuts on October 5.
Zootsi has two good suggestions for trips. If you feel you must see the Kancamangus highway, start from Lincoln and go east. Turn north at Bear Notch Road. If you want to stay on the east side of the forest, suggest Intervale/Jackson area. If outlet shopping is what you have in mind, by all means, ignore the above and have a ball in N. Conway.
N. Conway will be nuts on October 5.
Zootsi has two good suggestions for trips. If you feel you must see the Kancamangus highway, start from Lincoln and go east. Turn north at Bear Notch Road. If you want to stay on the east side of the forest, suggest Intervale/Jackson area. If outlet shopping is what you have in mind, by all means, ignore the above and have a ball in N. Conway.
Sep 12th, 2002, 09:50 AM
#7
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Not interested in outlet stores, but do desire a comfortable bed (not too HARD) and a CLEAN place to "plop" after a long day sightseeing. Know finding most desirable hard to do this late.
Won't have time to use pool. Love beautiful amenities, but don't want to pay $200 or more this time.
Won't have time to use pool. Love beautiful amenities, but don't want to pay $200 or more this time.
Sep 12th, 2002, 10:02 AM
#8
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We will be in North Conway about the same time. We'll be staying at the Darbyfield Inn for the second time. It's a few miles out of town, but very charming and great views. It looked like they might still have some rooms when I was at their website a couple days ago.
Sep 12th, 2002, 10:03 AM
#9
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Coming from the desert Southwest. Never been to NE before and trying to cram as much as possible into 8 days.
Longing to see foliage, maybe do some antiquing and get a feeling for the history of region.... including Boston. Plan to end our trip at a nice inn in Chatham and hope to see a whale or two.
Have bought travel guides and watched this website religiously (lots of great tips). Have reservations for most days, but still am in a quandry over the Boston area and White Mountains. You folks are great with your suggestions. Don't want to make any mistakes. I DO want to make this a memorable trip for my over-worked husband.
Longing to see foliage, maybe do some antiquing and get a feeling for the history of region.... including Boston. Plan to end our trip at a nice inn in Chatham and hope to see a whale or two.
Have bought travel guides and watched this website religiously (lots of great tips). Have reservations for most days, but still am in a quandry over the Boston area and White Mountains. You folks are great with your suggestions. Don't want to make any mistakes. I DO want to make this a memorable trip for my over-worked husband.
Sep 12th, 2002, 10:09 AM
#11
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If you're not into outlet shopping, then by all means avoid North Conway. It's a huge strip of outlet mall after outlet mall and traffic on Route 16 can be attrocious, especially on weekends. If your heart is set on that part of the Whites, look in Jackson or Bartlett.
If you're looking for chain hotels, there is a Comfort Inn in Ashland, about 1/2 hour south of Lincoln if you end up on that side of the mountains. Be sure to drive through Franconia Notch. Have fun.
If you're looking for chain hotels, there is a Comfort Inn in Ashland, about 1/2 hour south of Lincoln if you end up on that side of the mountains. Be sure to drive through Franconia Notch. Have fun.
Sep 12th, 2002, 10:36 AM
#14
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Ordered Yankee travel guide and magazine last of July and still haven't received..they guarantee me "should receive shortly"...am watching the "foliage hot-line". Don't worry about being "Chamber of Commerce"..appreciate all constructive suggestions. Thanks again
Sep 12th, 2002, 12:10 PM
#15
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I must agree that North Conway is not your charming New England village. I honestly don't think Lincoln is that much better - lots of condos and strip malls. However a 5 minute drive from Lincoln and you are really in gods country, with hiking trails galore, and beautiful scenery everywhere. If you are looking for more quiet, uncluttered towns, consider a town like Lyme NH, which has a beautiful small inn on the green (Dowds), has no tourist attractions or outlets to bring in hoards of tourists, is less than one hour from the White Mountains, and 15 minutes from Vermont. Lyme is tucked away in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire, surrounded by working farms and wooded hills.
