I live in the Boston area. From my observations, the peak for color usually occurs during the last week of October. The trees often stay colorful into the first two weeks of November, although not at peak.

If you visit New England during the early part of October, you are more likely to get the peak color further north, in sourthern New Hampshire.

I agree that you are better off heading out of Boston right away if you want to see color in northern New England, and then returning to visit Boston attractions. A couple of days can make a big difference in how the leaves look, especially if it is windy/rainy. What was beautiful one day can be bare after a good storm.

Also, I would avoid Salem in October, especially with young children. The later it is in the month, the crazier Salem gets.

You might want to visit a cranberry bog to see them being harvested (a very New England experience). There will be cranberry harvest festivals October 10-11 in Wareham and at Edaville (a combination cranberry bog and theme park in South Carver), both south of Boston.

http://www.cranberries.org/festival/festival.html
http://www.cranberries.org/cranberries/bog_tours.html
http://www.admakepeace.com/pages/eve...elebration.asp (at least part of this last one might be 2008 info - can't tell)
http://www.edaville.com/edaville_events.html

Rental cars are horrendously expensive at Logan, so if you stay in the city, think about taking public transit to your hotel and reserving a car in town for the day you decide to leave Boston. The price difference might even be great enough that you could take a taxi to the hotel and still save money by not renting a car at Logan.

You should definitely save Boston for last, as the colors come there much later, with Plymouth a bit later than that.

Agree with all those above that foliage in Vermont and New Hampshire will be just about over October 10, but you should verify that on arrival, as sometimes fall is a little later...

Depending on the colors, rather than the Kancamagus, Route 101 then Route 9 through southern NH and through southern VT to the lower Green Mountains, or the Mohawk Trail through northern Mass to the Berkshires would be the better bets.

Highly recommend the pumpkin festival in Keene, NH, which will be held October 17th this year.

Thanks everyone.
Cranachin,thanks for the heads up re: car rental. I usually find cheaper prices renting from the airport. Didn't know Logan charges more. I reserved a car from the city and will return it to the airport.
We'll stay 2 nights in Boston first so the kids can recharge after the flight and before having to be behind seat belts again. We'll drive out on Monday morning.

Really looking forward to this trip. Thanks for helping us plan.