New England Fall Colors
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to the East coast, to take in your beautiful area and fall colors. We are totally flexible, after Sept. 13th, so would appreciate help as to the best area to locate, and the best time to take full advantage of the fall beauty. We will rent a car, so side trips will be the plan, but would like to base in 1 place for a week. Thanks so much for any suggestions. GCHAN

I would consider the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I've stayed in Lincoln, and this year I'll be staying in N Conway. I like to go in the first half of October.

We always had good luck in the Manchester, VT area on the Columbus Day Wkend.

YOu might try looking at the Lakes region in NH, near Lake Winnepausauke (spelling, have to look that up). There are some lovely B&Bs in the area, some Inns (www.millfalls.com) and the beauty of the area during the all is breathtaking. If you head a bit north you will see Old Man of the Mountain and Indianhead. There's some shopping at outlets in Laconia, and several good restaurants in the area.

I'm sorry, the Old Man of the Mountains collapsed a few years ago but I agree the Lake Winnipesaukee area is beautiful. Your choice of base might hinge on whether you want evening activities, proximity to museums for rainy day activities. For NH's White Mountains, the first week of October is probably best. Colors comes first at higher elevations and northern locations. Columbus Day weekend is the most popular weekend for leaf peeping in VT and NH. There are some foliage festivals the first and second weekends of October. If you are coming for a week, I would suggest splitting your week between two locations. First half in the mountains/lake W area and second half in VT.
Yankee magazine's website has some suggested driving itineraries and a foliage forum. You might take a look at some of the past photos to get an idea of places you might like to visit. Make your decision soon because accomodations for the first two weekends book up quickly. Don't miss visiting an orchard or farmstand for the best apples.

I live in north central Vermont, near Montpelier. WE usually figure that peak foliage is very late September/first week in October. There is an interesting festival in the area referred to as Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Different smaller towns offer activities, special meals, etc. each day of the week. This is a beautiful area of the state
http://www.nekchamber.com/pages/473/September.htm

Once you are actually in Vt there is a foliage "hot line" and web site to show where the peak color is.

Like was stated before the first two weeks in Oct are normally the best times to view foliage. You need to decide what else you might like to see while here.
You might try Sugar Hill in northern NH and from here you can travel to the Northeast kingdom over to Jay peak in VT (to get some altitude.
Or if color has passed this area you can head south or over into the lakes region to view color that usually comes later. And VT traveler posted a schedule of events that will give you a jumping off point. Like DFrost said, check out the Yankee forums and the Yankee foliage page and look for the scenic drives...
Also don't leave home with out a Delorme Gazetteer to really see where you are and whats around you...
Oh! Have a fun trip

Jeff Foliage
www.yankeefoliage.com

Your link doesn't work Jeff.

It worked for me. Interesting site Jeff!

backroads less traveled hwy 127 in NH has scenic hwy designation travel from concord NH to white river junction.

small towns farms and you wiill pass the last wooden bowl outlet in new england just 8 iles off hwy 89/93
newhampshirebowlandboard.com

mrpms3950 Thanks for that link. I have been going to relatives in NH my whole life and never have heard of this. I will plan to visit when I am up there next!

The route 127 sounds interesting.. damn there are so many back roads and so little time. I hope the link works now for you. I double checked it... I have a habit of writing in the dark (such as now) and I do tend to misspell things.
I did a little drive out of Concord NH to Peterborough NH last fall on 113 to start and just headed SW till I came out in Peterborough. A lovely day even with a cold..

I stayed this week up in the lakes region of NH (White Oak Pond motel) on route 25, Very rustic but clean and they sit on a pond and have kayaks and canoes to borrow or rent... If you want a family place to stay it's nice.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. We have finally got a reservation, and it became very limited, trying for this late in the game. We will be based in Stowe,VT for the week of Sept. 26-Oct.3. I was hoping for something a little later, but it was this date or late in Oct. Seeing we're from CA, even if we're not at the peak of color, it will be beautiful to us. Now that we know where we'll be, i'll get in on the sites you had recommended for VT.

There's a good chance that at that longitude/latitude the colors will be at their height.

sobster is right, you've got a chance of seeing some good color and getting a cool spell can bring colors on. A friend with a north country camp claims things can change overnight (whereas I see color gradually develop over several weeks). Don't miss the Great Vermont Corn Maze in Danville VT, close to the NH border. Plan on 2-3 hours in the maze.

VT Rt. 100 is always a pretty drive. Also you might do the drive through Smugglers Notch from Stowe to Jeffersonville. The northeast kingdom area around Burke Mt and St. Johnsbury could be interesting as well as a cruise on Lake Champlain out of Burlington. Have fun.