New England Fall trip- road trip
 

Hi there! We are flying to JFK and was supposed to visit a friend in CT for 4 days but she just informed me she won't be available. So I have decided to drive somewhere to enjoy the foliage.

We'll be there on Oct 16-19, Friday-Monday, so 2 full days - and 2 half days. WE don't mind driving , we love road trips!

We've been to parts of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont last Fall. I loved it but didn't want to do the same route.
Is CT foliage beautiful like NH and VT? Where do you recommend going in CT? Charming town?

I was thinking about driving toward the Berkshires... should I? Is it pretty?

I'm looking for pretty and charming towns like Camden, Conway.. with lots of foliage and autumn festivities!

Please help!
Thanks!

That week, you'll want only southern areas if you hit New Hampshire and Vermont, and yes out towards The Berkshires.
Connecticut should be colorful and here are some scenic drives:
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?...epNav_GID=1631

You might drive up to Norwalk, CT via Merritt Pkwy switch over to Rte 7 in Norwalk and look at the pretty little towns of Bridgewater, New Milford, Washington, New Preston, over the hill to Kent CT (Kent Falls) continue up to NW CT up into Mass. You might have to go into Western MA and Southern VT to see real colors. Rte 7 goes all the way. Except Bridgewater, Washington, and New Preston. For them you could switch over in Brookfield and keep going North. Check your maps.

Thank you clarkgriswold and 330east for your suggestions! Love them!

Newport is a great town, and beautiful in the fall! I did the drive to Mystic, CT (also a very cute town!) daily and it's under 90 minutes if you decide to stay in CT.

Western Mass. The Pioneer Valley - which is the Connecticut River Valley - especially Northampton and the five college area, and Deerfield. Then take Rt 2 West (the Mohawk Trail) to the Berkshires. Then Rt 7 south through Mass and Conn. At some point cross over to NY and the Hudson River Valley back to the city. Perfect for that amount of time.

You are talking about next week. Should be peak foliage around here then, right now it's just "pre-peak" (I'm in the Pioneer Valley).

If you want more specific suggestions let me know.

Hi Isabel, me too. I think we're losing foliage in the rain, though.

I would agree with the Pioneer Valley or very southern VT as a good destination next week. Foliage is fairly late this year. A great place to go for a view is Mt Sugarloaf in South Deerfield, MA. Historic Deerfield is an interesting place to visit. If you don't want to go into the museum buildings, it is still worth driving down the main street.

All of this is very close to I-91. You could get off that highway in S. Deerfield, see the view from Sugarloaf, drive up Routes 5 and 10 with a detour for Historic Deerfield and pick up rte 2 (Mohawk trail) in Greenfield. Mass MoCA and Clark museums are both well worth visiting and there are beautiful views from the trail

Another area where foliage can be very pretty at this time of year is Concord, MA. Again, lots of historic buildings, Walden Pond. Fruitlands in nearby Harvard MA is another lovely spot.

Yankee magazine has some suggested foliage drives that look good
http://www.yankeefoliage.com/drives/index.php

Look out for church dinners and apple orchards on whatever route you choose.

And if you do that you'll go right by Yankee Candle. If you are into candles, that is the mother ship.

If you are then heading west to the Mohawk Trail cut through Shelburn Falls and visit the potholes and the Bridge of Flowers.

Isabel--looking at your profile (and pictures on the linked web site of parade, haunted house, etc), I think you may live in the same small hill town that my family is from.

What town is that?

Conway

Thank you Isabel for all your ideas! I'm not familiar at all with CT, MA so your suggestions will help me plan. I'll work on my itinerary today and if I have any questions I'll be sure to ask you! Thank you! I just love quaint towns! Clarkgriswold ( above) shared a link for scenic drives in CT, if you are familiar with any towns in that link if you know any quaint towns I shouldn't miss it Please Let me know. I appreciate it!

Thank you needmorevacation, Vttraveler, isabel. I will work on my itinerary today with all your great suggestions!
Looking forward to the peak and quaint towns!
Have a great sunday!