christinadele on Apr 10, 16 at 6:28pm
Hi, this is our possible Itinerary October 8th -20th. We need help figuring out how many nights and where for each suggested stop. If we should add any additional areas along the way? I really want to make reservations but am stuck!!! Thank you everyone.

Oct 8, arrive at Boston airport 5pm drive to Woodstock NH


Oct 8-11, Reservation 8-11 in Woodstock

Oct 11-13, reservation Bar Harbor (Maine), ME

Mystic CT ???

October 15 Rhode Island ???

Oct 17-20 reservation at the Miner Hotel Boston.

First, you listed Woodstock NH in your other thread but in an earlier post it looked like you were taking a suggestion to go to Woodstock VT.

Oct 8 is a Saturday so heading north after 5pm arrival should be good as far as traffic. You will probably see extremely heavy traffic heading south that time of day. We usually see southbound slowdowns between Concord NH and Hooksett NH on a foliage weekend but traveling northbound should be fine. BUT you are going to be missing some nice scenery since I expect you will be driving in the dark. Scenery starts to get nice north of Manchester NH. I actually like the views from the interstate heading north as you start to see the mountains. But you will have time to do a loop if you stay that many days in Woodstock NH.

There will be extremely heavy traffic in the White Mountains on the weekend but foliage is probably going to be past peak that far north. I would stay further south. Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee is very pretty. There will be a lot of traffic but I think the colors/foliage will be a lot nicer.

It's not that far to drive if you have to stay even further south. Concord NH on I93 is about an hour south of the mountains. That should give you a lot of choices for lodgings.

Bar Harbor is beautiful. Last summer we took the route from Gorham NH area thru Sunday River area of Maine to the Ellsworth area. Pretty country but miles of very few restaurants. Have a place for lunch picked out IF you take that route.

But if you wanted to try a lobster shack, the really good ones are open weekends only (picnic table of docks kind of places) after Labor Day and Columbus Day is the last weekend for a lot of them. Camden which is further south has good foliage. There are plenty of other restaurants and it might be too chilly to sit at a picnic table. Last year we did a third weekend in Sept visit. No crowds and a beautiful weekend (Rockland ME area). If you want some hiking, then keep with the Bar Harbor idea. We prefer the mid-coast area around Brunswick/Rockland for more to see and do.

Too long a drive from Bar Harbor to Mystic. I would stop in Portsmouth NH and do a foliage cruise then head to Rhode Island then Mystic. Unless you specifically want to see Mystic Seaport, I would drop it because of distance. There's a lot to see without driving so many miles.

On your day of arrival, I would want to get out of Boston, but not go too far because it will be after dark by the time you get your luggage, rental car and escape the city.

I like the Mystic/Stonington area and if you decide to head there, from I-95 in southern Maine, take I-495 to 290 which turns into 395 in CT then take CT rt. 32 (a left exit off 395) to I-95 north about 10 miles to exit 90.

Thank you for the suggestions this is so confusing.

Hi, ok,I am not set on anything in specific, however I did make reservations for a total of eight days . I have four more to make. I was wondering if I should stay overnight between Bar Harbor and Newport RI? If so where and how long? Mystic was just suggested to me. I really would like to spend time in all six states .I appreciate any suggestions .


Oct 8, arrive at Boston airport 5pm drive to Woodstock NH


Oct 8-11, Reservation 8-11 in Woodstock -3-nights

Oct 11-13, reservation Bar Harbor (Maine), ME 2-nights


October 15 Rhode Island ???

Oct 17-20 reservation at the Miner Hotel Boston. 2-nights
flying home 5pm on the 20th.

If you don't spend at least an hour in Portsmouth NH you'll be sorry. It's a very long drive from Bar Harbor to RI. You could stay in Providence if you want city restaurants or in Newport where you might get an ocean view.

bookmarking. Thanks for the info

here's a foliage map that might be useful in planning when color is likely to be good in different places
http://www.yankeefoliage.com/peak-foliage-forecast-map/