I would like to travel through Vermont, New Hampwhire and Maine the first two weeks of October. I like to hike and love American History. Any suggestions?

Make reservations now. You're probably already too late. Vermont and New Hampshire are very popular and busy during leaf-peeping season.

Best time for mid-VT and NH is around Oct 10, sooner at higher elevations and later in southern parts of the state. Probably NH's White Mountains would give you the most choices of hikes. Canterbury Shaker Village just north of Concord NH is a very interesting tour. NH Museum of History in Concord. Kearsarge Indian Museum west of Concord. Strawbery Banke historic area in Portsmouth NH about 45 minutes east of Concord. There are smaller museums which we have not visited in the Lakes Region i.e. Remick Museum in Tamworth NH, military museum in Wolfboro. Check all places for hours open during October. Some may be weekends only at that point. Shelburne Museum in VT and Billings Farm Museum in Woodstock. There is hiking in VT, too. As azzure posted, make reservations ASAP. I would leave the coast of NH and Maine until the last part of your visit but keep in mind many popular towns are always popular weekend destinations so maybe avoid the weekend or stay more inland. It can really depend on weather. A few years ago we had torrential rains and flooding on Columbus Day weekend, major damage in SW NH. I would pick a place to stay that is within easy driving distance of museums should you want an inside activity during inclement weather. Both Warner NH and Sandwich NH have country fairs over Columbus Day weekend which will increase traffic but is also great opportunities to see some live "history". If you aren't familiar with country fairs, yes, some people still use oxen for logging and farming although more for a hobby. Also draft horses. We use a state Atlas and Gazetteer available at bookstores to drive backroads. Hiking trails and waterfalls are also listed. Not as thorough as hiking guides but great help if you want to avoid traffic.

AND, Columbus Day Weekend is a huge long weekend getaway for people in New England. Most places have minimum stays for that. It is the weekend of 10/10-10/13.

Thank you. I took notes and am now planning. Any recommendations on places to stay?...bea

Check out foliage reports from previous years. Here are a few links:

New Hampshire Foliage Report 2007, Link: http://foliage.visitnh.gov.ns1www.si...dex-flash.html

Vermont Foliage Report, Link: http://www.vtonly.com/forecast.htm

Maine Foliage Report, Link: http://www.state.me.us/doc/foliage/w...ere/index.html

Of course, sadly, there are no guarantees.

If you get stuck for accommodations in foliage season, for some reason, the condos at ski areas like Killington, VT are often empty. Folks just don't seem to think about them, most wanting B&B's.

Another good idea!

Yes, reservations were a challenge and I had to choose towns close to my original intentions. We decided to stay in "bases" rather than move everyday. Here's what we have: 3 nights in Sunapee, 1 in Woodstock, 2 in Castleton, 2 in Franconia, 3 in Belfast and our last night in Ogunquit. Reading all of the postings here have really helped me plan. Thanks...

For an American history idea, consider Mt. Independence in VT. It is understated but next to Gettysburg it is the best place to see & imagine what actually took place there.

Woodstock VT or NH?
Some stressed trees are already turning color in the Concord NH area and I've seen some swamp maples that are red but that's typical for this time of year. Most trees are still green. Nights are now cool sometimes as low as 40s. Please be prepared when you go hiking. It starts to cool off quickly in the late afternoon. Just spent a weekend camping. Probably 80s during the day but jacket weather at night. Years ago I took our son to a OHVR safety class where we learned spring and fall can be most dangerous times for hypothermia because the weather can change so quickly. People start off hiking in t shirts and shorts and find they need fleece later on in the day or at higher elevations.
Hope you have a great trip. Our weekend was spent at a farm museum with lots of old iron and 4-H kids with their working steers.

went to Maine for the firts time and loved the coast and all its history.You wont be far from Kennebunkport which is a great little town.York is a little touristy,so Id keep north of thereHeres a link to some suggestions for eating near where you'll be--ake sure to eat a lobster roll!!
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/541231

Too bad you wont be near Arcadia Natl Park--its an incredible hiking experience--next time--bob

For our college visits next fall: what time do the leaf-peepers start rolling in? Is it so busy all fall that we'd be better off in the spring, or is Sept. fairly wide open?

Not sure how challenging you want your hike to be, but a nice, easy hike close to Ogunquit
is Mt. Agamenticus, right off Mountain Road on the border of Ogunquit/York. Really nice views from the top. Also, the Marginal Way in Ogunquit is more of a walk, but the views along the ocean are beautiful.

Just FYI: Last year the peak foliage in southern Maine was 2nd week of October, but realize that it can vary. Have fun!

For college visits, Sept should be wide open. Foliage really doesn't start until early Oct unless you are in the far north at higher elevations. I've visited Stowe VT the 3rd weekend in Sept and not seen any color.

thanks, dfnh!