New England Trip
 

My husband and I along with 2 friends (all retired but me) are planning a trip to New England in October for about 10 days. We would like to visit Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket or other local places of interest. This will be our first trip to the NE other than NYC. We would like reasonable accommodations and not a driving marathon. Is it too late to make decent reservations and where would you suggest? We like B&B's with private baths. Should we stay in Boston and walk, then rent a car and sight see? Thanks for your input.

New York isn't in New England...but I'll forgive you! What are your interests? I would suggest 3 or 4 nights in Boston and then the remainder in Rhode Island, Maine or Vermont depending on what you want to see. Perhaps fly into Boston, stay here for 4 days and then pick up a car on day 4 (you do not want a car while in Boston).

October is foliage season. the White Mountains of NH is about 2 - 2 1/2 hours from Boston and worth the trup for some leaf peaoing, good food & shopping. Look into staying in the quaint New England town of Jackson.

NE I assume means Northeast

You are right! Of course when you are from the South, everything north of the mason dixon line is New England!!!

We love boating, antiques, good food, great conversation and sightseeing. Boston sounds like it would be an easy place to get around if we stay close to the historic district. Do they have a subway there?

Never mind!!!!!

Any place you would recommend staying in Jackson VT?

I think the poster meant Jackson NH. Boston will be wonderful for a short visit. The subway is great but with 3 people you might find taking a cab isn't that more expensive. Boston isn't very big.
The foliage north of Boston should be beautiful for the first two weeks of October so if you are coming later, head to the Cape, RI or CT. Since you enjoy boating maybe you would enjoy a foliage cruise out of Portsmouth NH? Portsmouth has great restaurants. Head out toward Concord NH. Rt 4 will take your thru Antique Alley of Northwood NH. You could also make a short detour to visit Flag Hill Winery in Lee NH. From Concord head north on Rt 93 to reach the White Mountains. You could have a boat ride in Portsmouth in the morning, lunch in Portsmouth, browse antiques, stay in Concord for the night before heading to the mountains. The Centennial Inn is near downtown Concord but we haven't stayed there. (It's too close to home.) It's a beautiful old building and recent ads say they've completely refurbished it. The mountains could simply be a day trip or you could spend more time there exploring. On good weather weekends you will probably see people still sailing on Lake Winnipesaukee (beautiful lake before you get to the mountains). You can take a cruise on Lake W on the Mt Washington. Since it's a large lake, you will see quite a variety of boats. If you want to do some kayaking, you will find a variety of areas for that. Don't be surprised to see some antique boats in NH's lakes region. There is an annual antique boat parade in the summer.
From Concord, you could also head to VT. Rt 89 is an interstate but very pretty. Concord NH to Burlington VT (in northern VT) is 3 hours.
Probably the best thing to do is find a place to stay. It doesn't matter where you go, there's beautiful scenery throughout New England.