New England vs. Pacific NW--please help us decide!!
 

Please help us with a difficult (but delightful) decision. DH and I will be taking a week-long trip in late summer or early autumn, and we have narrowed it down to these two places.

I have been to NE in the fall, but it was 20+ years ago so my memories are vague. However, I do recall the spectacular colors of the leaves and the great seafood!! DH has never been to NE at all.

As for the NW, We've been to Seattle and Bellingham, WA, but not Oregon or any other parts of WA state. If we go this route, we will spend time in Portland and WA state.

Our interests are mountain scenery, seascapes, and quaint towns. We also hope to find some good walking trails. Please let me know which of these two parts of the country you prefer and why.

Thanks in advance.

I grew up in New England (MA & VT), but live in the Pac NW (WA). I've clearly made my choice, but there is an awful lot to like in New England as well.

The Pac NW scenery tends to be more spectacular, with massive snow-covered volcanoes, huge river gorges, and the rugged Pacific coast. New England scenery is more subdued, with rolling hills, stony ridges, and the sandy (except for ME) Atlantic coast.

There are few quaint towns in the Pac NW, compared to NE, where you can't turn around without bumping into something quaint. There are plenty of walking trails in both places.

If it were the height of the fall color season, I would say definitely go to NE, but in the early autumn, I'd say that it would be a great time to go to the Pac NW. From Portland, the Pacific coast is not far away, nor are the mountain scenery around Mts. Hood, Adams, St. Helens, and Rainier (south to north). The Columbia River Gorge slices through these mountains too. Again, quaint towns are not as easy to come by, but Astoria might do it for you, as well as some Columbia Gorge towns, such as Mosier.

I live in New England and have vacationed in the Seattle/Olympic Peninsula area fairly recently, and both have a lot to offer.

Given your interests, you could consider Maine. If you went to Camden and Bar Harbor, and Acadia National Park, you would get lots of lovely scenery, and great seascapes. September is terrific weather for Maine.

New England, I think, is superior for history and culture too. but you haven't included that in your interests. but if you wanted to visit the historic homes in Portsmouth MA or museums in Boston or the Berkshires, or hear the Boston Symphony, then I would also think New England a better bet.

That said, I agree with ALF that the mountain scenery is more dramatic in the Olympic Peninsula. We had a wonderful vacation out there, and I'm sure you would enjoy it too. So I'm not trying to say one is better than the other, just giving some thoughts on reasons yo might pick New England.

Thanks for your input, ALF, it's great to hear from someone so familiar with both places!!

Hello, China Cat, I didn't see your post yet when I replied to ALF. History and culture are also of interest, and you are right that NE is superior for that. Oh, decisions, decisions....but either way we go, I'm sure we'll have a blast. Thanks, CC.

It is a tough decision. I love the Pacific NW, but New England is lovely. I can only echo other posters. I live in the PNW but have visited New England a few times.

For spectacular mountain scenery and seascapes, it would hard to beat the PNW. For quaint towns, historical interest, and a quieter beauty, you can hardly beat New England.

You can't go wrong either way.

Maine is my favorite area also...Camden, Ogunquit, Kittery, Portland and up to Bar Harbor...been there several times and never get tired of it! Also have biked Vermont in early October with spectacular color...would move from Michigan to the ne in a heartbeat!

I echo Alf, except that I was born and raised here in the PNW, but then lived in the NE for a few years before returning to OR. The fall foliage in the NE is just amazing, so if your trip is during that time, I would say opt for the NE.

I lived in New England for 10 years, now in Seattle for about 20.

I say New England for vacation

And Seattle to call home
(just couldn't take those NE winters)

keep your eye on the weather. if new england has a rainy fall, the fall color will be heart-stopping. color peaks always by mid oct.

lovely to hear everyone say wonderful things about both northeast and northwest.

corwin

A favorite trip of my family's has always been to drive up the coast starting in Boston. Just head north on route 1A - it's spectacular all the way up the coast to Maine.

Favorite stops: Marblehead, MA; Salem, MA (check out witch museum and the House of the Seven Gables); Gloucester, MA; Rockport, MA (best place to get lobster - out on the wharf in Rockport, there are several "shacks" where you can buy a lobster dinner for about $6-8!).

Through New Hampshire, the scenery changes from seedy beach town motels to waves crashing the rocky coast on one side of the road and gigantic mansions on the other.

We've only ever driven into Maine "just to say we did it", but there's awesome scenery along that coast as well.

On your return trip, head farther inland to explore some of NE's great small towns.

I would like to thank everyone who has replied. We are still very much on the fence with this decision, as both places sound spectacular!! My only regret is that we can't do both on the same trip. But whichever place we choose, I hope we will do the other next year.

Many thanks and happy travels to all!! :-)

Just don't let anyone tell you that the fall colors in the Pac NW are, "just as good as New England". I can't tell you how many times I have heard that, but it just isn't true - by a long shot.

late summer I'd come to Seattle
for the fall I'd go to Vermont

lovin' the PNW as I do, no WAY are the colors even in the ballpark with those back east (agreeing with post above). that said, Vermont it too "sticky" in the summer-time (but i should talk i'm going there in August this year whoo-hoo!).

Can anyone tell me when the leaves start changing colors in NE? Ideally we'd like to travel the last week of Sept. to encompass my b-day and our anniversary. I know this is before the peak, but would there be any color at all?

it depends on how north you are. october would be better, but you can still see some great colors at the end of september. i'd start the trip in boston, renting a bed&breakfast in beacon hill. these are often cheaper than hotels and are much more quaint. the weather should be perfect. then i'd just head north. once you cross into new hampshire, stop at the first visitor center. there you'll find foliage maps that tell you exactly where the colors are at their peak. by the middle part of new hampshire you should find some spectacular colors. you'll pass many beautiful small towns with white churches perched atop hills. stop for apple picking or to enjoy apple cider at a farm. you'll pass several on your journey. eventually make your way up to maine. it's a beautiful state with pretty beaches. you can hike at acadia and, if you're an early-bird, be the first people in the united states to see the sun rise (it's the easternmost post).

hope this helps a little!

My wife is from Connecticut; we left there in 1953 and haven't been back. I rest my case. (We now live in the Seattle area.)

new england foliage peaks oct 15 if it's a good one and there's been lots of rain the previous 6 weeks. dry season foliage, less neon, peaks earlier. the drier, the earlier.

corwin

Every year is different, depending on that year's exact weather, how far south or north you are, which states. There are websites and resources that you can find out predictions for "peak" when the time is closer.

Vermont is not Connecticut ;-)

Check out this link for a fall foliage map: http://www.weather.com/maps/activity...dex_large.html