New Hampshire or Vermont????
 

I am visiting New England for 8 days from Oct 3 - 10. I was going to spend 4 or 5 days in Maine but was wondering if I should spend the other time in New Hampshire or Vermont. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

They are both beautiful states. But my long-standing love-affair is with Vermont. NH just doesn't have the magic for me.

Vermont. Much more character.

Another vote here for Vermont!

Also prefer VT but where in ME will you be? It's easy to go North/South in northern New England as there are major highways, but not so easy to go East/West as those roads are more rural. I don't know if the driving is a big factor for you, but NH borders ME so NH may be easier for you. But as Suze said, VT is magical and worth the effort to get there and the east/west road will take you through some beautiful areas. Post back with more details and you will get better advice.

Another vote for Vermont. It has such charm.

People in VT are more interesting too ;-)

Seriously I've lived in both states and they are both visually amazing in many locations. If NH is more convenient for such a short itinerary there are nice towns you could stop in, pleasant drives to take. But there are also some industrial towns, less pristine areas.

I'm not sure how to better describe the Vermont-thing and I don't know that a night or two is enough to even feel the difference...

There's legislated things like no billboards allowed on the side of the highway in VT, keep it fresh feeling. Driving the back dirt roads, rocky streams, scenic outlooks, covered bridges, cows in meadows, well it really does look like a postcard there.

You are visiting at the beginning of foliage season - the White Mountains in NH are breathtaking at that time of year. If you'll be in NH mid-week the drive over the Kancumungus (sp?) from Conway to Lincoln is very scenic - and then up through the Franconia Notch on Route 93 for a look at the granite mountains is recommended.

As others noted - the drive across to VT is slow going due to the lack direct routes.

Vermont is magical - I live there - but from Maine for only a few days I'd recommend NH.

As we say here in NH, "six of one, half a dozen of the other".

Either NH or VT will be a good choice.

I agree NH likely fits your itinerary better for a 7 day trip, with 4-5 days already devoted to Maine.

Keep Vermont on your list for another time.

Vermonters have struggled mightily to retain the character of their state.

They've pitched some big battles, preserved a lot of open space and farms, and cared about their historic features.

I think the result is a pretty special place, relative to other states that are truly all starting to look and feel the same.

Suze gave a pretty good description of VT. We recently spent a long weekend in the Middlebury/Brandon area. Somehow I missed seeing Middlebury's MacDonald's. Most of what we saw was beautiful farmland. Huge farms that don't seem to exist anymore in much of New England. Rt 100 on the other side of the mountains was pretty quiet. Almost hard to find a place for lunch but on the Lincoln Gap we saw several popular swimming areas on the beautiful river.
But NH's mountains are taller and craggier. There will be a lot of traffic but if you can get off the main roads, it is very nice. There are hiking opportunities in both states. South of Concord NH it gets pretty industrial along Rt 93. If you choose NH head north on Rt 93 for dramatic views as you get closer to the mountains. (to do this you would have to go to Portsmouth than west to Concord NH). NH's mountains have been geared to tourism for many years whereas VT still has a very strong agricultural personality. Concord NH to Burlington VT is about 3 hours. If you stayed in NH you could easily do a day trip thru VT choosing a good loop.

Lake Winnipesaukee in NH is quite beautiful, and surrounded by mountains. Wolfeboro, on the eastern side of the lake, is a lovely and charming town, it claims to be the country's oldest summer resort town - that might be a good place to stay. However, wherever you decide to go, you'd better make reservations ASAP, as that is foliage season, and places will be booked up.

Since you're talking 3 or 4 days during foliage season, I would head for the White Mountains in NH. There's a lot to do in a fairly compact area, and it should be very pretty in early October. Jackson, for one, is a really cute town.

I spent a week in that area and saw plenty of NH, VT, and a little bit of Maine and Massachusetts! Those are little states close together and you can see more than you would expect. Also stayed at Lake Winnipesaukee and it was beautiful.

You can see good foliage in either state at that time and as others have noted NH is closer to Maine so may make more sense.
If you do go to Vermont, the Northeast Kingdom fall foliage festival, a week long celebration in seven different towns, runs through October 5th
http://www.nekchamber.com/foliage/.

Vermont has a "foliage hot line" for tips on where the color is best. I believe NH does, too.

I think I worded my post strangely. I wasn't trying to say that only NH would have foliage--just that it can be nice to concentrate yourself in one area during a busy time in the tourist season.

I prefer New Hampshire. However, I have not seen all of Vermont like I have New Hampshire. The foliage time is a busy season in New Hampshire, if you do not mind the people, September 19-21 is the Highland Games festival at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire. It's an interesting festival with good food and scottish dancing, music and demonstrations.

My mistake, I did not notice you put dates in your post.

I am looking to relocate to New England. I have been to ME; VT only to ski years ago; never to NH - which I think is my first choice. I would like to find a smallish town and need only the basics - groceries, post office, library, medical facilities. Any suggestions/help appreciated (I am on a fixed income and do not drive - right, good luck, huh!)