We are flying into Boston (late Sept/early Oct) and have 5 nights to explore New England. What are the musts for a first trip to NE? We are looking for a romantic getaway with a couple of nights at a B+B, then a bit more affordable lodging. We like to hike and do outdoor stuff. A tour of both the coast and mountains would be nice, but don't want to spend a lot of time in the car. Quaint towns with shopping and covered bridges are everywhere....right?? Also would appreciate recommendations on favorite restaurants.

5 nights is kind of short to do both coast and mountains without spending a lot of time in the car, I'm afraid.

Possibly... Boston, west across Mass, north to cross the border into VT, east thru NH, to the coast and back to Boston would work.

There's loads of covered bridges but mostly on the smaller back roads so you might need to have a couple specific ones in mind.

OR how about driving straight up the
coast to NH/Maine border (Portland or Potsmouth, for quaintess and lobsters) for a couple nights, then inland to White Mountains, then back to Boston.

You'll miss the quaint towns and covered bridges of Vermont, but you can do your rugged hiking and coastal stuff. Five nights is kinda short if you don't want to spend all your time driving.

That plan sounds even more reasonable.

While I lived in southern VT/NH area, I have some terrific vacation memories of eating lobster on the beach in Maine!

The weather can be very nice at this time of year, but closer to october could also get chilly. Late September is probably too early for much "fall color", but I think any trip to New England should include both the lakes and the coastal regions.

For lakeside check out
www.bayside-inn.com, it's very close to a nice hike up Mt. Major which affords a stunning few of Lake Winnespesaukee and surrounding area.

For coastal there are lots of places right on coastal route 1 in Maine...and from NH lake you could drive through nice mountain regions through NH and Maine instead of taking the freeway into Maine.

We stayed at the Bayside Inn each and every year for FIFTEEN YEARS, and just loved the place, especially for the location and VIEWS, until a few years ago.

There is much to recommend about the place. But, we discontinued booking/staying there because:

a) Check out time is 10AM and owner will rap on your door and throw you out.

b) Bathtub is "elevated".

c) Coffee and muffins "run out". Early on. "Folks from New Jersey took all the muffins" (true). And, "that's all the coffee we're making today". No trays available for carrying coffee /muffins (if actually available) back to your room for enjoying on your porch with that fabulous view.

d) There's never any ice despite the sign on the ice machine not to fill up coolers. And, it breaks down all the time. But, despite that, the racket is unendurable in nearby rooms all the day and night long.

e) Phone charges are positively ridiculous. Use your cell phone!

f) The owner is a positive JERK. But, will give you a tour of his positively glorious new home built atop the place thanks to your "revenue".

g) The beds are positively awful/horrible. On our very last stay, we left after one night of a (minimum three-night) stay (despite non-refundable prepaid visit).

Really and truly, we loved this place for many years.

Now, though, the rates are positively ridiculous for the area, and the new owner is all for taking care of himself, not you.