Planning for Fall Foliage in NE, Oct 2015
 

Hi all,

I'm doing some early planning to visit the fall foliage in October 2015. I'd love some feedback on what I'm thinking... Essentially I'd be looking to drive from Burlington to Portland, spending a few days in the White Mountains area, and sightseeing/leaf peeping along the way. More specifically:

04/10: Arrive Burlington. Stay Burlington.
05/10: Stay Burlington.
06/10: Pick up Hire Car. Stay in the White Mountains area (Lincoln/Jackson/North Conway?).
07/10: Stay in the White Mountains area (Lincoln/Jackson/North Conway?).
08/10: Stay in the White Mountains area (Lincoln/Jackson/North Conway?).
09/10: Arrive Portland. Return Hire Car. Bus to Boston. Stay Boston.
10/10: Stay Boston.
11/10: Train to NYC. Stay NYC.

Getting the timing right for optimal leaf peeing is of most importance to me, however, I'm also aiming to be in NYC for the Columbus Day Parade.

I'm also not sure where to base myself in the White Mountains. As I understand it Lincoln and Jackson are smaller towns, where as North Conway is a larger town. I'd be happy with some choice in lodgings/restaurants/cafes/and a convenience store would be handy!

TIA,

jj.

It's impossible to predict peak color so far ahead but your dates look fine. You can always drive to an area with more color since it can vary. This past weekend someone complained no color in Plymouth NH area which is bordering the White Mountains area but we have spots of color further south. Probably because there are more red/swamp maples in our area that turn early.
Portland ME is such a great city, I would spend a full day there and take a day away from White Mountains.

Thanks for the feedback dfrostnh. I guess spending more time in Portland is always an option! I'll have the car, so I'll have the flexibility to drive in whichever direction - towards Portland, or towards fall colours, if they're not where I am.

Cheers,

jj.

Vermont has the best range of colors het you plan to leave there quickly. I would add more time to VT.

Thanks HappyTrvlr,

On 06/10 I'm intending to look around Stowe, and also head up the road that has Ben & Jerry's, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, etc. And, go to the White Mountains later in the day.

Would you recommend more time on top of this? Any places in particular in VT?

Thanks,

jj.

It is impossible to predidict exact peak color, but in my experience it's better to err on the early side.

Different trees change at different times, and the dates can change from year to year depending on weather - temps and precipitation.

The brilliant red/orange colors are the early trees - swamp and red maple, sugar maple, and sumacs. Later trees are the oaks, and they tend to turn a deeper brown red.

Some years the early colors will be great, but with a smattering of green mixed in, so perhaps that is not quite peak, then a hard rainstorm can knock all of those leaves off the trees leaving a lot of bare branches.

The timing you've listed sounds perfect to me. Yes, you may see some green, but your chances of seeing the brilliant fall colors are better than if you roll the dice and try to time it perfectly.

In our experience the "level" of Rutland, Vt is at its best on 10/12 or 12/10 as you might say.

Thanks J62 - I'm delighted to hear my timing is likely "perfect" :) Thanks for the details on the specific trees too, that is great information.

Thanks 330east - I'm not sure if I'll be in the Rutland area... Is this an area you would recommend? And, I only just realised my dates are backwards for the US folk!

jj.

Unless there is something in particular you would like to do in the White Mountains, I think an overnight on your way thru is enough. I live in NH and am astound by the traffic on foliage weekends so I wouldn't go near the White Mountains. Plus, I prefer the lower route thru Center Sandwich and Tamworth and I think the foliage around Lake Winnipesaukee is much prettier. Meredith is a very pretty town with some good restaurants (partial to nearby Homestead which is in an old farm house but Canoe has a fantastic Asian style fried calamari dish). But keep in mind there's a small country fair in Sandwich over Columbus Day weekend. (Although traffic wasn't bad because it's a small fair.) Squam Lakes area is also beautiful. Took the grandkids to the Science Center but we still have the pontoon boat ride (see loons!) to do next year. Haven't done that boat ride in a lot of years.

I live close to the NH/Vt border, and both states are spectacular in foliage season. However, they do have their own uniqueness. The White mountains are very alpine feeling, with lots of craggy peaks and wilderness. Yes, the major roads can get pretty busy in foliage season (especially near North Conway and Lincoln), but there are many back roads where you can be nearly alone. As Dfrostnh mentioned, there are lots of very scenic areas south of the Whites like Sunapee/New London, Plymouth, Hanover, Walpole, Littleton, etc.
Vermont has a more bucolic feel, with more open farmland and softer mountain peaks. However, the Stowe, Woodstock and Burlington areas also get very busy during foliage season. Nearly all of Vermont is quite scenic, and towns like Rochester, Saxons River, Craftsbury, Dorset etc, etc are off the beaten path and quintessential Vermont . As for Rutland, the surrounding countryside is beautiful, but the city itself is not particularly memorable.

Dear Judyjetson-Apropos of RutlandVt. We've gone there several wkends of Columbus Day which is 10/12 or 12/10. It was an excellent area for leaves. Many back roads, hills, mts. farms etc.

Thanks for the additional feedback all! I really appreciate it. I thought the White Mountains might be a good base, but I'm going to look into the other towns mentioned above, and possibly make a change!

One other thing I am taking into consideration is that I had read that hotels/lodgings ask for people to stay a minimum of three nights near the Columbus Day weekend - is that the case? If not, it will allow me to bit a bit more flexible in where I stay.

Thanks,

jj.

I don't understand the driving to Portland just to return a rental car and then taking the train to Boston. Why not return the rental car closer to Boston or IN Boston? Why the detour?

Take a look at this website for ideas: www.yankeefoliage.com. No year is the same, but you can get an idea of the foliage timing this year and there are also ideas for scenic drives.

clarkgriswold - I plan on taking the bus to Boston. A number of websites advise newbies that driving in Boston can be very confusing. I'd like to avoid that.

jj.

Thanks cw - I've used that website, specifically http://www.yankeefoliage.com/peak-foliage-forecast-map/ for the dates above...

I'll check out the drives too.

jj.

Portland ME is worth some time, at least an overnight. Yes, you don't want to drive in Boston nor pay for parking there. You can get a bus to Boston from Concord or Manchester NH so maybe check to see where you get the best deal on returning the car. You should also be able to take a bus from the Hanover NH area or Norwich VT or Plymouth NH (closer to white Mountains). I use Concord Trailways Logan Express. I think a different company handles Hanover.

But I think Portland is one of the best cities in New England to visit. Great restaurants. boat cruise of Casco Bay (mailboat) and lots of fun shop in Old Port area.

HI dfrostnh, Thanks for confirming Boston by car is a no-go. Good to know there's some alternatives to the bus route I had in mind, in case dropping off the car in Portland becomes pricey.

I'm not sure about spending more time in Portland yet - if I spend more time there, it likely takes away from the leaf peeping. I'm also spending a bit of time in other cities before and after the NE portion of my trip, so being in the country for some days will be a nice change-up.

jj.