We are flying in to Portland on 10/1 and have to be in NJ on 10/4. I know too quick. We want to play golf in ME, probably on 10/2. My thoughts right now are to play/stay in the Saco area, have lobster (a must to visit a lobster pound, not a fancy restaurant), drive to Hyde Park, NY for FDR and Vanderbilt homes, Newburgh, NY for Orange County Choppers then NJ. We want scenery, foliage (if any is out), sea views. Only musts are lobster and golf and NJ by 10/4. Any comments/suggestions? Anyone know a great golf course? Thanks.

10/1 will be perfect foliage in VT/NH. For a very scenic route I recommend you drive through Manchester, Brattleboro, west to Bennington VT, then head south Rt2 to Rt43 to Rt22, West on I90 then South on the Taconic to get to Hyde Park area. You can stop at any one of those towns.

Oct 1 is a Wed so you should have less problem finding accommodations along the way compared to the weekend. Probably advisable to book ahead regardless.

For 10/3 lodging (assume FDR on 10/3, OCC on 10/4) there are several chain hotels just south of Hyde Park on Rt9 in Poughkeepsie, or if you want something more homey, try the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck.

The Culinary Institute of America is also in Hyde park. As of this morning the only restaurant with openings for 10/3 is St. Andrews Cafe. I usually go to the Caterina de' Medici restaurant so I can't comment on St. A.

http://www.ciachef.edu/restaurants/r...ons_system.asp

Highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance for the Hyde Park venues. There are combo tickets and times are recommended for getting from place to place. Without advance tickets, you may arrive to find everything is sold out for the day.

ry the Lobster Shack on the same road as Two Lights State Park in South Portland. It is right on the ocean, a few tables inside and picnic tables on the rocks.

I agree with J62 about the route with the exception to ignore Mapquest which would recommend taking Rt 95 to Rt 101 to Manchester NH. From Rt 95, Portsmouth traffic circle you can take Rt 16 to Rt 4 to Concord NH. Rt 101 is a boring but quicker route. Rt 4 will go thru Northwood's Antique Alley. You might want to stop for ice cream at Johnson's Dairy Bar. The first part of the trip will go over the bridges over Great Bay. It will be your last view of the ocean. There is already a bit of color here and there in the Concord NH area. Connect with Rt 393 to bypass Concord's commercial/box stores strip. Continue to Main St, turn left for a tour of downtown Concord. Turn right onto Pleasant Street. Keep going. This becomes Rt 103 and a pretty drive thru semi-rural areas. In the town of Contoocook, turn left as if going to Rt 89 but keep going. You will connect with Rt 202. Follow directions to Keene NH. From there you can get on Rt 91 south to Brattleboro and then head to Bennington. Not the quickest route but not too slow either and misses all the traffic. If you want to skip downtown Concord then go Rt 393 to Rt 93 S then Rt 89 west to connect with 202.
Another option is to continue Rt 93 S to Rt 101 W which also ends up in Keene.
Another option would be to head from Portland ME west to NH's White Mountains. Drive thru the mountains to connect with Rt 93 S.
You could play golf at Canterbury Woods just north of Concord. Nice views from the course. I don't play golf but have been there for an event at the clubhouse.

Our plans so far are as follows:

Arrive Portland at noon on 10/1
Stay at the Edgewater on Grand Ave in Old Orchard Beach. Have lobster dinner either at the Lobster Shack or Bayley's Lobster pound. (Preference?) Play the Dunegrass Golf Club on 10/2 in the am. (Golf has to be in Maine)

Drive the route described by J62 and dfnh after golf to at least part way to Hyde Park. Can you suggest a place to stay somewhere between Bennington and Hyde Park, preferably closer to Bennington?

We can get lunch reservations at the CIA at the French restaurant. Thanks for the suggestion to get the Hyde Park tickets in advance!!!

Any other hints would be appreciated.