Hello all! I'm hoping you can provide some advice for planning a fall foliage trip from NYC. We have not done this type of trip before, and are debating two specific points:

-Columbus Day Weekend: yes or no? My husband is a teacher, so this is the only 3-day weekend we have. But is having an extra day worth fighting additional crowds? Any suggestions one way or another would be appreciated.

-Berkshires vs. Maine. We have been to the Berkshires before, but never to Maine (which we've been wanting to explore). However, the Berkshires are closer...how to decide?

I realize these are both fairly general points, and depend largely on preference, but I would love to have some personal opinions.

Also, I know places are booked well in advance, but as we're on a budget, we're planning on economy hotels anyway (many of which are available either weekend on Priceline, etc.)

Thank you!

Why not go to Jackson N.Hampshire.It's lovely as a base for leaf peeping.We stayed at the Covered bridge motel.Reasonable prices and close to everything :the white mountains, kamcamagus highway-Mount Washington....Paul

Guess I would pick Maine - you could also take advantage of the ocean (lobstah) as well. Many, many cute towns up Rt. 1.

Tarheel, you probably have a much slimmer chance of getting an inexpensive hotel Columbus Weekend than any other fall weekend except big local fall football weekends.

I would let hotel prices dictate my weekend; the cheaper the prices, the less crowded.

I should add that we're debating between Columbus Day Weekend and the weekend after (October 13- 15). In either case, we'd be driving up Friday after work, so that's basically a lost day.

As of now, there are several hotel options available on Travelocity, Priceline, etc., so I think I'm okay there.

Thanks all!

Do the weekend after -- less crowded, lower prices.

"Do the weekend after -- less crowded, lower prices."

Less foliage...

The weekend after might be a great time for the Berkshires. As far as crowds you just have to go to the places that are less well known. I would be concerned with the drive back on both weekends. Because of the congestion on Rt 95, maybe it would be best to visit Maine another time. We spent July 4th week in Maine driving up early on Friday. No problem. Friends driving later hit lots of traffic all the way from NH. I'd almost suggest staying someplace Friday night and resuming the drive early on Saturday.
I commute on Rt 93 in NH so find every Friday afternoon and evening heavy with traffic. From NYC to NH we find the least traffic by going Rt 84 thru Hartford (that's the worst traffic area if we're going to hit traffic), then Rt 91 from Springfield north to VT. We get off in Brattleboro and head east to Keene. You could have a wonderful time in the Berkshires and/or southern VT or NH.

For such a quick trip, Maine is too far.

How about heading up to the Saratoga Springs/Lake George area. Foliage should be a just about right for Columbus Weekend and you can do drives into the south eastern Adirondacks to change elevation to find the best foliage.

If you haven't visited Ft. Ticonderoga yet then this would be a good time for that if either of your are history buffs...an amazing view of the fort & foliage can be had from Mt Defiance if it is clear.

Give your own state a try...we have WAY more foliage, lakes & mountains that Vt. & N.H. combined...surely you'll find some to please you.

Oops...just noticed that you're from NJ...well give Upstate (the other NY) a try.

Wherever you decide, start booking right away...it is already getting late for Columbus Day lodging.

Maine is a beautiful destination, but if you want to see foliage, why not pick Vermont or New Hampshire which are closer and are better for foliage (unless you drive into the Maine interior which is a long ride). Columbus Day is the most crowded because it's typically the peak season for central Vermont and NH. However, even on this weekend, there are lots of back roads that are quite empty.

Zootsi is right - 99% of the fall tourist stick to the numbered routes. Get your self a state atlas (Delorme makes good ones) and take the back roads! This is where you will see the real essence of the area you choose. Central to Southern VT is a good bet for Columbus Day Weekend.

Oops, should have clarified- we actually do live in NYC, not NJ! I opened the account before we moved

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. It sounds like Maine is out, but ou have given many ideas for new places to explore!

The Berkshires will have much nicer foliage than most parts of Maine, especially if you are not visiting until mid-October.

Have you ever been to the Catskills? If not, I suggest also considering the Catskill Mountains as a destination. You want this to be a foliage trip. The Catskills have beautiful foliage areas, and would would also be an easier drive from NYC.

You know, I haven't really spent much time in the Catskills, actually. Any particular towns/areas you would recommend?

Gotta say we were in the Berkshires the week after Columbus Day and many of the mansions etc. close after Columbus Day.

Here are some links that might help you decide where to go:

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/Autumn.htm

http://usparks.about.com/cs/natlpark...colorstate.htm

www.byways.org They will send a free map of the scenic byways in the country.

http://www.seeamerica.org/byways/index.html

Forget Maine.

Vermont and NH are the places to be. Trust me, for I am yours very truly,

L.M. Sunshine

Hello again! We just discovered work will allow us to take a 3-day weekend BEFORE Columbus Day (Sept. 29-Oct. 2). We're back to considering Maine... We'll probably do a daytrip or quick overnight to the Catskills the following weekend.

Any thoughts about what this weekend is like in towns like Kennebunkport or Ogonquit? Crowded, expensive?


Thanks for any tips!

No, it shouldn't be too crowded in coastal ME the weekend b4 Columbus Day and there may be a possibility of off season rates but it will be too early for foliage. Traffic will back up at the toll booths in NH and ME any weekend.