Why not The White Mountains of New Hampshire. It is consistently in the top two places to see foliage in the U.S. Try North Conway or The Top Notch Inn in Gorham, NH
www.topnotchinn.com

Honestly, stop considering Maine for this. Between the fact that coastal Maine won't be "in color" that early and the long and potentially miserable drive top get there, it just isn't worth it.

Peak foliage has a lot to do with elevation so, it would be wise to set your sights on a place near or in mountains so you can drive into different elevations to find the best color.

The White, Green and Adirondack Mountains are close enought to reach from Jersey without too much driving and have the mixed elevations you'll want.

Save the coast of Maine for another trip that isn't foliage oriented. I always go (just returned in fact) to Maine in mid August so I can enjoy the blueberry and sweet corn harvest season in addition to the coastal beauty.

peterboy, thanks for the suggestions. We agree that coastal Maine would not make sense for our foliage trip. In my earlier post, I just wanted to provide an update about what we had decided to do.

The Maine trip pre-Columbus Day will just be a getaway, because we've been wanting to visit. We've decided to do the foliage trip to the Catskills during Columbus Day Weekend (just a daytrip, or perhaps an overnight).

Tarheels, I think the point is that the coast of Maine is too far for a 3 day weekend. The southern coast is a very popular weekend destination so there is traffic backup at the NH and Maine toll booths on Rt 95 every weekend until the weather gets cold. Part of the popularity for that route is the Kittery Rt1 section (right off Rt 95) is a shoppers mecca so people go there thru the fall. Some lobster places are only open weekends after labor day and close by the end of the summer. There is so much to see in Maine I think you'll feel rushed and harried to visit the most popular area on a 3 day weekend. Some of the popularity on the weekend is also due to the number of colleges and parents weekends. We hate to go south of CT from NH for a 3 day weekend for the same reason. For us it's the traffic around NYC. But, if you're patient in traffic, come ahead.

Tovarich's suggestions are the best...in addition to someone's suggestion of driving up Rt. 91 to southern Vermont/Southern New Hampshire areas.

Well, now you all have me confused :) But in a good way! Definitely some things to think about- I thought that by avoiding a holiday weekend, we might avoid some of the traffic. But perhaps the Vermont area (since we can drive up smaller highways) would be best. AND perhaps Maine is best when we have a week or longer...

So many choices! But I'm excited nonetheless.

bookmarking :)

I was in the Berkshires for Columbus day weekend last year. The weather was particularly beautiful and the foliage was peaking. And, really, it wasn't terribly crowded. I suppose the inns were full (i stayed with family). But there were no traffic tie ups. There was no problem getting retaurant reservations. It wasn't crowded walking around Lenox and Great Barrington.

So if you decide you want to go to the Berkshires for Columbus day, go for it!

you can see a few pictures, and my trip report here:

http://tinyurl.com/2xpkjo

china_cat, this thread is from last August; "aucho53" recently topped it for their own bookmarking purposes.

First of all Maine is a much farther drive than NH or VT. Second, Maine makes a better summer destination for the coastline and a winter destination for skiiing. Third, my wife and I went last year to northern NH the weekend before Columbus Day. The fall colors were at their peak and the roads and towns were very quiet, almost like having the region to ourselves. So go with either NH or VT, on the weekend before or after Columbus Day.

Hubster, the OP traveled last year, too.

oops, I didn't notice that...hate when that happens. (geez, folks...you know you can keep your own bookmarks, it's possible to copy a URL you know!)

well, perhaps someone will like to see my pictures anyways!

Don't feel too bad, c_c, one reason that I always check the date on the OP, now, is that I've been fooled so many times in the past!

Thsnks Anonymous. I thought it was a good suggestion though.

As far as foliage goes, coastal Maine is not nearly as pretty as the mountains. You could try the western mountain areas like Bethal, but I always think of the white mountains in NH for the best foliage. You can check maine.org for the foliage forcast as the time gets close. A good storm will ruin the whole season for foliage, especially around the coast. I'd go to NH, but once I went to VT for Columbus weekend and the trees were so vibrant you could practically see them at night. That was around the Killington area. Fabulous!

Stowe, Vermont is beautiful that time of year. Probably a bit crowded, but lots of color!

I grew up in NH and have a place on the coast of Maine. If it's foliage you want the Berkshires are some of the best in the country rivaled only by the White Mountains of NH in my opinion. Maine is lovely, remember the coast peaks later than inland, and south peaks later than north. Both Berkshires and Maine coast would be lovely either weekend. Fewer crowds on the Maine Coast for Columbus day, but you better book now.

I would pick Vermont. It's closer than Maine, and somewhere different since you've been to the Berkshires already. It is a stunningly beautiful state!

hi tarheels, if you decide to try maine take a look at www.centerlovellinn.com
located near north conway, nh for shopping, has stunning view of white mtns., has outstanding dining, in southern maine.

One thing you have to keep in mind is that foliage colors peak at different times in different areas. In northern Vt it is usually last week in SEpt/first week in October.
Here is a link to the Maine tourist site that gives you some idea of when color will be best in Maine
http://www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/whe...ere/index.html

here's a link for Massachusetts (click on the foliage map)
http://www.massvacation.com/scienceN...ll-foliage.php

You will probably find that either area you are considering will be crowded over Columbus Day weekend