Has anyone taken the Amtrak Vermonter from Wash., D.C. to Vermont? Where do I spend the night (or nights)? Best time to go to see fall foilage? Thanks

Hi Missy!

We took the train from Rutland, VT to NYC and back this past June. It was... okay. It was a loooong ride (6-7 hours each way).

I would caution that deciding now to come could be difficult, unless you already have reservations, because many of the nicer accommodations in "hot" foliage areas often book up several months in advance. Not trying to discourage you; just stating a fact.

You might try the Vermont website to seek latest advice, too. Just Google "VERMONT".

Foliage is starting now in some areas, but will vary quite a bit, starting way up north and working its way south. We're just starting to see a little color in the Rutland area.

Where to stay or when to go? Depends, of course. Do you prefer motels or B&B's? When, exactly, were you thinking of going? Any special area of interest?

I take the Vermonter quite often between Montpelier Vt and Stamford Ct to visit my mother. Like the Rutland/NYC train it is a very long trip. There has been a lot of work on the tracks in the past months and the train has been delayed quite a bit (at least an hour) on this stretch.
The parts of the ride in Vt are quite scenic
Retired Vermonter has a good point about getting places to stay in Vt during foliage season. it is hard.
In north central Vt (near Montpelier) peak foliage is usually the beginning of October but it changes a lot from year to year.

We were planning to go to Va. on the 26th, where we have family, and catch the train on the 29th from D.C.. We now live in Myrtle Beach. Is that too early? Also have a brother in Boston who wants us to take the train up there and go on up north by car. May be the best idea since the places to stay that I've checked are full or very expensive. We're retired, so time frame is not a problem. Still looking!

I think taking the train to Boston and driving from there may be a better option for you. That way you could adjust your route more easily based on foliage "hot line" information from New Hampshire and Vt.
Here is a link to a foliage festival in early October in vt's Northeast Kingdom that might interest you
http://www.nekchamber.com/pages/3952...tival_2007.htm

Thanks to all for info and links....yep it's gonna be the train to BOS and rental car!

Since you'll have a car you can decide how far north or south you need to be to get the best 'color'.

I'm a fan of southern Vermont myself. The stretch between Brattleboro, Marboro, over towards Bennington.