Looking for ideas for a 3-day weekend trip from the New England Area in October. We are adventurous and willing to drive up to 8 hours from Boston. We toyed around with going to Nova Scotia, but the trip + boat would take over 8 hours.

We have been to almost all major areas(we think) but looking for secret gems. We like nature, foliage, art, culture, museums.

We have already been to these places:
-Vermont (all around)
-NH
-RI, Providence
-Ptown & the Cape
-Martha's Vineyard
-Berkshires
-Philly
-NYC
-NY Watkins Glenn
-Toronto & Niagra Falls
-Maine, Bar Harbor

Have you been to Newport RI? Awesome place, beautiful mansions, restaurants, shops and of course, the ocean!!!!!

Ogunquit, Maine,
Shelbourne,
Peabody, Ma.
White Mountains(NH)

Rangley Maine

Portland Maine with a day trip to the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland?

Kennebunkport, ME
Black Point Inn in Scarborough, ME (Portland area)
Newport, RI
Northshore of MA (Salem, Essex, Gloucester, Rockport)

Hudson Valley, NY
Adirondacks

Newport RI vist the Breakers mansion.Go to Wood's hole Ma Cape Cod and take the ferry to Martha's Vineyard. Paul

Montreal
Quebec City
Portland and Portsmouth

I'll second Quebec City. As close as you can come to being in Europe without leaving North America.

This is a no brainer - Quebec City

Quebec City was the first thing that came to mind. But if you want a less urban escape, you might try the Eastern Townships. If you are looking for a splurge, try Manoire Hovey on Lake Massawippi. It's a beautiful place (the Johnny Depp movie "Secret Window" was filmed there).

Wilmington Delaware and DuPont homes in the area. Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Hegley House, etc. Check internet-you have to reserve ahead for a couple of the homes. DuPont Hotel in Wilmington is a grand olde dame (reserve ahead) and it has a top notch theatre (reserve ahead). Delaware Valley is beautiful. Wyeth Country. Again, check the net and did I remember to say reserve ahead??!

To the north, I would vote for either Quebec City or Montreal.

Closer to home, I would second Newport, RI and mansion visits, then head out to Block Island for a couple of days.

Western Mass: Berkshires/ great new Modern Art Museum, foliage, fun drive on Rte 2, not the pike, great restaurants, Williamstown area, funky wonderful place to stay is The Porches. Lovely owners, wonderful breakfast, coffee, etc. good location to several sites.
Otherwise, Newport is always a gem I agree with others. Lovely views, lunch or brunch at Castle Hill overlooking the harbor and bridge, see a few mansions (Breakers, Elms, RoseCliff) walk the wharfs(Bowens, Bannister) nice shops and restaurants. Several nice museums (although the mansions themselves are museums) if weather is nice you can do the cliff walk around the back side of the mansions on one side and the ocean on the other. some great music/jazz at night.

if you go to Newport, check out the Newport yachting Center website, they run festivals all year - Oktoberfest, etc - you might want to go on a wknd when they are hosting something.

How about the north fork of Long Island. What growing up 30 years ago was cabbage and potato farms has turned into beautiful horse and wine country. Not to mention being near the water no matter where you go. Along with the vineyards a lot of great restaurants have finally gotten established and lots of small towns with neat little shops and even some interesting little museums. From Boston you take 95 to New London and the Cross Sound Ferry takes you to Orient. I added a couple of links which list wineries and places to stay. Have fun whatever you do.

http://www.nywine.com/winecountry/longisland/index.asp
http://www.longislandwinecountry.com/
www.longislandwinetours.com
www.liwines.com

this is off track, but Bermuda is just a short flt from there.