We%26#39;re hoping on going end of september. To fly in from CA to Boston and rent a car there. I%26#39;ve always wanted to see Maine, Cape Cod, Vermont, Golden Pond among other places. We haven%26#39;t decided on how many days we%26#39;ll be gone. Since we%26#39;re trying to do this the cheapest way. We don%26#39;t have to stay in the nicest hotels along the way. Maybe splurge on a nice b%26amp;b one or two nights. But otherwise we%26#39;re trying to decide on a good budget for this trip.
Any advice would be very appreciated:-)
How do you see the fall colors the most affordable way?
Hi Schnookies,
I%26#39;d start in Vermont and make my way east towards MAine, and then South back down to Boston. For the sake of time, I wouldn%26#39;t go more North in Maine than Kennebunkport. I%26#39;m sure there are a number of budget hotels along the way from VT to ME. Search the Vermont forum for ';Fall Foliage '; routes. The folks up there take their foliage real seriously (best routes, vantage points, peak viewing times).
How do you see the fall colors the most affordable way?
Hi,
So many places to explore in New England at that time of year, I like Jackson N.H. as a base camp and traveling in the White Mountain area. You need to understand “peak” times for each area. The sites here will help you plan…
…about.com/cs/…blfoliagecentrl.htm
visitnewengland.com/current_category.77/curr…
http://www.foliagenetwork.com/northeast_us/
As the previous poster said, getting a feel for the how the whole foliage things works helps in planning. It starts north and works its way south. It all depends on how much distance you want to work with. Burlington, VT is approx. 4 hours%26#39; drive from Boston and Bar Harbor, ME is about 5 - 5 1/2. That%26#39;s interstate times. You%26#39;re going to want to concentrate on some of the more minor state roads in order to see the nicer foliage.
Golden Pond is actually Squam Lake, In the Lakes Region of NH.
http://www.squamlakeschamber.com/
The Cape doesn%26#39;t really have much in terms of dramatic foliage, and the color comes much later due to its southerly location. But Fall on the Cape is still warm and the crowds are gone. Many say it%26#39;s the best time to visit.
Please begin your research NOW! No matter where you go in New England, October is super busy. If you can get your reservations set by midsummer you%26#39;ll be glad of it.
Thanks for all your help! So we actually have to book rooms now?
Even the budget hotels? We%26#39;re thinking of staying in a few cheaper hotels along the way and pay a little extra in just a couple of places. Which ones and where would you splurge on? Being the romantic that I am, I%26#39;m tempted to stay in one of those lighthouses. Or the Manor Inn along the Golden Pond?
Would you still fly in to Boston? Are there any particular touristy activities we should see or do in Maine and along the way? Other than just seeing the fall colors. Do you recommend the duck tour?
Do we need to rent a car now too?? We%26#39;re thinking of going the first week in October. Is that a better time than last week of September?
Sorry for all the questions! You are all so very helpful! Thanks!!!
Skip flying into Logan and try coming into Bradley in Connecticut instead...it%26#39;s a smaller airport, easier to get in and out of and you%26#39;ll be close to some of the prettiest foliage right from the start there. You can exit Bradley, head north on route 91, pick up the Mass. Pike west to the Berkshires and travel up route 7 into Vermont and travel over to New Hampshire and Maine from there. The lodging may also be less expensive in a more rural and quite pretty setting as well, with plenty of upscale B%26amp;Bs to choose from. You can always hit Cape Cod when you travel down from Maine. The Berkshires are not to be missed. Hope this helps. Happy trails and cheers.
If you’re looking to come this way at the first weekend of October, you’re looking at Northern New England as your foliage destination. That’s from the Canadian border to about midway through VT and NH. Interior Maine close to New Hampshire will also be good. The last week in September is too early for foliage, even in the extremes of Northern New England. You could fly into Boston and then drive north, leaving out of Burlington VT or even Montreal!
I wouldn’t worry about renting the car until you do the accommodations. You’ll need to see where your start and ends points are and go from there. Check into whether the reservation will allow for a ‘one-way’ rental as opposed to a round trip. That will mean you can pick it up and drop it off in two separate locations. There can be a fee, but if you want to cover a lot of ground it’s the way to go.
In rural areas of New England you’re more apt to have B%26amp;Bs and cozy inns than budget hotels. Regions that cater to the ski trade will have more options. That’s a good place to begin looking. More touristy towns like Stowe, Middlebury, and Manchester will all have options.
The area around North Conway, NH is also a good spot. They have outlet shopping and close proximity to the White Mountains so you can do an outing on the Mt. Washington Cog Railway. This whole area is wonderful for leaf peeping.
The Manor on Golden Pond looks lovely, but it’s definitely a splurge. They have their off-season rates posted right now and they’re running to $350.00 USD a night. That ain’t chicken feed. If that’s off-season I’d hate to see what it will be come Fall. If you’re really set on them, I’d call and see what the availability is by July.
If you do decide to visit Boston, a duck tour is always fun. We still have rather summer-like weather and you can always find something to do. A Freedom Trail self-guided tour is good, or you can be part of the tours with a costumed guide. http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/index.html
If the weather holds you can go on a whale watch or take the train to Salem and visit the Witch Museum and the House of the Seven Gables. You an even venture to Gloucester and Rockport.
You have given me some really good information!! I%26#39;ll be saving all your recommendations for our trip. Flying into CT isn%26#39;t a bad idea since I%26#39;ve always wanted to see CT too!!
$350/night at the Manor. Wow, that%26#39;s a little over the top. I%26#39;ll have to keep on researching.
You%26#39;ve given me a head start. I might be back with some more questions. Thanks for taking the time to help me:-)
Since you%26#39;re doing a ';northern route';, then you can also fly into Manchester, NH instead and save some driving.
Yes, you absolutely need to make lodging reservations for the Vermont leg of your trip, especially if you%26#39;re going to be here on a weekend. Many places get booked months in advance. The end of Sept/October is our busiest tourist season.
Another airport that is worth considering is Albany NY, close to VT and an easy drive to NH, MA. Rooms will be booked far in advance for foliage season, so it%26#39;s not too early to make reservations especially for weekends.
