New England In The Fall

[RSDonovan]

I'd like to do this in October. Preferably fly to Boston, sightsee Boston, then hire a car and trundle northward toward or even across the Canadian border, then west and south back into the US, arriving back in Boston after 12 or 14 days.

My questions:

Where are the must-see places to visit?

Is it necessary to book rooms in advance, or can you just turn up?

Has anyone that's done this still got their itinerary?

Is 12 to 14 days enough to see most things?

Is it worth crossing the border into Montréal/Quebec? (I've already seen Niagara Falls and have no desire to go back, splendid though it was!)

Any other useful info?

[woofgang]

I haven’t done it but have seen fall in the northern states and it was lovely
loads of info here
https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=safari&;rls=en&q=chase+the+fall&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=K8OVV72wIurS8Aff0IHgDw#q=+leaf+peeping+2016

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Mount Washington cog railway is interesting..Boston Duck tour (not sure its still going)is an experience.We went in September and it was quite chilly..we had to scrape the ice from the windscreen most mornings.In the outlying areas several tourist places were shut..they consider September as 'out of season' although we are told to go in the fall.That said, NE is a very picturesque place to visit and in very sharp contrast to the rest of the states.

[EcclesCake]

The White Mountains are very nice, visit to Kennebunkport is worthwhile too.

Midweek accommodation is unlikely to need booking but you may want to think ahead at weekends.

[Clanad]

As you can see by this attachment (http://www.yankeefoliage.com/peak-foliage-forecast-map/ ) the peak color season is fairly early. That two week period is to be avoided like the plague. The busloads of tourists preclude and decent accommodations and the usually good New England small town eateries are squeezed full.

I'd wait until October 1st or so. The colors are still as vibrant and the tourists are long gone. We've gone as late as Thanksgiving week (3rd Thursday in November) and still enjoyed i immensely (we live in the US).

Boston is a good starting point thence northward to either Portland Maine or Freeport Maine (a small town just 24 miles further that Portland and home of L.L. Bean (seen here: http://www.llbean.com/?&qs=3085166_GOOGLE&;cvosrc=ppc.google.ll.bean&cvo_crid=95351996457&Matchtype=e&gclid=CPHp1fnxjs4CFUro6QodyUMCkw&gclsrc=ds ) is a nice drive with two or three excursions down peninsulas to the Atlantic to photograph the myriads of lighthouses such as the Portland Head Light here: https://portlandheadlight.com , shouldn't be missed.

We then travel north through the State of Maine along the Androscoggin River takes an entire day, but the scenery is magnificent. Prepare your self for the unique accent of the "Mainers" pure pleasure!

We usually turn west and tour the upper limits of New Hampshire and Vermont and back down the Connecticut River during which you can spend as much time as you'd like touring at least three mountain ranges, including the highest peak in the U.S. wast of the Mississippi river, Mt. Washington. Bring a good jacket!

Welcome to the U.S., by the way...

[puzzled54]

Took some of clan ads advice a couple of years ago, I will look up my itinerary and get back to you

[jno]

it starts earlier in Canada, and it starts earlier on higher ground, so if you're prepared to drive round, keep an eye on the leaf-peeping websites to see where and when it's at its best. As Clanad says, it's not as easy to find motels as it used to be (and they're not as cheap either), but during the week at least you shouldn't have too much trouble. It's worth phoning ahead, or going online, in the morning to book a room for that night rather than turning up late and hoping.

I'm not sure what the regulations are on taking hire cars into and out of Canada these days, so check while you're planning In the good old days we went to Canada by mistake after getting on the wrong road somewhere near Niagara, and nobody was bothered, but I suspect they would be now.

[mikey4444]

You could stay in the New England states, and have a fine holiday. Go in early October, as some of the mountain areas may not be accessible later on.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire are spectacular. Maine is very beautiful....lots of wonderful coastal scenery and lighthouses ( don't forget Freeport Maine and visit L L Bean ! )

Arcadia National Park is wonderful.

Here is a suggestion for something a little different...cross Lake Champlain and visit up-State New York...see Lake Placid ( home to the 1980 Olympics...its only a small town but set in wonderful country )

Don't miss out on Vermont !

All doable without making many bookings in advance, although in Boston it would pay to book a centrally-placed Hotel for a few days.

[fbg40]

RS
Would agree with Clanad entirely, have been "Leaf Peeping" twice and would thoroughly recommend it. One drive that I found particularly good was the Kancamagus Highway, it runs from Conway NH to Lincoln NH. If you google Kancamagus there is loads of info - have a great time !
FBG40

[Tilly2]

When we went to New England in the fall, one of the Americans we met said, 'You've come a long way to see some trees.'

[thugulike]

We did, in this order, Cape Cod, Newport, Mystic, The Big E at Springfield, Vermont (saw a black bear) over to Mt Washington, Maine and back to Boston. The itinerary you have is a lot of driving with not a lot to see on the way. Tip, Fly to Boston but take the train to the city the first night. Take the train back to the airport and pick up your car which you can see in daylight and you have a clear run at the road in daytime. Nowhere to park in Boston anyway.