Fall foliage in New England

[TxJasmine]

My kids have a little school break around Columbus Day and we are thinking about going somewhere. I have never been to New England and I have never seen fall foliage in the northeast. We were thinking about driving from Boston up through New Hampshire and back through Vermont. Is this a totally CRAZY idea that weekend??!! I know the Columbus Day weekend will be crowded - but how crowded? I grew up in the western U.S. (not Texas), so I really have no good feel for how bad the crowds in the northeast can be. Will it be bumper to bumper traffic the whole way? Will every attraction, hiking trail, etc. be packed? Do most kids have a school break that weekend?

We would love to see the foliage, and experience a totally different part of the country, but we just don't know what to expect that weekend. I will welcome any advice or suggestions you can give me.

 

[Boo'sMom]

It will definately be one of the busiest weekend for fall foliage. But worth it....

oh, and FWIW, the NH kids have a 4 day weekend over Columbus Day.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I know one year we had reservations for that weekend for the NH White Mountains. I ended up cancelling because the colors peaked earlier than expected...and we had rain & all the leaves fell.

I know NH has a website telling you the progress of the foliage. I would think as long as you don't go TOO far north...you would see enough.

I've already noticed a bit of color this week here in MA along the CT border. A bit early I thought.

FYI --- there's also the Mohawk Trail (Rt 2) in MA (travels east - west from Boston area to the Berkshire Mtns near NY)

 

[JayCT]

New England in the fall is wonderful. The colors are beautiful. That is why I love it here. If you have never seen it, definitely do it. Pictures don't do it justice. Jay

 

[Jenn Lynn]

WI and MN and beautiful too.

 

[alecam]

Originally posted by JayCT
New England in the fall is wonderful. The colors are beautiful. That is why I love it here. If you have never seen it, definitely do it. Pictures don't do it justice. Jay

I agree,JayCT! Our leaves are just starting to change now! It's my favorite time of year!!

 

[Pooh's Pal]

Try this site: Fall Foliage in NH It should help!

 

[Crankyshank]

Here in RI, we have a few trees starting to change but not as much as in Northern MA.

Columbus day weekend is usually very crazy, but it's just so beautiful here that it's worth it.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Make sure you have lodging reservations set up before you leave. It may be difficuly / impossible to find them once you're there.

 

[TimeforMe]

Yes, most schools in the northeast have a long weekend for Columbus Day. As someone stated, some leaves are beginning to change already (not many, though) so sometimes the season "peaks" earlier than others. Keep an eye out on websites because once they peak and the leaves start to fall, it's obviously not as nice.

Also, if you plan on staying in a hotel or bed and breakfast, the prices skyrocket as that is the peak season for this area.

Just an aside, if you're a Yankee Candle fan their flagship store is in Mass. and is an attraction in itself.

Enjoy! New England is beautiful in autumn.

 

[Dcat2u]

Don't miss Killington and Quechee Gorge in Vermont. I sure miss home this time of year.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We've been up to NH and VT for fall foliage more times than I can count. If you are planning on staying overnight, you absolutely need to have reservations ahead of time and most places do have a minimum requirement of 2 nights due to the holiday. The traffic can get really bad. Another consideration might be leaving from Boston and driving south instead. The Cape Cod area starts thinning out and even Connecticut and Rhode Island have some beautiful area's. We've gone down to Newport for one fall foliage trip and that was very nice. Those area's often peak a weekend after the northern New England states.

Tammi

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

If you are going to try to head to VT I suggest you go thorough western Mass specifically Deerfied a similar living history museum with many original buildings and then on to Yankee Candle in So. Deerfield. The kids will love it! There is a room with tons of toys and a great Santa, a huge castle, a Bavarian Villiage, candle dipping, a great restaurant and snack bar and Chandler's restaurant. It is in the heart of leaf country and but let me tell you the kids will get pretty bored if looking at leaves over and over. If it were me, I would forgo the time in VT and go here it is the best of both worlds. I know I mentioned Yankee Candle Flagship store before but until I went there I thought it was just a small gift shop speicalizing in candles. It takes at least a half day to go through. They have at least 8 or 9 different rooms and there is even a colonial candle making class. At least go on line and look it up. www.yankeecandle.com

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Okay I just went on the site and now they have added a make it yourself teddy bear construction company. I wish I had some little kids to take there!! Please check it out.

 

[auntie]

It's been about 6 years since we've been to NH...one of our favorite states to visit. We too went to the White mountains. My parents used to have a condo in the area.The colors really are spectacular. I used to think.".okay..I've got trees here on Long Island..what's the big deal?" Well...it really is something to see...the sceenary is just so beautiful. BUT....Columbus Day weekend...is really crowded. I think for us...this would be a nice trip for a couple...I don't think my kids would really care for it much...especially if they were spending quite a bit of time in the car... And that was when they were younger...now that they are teens...I'd have to drug, tie, and duct tape them to take what for us was a 7 hour trip to get there!... They could care less what color the tree's are! Fortunately...we used to visit a different weekend than Columbus Day...usually a bit earlier.

Which also reminds...me ....I'm not positive...but I think that particular area of NH is probably passed peak color by Columbus Day. Winter sets in early in those parts! We were there several times for Thanksgiving and had snow!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Here is MA's website. Also provides suggested routes to drive to see foliage. http://www.mass-vacation.com/jsp/fa...&cat=36&level=3&g=d&region=empty&org_id=empty

 

[monarchsfan16]

Originally posted by auntie
Which also reminds...me ....I'm not positive...but I think that particular area of NH is probably passed peak color by Columbus Day. Winter sets in early in those parts! We were there several times for Thanksgiving and had snow!

Yes, this is often true. The leaves are starting to turn now. But, they seem to be turning slower than normal. Normally it is gradual, but, the vast majority turn at the same time. Some started turning in July, some are still green. It's really hard to describe. We're a little south of the White Mountains, still in NH though. But up north they do turn a little sooner, since it's colder up there. And yes, they do get snow for Thanksgiving. We've umm had snow here on Halloween several times in the past few years actually. And not all NH kids have a 4 day weekend for Columbus Day. Some of us only get a 3 day rest. It gets a little busy up north, since it's the last long weekend of "good weather". Also lots of sales at the outlets (no sales tax). So traffic is bad.
And you said you aren't familiar with New England crowds and driving. Ummm...what can I say...fast, furious, and flying fingers should sum it up.
NH is a great place to visit, and even if foliage is past its peak you can still have a great time. Most of the attractions are closed by then, but there are still plenty of hiking trails if you like that.

 

[TxJasmine]

Thank you all for your input! I will definitely check out all of the websites that were mentioned. My kids are 9 and almost 8, and I'm sure they'll get tired of looking at leaves over and over. The plan was to also go hiking and see many different attractions - time permitting. I realize that lodging (or lack of it) will determine if we can even go on this trip. We are usually last minute travellers. This works out for us most of the time - but not always!

Thanks again!

 

[BethanyF]

If it were me, I would fly to Hartford (Bradley) and drive up 91 toward Deerfield to go to the Yankee Candle flagship store.
From there you could take Route 2 west to Route 7 and head south through the Berkshires. Or you could continue North into Vermont. Or head East toward Salem and Cape Ann (Rockport is a cool town)
The foliage on Rte 2 is amazing. There are some great lookout spots between Deerfield and Rte 7, not to mention the wildest hairpin turn I have even been on.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by BethanyF
If it were me, I would fly to Hartford (Bradley) and drive up 91 toward Deerfield to go to the Yankee Candle flagship store.
From there you could take Route 2 west to Route 7 and head south through the Berkshires. Or you could continue North into Vermont.

ditto.

plus - don't forget the Holyoke mall!! hehehe