I’m planning a last minute trip for my mother in law, mother, daughter and me to go to New England to see the fall colors.
You can see it in your head right now, can’t you? Turns out, I’m planning it on the busiest New England fall travel weekend!
I am a super-way-ahead-travel planner and now we all four have plane tickets and nowhere to stay!
We’re flying into Boston because it makes the most sense. It’s a direct flight from Houston and I can get to central New Hampshire or Eastern Vermont in three hours or less (far easier than connecting flights). So I do want to stay in that general region because I don’t want to drive for four or more hours with a little one (even though I realize the drive will be pretty, it’s a lot of time to drive unfamiliar roads).
I plan to rent a car, stay in Boston Friday night, and then spend Saturday, Sunday and Monday in New England, only to fly back to Houston Monday evening.
I know between all of my readers, someone has had some luck in New England. The two recommendations I have so far, both awesome, are booked (Norwich Inn in Vermont and Wentworth in New Hampshire, pictured below…).
I’ve also tried VRBO and, honestly, don’t love the housing options. Most look pretty dingy and this may be the only time my mom and MIL get to see New England in the fall. I’ve checked out over 35 properties with very limited success right now (I have three possibilities).
I need, ideally, two bedrooms, so I’d love a suite or home. At a minimum, a junior suite with two beds. I also would strongly prefer having at least 1 and a half bathrooms because that is a lot of women with only one toilet and sink.
So, any of you East Coast residents/visitors, where do you go? What is your favorite town? What’s your spot to stay?
Also, even if you can’t help on accommodation recommendations, I would love to have your suggestions for a favorite drive or shopping or best place to eat in New Hampshire/Vermont (or even a delicious spot for breakfast in Boston as we head north on Saturday morning).
Help me!
Fall color courtesy of yankeefoliage.com
My husband and I visited New England last year Sept 30-Oct 4th. To say it was glorious is an understatement!! We stayed in Boston at the Colonial Marriott in Wakefield. We stayed one night in Lower Waterford, VT at the Rabbit Hill Inn. Read the the reviews on Trip Advisor. This is a gorgeous place set in an idyllic location. We visited the Salem Witch Museum, the Mount Washinton Resort in Bretton Woods, NH ( a must see!!). The foilage views from the resort are amazing! From there we traveled to Bartlett, NH and ate at The Scarecrow Pub and had a yummy Reuben. Very close to there in North Conway, NH are some awesome outlets. If you continue down the road you will head into Portland, ME. We visited Cape Neddick lighthouse and had the best clam chowder and blueberry pie! You will enjoy this trip so much!! I would suggest getting the Leaf Peeper app. It will get your excited for your trip and help with foilage visits! Enjoy!
Thanks Stephanie – I am definitely downloading the Leaf Peeper app, how cool! And yes, clam chowder and blueberry pie, mouth watering just thinking about it! Can’t wait. (Rabbit Hill was booked, but maybe a meal…)
Prayers that you can find lodging!
Found a pretty inn in Vermont Kathy – hopefully it won’t be too crowded 🙂
Drive up from Boston to the Portland, ME area (less than 2 hours and all highway). It is one of the hottest foodie destinations right now. There are tons of touring options if you want to hop on a bus or boat and see the local sights, like Portland Head Light or other parts of town, take a ride up to Freeport to shop at LL Bean and tons of outlets for shopping. There are also lots of options for day trips within 1-1.5 hours of Portland as a home base, especially a little further up the coast (Boothbay Harbor, Bath, Rockland/Camden, etc..). You can even make a day trip to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (3.5 hrs from Portland) or head a 1.5 hours to the mountains and North Conway. Just north of Conway is Mount Washington that is super cool to drive up if you have the time. As for food recommendations, we like to take friends to Harrasseeket Lunch in Freeport (right on the water) or the Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth (again, on the water), but there are so many options. Have a great trip!
Anne Marie – my hubby and I did the drive from Boston to Bar Harbor for our honeymoon and it IS gorgeous. I didn’t realize that about Portland though and Mount Washington looks gorgeous, thank you!
May be try places in the Bershires (a region to the west of Boston?) During the summer, the area hosts Tanglewood music festival though I am not sure about their Fall schedule. There are good restaurants as well. The town of Lenox comes to mind but all the neighboring towns have accomodations that might suit your need, too.