Hello All,
Hubby and I are traveling from Napa, California September 27th to enjoy the New England fall foliage. Our local fall colors are about 4ft. high and called grapevines. We will be starting our trip in Ashland, New Hampshire and staying in a timeshare for a week. Then over to mid Vermont for three nights. From there down to Newport, RI two night, over to Cap Cod three nights and ending in Salem, Mass for two nights. We will in the area for 18 days.
We would love to hear of places we really should not miss. We have a list, but still would like to hear your suggestions, Thanks

Unfortunately, you're likely to be at least a week too early for the NH and VT foliage. If there's any way to do Cape Cod and Newport first, I'd highly recommend that. Alternatively, spend your first week enjoying Maine's southern coast and mid-coast areas and then head over to NH's White Mountains.

There are so many opportunities to see lovely villages and towns. I recommend that you attempt the Kangamagus highway in New Hampshire. Google it and read the description. It is one of the most scenic drives in the northeast. If you get off the Interstates and follow the state roads, you will also be treated to a number of quaint New England villages. In Vermont I recommend Queechee Gorge, the nearby Simon Pearce glass blowing company and store, and Plymouth Notch - Calvin Coolige's home away from Washington and Boston. Peak fall folliage doesn't occur until October, but you will not be disapointed whereever you go.

I'll second Ken again on the Kancamagus in NH. If you don't mind heights, the Cog Railway or a drive up Mt. Washington. A seaplane ride out of Lake Winnipesaukee has always been fun.

Salem (MA) is a nice little seaport town. Bill is originally from Salem. You'll be a little early for their Halloween festivities which is a major big deal attracting fruitcakes from all over the world in costume. They may still have some early festivities when you're there. A nice area to visit about 30 min from Salem is Rockport, MA in the Gloucester area and you can also catch a whale watch trip off Cape Ann.

Have fun <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

" Peak foliage" as a concept in New England varies a whole lot. Put ten people in one spot and you'll get 10 different opinions on the show.

I work in Pinkham Notch NH at Mt Washington. For higher elevations in Grafton Cty, Coos Cty, and Carroll Cty NH, the last week of September and the first week of October are the 2 " good as it gets " weeks for foliage viewing, barring a tropical storm remnant that wreaks havoc on the leaf canopy.

This also coincides with a very traditional, very popular New England Agricultural Fair in Fryeburg Maine, which is smack on the ME NH border next to the Conways. Please, Please, Please, do not underestimate the amount of traffic into and out of Fryeburg in every direction. Be prepared for very slow travel and heavy traffic most EVERYWHERE in Grafton, Carroll and Coos Counties in New Hampshire. Be patient, you'll be affected, you've been warned. Dates for the Fair this year are Sept 29 to Oct 6.

You could choose to embrace the Fair for one day, it really is a true-blue New England experience, has a long history, and is a very full day in and of itself. I'm NOT kidding you when I say a one day ticket-sales count for the Fryeburg Fair can easily top 50 thousand people, and that doesn't count the other 50 thousand who have a week-long pass. I'm deadly serious and I'm not pulling those numbers out of my hat.

If you'd rather avoid as much of that particular crush as you can, stay on the western side of the Presidential range going north along the CT river to Colebrook, and then to Dixville Notch, then to Errol , then down 16 through 13 Mile woods to Gorham, pick up 2 west again and then to 115 back to 3 and 93 south to Lincoln, Ashland.


I think ( and no offense to anyone else) that you've timed your trip very well. You WILL get a good view of the fall foliage, you will follow it south, and you'll have a great time.



Breeze

Fall foliage in New England is different every year. It is hard to predict when peak is going to be. Luckily Northern New Hampshire is beautiful all year round. In the fall the Red leave come first and are spectacular the browns add a lot when they come. I think you date should be good and you have the option of going north or south depending on foliage reports while you are here. Hope you have a great vacation. Delray

Thank you to all you have contributed to our plans. Even with 18 days it seems like so much to see/so little time. One thing I can say is that we are used to the slow traffic. With the visitors to our Napa Valley and only having to roads that head up valley the traffic can go at a snails pace.

Again thank you for your wonderful input <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Where are you staying in Vermont and Cape Cod?

We will be staying in Whiting, Vermont and Harwich, Mass.

In Vermont, if you like IceCream, take a trip to the Ben and Jerry's ice cream factory. You can probably also find a ski resort that is doing trips to the peak - would be nice for some great views. We spend most of our time near Killington, Vermont which isn't too far away - I believe Killington would have tours to the peak as well as some other activities. Horse back riding in the area can be fun too.

When staying in Harwich, I'd highly recommend a visit to Chatham. Walk around down town, grab some food/drinks at the Squire and enjoy a movie at their brand new Orpheum Theater. One theater seats about 100 or so and the other is small seating 30. Pretty cool experience with a bar/restaurant inside.

If the weather is good for it and they still are doing outside seating, I'd also highly recommend going to Ocean Edge in Brewster. They have an outside seating area that is great on a nice day and over looks their resort and Ocean. The Wequassette Inn in Chatham also has some great out door seating.

And last but not least a seal tour is a fun day time excursion. Never know when you might spot a great white too!

Some great places to stay with lots to do. We are in Chatham every weekend over the summer for the most part and still are for a bit.

It looks like the weather gods are going to be shining on you. News just said the next 7 to 8 days you can expect sunny days w/ avg daytime temps in low 70s and overnight in the mid 40s. They also said the White Mountain area foliage is now at 100% peak, mid-state about 75%. Happy & safe travels.

A fun family hike is Rattlesnake Mtn. It's in Holderness near Ashland. http://www.hikenewengland.com/RattlesnakeWestGen1.html

Here's another fun stop nearby. http://www.nhnature.org/

Thanks Stevemac, we are here now and it is beautiful. Spent today up in The Great North Woods. Tomorrow we are heading over to the Fryburg Fair. The weather could not be better. You are right. The Weather Gods are on our side.

Don't miss the frying pan toss at the fair. The thanksgiving on a bun sandwich is good too.