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I agree with AZBuck... The roads will be filled with "peepers"... All that aside, I've lived in the four corners of the US, left New Hampshire in 1975, but there's still nothing, absolutely nothing, like a New England Fall... Coming over hills with the sun on trees, white steeples, little villages... Will take your breath away... For me, it's worth the "peepers"... Grampa
I live in NYC and I'm planning a four day weekend drive up the New England coast. Ideally we'd love to make it up to Maine, originally thinking to go camping in Vermont instead...considering only one of us drives and we'd like to drive as little as possible, wander, hike, scene and star gaze as much as possible, I'd so appreciate any tips on these states and any advice you might have for a long weekend the first week of Oct.
You can be in Maine in as little as 4 hours from New York City, or you could take all four days just wandering the nooks and crannies of the coast and the back roads inland. One possible itinerary that would include much of what you want goes something like this. Just suck it up and get by New Haven on I-95. After that the Connecticut and Rhode Island coasts open up a bit and you can take some scenic routes like CT-146, CT-156 and RI-1A. Hike along the shore at some of the state parks such as Hammonasset and Misquamicut. Soak up a little history and culture at Mystic Seaport and Newport. Then head up inland into the Connecticut Valley region of southern New Hampshire and Vermont. There is great camping and hiking at places like Monadnock State Park and White Rocks National Recreation Area as well as the stunning beauty of New England in the fall. Finally work your way back south through the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, particularly Mount Greylock area. NY-22 would make a fine scenic road for the return to the city. And you can do this entire trip while driving less than 175 miles a day for each of your 4 days.
AZBuck
I'm very excited to hear this! thank you for your thougths. Maine and the new england coast has always been a dream drive. we will do our share of camping and might want to relax and live large for one night in a bed and breakfast. know of any quaint, sweet and comfy b+b's on this route? in maine?
thank you!!!
Unfortunately, when I was doing most of my traveling around New England I lived there and either did day trips out of my home or used my brother's summer house in the White Mountains as a base. So I did not have much cause to book accommodations. On my more recent trips, my wife has found us exceptional lodgings in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont over the last few years. But none of these are currently taking reservations! It seems that the best Bed & Breakfasts require such an outlay of time and energy by the proprietors that it quickly causes them to burn out. My best advice would be to do what my wife does and just pour over as many of their on-line web sites as you can and pick one with a decor and cost that appeals to you.
If you are going to push on up to Maine, then I would recommend that you not go too far Down East or you will be taking on much more driving than I think you'll find enjoyable. The area around Portland and Damariscotta that I mentioned in an earlier post in this thread should do nicely I would think.
AZBuck