Which weekend and which area to visit New England ?

[bsparks276]

Hello folks,

I am based in Seattle and planning to do a short visit in New England. I will be flying in Boston and then will do a loop drive. I have been reading and trying to get fall foliage predictions through websites, but I believe locals will be more accurate in giving realistic scenerio, hence I am here.
I am interested in doing photography not only fall colors, but beautiful vistas, fields and some architecture as well.
1- I have two weekends only, when I can travel. 28th Sep - 3rd Oct and 12th Oct - 17th Oct. Some posts say that my early dates are too early and later dates 'can be' past peak.
2- I should concentrate on which area ? I am getting impression that southern New England can be more photogenic in comparison to North.

I am in other side of US and may not come again in next few years, so I want to plan it carefully. Please throw some suggestions and advises.

Regards

[ctyanky]

Hey Sparks! Welcome to the forum! You have posed some great questions!

You have a perfect first weekend for northern VT and the White Mountains of NH. The later weekend if you choose that one, would be fine for south central and southern VT as well as the Champlain Valley. In the mid to later part of the second weekend, you would have fine foliage in the Berkshires of western MA, Boston area, and most of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Depending on which weekend you choose, I don't think either of your weekends are "too late" or "too early'! But choosing which one, will determine where you should go and we can help you a lot better.

New England is photogenic mostly everywhere and I would dare say that northern and southern New England each have their own flare and personality. Your timing is great so just pick one and go for it!

I'm sure you will get A LOT of responses here! Securing your lodging at least for the first weekend is crucial but you should have much more flexibility after Columbus Day Weekend.

Many of our locals are on the spot ready to help you but our regulars from out of state, know VT like the back of their hand, so stay tuned!

Welcome!!!! CT

[bsparks276]

It is good to know.
I was going through think link - http://www.foliage-vermont.com/foliageinflash.htm
And per this, peak is at no place 28th Sep - 3rd Oct and central area is past peak by mid October, which scared me. See attached picture from that website.

[ctyanky]

Hello again Sparks! This is a generalization chart from years of foliage averages in the state. No one really knows when the "peak" will occur as it is pretty subjective and can be unpredictable. To clarify, your "timing" for the first week is good for the northern tiers of VT and NH for good foliage viewing. You'll see that I never mentioned "peak" in my first response.

I would recommend choosing a weekend to come out and go with it. A lot of factors still need to come into play yet. If you choose the first weekend, I would hop on some lodging asap!

Hope others will chime in with their opinions, as I value their thoughts and observations as to your questions. I understand your level of uncertainly as you are coming from the other side of the country however! We are here to help! CT

[bsparks276]

Thanks CT and Carol. You guys are awesome and so kind.

As for my interests, we are not only interested in photography of fall foliage, but also landscapes with foliage, red and yellow foliage (and hopefully blue skies). To give better shape to pictures, I think, it is good to have some countryside or beautiful architecture. We are nature lovers, but not for hikes, as we are going with our 2 years old son. When I say landscape and fall color with architecture (not urban/city), I mean something like this - https://goo.gl/MUpG49
Out of my both dates (28th Sep - 3rd Oct and 12th Oct - 17th Oct), I would like to visit, when places of my interest will be in best of their time. But from both of your post, it looks like, 28th Sep - 3rd Oct. Hopefully, I should be able to photograph some countryside in their peak color.

Now, for routes and places, we are two drivers and good to drive long distances. We will reach Boston at midnight, so will not be leaving but can leave on morning of 29th Sep (Friday). Our return flight would be on 3rd October at 7:20 PM, after returning rental car.

May be, I can include southern Vermont, going from Bennington to Brattleboro, middle of Vermont on Rt 4, going from Rutland to Woodstock into New Hampshire and White Mountains in northern NH.
Should I include Acadia and parts of Maine as well ?
What are your suggestions ?

[bsparks276]

That is great. So, I am trying to put it as high level plan and then will keep filing it, with some more reading on my side.
28-Sep - Reach Boston. Pick rental car and stay nearby.
29-Sep - Drive to White Mountains, Franconia Notch State Park, Sugar Hill. Stay overnight at Burke Mountain Hotel in East Burke
30-Sep -
01-Oct -
02-Oct -
03-Oct - Slow drive back to Boston. Return rental car and fly out at 7:20 PM

Sorry, I am putting you to do 'my' homework, but I am running short of time, so need to reserve hotels asap, as suggested, so even I get some rough idea, based on interest as mentioned in my previous post, I will be obliged.

[bsparks276]

I really appreciate your efforts Carol. I will book hotel tonight. I have 4 nights, so (initially) I thought if taking hotel at two places will help us to cover more ground, if few places are far, depend on which area is at peak or even non-fall-foliage scenery (not only Vermont but in other New England area too). Central VT will be different area and still be mostly green, but how picturesque it would be at that time. But will go with your recommendations, as you know better, what is best
One small change in original plan. I am able to get another flight, which will reach at 20:00. This can allow me to leave Boston on same night towards destination. May be till the place, from where scenic place will start or till Salem NH.
Will wait for your response. Good night.

[ctyanky]

Hi Sparks: Carol has a good handle on your itin as she knows the area the best. Might I recommend the Comfort Inn and Suites as a home base in St. Johnsbury as well if you have not already booked your lodging?

https://www.choicehotels.com/vermont/sa ... 1505123698

It seems to get a lot of great reviews! You are going to have an awesome time!!!! CT

[bsparks276]

Thanks CT. I can see availability during my dates in Comfort Inn, though more expensive than other choices.

I have booked flight, but not lodging yet. I will wait for Carol or any other destination expert to come in and help me with question, asked in my previous post, regarding 1 base vs 2 bases, then I will reserve lodging as well.

[bsparks276]

Sparks, I think you picked the better of the 2 weekends and agree with Carol's suggestion that you consider just one hotel as a "home base". The only thing I might do differently is stay 3 nights in the Northeast Kingdom (VT) area and then a 4th night more in Central VT if that's an area you want to explore during the latter time of the trip.
I make my home base in the Killington region and can get to most any area of the state within a 2 hour drive. There is a LOT to explore in the Northeast area and I think you will be hitting it during peak/near peak colors.
Enjoy your time in VT!!

Killington seems good, if Carol suggests as per my interests and schedule.

Regarding Central VT, during my dates, will be worth photographically ? Lush green looks good, red/yellow fall color looks good, but not grey or faded greenery. What can I expect from Central VT during that time ?

[From_the_NEK]

Bsparks,
Abby/Carol covered the details quite well for your earlier set of dates. The NEK (Northeast Kingdom) of Vermont is made up of the three northeastern counties of the state. The Burke Mtn Hotel is right in the center and is highly recommended. If you get a room with a north view, you will be waking up to this grand vista every morning.
Burke Mtn Hotel Evening Vista by Tim_NEK, on Flickr
Many mornings the may be fog in the valley below and you will be able to look out from the hotel at the colorful hiiltops peaking out of the fog.
I highly recommend taking an early morning drive up the toll road ($5) to the summit of Burke Mtn. It is a short walk from the parking area to the fire tower at the summit where you will have great views of northern Vermont and the White Mtns of New Hampshire.

Fog in the Valleys 2 by Tim_NEK, on Flickr

There are some scenic drives that cover a lot of the highlights of the area found in one of the sticky threads above.
Here are links to the various posts (unfortunately the photo hosting site Photobucket decided to lock out posting photos to message boards without paying a bunch of money so a bunch of the photo links are broken )

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3532&p=9105&hilit=s ... rive#p9105

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3532&p=11706&hilit= ... ive#p11706

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3532&p=16832&hilit= ... ive#p16832


Be sure to check out the areas around the small churches in Burke Hollow, West Burke, and Sutton for some good photo ops as well.

Good luck!

[bsparks276]

Thank you sooooooo much. You are amazing and I totally trust you for areas you have choosen here.

I feel, if I can split my places, it would give us more opportuity of verity. So may be, I can see killington area in later part of trip, it would be nice.

Will it be ok to spend first half of 2nd October in one of your recommended area (I am yet to decide, which one, all looks beautiful) and slowly head to killington, while seeing some places ? Sunset is at 6:30 PM. Next first half day is also ok for me to spend there, because my flight time from Boston is 7:20 PM.

I hope, this eBook will be released before my travel

[bsparks276]

Sure. Thanks much. I will keep an eye for book release and waiting for MMVT now

[bsparks276]

As far as gravel road is concerned, any Sedan/full size car can go.
Will I need SUV, if high clearance is needed on your suggested roads ?

[wentworth]

bsparks, in addition to what Carol said about Groton, you'll see Rt 232 just north of Route 302--Rt 232 is a beautiful drive,and halfway on the east side is Owl's Head--make sure you stop there,a quick 10 minute hike brings you a great view of Kettles Pond