Birthday Trip to New England - Fall Hikes, Wine, Farms?
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Birthday Trip to New England - Fall Hikes, Wine, Farms?
My husband and I are new to NYC and for my 31st b-day in mid October, we would love to see New England fall foliage! We are looking for recommendations on where to go to see some amazing views. In add
My husband and I are new to NYC and for my 31st b-day in mid October, we would love to see New England fall foliage! We are looking for recommendations on where to go to see some amazing views. In addition, we want to hike, would love a wine tour, and would enjoy picking apples and visiting some working farms. We are willing to travel within 4 hours of new york city. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
There are many things you can do if you visit Vermont. We are a little more than 6 hours away but we are worth it. Travel to the Burlington or Stowe area for biking, hiking, scenic tours and more. Check out some Vermont travel ideas at my website and podcast: www.mysecretvermont.com
Happy birthday. There are many hiking trails and yes, even wineries in New England. We even have a guy making vodka from NH apples.The NH Dept. of Agriculture has a list of orchards, wineries, etc. In NH I recommend Shaker Village as a place to go. We have tons of hiking trails (I live right behind 400 acres of woods and beaver ponds so I never have to go anywhere to ski, hike, kayak, canoe, swim, etc.)
You would be well advised to stick to the southern parts of New England, though, if you want to see foliage in late October. Just so you know, my strategy as a native is to hit the road and go to the very northern parts of VT/NH/NYS to avoid crowds. The traditional time for leaf peeping in the ME/NH/VT is Columbus Day weekend. You want to avoid those crowds if you can and going early and more north is one way to do that.
It is imperative to plan EARLY for leaf peeping because rooms are at a premium. We have been known to take in hapless tourists who found themselves marooned because of poor planning. If you're not from around here you simply wouldn't expect this kind of influx. If you find yourself in this position, contact local Chambers of Commerce and information booths and fling yourself upon their mercy. By the way, we've had some of our most fun times with these unexpected visitors from Away.
Having said all this about leaf peeping, there are many other things to do up here no matter what the season. I live in NH, would be happy to communicate with you or anyone else privately about the wonders of New England.
<duckladynh@yahoo.com>
My husband and I are new to NYC and for my 31st b-day in mid October, we would love to see New England fall foliage! We are looking for recommendations on where to go to see some amazing views. In addition, we want to hike, would love a wine tour, and would enjoy picking apples and visiting some working farms. We are willing to travel within 4 hours of new york city. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Posted by ligree
I meant to say you should take that northern route a week early to avoid the crowds. Also, I think Mr. Vodka is making his stuff from maple syrup also.
We have seacoast (Strawbery Banke is a great place to go), mountains, lakes, rivers and what passes for a city or two here in NH. Vermont has rolling green hills and, thanks to their limestone substrate, lush green grass. Maine has rocky coasts and well, they don't call it the Pine Tree State for nothing.
I agree with Duck Lady. Best to stay clear if you do not have reservations for the Columbus Day Weekend, especially in the larger viewing areas. I live in North Conway and there were three mile long traffic jams and 2 hour waiting lines for dinner. Since the holiday is over, now would be be a perfect time to come up.
The foliage is at peak in Northern NH right now, some even gone by in far Northern parts of the state and Vermont. But don't let that dissuade you from coming up. There are some great deals out there. I would highly recommend the Lake Willoughby area in Northern Vermont and in particular the Willowdale Inn right on the lake with rooms and cabins.
I agree with Duck Lady. Best to stay clear if you do not have reservations for the Columbus Day Weekend, especially in the larger viewing areas. I live in North Conway and there were three mile long traffic jams and 2 hour waiting lines for dinner. Since the holiday is over, now would be be a perfect time to come up. The foliage is at peak in Northern NH right now, some even gone by in far Northern parts of the state and Vermont. But don't let that dissuade you from coming up. There are some great deals out there. I would highly recommend the Lake Willoughby area in Northern Vermont and in particular the Willowdale Inn right on the lake with rooms and cabins. Good luck to you. Posted by jshutak
You bring back memories! Several years ago my daughter and I were in your area in early October and were in one of those incredible traffic jams. But once we got up onto the Kankamagus Highway we were so rewarded for our waitand traffic wasn't bad at all. However, hotels in North Conway were sky high pricewise, too, at that time.
My husband and I are new to NYC and for my 31st b-day in mid October, we would love to see New England fall foliage! We are looking for recommendations on where to go to see some amazing views. In addition, we want to hike, would love a wine tour, and would enjoy picking apples and visiting some working farms. We are willing to travel within 4 hours of new york city. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Posted by ligree
The fall foliage in the Berkshires is spectacular! There is a wonderful working farm in Williamstown called Green River Farms where you can take an interactive farm tour in a covered wagon pulled by a tractor. You will go to the top of the mountain and see incredible views and then have a chance to pick apples from their orchards. (Don't miss the Honey Crisp apples). In addition there is a corn maze and a wonderul petting zoo as well as a gourmet store selling specialty items and prepared foods. You can purchase items for a picnic lunch and eat next to the Green River. They even press their own apple cider. check out heir website: www.greenriverfarms.com The drive from NYC is only about 3 hours.
I agree with ABC travel - the Berkshires are great and not as long a drive. Vermont is wonderful too, but is further away and probably more crowded even after the holiday weekend. The Berkshires has the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Daniel Chester French home with a wonderful tour of his studio where he designed the Lincoln Memorial as well as many other famous American civic sculptures. Williamstown is beautiful and has two art museums. There is a great hikes in the Southern portion - Monument Mountain and Mount Greylock. There is a very large modern art museum in North Adams - Mass MOCA. You can also visit the Hancock Shaker Village. We have been up there several times - too much to do in one weekend but a great place to visit even when the summer arts events like Tanglewood are closed.
Welcome to NY-- we are now in the Northwest, but lived in Upstate for nearly 8 years. No need to leave NY, just go to the Adirondacks! Lots of hiking, beautiful scenery, Lake Placid area very nice. Or over to our former area, the Finger Lakes. Only 3 hr or so drive, you will LOVE upstate, so very different from the city!
